"Plans for developing along river anticipated
By P.J. LASSEK World Staff Writer
11/5/2006
The public is likely to have more river development options to consider than just the $788 million Channels project that would create islands in the Arkansas River.
County Commissioner Randi Miller said she anticipates an announcement later this month of a private development along the river banks in the Tulsa area.
"I've been in communication with experienced waterfront developers, who want to do shoreline development in Tulsa," Miller said.
The out-of-state developers want to use the banks to construct retail development, much like what has been successful in Jenks and south Tulsa, she said."
Before I go on my rant... let me start with this lol. IF this development could possibly be going where the cement plant property is. I am totally against it. IF its going somewhere else, fine, ignore what I am about to say.
1. The area near downtown on the river, facing downtown, is probably the best possible location for some type of great river development. For development that is urban, walkable, dense and easily connected to downtown and the most beautiful, historic, and budding walkable/liveable areas of our city.
Thus I would hope that whatever is chosen to go in that area would be or have the potential to be, urban, liveable, walkable, and possibly even exceptional. Like the piers idea and others that people have proffered.
A strip shopping center like the Riverwalk is NOT that. And IF put in that area would further stifle having that type of development in that prime area.
Do we want something like this... http://www.riverwalkcrossing.com/ or like this... http://www.thebridgesofsaintpaul.com/b01.html for that area of Tulsa?
I am not saying that "Riverwalk" type of development is unwanted or bad for Tulsa. I would actually like to see it, but not there.
If we ever want that urban type development on the river. That area is probably the best location for it.
2. Tulsa needs to decide if it wants Urban development or Suburban development on its river. Tulsa needs to decide if it wants to be a real City or a Suburb. If it wants to have development like St Paul, Fort Worth, Omaha, Wichitah, or Jenks? Are we going to be proud to be competing with and have amenities like Jenks, a minor suburb, or cities nearer our own size?
As people move to the suburbs and have kids, those kids will eventually want to get away from the suburbs and go live in a vibrant, bustling city and or college town. Do we want to develope like the suburbs or like a city?
Tulsa wants to attract the young,creative, urban, active lifestyle, type people. Will developing our river like Jenks help do that or will developing like other larger cities help do that?
AGAIN, There are only so many spots along the river within the city, that are amenable and even "choice" locations for great urban development. Whatever we decide to do in those spots is going to tell the tale on having that type of development in Tulsa for a looong time.
If we had that 41st bridge and west riverside drive. Then a riverwalk type development would be perfectly fine there, for instance.
But if it ends up that this development is going to be on the river in or near the cement plant property... Well, for those of us who do want dense, urban development somewhere in that area, our dreams are dashed. A riverwalk type retail development is not what we were hoping for at all. In order to get that type of development in or near that choice area one would then be faced with the choice of voting for the Channels or hoping a developer would buy up Westport and put it there. Neither as likely or desirable as having a great development in the cement plant/festival park area.
I was hoping this was relating to the Kaiser plan but not sure.
quote:
Originally posted by TheArtist
If we had that 41st bridge and west riverside drive. Then a riverwalk type development would be perfectly fine there, for instance.
I was thinking the same thing long before I read all the way down to this line :)
No chance its going in on the west bank between 11th and 21st what with all of the speculation of whether there will be a west bank between 11th and 21st.
Once The Channels project either gets approved and moves forward, or gets rejected and thrown aside; it will be imperative to start the dialog about what else we want on or in our river and where we want it. Randi Miller was quoted in the article (paraphrased) "We only have one change to get it right" and I'm in full agreement. We must point out the places where we want development and where it makes sense to develop as well as those spaces where we will preserve the natural setting. Will we use elements from the INCOG plan? What will the developments look like and who will use them?
It's time to get everyone's input. We know Jenks, Kings Crossing and the Creek's want a low water damn and we're fairly sure Sand Springs wants one. What do Tulsan's really want?
quote:
Originally posted by carltonplace
What do Tulsan's really want?
Riverside drive west
41st St bridge
More river visibility (brush clearning and paths nearer the river)
Mixed use development from westport down to the soccer field (west bank)
Structured parking on the west bank
Unique destinations like children's museum, etc.
Non-casino hotel on the river
71st St park
Are they forgetting that this Island that they are wanting to build upon is just a GREAT BIG Sand Bar? One that has had Grass and Tree's Grow upon it for the past 15 years because we haven't had the Rain to clean it off?
[Headline Dec. 25th 2034
Early this morning a Flash Flood Erupted the Dam Keeping the water at bay for Savage Island. The Govenor has called out the National Guard, To assist in all rescue attempts. Over 40,000 people are presumed missing in the Fridged Waters of the Arkansas River. More later as more News Developes.]
quote:
Originally posted by sgrizzle
quote:
Originally posted by carltonplace
What do Tulsan's really want?
Riverside drive west
41st St bridge
More river visibility (brush clearning and paths nearer the river)
Mixed use development from westport down to the soccer field (west bank)
Structured parking on the west bank
Unique destinations like children's museum, etc.
Non-casino hotel on the river
71st St park
That looks like a good list. I would add an "iconic" pedestrian bridge to that mix and modifications to our current bridges north of 71st Street. And I agree anything built on the west bank north of Turkey Mountains needs to be urban. I envision that whole area being a desirable place to live someday, once the refineries and industry are gone...
1) A buffer between the oil refineries and the possible development area between 11th and 21st on the west side.
2) The repair of the low water dam by the pedestrian bridge and completion of the other low water dam projects, a.k.a. more water and less sandbars.
3) URBAN mixed use development (with URBAN style housing).
4) An enhanced River West Festival Park that connects to the development.
5) A boardwalk on both sides with piers that extend into the river, including a water taxi service that operates between the piers.
6) Restoration of 11th St. bridge into possible pedestrian or tram use.
7) Riverside Drive west.
8) Structured parking on the west side that does not take up actual riverfront space.