If you'd like to learn more about TulsaNow, or find out what you can do to get involved, don't miss our annual meeting on Monday, January 29.
This year, we hope to engage our membership like never before, and we'll be asking YOU to help us set our strategic priorities for '07. What's important to you? What should TulsaNow focus on in the coming year? We know you've got opinions, and we want to hear your thoughts and ideas. See you there!
What: TulsaNow Annual Meeting
When: Monday, January 29, 6:00-8:00 PM
Where: McNellie's (upstairs) – 409 E. 1st
Someone should start a thread for where people who want to give input, but can't make this meeting can share their thoughts. The ideas in that thread could even be reviewed and discussed at the meeting. Now, that's inclusivity and accessibility.
Bates has a pretty good article in UTW (//%22http://www.urbantulsa.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A15723%22), about this meeting, it's goals, and some candid inconvenient truths about the make up of Tulsa Now and efforts to address them. I really hope Tulsa Now can be a place where Bernice Alexander or Paul Tay are just as welcome as someone whose name graces buildings or non profits.
I was getting ready to ask how many people show usually and count me in and I realized I will be in Dallas through Wednesday. Oh the humanity!!!
I will be there.
I think Michael Bates captured the spirit of the group pretty well. A bunch of people who want to make a difference and want to brainstorm about how to do that.
I have attended each of the other TulsaNow public meetings and always met new and interesting people. Come up and introduce yourself so I can put a face with your name.
I like the 1 comment so far...
quote:
Santa LOVES TulsaNow! A lot.
Is that downtown? Because I don't like to go there. :)
Perhaps you guys could move it to somewhere near 71st and Memorial, then maybe more of us would be willing to show up.
There's a Barnes and Noble on 71st.
Does downtown frighten you?
No it doesn't frighten me, it is just difficult to navigate, hard to find things, and hard to park there.
Last time I went it was to the Brady, and it took me a while to find it. So many old brick buildings, they all look alike.
The crime rate is higher in that area though. Lots more gunfire exchanges between police and... er... low income young men, no?
quote:
Originally posted by Hawkins
No it doesn't frighten me, it is just difficult to navigate, hard to find things, and hard to park there.
Last time I went it was to the Brady, and it took me a while to find it. So many old brick buildings, they all look alike.
The crime rate is higher in that area though. Lots more gunfire exchanges between police and... er... low income young men, no?
Nope. More chance of getting robbed at 71st & Memorial.
McNellie's has parking. Use mapquest or Google Maps. If you're really stumped, you can follow me.
I was just kidding really. I figured that my 71st & Memorial comparison--the NEW downtown--might ruffle some feathers this morning.
But seriously, I hate downtown for the navigation problems and crappy parking.
How is downtown hard to navigate? It's on a grid system, for goodness sake. Do right angles throw you off?
What do you consider crappy about the parking? How long have you spent looking for parking? McNellies of course has a parking lot. You drive to it, and park. I've never seen it full (though, for its sake, I wish it were a few times).
quote:
The crime rate is higher in that area though. Lots more gunfire exchanges between police and... er... low income young men, no?
The only time I've been shot at in Tulsa was at Harvard and the BA and I've spent 90% of my time here working downtown.
Hope to see you guys there.
Just found out about this and really want to encourage the relocation of this meeting, as first postulated by Hawkins.
Inside the IDL is just too risky for the timid.
Maybe a breakout room on the TCC South campus?
The idea of snagging online comments to muse over at the meeting has me seeing blue dots, jdb
quote:
Originally posted by pmcalk
How is downtown hard to navigate? It's on a grid system, for goodness sake. Do right angles throw you off?
What do you consider crappy about the parking? How long have you spent looking for parking? McNellies of course has a parking lot. You drive to it, and park. I've never seen it full (though, for its sake, I wish it were a few times).
Tulsa's grid system is extremely easy to navigate. Everyone gets spoiled to two-way roads separated by a mile. Make them close together and one-way, you're in trouble.
Will there be an agenda for this meeting? If so, could it be posted? Thanks.
People on this forums talk all damn day about redevelopment and how we need to make downtown a better place... and then are afraid to go to the Blue Dome district (I understand it is actually just outside of the district, but basically...)?
I will assume none of you have ever been to that area nor any of the 7 or 8 bars/nightclubs or restaurants nearby. McNellie's is one of the nicest bars in Oklahoma in one of the urban areas in Tulsa that is actually gaining businesses without government handouts. but its somehow not good enough for you.
