Downtown - Transit, Infill, etc.

I was reading earlier on another blog about all of the problems OKC is facing with the development of their downtown. I would rather not list them all here, I'll let you read about them on the link I posted or do your own research. All I have to say about them, is that I am not jealous of, nor do I think that OKC is outdoing us in any way. But, a bash OKC thing was not the point of this post, so I'll stop now. They have so many great projects right now under construction or planned. They are making quick and huge strides in their inner city.

Now let's move on to Tulsa.

So many great things have been happening lately, so many opportunities to write that I have missed. I am really busy this time of year, and have barely found time to do homework, much less ramble on about my opinion.

My favorite announcement of the past few weeks is definitely Blake Ewing's plans for a five - screen movie theater downtown. But not only will it be a theater, it will also serve meals and alcohol. Ewing himself has stated that it will be nicer than the Alamo Draft House. He has also said that the building will include a large marquee, which is one of my favorite parts of the entire development. What I'm not too thrilled about, but I'm sure all the old people will be, is that no one under 21 years of age will be allowed in the theater. Yes, I know why it is being done, and I have to admit that it will set a higher standard for the establishment.

Another thing that has been talked about recently are the newly released One Place renderings. Yeah, it's one of the most uninspired pieces of architecture I've ever seen. I don't mean to be rude, but the taste of the architects that designed this building really sucks. It is definitely not something that will catch anyone's eye except for perhaps other architects who will note the complete lack of creativity in the building. With that said, I do not think the building is downright ugly, it just comes in much lower than my expectations for a development of such high caliber.

Switching gears once again, today there was an article about the Brady District and it's development in the Tulsa World. The part of that article that really caught my attention was the little section that discussed a street scraping plan for the Brady. I absolutely loved it. I loved it because it was not some grandiose plan costing millions upon millions of dollars that creates a mess in the district for a long time. It was simply, "You pay sixty percent of the cost to upgrade the sidewalk in front of your property, and we'll pay forty percent." (The money coming from the Brady District TIF.) I think this plan will do the most to help the appearance of the district, and it is entirely organic.

Now let's move on to transit.

With downtown well on its way to becoming a dense, liveable, attractive neighborhood, the time to start thinking and acting on the issue of transit is now. The day we have all been waiting for is finally here. Surface lots are disappearing downtown, and parking is beginning to become a bit more of a challenge. If we wish to continue having visitors to downtown that do not live there, we need to begin piecing together an effective public transportation system. This needs to happen immediately. Not in five years, not in ten years, not as a part of some long range plan. There are many things we could do with our current bus system tO make it more efficient and useful. What do you think we should do, right now, to improve public transportation?

Downtown Grocery Stores

Two grocery stores have officially been announced now for Downtown Tulsa. They will of Course be Archer Market, a Blake Ewing operation, and Cam's Grocery, run by Daniel Cameron. Archer Market will be located on the first floor of the Detroit Lofts on the NE corner of Archer and Detroit, and Cam's Grocery will be located at 114 S. Detroit.

These announcements are more than just boring news articles to read. They mean something much more significant than that. They are signifying that the continuing change and revitalization of Downtown Tulsa has reached another milestone. A grocery store is really the last piece of the puzzle to make downtown a truly walkable neighborhood.

So will these two new grocery stores spur new development? My answer to that question, is that I honestly don't know. Don't get me wrong, I'm not hating on downtown here or saying that a new grocery store doesn't mean much. What I'm saying is exactly the opposite. There is SO much planned and under construction right now, that I don't know if these grocery stores will make a noticeable impact in the amount of development. Where I think we will see the largest impact is in the perception of downtown. Walking or driving through other citie's downtowns with grocery stores, they just feels so alive, and well, populated. A new grocery store is a sign of popUlation growth, which is exactly what our downtown needs.

I wish the best Of luck to Blake Ewing and Daniel Cameron as they set out on their new entrepreneurial endeavors. Thanks to both of you for all the hard work you have put in to making yours, and many other people's dreams a reality.