The Tulsa Forum by TulsaNow

Over a year ago I heard a rumor that the owner of the buildings on the NW corner of 15th and Delaware planned to tear them down and build a new commercial development of some kind.  Since those buildings are some of the better original buildings on this stretch of 15th, I passed it off as nonsense, but over the past few months I noticed all the tenants have vacated the buildings and yesterday it appeared they were disconnecting the sewer.   This is the two story red brick right on the corner and the one story strip just to the west.  So now it looks imminent.  Anyone know anything??  I haven't heard of any zoning action.  It would be a shame to lose these buildings, which were built to the curb and had adequate parking in the rear, if all they are going to do is build a new strip center that doesn't fit the area.  

Like we need another strip center to open, then close in 18 months or less, leaving the remaining 'debris' looking a lot less interesting than the old buildings with character that are there today!  (Pretty much all this post is said with the most ironic, sarcastic, mode of text I can muster...)

We don't need all those old reminders of early Tulsa!  Blech to Brick!!  We need something built with metal wall studs, inadequate fiberglass insulation and a layer of stucco slobbered all over the outside to give it that clean, "modern", "shopping center" look....

But, but, but,....it will raise property values...and create jobs....and generate economic activity for the area.... blah, blah, blah....

Did it work??  Did it come off as sarcastic to the idea of getting rid of those places as I intended??


Now, for something a little more hopeful...

Hopefully it is having sewer reworked for making this area the logical extension of the Cherry Street franchise!  Really shouldn't be any reason for that concept to stop - continue it on east!  There already is/was (haven't been by for a while, so don't know if it is still there) a small salon in the old gas station on the southeast corner calling itself "Cherry Street Salon" trying to extend the franchise.  That little building has at least as much character as the old gas station with the blue dome (Veteran's Bar for oldtimers) on it.  It still has the drive cover from when it was a station!

It would be a shame to lose those buildings!

Drove by today and they are demolishing the buildings that most recently had The Retro Den.

I noticed this today too. Sad. There are so many other building along this stretch of Cherry Street that need to be demoed, but not these. I just hope whatever goes in place is not a parking lot or another drive-thru restaurant or CVS.

Those were getting pretty rough.  As long as whatever replaces it has parking in the back, it will retain the character of the area.

Rumors circulating in Florence Park say "additional parking lot for the pain management clinic on the opposite corner".  If that's true, I give up.   :o

Just curious if anyone knows anything more about this redevelopment at 15th & Delaware?

Have you noticed they also demolished the buildings at 15th and Colombia including a couple neat cottages? Probably to sit empty for years like at 15th and Delaware.

What is up with Tulsa business owners demolishing old/historic buildings to turn them into worthless empty lots/eye sores? Even a parking lot would be better than what 15th and Delaware has been the last few years, but hoping they actually build something worthwhile.

I might have some insight on the lot at 15th and Columbia. We all know about QT going in at 15th and Lewis, buying Bill & Ruths. Well, the owner's name is Samih Saiymeh and Saiymeh LLC just bought that corner lot from Cherry Street Properties and demolished the mid-century looking building. Disappointed that's gone but hopefully they build something cool. Bill & Ruths would be a great addition to the neighborhood there.

The 2 bordering lots where they're demolishing those other buildings are still owned by Cherry Street Properties. I hope they have something good planned.

Now if someone could figure out what "Kavi Holdings" is and if they ever plan to do anything with the 15th and Delaware besides "holding" them. They also own the Pain & Wellness Center and lot by it so maybe it's just their company and they do intend to just build a big parking lot.

There were rumblings about Bill and Ruths moving to the old Massad's on the NW corner of 15th & Columbia, was that the building demolished?  QT told the neighborhood that they wont be moving on their new location for a year.

From a 2015 KOTV article:


http://www.newson6.com/story/30136946/tulsans-want-historic-buildings-protected-in-zoning-code (http://www.newson6.com/story/30136946/tulsans-want-historic-buildings-protected-in-zoning-code)

That's why I was asking if anyone knew the current status.  That strip along 15th through Florence Park could be similar to Cherry St with some of the gaps filled in and a couple more restaurants.  The Florence Park neighborhood would certainly love that. 

This is true. Bill & Ruth's are indeed building a new building at that location.

I briefly checked the INCOG/TMPAC map and saw nothing at 15th and Delaware:
http://map7.incog.org/boatmapc_sde7/

If you have as specific address you can search historic minutes, the planning commission, Board of Adjustment, pull the property records, and other things that may give a clues (or flat out answer the question).  Heck, a lot of times you can just call the owner and ask.

That would be great if they do end up building a mixed-use structure there but so far it has been 3 years and no progress.