So I guess we should scrap the discussion on a downtown stadium, who cares if its baseball or soccer, we 'aint going downtown anyway. Certainly dont need a hotel near the convention center... too scary. In fact, lets sell that thing because we're not heading downtown to see any events anyway. In fact, lets abandon everything from TU to Woodward to OSU campus to the river. Just avoid the whole area. You know what, they built a really nice Bricktown area in OKC, lets just meet there (to quote the great Homer: "Now that's sarcasm.").
quote:
Originally posted by Double A
Will there be an agenda for this meeting? If so, could it be posted? Thanks.
You coming?
If not, I could put a hat and glasses on a battery and tell everyone you came "incognito."
quote:
Originally posted by cannon_fodder
People on this forums talk all damn day about redevelopment and how we need to make downtown a better place... and then are afraid to go to the Blue Dome district (I understand it is actually just outside of the district, but basically...)?
I will assume none of you have ever been to that area nor any of the 7 or 8 bars/nightclubs or restaurants nearby. McNellie's is one of the nicest bars in Oklahoma in one of the urban areas in Tulsa that is actually gaining businesses without government handouts. but its somehow not good enough for you.
So I guess we should scrap the discussion on a downtown stadium, who cares if its baseball or soccer, we 'aint going downtown anyway. Certainly dont need a hotel near the convention center... too scary. In fact, lets sell that thing because we're not heading downtown to see any events anyway. In fact, lets abandon everything from TU to Woodward to OSU campus to the river. Just avoid the whole area. You know what, they built a really nice Bricktown area in OKC, lets just meet there (to quote the great Homer: "Now that's sarcasm.").
Just an FYI, I'm pretty sure they're being sarcastic.
quote:
Originally posted by sgrizzle
quote:
Originally posted by Double A
Will there be an agenda for this meeting? If so, could it be posted? Thanks.
You coming?
If not, I could put a hat and glasses on a battery and tell everyone you came "incognito."
Me likey! Me likey lots!
60F outside, 3pm on a Friday, my buddy just called to barrow my boat... and Im not fishing.
Sorry if Im a bit dense. [:D]
- Jesse
Maybe its because I never go there, but the streets are all unknown to me, grid or not. Detroit, Cincinatti... which comes first? At least they're named properly, for other run-down dangerous metro areas... LOL.
Someone tell me where the nearest intersection to this McNelie's is, because honestly, I haven't a clue where it is.
Is it anywhere near that hardware store where the clerk got beat to death? Or is it closer to the drive-by neighborhoods?
Wow, I just saw the Towerview thread.
There is a lot of discussion about the run down downtown area here.
I find it baffling.
quote:
Originally posted by Hawkins
Maybe its because I never go there, but the streets are all unknown to me, grid or not. Detroit, Cincinatti... which comes first? At least they're named properly, for other run-down dangerous metro areas... LOL.
Someone tell me where the nearest intersection to this McNelie's is, because honestly, I haven't a clue where it is.
Is it anywhere near that hardware store where the clerk got beat to death? Or is it closer to the drive-by neighborhoods?
1st and Elgin
The streets are arranged alphabetically running away from Main. So West to East they are:
Elwood, Denver, Cheyenne, Boulder, Main, Boston, Cincinatti, Detroit, Elgin
If you're coming from South Tulsa, do this:
1. BA Westbound (to downtown)
2. Take the Highway 75 North exit (far right lane as you're getting to the IDL)
3. Stay in the same lane and you will enter HW75 and immediately exit at 7th via a big lazy loop.
4. Once you're on 7th, move to the far right lane. Turn right at first stoplight (elgin)
5. Drive 6 blocks and you're there.
"If you're coming from South Tulsa, do this:"
Leave the keys in the ignition and don't lock the door's: that way if the cops find it, it won't have a punched steering column or any broken windows.
BMW's can park for free near me.
Have a nice meeting, jdb
quote:
Originally posted by jdb
"If you're coming from South Tulsa, do this:"
Leave the keys in the ignition and don't lock the door's: that way if the cops find it, it won't have a punched steering column or any broken windows.
BMW's can park for free near me.
Have a nice meeting, jdb
I'm surprised you didn't just offer "Free Valet Parking."
Well, there goes the sarcasm argument I guess. Hypocrites.
As stated before, the streets are alphabetical from MAIN. Main is the Mississippi river - West of it are the names of western cities in alphabetical order: Boulder, Cheyenne, Denver etc. East are eastern cities: Boston, Cincinnati, Detroit.
I pretty well said it all before...
" I'm surprised you didn't just offer "Free Valet Parking." - griz
Would leave a wittness behind and then rico would get popped for the boost.
Ford owners are encouraged to park in the doorway of First Baptist.
