There is a very good chance that I will be changing to a different blogging platform, thus changing my web address among other things. Blogger has been very hard to use as of late. I will let you know through here if I do in fact change websites.
I'm sorry to say this, but hopefully I can make some real improvements soon.
(PS. I'm sorry that everything is in a continuous block without any formatting to the writing. It is not how I am typing it, it is how Blogger is saving it. This is one of the reasons that I may soon be switching websites.)
It looks as though my near rage quit on Google will not be happening. While not all the issues have been worked out, many of the issues I've been experienced have been addressed. Hopefully I won't have to move, that does not sound fun.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
I feel like ranting...
Today I feel like ranting. I don't know why, but I do. As much as I would like to rant about Blogger being very difficult when it comes to changing the look of the site, and how they seem to hate Apple, I won't because that has no relevancy to this blog.
So my rant for today is about a phrase that I commonly hear and read. "I love downtown, but it will never be as good as it was in the 20's, and that's okay." Let's begin our annotation with the first pure in this quote, "I love downtown..." This is the only part of the quote that pleases me. It shows that the person does in fact enjoy downtown, and probably visits fairly often, and is not just some close-minded person who hasn't been downtown in twelve years and is still spewing their opinion as though they frequent it. Now the second phrase, "...but it will never be as good as it was n the 20's..." Wait, what? But I thought you loved downtown. If so, then why are you giving up hope on it now? I believe downtown has the full potential to achieve a level of vibrancy, importance, and vitality equal to or greater than it was in years past, but it needs the full support of citizens. And now the worst part, "...and that's okay..." This drives me insane! No, it's not okay. Downtown and surrounding areas very much have the potential to become just as great as they were before. We should not settle for anything less. Our city will only improve as long as we strive to make it better. That does not include deciding ahead of time that Tulsa has already seen its best days, and that days like those will never return.
Come on Tulsans! Let's have some faith in our capabilities and not limit ourselves by language such as this. We have the potential, so why hold back?
So my rant for today is about a phrase that I commonly hear and read. "I love downtown, but it will never be as good as it was in the 20's, and that's okay." Let's begin our annotation with the first pure in this quote, "I love downtown..." This is the only part of the quote that pleases me. It shows that the person does in fact enjoy downtown, and probably visits fairly often, and is not just some close-minded person who hasn't been downtown in twelve years and is still spewing their opinion as though they frequent it. Now the second phrase, "...but it will never be as good as it was n the 20's..." Wait, what? But I thought you loved downtown. If so, then why are you giving up hope on it now? I believe downtown has the full potential to achieve a level of vibrancy, importance, and vitality equal to or greater than it was in years past, but it needs the full support of citizens. And now the worst part, "...and that's okay..." This drives me insane! No, it's not okay. Downtown and surrounding areas very much have the potential to become just as great as they were before. We should not settle for anything less. Our city will only improve as long as we strive to make it better. That does not include deciding ahead of time that Tulsa has already seen its best days, and that days like those will never return.
Come on Tulsans! Let's have some faith in our capabilities and not limit ourselves by language such as this. We have the potential, so why hold back?
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Is something coming together in the East End?
So earlier this week, a developer who posts on Tulsa Now leaked a tiny bit of info about not one, but two housing projects planned for the same block at 3rd and S. Greenwood, which is adjacent to the planned park by Land Legacy. Here are the renderings for one of them:
(Keep in mind that these are early renderings and do not expect the final design to look exactly like this.)
The project shown in the renderings above could start as soon as this spring, and would consist of for sale tri-level row houses with rooftop patio space. The massing behind it is another project that has not had any information officially released, but would appear to be more of a multi-family apartment or condo building. If these two projects actually do come to fruition very soon, I believe we will see the East End really heat up. And if the park is built soon as well, we will have another fantastic enclave of downtown appear. So far most development in downtown has been confined to the Blue Dome and Brady districts, but I think if these projects get going soon, we sill see more development spread east and south, and hopefully begin to connect into making downtown a cohesive neighborhood, and not several little districts. This area will definitely be one to watch as the year progresses, and I look forward to hearing more about it.
The project shown in the renderings above could start as soon as this spring, and would consist of for sale tri-level row houses with rooftop patio space. The massing behind it is another project that has not had any information officially released, but would appear to be more of a multi-family apartment or condo building. If these two projects actually do come to fruition very soon, I believe we will see the East End really heat up. And if the park is built soon as well, we will have another fantastic enclave of downtown appear. So far most development in downtown has been confined to the Blue Dome and Brady districts, but I think if these projects get going soon, we sill see more development spread east and south, and hopefully begin to connect into making downtown a cohesive neighborhood, and not several little districts. This area will definitely be one to watch as the year progresses, and I look forward to hearing more about it.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Random Opinion
Recently I have been reading in TNF a discussion that brings to light the notion that there is nothing to draw people in to our downtown. That it is a nice little area, of which is developing into just another neighborhood. No, those aren't the poster's exact words, but it's what I got out of it.
