More at Tulsa World (//%22http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=070401_1_A1_spanc67632%22)
quote:
Construction has begun on the Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza, which is a major part of Tulsa's Route 66 revitalization and plans to capitalize on being the birthplace of the Mother Road.
"It's great to see the dirt finally turning," city planner Dennis Whitaker said. "This is the result of so many people who are passionate about the city claiming its rightful place in history."
The plaza, at the junction of Southwest Boulevard and Riverside Drive, is named after Avery, the former Tulsa County commissioner who lobbied Congress in 1926 to make Route 66 a national highway stretching from Chicago to Los Angeles.
(http://www.tulsaworld.com/articleimages/2007/070401_A1_spanc67632_avery31.jpg)
Does anyone know if they are going to re-open the beautiful bridge next to the plaza for pedestrian passage, or is it going to remain gated off?
quote:
Originally posted by TURobY
Does anyone know if they are going to re-open the beautiful bridge next to the plaza for pedestrian passage, or is it going to remain gated off?
That was addressed in the article. They're going to perform cosmetic repairs so it looks right, but it'll remain gated off. To use it as a pedestrian path would require $15 million of structural work.
At least this way, they'll make the bridge look good again and stabilize it. They can always do the major work to it at a later time when they raise the money.
I live right near this place, and I've been wondering what it was. Now it makes a lot of sense. I went to the Vision 2025 website and saw this. Pretty cool, has a restaurant and a park. Parking is already pretty crazy down there sometimes with runners. But more traffic is normally a good thing.
I was less than pleased during Jury duty to hear about a bridge people called "Hell" but was later identified as the old route 66 bridge.
What makes it "Hell?"
I suppose the fire, pain, and absents of god?
On a lighter note, I hope this helps that little sliver in there that is a little rough. Then the entire area from 11th down the river would be pretty nice. Hopefully it spurs some more development talk along the river from 11th to 31st.
That is a big intersections when you think of riverside, SW Blvd, downtown, I-44 and 75 all encircling that one corner.
I think the incog plan covered spruceing up SW blvd NE of there to make the transition from the Route66 plaza into downtown a little less concrete.
The ramp was nixed for budgetary reasons, but here is the current progress on the site:
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3035/2449109118_319eb96bfc.jpg?v=0)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2178/2449111786_158db4c28d.jpg?v=0)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2160/2449113212_1283937f16.jpg?v=0)
So it's a bridge to nowhere? It looks good, but I'm confused.
I think the bridge will make more sense once the "museum" in place.
quote:
Originally posted by cannon_fodder
So it's a bridge to nowhere? It looks good, but I'm confused.
The north end drops you down (using stairs now) onto the plaza where there will be large bronzes, flags of all 8 states involved in route 66, etc. The south side connects to the musuem which isn't started yet.
I was consulted on the lighting for this, which was ironic because the architects had already been locked into their fixture choices by Downtown Tulsa Unlimited.
Yup, Acorns.
Lots of high-wattage, inefficient in-your-face blueish lighting.
...and our city energy bill just goes up and up...
I don't want to crap all over this project, but...
Currently it is a bridge from no where, to nowhere.
When the museum is completed it will be a bridge from no where to the museum.
Is that accurate? No offense, but there is not enough traffic in that area to warrant a pedestrian bridge over it. At least not so much as to necessitate a bridge, or no more so than hundreds of other places around the city.
Looks nice, but what the heck is the bridge for? A train?
I'm gonna drive and park in the lot, thank you.
I hate stairs.
quote:
Originally posted by cannon_fodder
I don't want to crap all over this project, but...
Currently it is a bridge from no where, to nowhere.
When the museum is completed it will be a bridge from no where to the museum.
Is that accurate? No offense, but there is not enough traffic in that area to warrant a pedestrian bridge over it. At least not so much as to necessitate a bridge, or no more so than hundreds of other places around the city.
It takes you from the Route 66 Museum to Cyrus Avery Plaza.
(http://rwarn17588.files.wordpress.com/2006/10/centennial_plaza_overhead.jpg)
(http://rwarn17588.files.wordpress.com/2006/10/centennial_plaza_west.jpg)
(http://rwarn17588.files.wordpress.com/2006/10/centennial_plaza_south.jpg)
The plaza features statues, flags, plaques, etc. It also has a path that leads you onto the old 11th street bridge so you can... I dunno.
I say it never comes to fruition, nice concept when V2025 was sold but it will be spiffed up a bit more and left. It's Arena time!!!! IMHO of course.
quote:
Originally posted by cks511
I say it never comes to fruition, nice concept when V2025 was sold but it will be spiffed up a bit more and left. It's Arena time!!!! IMHO of course.
From what I read in some chamber rag, the museum is not scheduled until a 2011 opening. Gives them time to recoup financially I guess.
Noticed on Friday that the flags were flying. (http://okmini.com/forum/data/tulsamini/2007981264_thumbup1.gif)
quote:
Originally posted by sgrizzle
I was less than pleased during Jury duty to hear about a bridge people called "Hell" but was later identified as the old route 66 bridge.
