I met with OC Walker of the TDA, about the Art Deco Museum we are wanting to get started. I know its early in the game for us, but wanted to get a feel for what they are looking for, what we would need to do to be considered, whats available, etc. Basically start a relationship and see if there can be any possibilities here. My goal at this point is to check out any and all possibile options.
I had read this article in the Urban Tulsa Weekly,
http://www.urbantulsa.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A28117 and it sounded like they might be willing to work with a group like us. I would think we could be a great fit in helping to revitalize some part of the city. If we got a chunk of property say, we could make benchmarks like,,, we will break ground and start building within x amount of time. Or if its and old warehouse we could make such and such improvements by this benchmark, and so fourth to show that we are in earnest and making progress to do what they want for the city,,, revitalizing blighted areas, and thus earn some claim to the property. And if we don't meet those goals, they have the right to take the property back and let someone else have a try. Just thinking out loud there but never got to that point with them.
He said it sounded like a great project, shook my hand, said he would get an email out to me showing the properties they have available, and then we could talk about the different restrictions on any of the properties our group might find interesting "apparently some properties were donated for instance and have different goals/restrictions attached". But,,, no email. I emailed him back a couple days later thanking him for his time, enjoyed meeting with him, etc.,,,, still no email back.
I am starting to feel like we are being blown off. But why say it sounds like an exciting project, smile, shake my hand, and then not at least tell us later "Well, after thinking about it, I don't think your a fit for us,,," or "Perhaps when you get further along and do this, this, and this,,"? I went there to explore options, see if we could figure out a way to possibly work together and be a part of something that could help the city in some area, and to learn. I am gonna keep exploring all potential options and may just end up having to be a pest and go back over there lol. I am not gonna give up so easily on any potential front,,, but ya know, unless they are really busy and just cant be bothered, I would hope that they would want to reach out and encourage groups like ours and want to work with us to make a go of something? But, I know I am still new at this game and have a lot to learn.