The Tulsa Forum by TulsaNow

Does anyone know what Utica Square is construction on their SE corner?  I'm not talking about the new Bar Serra that just opened.

They just put up a construction fence surrounding the entire corner south of the post office. 

I hope it's a CVS!  ;D

I've heard one rumor that Olive Garden is relocating over there.  Please tell me it is something better than that

Wasn't there a rumor on TulsaNow a few years ago about a FreshMarket going in this spot?
Which seems weird.   The location at 81st & Yale is crickets on the occasions I go in.

It’s Olive Garden’s new location.

Olive Garden w.t.f?  People still eat at that place?  If the drive thru bank at 21st & Utica wasn’t bad enough.  Why is Utica Sq building pad sites they should be building multi-story buildings.  Ugh this city can be so frustrating.,.

Utica Sq. definitely not capitalizing on their potential. Olive Garden and the bank... just unbelievable bland ideas.

To be fair the bank on the corner is not under the Utica Square ownership. But Olive Garden, yeah that's just dumb. They really need to bring in a partner that can help them redevelop the center. It's such a huge wasted opportunity right now.

https://tulsaok-energovweb.tylerhost.net/apps/selfservice#/permit/b4019251-07d4-449b-9e6e-9277d55ada20?tab=moreinfo

Not sure if we can share like this. But

IDP Name === Olive Garden at Utica Square
Previous Development Name
Describe Proposed Project === Redevelopment of existing parking area and ATM building to new Olive Garden site
Number of Plan sheets === 1

I did see last week where they finally used some of the lawn space that used to be Pettys/Ms Jacksons for their music festival, even if only temporary.

At least the current Olive Garden space can be put to better use? I really don't understand the reluctance to include apartments somewhere within the square. It's where we're heading (hopefully) with more mixed use developments in midtown.

Asking because it's not my "thing".  Would you want to live there above a business you didn't own?  I can kind of see living above a business I owned like the small business/apartment strip where I grew up.

https://goo.gl/maps/1cF5Zi16v5sBEjETA

The stores are different and I don't know if the business owners are living above.  I haven't been there for a L-O-N-G time.

While I don’t want to see Utica Square turn into Highland Park Village (all upscale retail/restaurants) I also don’t want it to be like the Plaza in KC (mostly chain retail/restaurants).  There currently is a good mix of local and chains and I like how it operates like a mini-downtown for midtown with things like a post office, Walgreens, wine shop, banks, etc. I just want to see more density: for example the 21st & Utica corner should be a multi-story office building.  The H&P site at the NW corner could be a great place for dense residential development and a hotel.  The parking lots along 22nd Place could be residential with shops on the first floor.  There should be a Grocery store again to create a truly walkable neighborhood.

Verizon?

North of Charlotte, NC is a shopping area called Birkdale Village that is similar to Utica Square but also includes residential.   It is very nice.

https://birkdalevillage.com/about

I hear that the entire building where Olive Garden, Peppers, etc. are located is coming down. Any one know anything on this?

I knew Peppers was having their lease terminated but hadn’t heard of any demo plans. There’s nothing imminent anyway.

Is that any different than living in apartment you don't own above an apartment you don't own -  in a building with people you don't know?

Smells like Utica Square must have something cooking to redevelop the Miss Jacksons / Pettys / Olive Garden / Peppers site

I asked:
Yes, I think it's different.  I wasn't necessarily thinking of owning the building.  I was thinking more of noise and smells at hours not of your choosing and whatever else that would make living somewhere undesirable.  If you own the business below, you have some control of what's below you.

Keep in mind that I was asking because I don't want to live in an apartment, duplex, condo.....
One of my cousins lived in a condo in Revere MA for a while in the 90s.  The building was OK but it reminded me of a hotel.  Wouldn't want to live in a hotel either.

I lived in a dormitory in college and barracks while in the Navy.  I knew it wouldn't last forever.  College was a 2 man room, 4 years.  Much of my time in the Navy I was in a 4 man room in the barracks. It was certainly better than the open barracks in boot camp and while waiting for electronics school but not my choice of prime living.  Basic Allowance for Quarters was not enough to get an apartment off base without a roomie so I didn't do that.  Again, not going to last forever.  Navy was a 4 year active duty enlistment.

So how disappointed are people ready to be when those plans finally get announced. That are would make for a nice sized Chik-fil-a, which I think is the exact opposite of what I want in that spot. I feel like as much as I think it would be stupid and not make any sense it would kill in the area, causing me a headache anytime I drove past and always angering me.

So it makes perfect sense. That's what my money is on.

Just try not to look.

My assumption is it is the Restoration Hardware flagship store finally moving forward. Will look just like the one they are building in OKC right now in the Oak development by Penn Square. Just like the one opened in Dallas on Knox Street.

They were planning that store back when Miss Jackson was demoed and the corporate development team got cold feet from what I had heard. They wanted to test the flagship store concept in a few more markets before opening some in smaller markets like Tulsa. It's been a massive successful, particularly the restaurant components that I believe RH will be slowing converting 100% of their stores where they can to these massive 'mixed-use' retail buildings. Certainly could see Arhaus opening next door too and they do a combo build out similar to what is being done in OKC and that's why Olive Garden, etc. is being moved out.

^ That would be amazing if that’s what happens.  I’d take Crate & Barrel over Arhaus though.  RH Rooftop Restaurant would kill it in that location

Still surprised Olive Garden didn’t move further east but someone told me they do good business especially with people visiting St John.