The Tulsa Forum by TulsaNow

Talk About Tulsa => Development & New Businesses => Topic started by: cannon_fodder on June 09, 2016, 07:18:24 am



Title: 31st and Harvard Area
Post by: cannon_fodder on June 09, 2016, 07:18:24 am
Sorry for the long post, but I should have started a thread on my little slice of Tulsa 10 years ago.

 I've lived near 31st and Harvard for nearly 15 years now. A good bit has changed and a good bit more is changing just in the square mile surrounding the intersection. Few things truly of note on a municipal scale, but I was thinking of all the changes in the last 15 years in this small area that is +/- half a mile of 31st and Harvard. Since we don't have an active neighborhood group, I'm starting one here.

Since I have lived there, in no particular order but starting with the negatives:

- The office at 31st and Marion changed from a dentist office to an abandoned building (owned by Arkansas Valley Petroleum, Inc., which owns the north stretch along Harvard down to and including the old Braums)
- The gas station next door was abandoned, demolished, slated to be a Fiesta Mart (coming soon! For 10 years), and abandoned to be an empty lot
- The Braum's office on 31st was abandoned and remains empty
- Eisenhower International school was shut down (moved) turned into an "enrollment center," eliminating any remaining kinds in my neighborhood who walked to school
- Blockbuster closed (no one noticed)
- The Park surrounding EIS was removed for parking and to make sure there aren't kids around (they tore out the running track, baseball field, soccer goals, basketball court, foursquare markings, swing set, filled the field in with earth berms for some reason, and tore out two sets of playground equipment with bridges, slides, and slide poles. They replaced it all with a single set of new, safe, nothing to do playground equipment. Which they only put in 6 months later after neighbors complained. Not that I'm bitter).
- TCBY closed, become some other ice cream placed, closed again, became a balloon place, and closed again. The strip mall there has two chiropractors now instead of one
- Springer Clinic at 31st and Yale was torn down to make way for a new bank, but has been an empty lot for a few years
- Steve's Sundry closed, replaced by an expanded Southern Ag (I like Southern Ag, but...)
- At the strip mall between 30th St. and Place, Kerry Cakes opened and closed. A crap payday loan place opened and closed. Some kid of essential oils place opened and closed. A sketchy tattoo place was opened and closed and replaced with a much nicer tattoo place.
- Amish Kitchen opened and closed
- The Alley opened and closed  >:(
- The restaurant space in the strip mall at 30th and Harvard became B52s, something else, then a soul food place, and now is a Paleo Diet place
- At least a half dozen gyms opened and closed in various locations


- Homeland was replaced by Walmart Neighborhood Market
- Redbox opened at Walgreens, and at the Neighborhood market
- A stable gym and an awesome barbershop went in in the strip mall between 30th St/Pl
- Two chiropractic offices went east of Wendy's
- The pharmacy next to Walgreens turned into a Natural Grocers
- Midtown Bicycles moved in and is awesome
- IV Play went from a crappy dive bar, to a barely functioning cesspool, to closed, to The Colony, to a no smoking 7 night a week live music venue
- Dollar Tree opened up
- Trenchers Deli opened after some other Deli closed
- Southern Ag Expanded dramatically
- Braum's added a Fresh market
- Several infill houses (one brand new 2 story brick colonial house which is very different for the area)
- West side of Harvard is seeing a ridiculous amount of residential infill, just starting to bleed over
- Nursing home expanded on 28th St. just off Harvard
- Dress for Sucess moved into the strip mall corner at 31st and Harvard
- Methodist Manner (just inside the target area IMHO) did a massive and nice looking expansion
- Umbertos Pizza opened up

Mike Auto Haus  and Albert G's keep on trucking. Somehow the Staples and Radio Shack survived the ax.  Cox continues to operating a service facility. Two Chinese restaurants and two Thai restaurants still compete with two sub shops and 2 diners. Ranch Acres still keeps me primed with libations. Ranch Acres vet seems busier and busier, but holds steady and hasn't expanded. You can still buy pool supplies, custom clothes, tax services, attorney services, various martial arts or dance lessons, more than a dozen restaurants, office supplies, oil changes, specialty German automobile servicing, a consignment shop, an oil clothe shop, a couple personnel service places, 3 chiropractors, 3 natural foods stores, four churches, two nursing homes, two banks and an investment house, a bike shop, a couple of bars, a library, and a partridge in a pear tree (at Southern Ag and Under the Sun, respectively, supplies may be limited). We're talking about a single square mile +/-.


