The Tulsa Forum by TulsaNow

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Several plans have been proposed for this spot, all have fizzled. Is glass block rowhouses the way to go?

Yes.

The condos built there a while back did very well.  Downtown residential is on the way.  The River Parks are great and improving.

I've been told time and again about how "urban lofts" and the like are all the rage.  I've seen them in Des Moines.  KC.  St. Louis. Minneapolis.  Albuquerque.  But none have really been built in downtown Tulsa.  This is a step in the right direction.

Good luck Mr. developer sir.

The old Shriner lot. It looks like they have oriented them towards 21st. Its a shame they couldn't slightly turn them to face the money view of the sunset over the river and the hills. They will sell well.

A money shot of the river, or a money shot into downtown Tulsa. Either way, they will have pretty decent views.

Huh huh huh, heh, heh, heh.

He said "money shot"

Huh huh huh, heh, heh, heh.

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So, is this a "this is what we would like to build" project, or is this a "we already have all the permits we need and several people have already purchased units" project?  Essentially, is this pie in the sky wishful thinking or can we actually get excited about something being developed?

Well, it's the same folks who did "The Tudors" right next to it (across from Harwelden).

There was suppose to be "more" Tudors. There was a plan to build mixed use right on the same spot. I guess they changed their minds

http://www.couryprop.com/coury_otherFlats.htm (http://"http://www.couryprop.com/coury_otherFlats.htm")

It does look like that is finally going ahead. And yes they did change the design up from what they had originally put forth. Its interesting that they can put 2 rows in. Didnt think they would or could. But hey, thats even better.

The original plan was for one building with first floor retail and 12 condos on three floors above.  Interest was sparse, and the lot was too small to get enough retail to make it a draw, so that was abandoned in favor of this.  They have sold a few of these so far, but I think they need to sell a few more to get going....These are a much higher end concept than what's been done at 15th - more high end materials, etc..  but it will also be reflected in  the prices.  Expect $500k or so to be an average.  The lot is too narrow to really angle them, and if you stand on the lot, you'll see that there really isn't a great view of the river, the real view is downtown and the park.

Here is an article (http://"http://www.tulsabusiness.com/article.asp?aID=47912")
from the Tulsa Business Journal regarding this development..

There was also this pic of the idea for the design of the interior.

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Anyone know the status of this project?  Such a great location but I don't see any construction.

I spoke with someone close to this project today.  It was effectively killed a while back but will be allowed to officially die tomorrow (what are the odds?).  Apparently the developer met the pre-sale conditions for financing just as the housing crisis hit the rest of the nation, so the bank reconsidered its agreement.  In short, financing was pulled on the project and it will be shelved for a while.

That sucks, and unfortunately is happening all over the country.  For some reason none of the proposals there could ever get off the ground i.e. Portofino Tower, Tudor Flats, and now 21 East.  With that location and view it shouldn't be difficult to develop.

The Portofino could have happened, the neighbors didnt want it to through. I am wondering if the Bomasada development will go through now as well? I am also wondering how the development across the street is doing. He got a few units built. I think there were supposed to be 35 eventually. But it looks like they are not selling. Instead of more density over there,,, we now have empty lots and  have less lol. With Tulsa, it always seems to be the timing. We hit it just wrong. Will really be interesting to see what happens in Jenks. If that Main Street project goes through and does well. Then likely that will indicate that the River District has more of a chance of actually happening. If not, I am afraid we may be in for a long slow trudge. If they cant make things happen there with those growing demographics and money. Ouch, dont look good for much new progress downtown or around the ballpark. Certainly nothing of any scale we would have previously hoped for. In other words, another decade or so of, a step forward here, a step back there, and a frustratingly slow progression of mediocre proportions. It just makes you feel like leaving. I am tired of waiting, hoping, and trying and things... seemingly moving, but, not really.  We have so far to go and at this pace... I'll be friggin dead before we get there lol. 

 Are we ever going to be able to offer a true, pedestrian friendly lifestyle here? Been talking with someone from Silver Springs Maryland. He says he lives in a suburb. But after talking to him it sounds more urban than any place we have here. He walks to the grocery store and farmers market, to a place where he makes pottery as a hobby, takes the rail to work, etc. Has a great community of friends and neighbors that get together and do things (including a community garden lol). Hasnt owned a car in over 10 years.  If he were to move here... where would he live where he could be comfortable and have any slightly familiar lifestyle that he was used to? Its more likely that I would move there.  Yep, who cares, yet another artist/creative type leaving town.

Uptown is my hope for a true urban community in Tulsa, and my main area of interest (as you can probably see) just because of its potential.  Bordered by two of the most unique, desirable neighborhoods in the city (Maple Ridge to the east and Riverview to the west) and then the river to the south and downtown to the north, with good highway access, the location is truly the best in Tulsa.  The beautiful Midland Valley trail provides a direct link to the river and perhaps a better, more direct link into downtown someday.  Maple Park and Veterans Park are two of the most active and beautiful parks in the city and there is a new dog park by the Creek Council Oak.  There are some older apartments, highrise condos, several office buildings, and a thriving restaurant/bar district at 18th & Boston (SoBo).  But right now a good part of the area between 18th and Hwy. 51, between Cheyenne and Boston, is full of parking lots or vacant buildings like Abundant Life.  I can see the area being similar to Dallas' uptown with new lofts, midrises, and retail/restaurants but it just hasn't happened.  All it takes is one developer willing to take a chance, just look at all the development that has happened in Brookside and Cherry Street over the past few years.  If was looking at living in downtown or uptown I would choose uptown based on the aforementioned attributes. 

I live near this site and wonder why is it still a vacant lot?  Does Coury still own it?  Such a great location with views of the park and skyline, Maple Ridge to the south and east, and the river trails a block away.  It would be great to see one of the modern rowhome projects get built here.

The land is for sale and has been for a while, so I'd say it's dead for now.