And to add my opinion, I would have to say that I completely disagree that there is nothing downtown to draw people in, or that makes it unique from other cities. I know many people who make trips to downtown specifically for the amazing restaurants. I frequently hear people at school rave about how good Joe Mommas, McNellies, etc. are. I see the restaurants in downtown as the number one (aside from BOK and ONEOK) draw for people that would not normally go downtown to make a special trip there.
And aside from restaurants drawing people in, think about how many 5k's are held downtown every year. More than I can count, and they certainly draw people in. Thousands. And what about all the Brady and the Cains. They draw hundreds to a couple thousand people in nearly every weekend. If you include the BOK Center then you have several thousand people lured into downtown for every event. And you of course cannot deny that many people would not be in downtown on a regular basis if it weren't for ONEOK and the Drillers.
Now think about the museums being constructed on the Matthews Warehouse block. They will definitely be something that many people consider worth visiting. And along with the art museums, there are all the art festivals and Friday night Art Crawl held in the Brady throughout the spring and summer. Talk about unique and full of character.
So overall, I think that the fear that our downtown has nothing unique to bring people, as well as money, in is unwarranted. It is a neighborhood that is devleloping a distinct character and personality, and we should encourage that. So far downtown has developed very organically and I think that is why it is what it is today. Let's not hinder what it has going because we are afraid that it is not enough.
And to add my opinion, I would have to say that I completely disagree that there is nothing downtown to draw people in, or that makes it unique from other cities. I know many people who make trips to downtown specifically for the amazing restaurants. I frequently hear people at school rave about how good Joe Mommas, McNellies, etc. are. I see the restaurants in downtown as the number one (aside from BOK and ONEOK) draw for people that would not normally go downtown to make a special trip there.
And aside from restaurants drawing people in, think about how many 5k's are held downtown every year. More than I can count, and they certainly draw people in. Thousands. And what about all the Brady and the Cains. They draw hundreds to a couple thousand people in nearly every weekend. If you include the BOK Center then you have several thousand people lured into downtown for every event. And you of course cannot deny that many people would not be in downtown on a regular basis if it weren't for ONEOK and the Drillers.
Now think about the museums being constructed on the Matthews Warehouse block. They will definitely be something that many people consider worth visiting. And along with the art museums, there are all the art festivals and Friday night Art Crawl held in the Brady throughout the spring and summer. Talk about unique and full of character.
So overall, I think that the fear that our downtown has nothing unique to bring people, as well as money, in is unwarranted. It is a neighborhood that is devleloping a distinct character and personality, and we should encourage that. So far downtown has developed very organically and I think that is why it is what it is today. Let's not hinder what it has going because we are afraid that it is not enough.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Downtown Update II
After reading the KRMG interview of Sager, with him once again proclaiming that his project is moving forward, I thought about what that project could mean for the area if it was ever completed. The article also talked about several other developments that are either nearly completed or close to breaking ground. I thought about now great downtown is going to be when all these projects are completed. And when those are completed, how many more projects will be planned or under construction.
First off, one of the projects that was mentioned in the article was Greenarch. A project that I was beginning to fear had died. From a design standpoint, it is my favorite project of the ones currently planned or under construction. It's modern design complements that of ONEOK Field, using similar materials, but separates itself by adding clean, square lines and fantastic colors. It really is a very good looking project if you ask me. The article stated (or maybe quoted) that Greenarch has overcome hurdles in its early stages and will be breaking ground very soon. If this project does in fact come to fruition, it will be the first major development within immediate proximity of the ballpark, and will hopefully encourage more activity around there.
Staying in the ballpark area, Blake Ewing's new grocery concept Archer Market is due to be open soon. The space is well under construction, so hopefully within a few weeks downtown has its own grocery store!
Another grocery, this time in the Blue Dome, Cam's Grocery, is set to be open this spring in their renovated building. The store's proprietor, Daniel Cameron, has been in the grocery business before in Oregon, so it sounds like we will be getting a solid new business with this development.
Jumping northwest a few blocks, the Brady is undergoing a true boom right now. I can't think of any other place in the city that has as many construction projects in such a concentrated area as the Brady.
The Metro is all but completed, and will bring 77 new lofts into downtown within a matter of weeks. Sit back for a minute and think about the economic impact that this is going to have on the area around it. The whole of downtown really. So many business owners would kill to have 77 residences within blocks of them. Along with that, it will bring even more pedestrians and life to the Brady during the day. Residents do more than bring an area nightlife, or weekend excitement. They make an area a living, breathing, 24/7 neighborhood.
Across the street, we have the Brady Fairfield Inn well under construction, with the beams already going up. Upon completion, this will add approximately 104 hotel rooms to the north side of downtown, as well as over 10,000 square feet of retail space, of which they hope to fill with restaurants. That is the only thing that gets me about. This project. We need STORES in downtown, more places to shop and do things, not eat. There are already plenty of places to eat right now, we need stores! Most likely the logic of the developers is that they need a restaurant in the bottom of their hotel for their guests to eat at, but in an urban area other places to eat are only blocks away, which in my opinion would seem to do away with the notion that a hotel must have a restaurant inside it. Even then, that should only be one restaurant. I wish that they would try to recruit some cool, interesting stores to locate there, instead of continuing the redundancy of restaurants. But oh well, I. Guess the stores will come soon enough.