So that is what has happened. Here is what IS happening at the moment.
 
Lets start with the bad news:

- TTCU is building a new headquarters building on 81st Street. I have not heard any plans for the old building at 31st and New Haven

- Eddy's is closing, supposedly to be a bank (31st and Harvard was going to be another bank too, but the Eddy's lot has been owned by Tulsa Federal Credit Union for years now)


But also...

- A new "private car collection" building is going in on 27th St., just behind Staples. 6400 Sq. foot burnt red tin building with an "rural residential" theme.

- $75k remodel of the Library Building at 29th and Harvard

- Yoga Quest (a hot Yoga studio) is going into the complex Aikins is in

- Supposedly a new Fiesta Mart at the corner of 31st and Lousville, where a gas station was torn out in 2005 - but perhaps extending from the corner (old Dentist office) all the way down nto and including the old Braums training building. The same company still owns all the land, and acquired the Braum's building in 2011. But there is two new signs up announcing "Coming Soon, Fall 2016: Fiesta Mart."  We shall see... the original "coming soon" sign rotted away after ~10 years.


Title: Re: 31st and Harvard Area
Post by: BKDotCom on June 09, 2016, 08:44:43 am
Intersection torn up for going on a year...

Dr Zoeller put his name on the office bld north of his Eye Clinic

There's apparently a cookie shop (OKCookie Momster) near where the Alley was


Title: Re: 31st and Harvard Area
Post by: MyDogHunts on June 10, 2016, 08:28:57 am
In three years we went from no real food market options to Natural Gro., WalMarket, & Sprouts (love it).

Colony rocks!  Dog kennel at Harvard & 38th just closed.  And we got Lone Wolf, which I think is over rated.



Title: Re: 31st and Harvard Area
Post by: davideinstein on June 11, 2016, 10:10:48 am
Think Natural Grocers will survive?


Title: Re: 31st and Harvard Area
Post by: DowntownDan on June 11, 2016, 10:58:52 am
In three years we went from no real food market options to Natural Gro., WalMarket, & Sprouts (love it).

Colony rocks!  Dog kennel at Harvard & 38th just closed.  And we got Lone Wolf, which I think is over rated.



I'm sorry your tastebuds don't work right.  Lone Wolf is awesome!


Title: Re: 31st and Harvard Area
Post by: TulsaGoldenHurriCAN on June 13, 2016, 07:45:50 am
I'm sorry your tastebuds don't work right.  Lone Wolf is awesome!

Yeah, Lone Wolf is some of the best food in Tulsa. Unique and their kimchi fries with add-ons are delicious every time.

If you're counting as far as Lone Wolf, Mr Nice Guys also has a new carryout right next to Lone Wolf. Also good interesting food, with mac n cheese unlike anywhere else.


Title: Re: 31st and Harvard Area
Post by: Vision 2025 on June 13, 2016, 08:05:51 am
Trenchers makes up for every other Deli that every went out of business!


Title: Re: 31st and Harvard Area
Post by: PonderInc on June 13, 2016, 02:04:02 pm
The 31st and Harvard mid-century medical building that was built up to the street and reflected the neighboring architecture was demolished and is currently vacant... certainly waiting to become an enormous parking lot with some national chain store located in the back of it.

Also, we lost Johnny's burgers...to an optometrist.  Sure, I care about eye care... but... woefully, I miss the onion rings!

Oh, also, we lost St Michael's Alley.  Then, The Alley.  :(

The owners of Ranch Acres shopping center failed to take advantage of the appeal of mid-century architecture, and instead of a rehab that could have maximized cool (restored the mid-century frontages, added patio areas, modified the parking areas and added lots of trees and landscaping), we got a walmart neighborhood market.

