Why we don't need to keep up with OKC

This post is written as a response to Jake, who left a comment on the previous post regarding the talk in OKC of another new skyscraper(s) that will most likely be announced relatively soon. He also said that Tulsa needs to build one to "get in on the race." I will preface this post by stating that I do not intend to be rude or put anyone down, it is just me giving my full and unedited opinion. I enjoy all feedback from readers of this site, and I welcome differing opinions from mine.

Let me start by saying this, the city of Tulsa cannot simply build a new skyscraper at will. It takes a corporation willing to spend the money to do so. It doesn't matter how much we *really* want a new skyscraper, it will not happen until either a corporation or investor sees the need for one. OKC has seen this with Devon, and will probably end up seeing it again with another company.

"Wait, what? You mean that OKC currently has a skyscraper under construction and is likely to see at least one more in the coming years? But what about us? We must build a taller one in order to proclaim our superiority!" In my opinion, this thought process is totally wrong. I have grown tired of the attitude that we must mimick everything OKC does, or we will fall behind. This next part will damage the prides of many of you, but I believe it's true. OKC has already "outdone" us in terms of business and population growth. I don't think Tulsa will ever be as big as OKC, and that is okay. That does not mean that Tulsa cannot be as good as, or even better than OKC in terms of actual human-scale day to day life.

Why does it matter to us if OKC has the bigger skyline, or is adding population at a faster rate? Bigger does not equal better.

Here in Tulsa we have beautiful, historic neighborhoods. A downtown that is growing and revitalizing at an extremely quick pace, and many neighborhoods around it that are beginning to gentrify. We also have several very nice and rapidly growing suburbs.

So why are we so worried about OKC "outdoing" us? They are simply experiencing different circumstances than we are now. Who knows, we could be in their shoes in 5-10 years. Besides, some of the citizens are starting to get inflated heads, we should be happy that we're keeping all the nice people here. :)

I smell something from down the pike...

...something, a bit fishy.

Okay, so there was this really cool night food market planned for Downtown Oklahoma City, on Friday night. But, after about thirty minutes, the entire thing was shut down. The ABLE commission, as well as some agents, suddenly swept in (about twenty of them) and found "violations." There were three food trucks there, about twenty city workers. Hmmmmm......

This article by Steve Lackmeyer gives some preliminary information, but even he has said that he does not necessarily believe either side's story.

Welcome OKC Readers!

First off, I'd like to thank Nick Roberts of A Downtown ontheRange for recognizing me in one of his recent posts. Also, I'd like to welcome any new readers from Oklahoma City. Please check back frequently for news on your sister city and the occasional OKC update.