I was actually planning on attending the gala (last one I sat in on was the Blue dotter and wasn't too painfull): but I am in Arizona basking with the Snow birds.
McNels is a good joint in a good location for this gathering...way more fitting then Harweldon.
Meet like the wind, jdb
I am looking forward to being there. Have never been to McNellie's, always nice to check out something different.
Coolest bar in town! Like something you'd find in Chicago. The walnut bar is huge...and I think was imported from Ireland. They have a terrific selection of international beers both on tap and bottled. Plus pretty good bar food...I'm a sucker for the sweet potato french fries. See you there!
quote:
Originally posted by Hawkins
Wow, I just saw the Towerview thread.
There is a lot of discussion about the run down downtown area here.
I find it baffling.
The Tulsa Now organization, and this forum, is mostly concerned with the development direction and revitalization of Tulsa's Downtown and Urban Core. It shouldn't be baffling that there is thus a lot of discussion about what goes on in those areas versus 71st and Memorial lol. Plus your more likely to find 80 year old ,or older, buildings in the concerned area than you are to find them in South Tulsa. Downtown may have "or did have" the Towerview, but it also has many incredible buildings like the Philtower, Mid Con, First National, Philcade, Holy Family Cathedral.... What ya got at 71st and Memorial? Oh yea I forgot, the INCREDIBLE Pizza Palace (which was once a run down abandoned Target if I remember correctly, and something not worth even having a discussion about) and a Barnes and Noble lol.
quote:
Originally posted by Hawkins
Is it anywhere near that hardware store where the clerk got beat to death? Or is it closer to the drive-by neighborhoods?
Hawkins, you are truly a diamond in the rough. And I'm not being sarcastic. You define perfectly my pupose for working on my Tulsa marketing tool. You probably live in a suburban Tulsa neighborhood, where downtown is mostly thought to be synonymous with Transylvania. There are many people in Midtown Tulsa that don't believe you exist. Read this:
http://www.tulsanow.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=5613
Gotta work Monday night...
love the sweet potato fries... only thing missing is a good "Irish Breakfast" on the menu...
Otherwise, the place is better than Ginger's Ale House in Chicago...
Two thumbs up.
***got paranoid when parking there once, thinking I couldn't possibly get a space this close to the front door... without it being illegal. [8D]
Upstairs is the smoking section.....
We're going to be in the meeting room upstairs. We're hoping that by closing the door, we can avoid the smoke.
quote:
Originally posted by perspicuity85
quote:
Originally posted by Hawkins
Is it anywhere near that hardware store where the clerk got beat to death? Or is it closer to the drive-by neighborhoods?
Hawkins, you are truly a diamond in the rough. And I'm not being sarcastic. You define perfectly my pupose for working on my Tulsa marketing tool. You probably live in a suburban Tulsa neighborhood, where downtown is mostly thought to be synonymous with Transylvania. There are many people in Midtown Tulsa that don't believe you exist. Read this:
http://www.tulsanow.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=5613
This Hawkins persons response does place the issue of people not knowing anything about downtown and mid-town front and fore. I have said it many a time, even people who live in Tulsa have no idea about the great treasures in their own backyard. I am willing to bet you that probably half my clients have never been to Philbrook for instance. Many of them don't even know what it is. If Tulsa attractions can't even attract local people, or get the local people to know they exist, well thats just sad. Course the next question I may start asking those clients is, what is it they like to do? Is it just me, but when I go to a different city one of the first things I look to visit are the different museums, art museums, planetariums, aquariums, natural history museums, the historic areas, the best dining and shopping areas, etc. Am I just odd that way? But even if I did that here in Tulsa, would I be able to find brochures on these places here? Perhaps this is something to bring up in the Tulsa Now meeting.
I'm sorry Arteest.... The posts made by Hawkins are far too pretentious to be taken seriously..
This is starting to read like a Metro Chamber Commercial..
Perhaps it is just the exposure to valley girls at a young age or something..
More importantly, I am not saying your idea is not Great... Just do not let this Hawkins person be the reason for it.
quote:
Originally posted by TheArtist
This Hawkins persons response does place the issue of people not knowing anything about downtown and mid-town front and fore. I have said it many a time, even people who live in Tulsa have no idea about the great treasures in their own backyard. I am willing to bet you that probably half my clients have never been to Philbrook for instance. Many of them don't even know what it is. If Tulsa attractions can't even attract local people, or get the local people to know they exist, well thats just sad. Course the next question I may start asking those clients is, what is it they like to do? Is it just me, but when I go to a different city one of the first things I look to visit are the different museums, art museums, planetariums, aquariums, natural history museums, the historic areas, the best dining and shopping areas, etc. Am I just odd that way? But even if I did that here in Tulsa, would I be able to find brochures on these places here? Perhaps this is something to bring up in the Tulsa Now meeting.