The adjoining neighborhoods have people and money, but no longer have a neighborhood hangout.  We need a couple bars and restaurants.  Instead we have drug stores and grocery stores and liquor stores and gas stations.



Title: Re: 31st and Harvard Area
Post by: Conan71 on June 13, 2016, 06:30:17 pm
Think Natural Grocers will survive?

It has managed to so far for at least 3 years, but not sure how since there’s usually no more than 10 cars in the parking lot at any given time.  I’ve expected Akins to close before NG would.  Pretty much selling the same thing but NG has better prices.


Title: Re: 31st and Harvard Area
Post by: davideinstein on June 13, 2016, 08:09:35 pm
It has managed to so far for at least 3 years, but not sure how since there’s usually no more than 10 cars in the parking lot at any given time.  I’ve expected Akins to close before NG would.  Pretty much selling the same thing but NG has better prices.

I went by there today and counted four cars. Haven't really paid attention to the lot at Akins though.


Title: Re: 31st and Harvard Area
Post by: patric on June 13, 2016, 10:21:09 pm
Trenchers makes up for every other Deli that every went out of business!

Their Sourdough is the best, and I like how they expanded their outdoor seating.


Title: Re: 31st and Harvard Area
Post by: carltonplace on June 14, 2016, 07:23:47 am
Trenchers makes up for every other Deli that every went out of business!

Agreed! And their social media "commercials" are hilarious.


Title: Re: 31st and Harvard Area
Post by: davideinstein on June 14, 2016, 02:39:53 pm
Agreed! And their social media "commercials" are hilarious.

David Horne is a funny guy


Title: Re: 31st and Harvard Area
Post by: MyDogHunts on June 27, 2016, 11:40:06 pm
I just took a walk to my neighbors, the Mid Town Owls. There is a City Council meeting to determin their homes future and if the trees can be chopped down, meeting at 1pm today.

www.cityoftulsa-boa.org/Documents/Agendas/06-28-2016/BOA-22099.pdf

https://www.facebook.com/notes/barred-owls-of-midtown-tulsa/owlbert-sofie-barred-owl/1006084029479817

When the Church of LDS was built in this little valley that is the headwaters of Joe Creek, I thought it was quaint.  Tonight I did not hear the owls, sometimes I do.  I did see fireflies.  Then I walked 36th where the new parking lot (36 spaces) & my thought was, “With the existing asphalt, adding this much more is insane for this neighborhood.”

Even without the endangered owl kids, the expansive amount of asphalt with little or no imagination, the coefficient of water run-off, the action as a heat anchor, the non-ascetics of barren asphalt… well, I think not.  There is tons of street parking.

I live here.  The owls live here.  Others live here. Worshiping God can occur anywhere.  I hope the City Council has walked this property and looked at the large scale image of what this impact is; it is not suitable, there is nothing like it in the neighborhood, & I likes my owls.


Title: Re: 31st and Harvard Area
Post by: Conan71 on June 28, 2016, 07:51:53 am
I just took a walk to my neighbors, the Mid Town Owls. There is a City Council meeting to determin their homes future and if the trees can be chopped down, meeting at 1pm today.

www.cityoftulsa-boa.org/Documents/Agendas/06-28-2016/BOA-22099.pdf

https://www.facebook.com/notes/barred-owls-of-midtown-tulsa/owlbert-sofie-barred-owl/1006084029479817

When the Church of LDS was built in this little valley that is the headwaters of Joe Creek, I thought it was quaint.  Tonight I did not hear the owls, sometimes I do.  I did see fireflies.  Then I walked 36th where the new parking lot (36 spaces) & my thought was, “With the existing asphalt, adding this much more is insane for this neighborhood.”

Even without the endangered owl kids, the expansive amount of asphalt with little or no imagination, the coefficient of water run-off, the action as a heat anchor, the non-ascetics of barren asphalt… well, I think not.  There is tons of street parking.