Staying on the same block, it has been rumored that the Brady flats will begin construction shortly after the completion of the Metro. Whether or not this will happen, well my guess is as good as yours, so take it as you will.
Down the street a bit, there is the Matthews Warehouse, AHHA, and Brqdy Park under construction. I tule cannot wait to see the vibrancy that this will add to the heart of the Brady District. I'm sure I will be visiting the museums as well as the park on occasion, which will be an experience unlike any other n Tulsa. Also in this area is the new KOTV studios. These are well on track to Thor scheduled completion in 2013.
Now traveling south, the lot directly east of the BOK Center is alive with construction, as One Place begins to take shape. Cimarex Tower is beginning to rise from the ground, and the Northwestern Mutual headquarters are scheduled to be completed (I think) sometime in the first half of next year. Hopefully by the end of this year we now more about the hotel and residential portion of this project.
Well I guess that concludes this post. It's much longer than normal, as it's the first "real" post I've written on my iPad. I must say it is much easier to type on than an iPhone. :-)
As I always try to end my posts on a positive note, I'll do so again tonight. Downtown is alive. Naysayers that say it is dead or that "no one goes down there" no longer hold any ground. Tulsa is finally gaining quality, something that it has not had in a long, long time.
First off, one of the projects that was mentioned in the article was Greenarch. A project that I was beginning to fear had died. From a design standpoint, it is my favorite project of the ones currently planned or under construction. It's modern design complements that of ONEOK Field, using similar materials, but separates itself by adding clean, square lines and fantastic colors. It really is a very good looking project if you ask me. The article stated (or maybe quoted) that Greenarch has overcome hurdles in its early stages and will be breaking ground very soon. If this project does in fact come to fruition, it will be the first major development within immediate proximity of the ballpark, and will hopefully encourage more activity around there.
Staying in the ballpark area, Blake Ewing's new grocery concept Archer Market is due to be open soon. The space is well under construction, so hopefully within a few weeks downtown has its own grocery store!
Another grocery, this time in the Blue Dome, Cam's Grocery, is set to be open this spring in their renovated building. The store's proprietor, Daniel Cameron, has been in the grocery business before in Oregon, so it sounds like we will be getting a solid new business with this development.
Jumping northwest a few blocks, the Brady is undergoing a true boom right now. I can't think of any other place in the city that has as many construction projects in such a concentrated area as the Brady.
The Metro is all but completed, and will bring 77 new lofts into downtown within a matter of weeks. Sit back for a minute and think about the economic impact that this is going to have on the area around it. The whole of downtown really. So many business owners would kill to have 77 residences within blocks of them. Along with that, it will bring even more pedestrians and life to the Brady during the day. Residents do more than bring an area nightlife, or weekend excitement. They make an area a living, breathing, 24/7 neighborhood.
Across the street, we have the Brady Fairfield Inn well under construction, with the beams already going up. Upon completion, this will add approximately 104 hotel rooms to the north side of downtown, as well as over 10,000 square feet of retail space, of which they hope to fill with restaurants. That is the only thing that gets me about. This project. We need STORES in downtown, more places to shop and do things, not eat. There are already plenty of places to eat right now, we need stores! Most likely the logic of the developers is that they need a restaurant in the bottom of their hotel for their guests to eat at, but in an urban area other places to eat are only blocks away, which in my opinion would seem to do away with the notion that a hotel must have a restaurant inside it. Even then, that should only be one restaurant. I wish that they would try to recruit some cool, interesting stores to locate there, instead of continuing the redundancy of restaurants. But oh well, I. Guess the stores will come soon enough.
Staying on the same block, it has been rumored that the Brady flats will begin construction shortly after the completion of the Metro. Whether or not this will happen, well my guess is as good as yours, so take it as you will.
Down the street a bit, there is the Matthews Warehouse, AHHA, and Brqdy Park under construction. I tule cannot wait to see the vibrancy that this will add to the heart of the Brady District. I'm sure I will be visiting the museums as well as the park on occasion, which will be an experience unlike any other n Tulsa. Also in this area is the new KOTV studios. These are well on track to Thor scheduled completion in 2013.
Now traveling south, the lot directly east of the BOK Center is alive with construction, as One Place begins to take shape. Cimarex Tower is beginning to rise from the ground, and the Northwestern Mutual headquarters are scheduled to be completed (I think) sometime in the first half of next year. Hopefully by the end of this year we now more about the hotel and residential portion of this project.
Well I guess that concludes this post. It's much longer than normal, as it's the first "real" post I've written on my iPad. I must say it is much easier to type on than an iPhone. :-)
As I always try to end my posts on a positive note, I'll do so again tonight. Downtown is alive. Naysayers that say it is dead or that "no one goes down there" no longer hold any ground. Tulsa is finally gaining quality, something that it has not had in a long, long time.
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