No, you are not odd, I think most people enjoy doing the same type of activities. But now we must ask ourselves
why thousands of our own citizens are so poorly educated about their "home city." Tulsa set a self-fulfilling prophecy of mediocrity for itself that continues on many levels today. So, what can we do about it? First off, I think the Vision 2025 is probably the biggest step in the right direction we've ever had. However, I think its obvious we still have a long way to go. Most importantly, we need to get to the root of the problem, i.e. the general lack of knowledge about Tulsa. Here are a couple of important questions that shed light on the situation:
a) Where do people that move to Tulsa live?
- Most likely, suburban areas. South Tulsa, Jenks, Bixby, Owasso, Broken Arrow, etc. These are the areas with the best public school systems, the most home construction, and usually low crime rates. That being said, it would be in the best collective interest of small business owners and national franchisees in Downtown and Midtown to participate in a marketing campaign aimed at bringing in customers from suburban Tulsa. Believe me I'm all for the loft projects in Downtown and Midtown, but they alone will not bring in enough people to support something like the East End, for example.
b) What is the opportunity cost to Tulsa of not marketing its unique cultural regions?
I think the answer to that is already clear to many people. Just look at the regional surveys conducted recently that have been published in the Tulsa World. Only about 8% of people (check me on the exact figure, but I'm pretty close) perceive Tulsa as a big city with skyscrapers and lots of culture, etc. Why would the other 92% ever come to Tulsa? Why don't any business leaders in Tulsa think it's necessary to market their products to the
hundreds of thousands of people in the regional trade area? Residents of NW Ark, Wichita, and Springfield would definitely come to Tulsa if they knew just a little bit more about the city. I have friends in Fayetteville, AR that drove to Memphis to go to the same stores we have in Utica Sqare. Wouldn't they rather drive 2 hours to Tulsa instead of 5 hours to Memphis? The answer is yes, because I told them about Utica Square.
The local and regional market is in place for Tulsa to really take a giant leap forward. Unrealized potential is the same thing as un-marketed potential.
Everyone here is very professional in their responses and I appreciate that.
I've been downtown several times... to the Schwab office, the Brady, and the building where business licenses are sold.
But each time I go I have to research how to get back to these places (except for the Schwab office).
I am directionally impaired to some extent, and I don't understand the downtown area or like trying to drive there, with one-way streets and stoplights every 40 feet or so.
Someone mentioned Philbrook. That sounds like a great place. But I have no idea where it is.
Been to the Oklahoma Aquarium and Riverwalk in Jenks several times, but anything towards Downtown/Sand Springs is a total jumble in my mind.
The times that I have been downtown have been pretty dissapointing. At the State offices, no one wants to be there, its just people that have to go there to pay fines or buy licenses, or those that have to work there.
At the Brady, it is SOOOooo run down and ancient. Yes it has history, but that's all its got, folks. Seating there is quite uncomfortable.
I was told by a construction worker once that some of the downtown buildings, when the walls are removed, are flooded with roaches from end over end. And I'm not just talking about the Towerview.
So that's what I've got in my head on the issue of downtown right now. Hope this helps you guys figure out how to promote it better, but I'm not a fan of it, and am one of 'those people' who are completely baffled at the fact that a multi-million $ stadium is being built there.
I would have built the stadium near 71st & Garnett, right off of 169, perhaps back there where the new Mathis Brothers development happened.
^
Downtown has that impression on a lot of people, but there is so much more to it than that. The principle reason for investing in downtown is to preserve that which is unique to Tulsa. Just think what would have happened if no one had ever redeveloped large sections of cities like Baltimore, Portland, OR, or Washington, DC. Their slums would have eventually extended over greater and greater geographic regions of the city, until property values plummeted. The older regions of most cities are also the most historic regions. Tulsa is certainly no exception, with the third highest concentration of art deco architecture in the US (behind NYC and Miami Beach). The culture unique to Tulsa is found in its historic regions, which are not just downtown. Brookside, Cherry St., Uptown, and the Utica district are all important historic districts within the Midtown area. Within these areas, you will find many unique locally owned shops, restaurants, and bars, as well as some national chains that fit nicely too.