I live here.  The owls live here.  Others live here. Worshiping God can occur anywhere.  I hope the City Council has walked this property and looked at the large scale image of what this impact is; it is not suitable, there is nothing like it in the neighborhood, & I likes my owls.


So the local LDS church thinks they’ve got 36 new families who want to wear Jesus jammies?

I drive past there daily.  I had no idea there was an owl family living there.  We’ve got some Cooper’s hawks, fox, and opossum in our neighborhood near 21st & Yale.  It’s amazing how much wildlife still exists in midtown.


Title: Re: 31st and Harvard Area
Post by: BKDotCom on June 28, 2016, 08:05:14 am
I've got a bunch of rabbits available for adoption.


Title: Re: 31st and Harvard Area
Post by: cannon_fodder on June 28, 2016, 09:28:42 am
I have several dozens wild cats you (or your owl) can have.

Speaking of your owl, I saw this guy just off of 36th while on a bike ride:

(http://i.imgur.com/iiKYBSyl.jpg)


Title: Re: 31st and Harvard Area
Post by: patric on June 28, 2016, 09:31:41 am
http://www.newson6.com/story/32320568/midtown-homeowners-argue-churchs-expansion-plan-puts-owls-at-risk


Title: Re: 31st and Harvard Area
Post by: heironymouspasparagus on June 28, 2016, 10:59:25 am
Sorry for the long post, but I should have started a thread on my little slice of Tulsa 10 years ago.

 I've lived near 31st and Harvard for nearly 15 years now. A good bit has changed and a good bit more is changing just in the square mile surrounding the intersection. Few things truly of note on a municipal scale, but I was thinking of all the changes in the last 15 years in this small area that is +/- half a mile of 31st and Harvard. Since we don't have an active neighborhood group, I'm starting one here.



I lived in the southeast square mile corner (poor area) 3 different times in the 50's and 60's for a grand total of about 8 - 10 years.  I still like the area and have many fond memories.

Safeway at the southeast corner.  Walmart Market now??  Would walk from home to get candy, pop, etc.  In summer, after walking that half mile or so, would go to the freezers, open the door and just stand there 'cooling' off and breathing that icy cold air!  Always refreshing.

Had my first savings account at Home Federal on the northeast corner.  Bank of Oklahoma now, it looks like.  Kept that account from about 1956, through Sooner Federal times, until the Ronald Reagan Memorial Savings and Loan bust of the early 80's.

Lived in a house near 40th and Jamestown on the cul de sac (mid 50's) where the family got it's first gas powered lawn mower.  Lawn Boy.  Red engine, green deck.  That sucker could mow so much more than a reel type push mower!!  It was astounding at the time!  Not all the lots were filled in at the time - still building up.  By the time we got back in the 60's, it was all full as well as the main arterial streets.

Same house - got to see my first tornado!  Was coming from west (of course) pointed "at" us, but moving slightly to the south.  The entire neighborhood was out in front yards watching!  Good times!!

Lived at 3500 block on South Toledo for a while.  There was a small oak tree in the front that was planted when the house was built.  Today - that tree has a plaque in front of it placed by some organization I never heard of "celebrating" the age of the tree as being planted before statehood!!  Geeeezzzz....  It was about 12" diameter in early 60's.  I buried a 'time capsule' at the base of that tree with a note in it, and a small handful of coins.  Mostly pennies, but a few nickels, couple of dimes, and I think 1 quarter!  All silver, since it was before 1964!

Lived there when Kennedy was assassinated.  They closed school and sent us home because "someone shot Mr. Kennedy"....all the kids were puzzled as to why someone would shoot our Principal...whose name was Mr. Kennedy.  Found out it was the other one when we got home.

Mockingbird Lake was just a couple blocks away and always fun to go visit.

Church at 35th and Harvard is bigger - and we didn't have the playground they have now!!

Would go wandering through the Ranch Acres area - had friends that lived there, so would go play with them.  Was astounded at the size of those houses then compared to the "closets" we lived in at the time....

The Methodist Manor compound on 31st was just one old brick building - the rest of the land was just bare.  Made a nice playground.  

Whiteside Park had a perfect bath building where a friend and I would go to smoke!  He would steal cigarettes from his mom and we would go sit behind the pool to burn them up.  We were both 6.  His older brother is a local businessman in BA selling lawn/garden equipment.  Good guys!   Pool is gone now.




Title: Re: 31st and Harvard Area
Post by: MyDogHunts on June 29, 2016, 05:35:56 pm
Pool still there if I'm not mistaken.

The City Council wants the church to come back with a detail site plan showing some trees being saved & added. The current plan shows 41 spaces. The Council wants some documentation as to the need.

I understand the churches desire to make good use of the property, which they own.  Wouldn't some shade, a picnic table or two & a BBQ be a nice touch for a congregation.  A bench?  Well at least some shade, I never understood why all parking lots don't have trees... it can work.



Title: Re: 31st and Harvard Area
Post by: heironymouspasparagus on June 30, 2016, 01:28:14 pm
Pool still there if I'm not mistaken.

The City Council wants the church to come back with a detail site plan showing some trees being saved & added. The current plan shows 41 spaces. The Council wants some documentation as to the need.

I understand the churches desire to make good use of the property, which they own.  Wouldn't some shade, a picnic table or two & a BBQ be a nice touch for a congregation.  A bench?  Well at least some shade, I never understood why all parking lots don't have trees... it can work.




City of Tulsa says Whiteside has a pool.  Must have put a building around it.  Nice!



Title: Re: 31st and Harvard Area
Post by: DowntownDan on June 30, 2016, 03:48:44 pm
I learned today that a carwash is going in where Trippets was located for so many years.  Very sad to see Trippets go out and the building torn down.  I assume it'll be one of the full service fancy carwashes and not a drive in and spray type like what was removed from Cherry Street.


Title: Re: 31st and Harvard Area
Post by: cannon_fodder on July 01, 2016, 07:14:35 am
Well that's disappointing. Not that I have a problem with the car wash, but it really doesn't add anything to the neighborhood either.


Title: Re: 31st and Harvard Area
Post by: BKDotCom on July 01, 2016, 08:00:11 am
https://www.sadtrombone.com/?play=true


Title: Re: 31st and Harvard Area
Post by: Conan71 on July 01, 2016, 10:04:07 pm
Well that's disappointing. Not that I have a problem with the car wash, but it really doesn't add anything to the neighborhood either.

Sure it does!  Oily waste water!


Title: Re: 31st and Harvard Area
Post by: patric on July 03, 2016, 01:59:42 pm
I learned today that a carwash is going in where Trippets was located for so many years.  Very sad to see Trippets go out and the building torn down.  I assume it'll be one of the full service fancy carwashes and not a drive in and spray type like what was removed from Cherry Street.

Another auto-maintenance related business along that street.  Once the ball is going will it be like 11th?


Title: Re: 31st and Harvard Area
Post by: Red Arrow on July 03, 2016, 02:15:37 pm
Sure it does!  Oily waste water!

I believe those kinds of sites are required to clean the water.  I have also heard that the water gets recycled but I don't know that to be a fact.



Title: Re: 31st and Harvard Area
Post by: Breadburner on July 05, 2016, 04:24:19 pm
Oil and Water separators....It won't be a problem....There will be pits to collect "Dirt" and then the water is released to the sanitary sewer....


Title: Re: 31st and Harvard Area
Post by: patric on August 18, 2016, 02:23:48 pm
I have several dozens wild cats you (or your owl) can have.

Speaking of your owl, I saw this guy just off of 36th while on a bike ride:

(http://i.imgur.com/iiKYBSyl.jpg)

A good sized one paced me for a quarter block last night while I was driving eastbound on 31st near Yorktown.   He took the lead a few feet off my bumper.  Impressive span.


Title: Re: 31st and Harvard Area
Post by: patric on February 26, 2023, 02:01:18 pm
Trenchers makes up for every other Deli that every went out of business!

Not only is Trenchers Deli still there, but they expanded into the former Jeromes jewelry and added a bar.
They are also open past 3... till 1am now.  Sandwiches still great, but I could suggest adding some upscale domestic beers, maybe Marshals?