Areas like 71st and Memorial are ok, they offer many shopping and dining options, but there is nothing unique about them. There is a 71st and Memorial in hundreds of metro areas throughout the US. Areas like these are suburban landscapes, which mainly means they do not promote a lot of pedestrian activity. Tulsa's unique identity is found in its urban landscapes, i.e. the regions I mentioned previously. Urban Tulsa is what makes Tulsa Tulsa.
Awesome meeting!
I counted 58 people there, mostly due to the story by Michael Bates.
I saw Kiah, waterboy, sgizzle, pmcalk, ponderinc, the artist, carlton place, dshuttler, david arnett, rbryant, and jamie all there as well as many others.
I saw members of the city planning department, engineers, media people, downtown property owners, students, business people and a few assorted drunks all get together and brainstorm on what we can do as a city.
The updates on the comprehensive plan, form-based codes and the new public murals were good conversations. The public input section filled all three sheets of notes and the priorities of the group was very interesting.
Thanks to all who participated. It is exactly this kind of dialogue that will lead Tulsa to be a better place.
quote:
Originally posted by recyclemichael
Awesome meeting!
I counted 58 people there, mostly due to the story by Michael Bates.
I saw Kiah, waterboy, sgizzle, pmcalk, ponderinc, the artist, carlton place, dshuttler, david arnett, rbryant, and jamie all there as well as many others.
I saw members of the city planning department, engineers, media people, downtown property owners, students, business people and a few assorted drunks all get together and brainstorm on what we can do as a city.
The updates on the comprehensive plan, form-based codes and the new public murals were good conversations. The public input section filled all three sheets of notes and the priorities of the group was very interesting.
Thanks to all who participated. It is exactly this kind of dialogue that will lead Tulsa to be a better place.
I came late. No surprise there. I was surprised by the turnout and the good discussion for such a large group. The after meeting talks were even better.
Welcome to the forum Hawkins. Just wondering how long you've lived in Tulsa.
The folks on this forum are all hardcore Tulsans. Many of us are even a little obsessed. If you're curious about the city you live in, its history, cool things to do and unique things to see, just ask. These guys can give you a list as long as your arm.
See here (//%22http://www.tulsanow.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=5804%22) for more information about what came out of the meeting.
I also enjoyed all the conversations after the meeting. It was good to make new friends too.
Sometimes, it is all about relationships.
We should do it again and not make it an annual thing.
quote:
Originally posted by carltonplace
Welcome to the forum Hawkins. Just wondering how long you've lived in Tulsa.
The folks on this forum are all hardcore Tulsans. Many of us are even a little obsessed. If you're curious about the city you live in, its history, cool things to do and unique things to see, just ask. These guys can give you a list as long as your arm.
Oooh now that sounds like an idea for a new Tulsa t-shirt. "Hardcore Tulsan"[8D]
quote:
Originally posted by TheArtist
quote:
Originally posted by carltonplace
Welcome to the forum Hawkins. Just wondering how long you've lived in Tulsa.
The folks on this forum are all hardcore Tulsans. Many of us are even a little obsessed. If you're curious about the city you live in, its history, cool things to do and unique things to see, just ask. These guys can give you a list as long as your arm.
Oooh now that sounds like an idea for a new Tulsa t-shirt. "Hardcore Tulsan"[8D]
Let's print them and sell them (for less than $20)
Hurry before Louis & Cluck starts printing them...
Speaking of Hardcore Tulsa, check out this upcoming film at the Circle Cinema (//%22http://www.circlecinema.com/%22):
American Hardcore (//%22http://www.sonyclassics.com/americanhardcore/%22)
Legendary Tulsa band(that provided much of the local soundtrack to my misspent youth) NOTA, will be present between the Friday Feb 9 evening showings for Q & A.
Take the challenge...
Next Saturday afternoon, drive eastbound or westbound on 71st between Garnett and Memorial... then take the B.A. from Garnett to downtown to McNellies...
Compare traffic/parking availability...
Thanks for playing. [:D]
We have a 71st St in Tulsa? What in the f is a Garnett?
Yeah, I got one of those 20% off coupons for Bed, Bath & Beyond off 71st & Memorial...
Last Saturday afternoon 71st wasn't as much a street as it was a parking lot...
And one of my favorite bars/pubs is Fox & Hound on 71st & Garnett (why yes, there is life east of Hwy 169)...[;)]
The drive for a mile or two to Bed, Bath & Beyond actually took LONGER than my drive downtown to McNellie's... and the walk from my parking spot at McN's was actually shorter than my walk through the busy parking lot at Fox & Hound...
Go figure. "I'll take 'Suburban Myths' for $500 Alex..." [8D]
Just an FYI, you should be able to use that coupon at the midtown location, or Linens N Things take competitors coupons...