What makes it "Hell?"
The "Hell" reference is to a literal hole in the deck of the bridge with a ladder leading down to the arches, or "Hell". Kids climb down and sit on the arches and, you know, do stuff.
Seems like someone should fix that.
quote:
Originally posted by sgrizzle
quote:
Originally posted by cannon_fodder
So it's a bridge to nowhere? It looks good, but I'm confused.
The north end drops you down (using stairs now) onto the plaza where there will be large bronzes, flags of all 8 states involved in route 66, etc. The south side connects to the musuem which isn't started yet.
I'm confused too. Where are the stairs? In your photo of the current status, we can see neither stairs nor a place for stairs coming off of that bridge
quote:
Originally posted by Oil Capital
quote:
Originally posted by sgrizzle
quote:
Originally posted by cannon_fodder
So it's a bridge to nowhere? It looks good, but I'm confused.
The north end drops you down (using stairs now) onto the plaza where there will be large bronzes, flags of all 8 states involved in route 66, etc. The south side connects to the musuem which isn't started yet.
I'm confused too. Where are the stairs? In your photo of the current status, we can see neither stairs nor a place for stairs coming off of that bridge
The stairs are half built on the left side of both pictures.
quote:
Originally posted by sgrizzle
quote:
Originally posted by Oil Capital
quote:
Originally posted by sgrizzle
quote:
Originally posted by cannon_fodder
So it's a bridge to nowhere? It looks good, but I'm confused.
The north end drops you down (using stairs now) onto the plaza where there will be large bronzes, flags of all 8 states involved in route 66, etc. The south side connects to the musuem which isn't started yet.
I'm confused too. Where are the stairs? In your photo of the current status, we can see neither stairs nor a place for stairs coming off of that bridge
The stairs are half built on the left side of both pictures.
OOOHHHH, I saw those stairs, but I thought they were going somewhere else, off in the other direction...
quote:
Originally posted by cks511
I say it never comes to fruition, nice concept when V2025 was sold but it will be spiffed up a bit more and left. It's Arena time!!!! IMHO of course.
The concept did not exhist when the Vision 2025 vote was brought forward, it was developed by the consulting team selected by the City for this project.
As for the current status:
The Plaza including the large bronze monument piece by sculptor Robert Summers which is well underway.
http://www.summersstudio.com/index.htm (unfortunately none of the Tulsa work nor any of the other pieces currently in studio are included in the Artist's web portfolio.)
We have a couple of low-res pictures (sorry I had a camera problem that day) of a portion of the Avery Plaza piece on pages 12 and 13
in the April vision report which show only half of the piece which is approximately 130% life size http://www.vision2025.info/page.php?page=monthlyprogramreports
I visited the studio in April to verify the work was progressing in order to verify progress for continuing payments and viewed the development of the Plaza centerpiece bronze as well as two and other works currently underway. I came away quite pleased with the work and anxious for its completion as I believe that the work Mr. Summers is bringing forth will be an amazing addition to the Tulsa public art portfolio plus be a major Route 66 draw when completed and installed later this year.
Mr. Summers is several months behind schedule in his work. This is in part due to his being severely injured in a fall and being unable to work for an extended period and from my observation the absolute complexity of the commissioned piece which includes both the inside and outside of a Model T Ford carrying the Avery family and a hoarse drawn freight wagon with rearing animals.
Design of the Route 66 Visitor's facility is funded with Vision funds and is currently in fee negotiation between the City and local Architect. I recall that construction funds for the facility were included in the last 3rd penny vote but don't have a project list handy to verify, but will.
In addition to this location on Route 66, site preparation is ongoing for the train museum site in West Tulsa Frisco Train site and re-installation of the historic Meadow Gold sign which has been bid and recommended for award to the Mayor and Yale are currently funded and in the City's process. Additional 66 projects will be implemented with Vision monies as funds become available like the 11th and Yale intersection street scraping which is presently in design.
quote:
Originally posted by sgrizzle
quote:
Originally posted by cannon_fodder
I don't want to crap all over this project, but...
Currently it is a bridge from no where, to nowhere.
When the museum is completed it will be a bridge from no where to the museum.
Is that accurate? No offense, but there is not enough traffic in that area to warrant a pedestrian bridge over it. At least not so much as to necessitate a bridge, or no more so than hundreds of other places around the city.
It takes you from the Route 66 Museum to Cyrus Avery Plaza.
(http://rwarn17588.files.wordpress.com/2006/10/centennial_plaza_overhead.jpg)
(http://rwarn17588.files.wordpress.com/2006/10/centennial_plaza_west.jpg)
(http://rwarn17588.files.wordpress.com/2006/10/centennial_plaza_south.jpg)
The plaza features statues, flags, plaques, etc. It also has a path that leads you onto the old 11th street bridge so you can... I dunno.
This rendering was the original concept but had to be modified due to ODOT refusing to allow any incursion of highway righ-of-way. Essentially the long down ramp was changed to a stair and the 66 shield was removed from the plaza area.
Anyone know what happened to the lighted Route 66 signs that were hanging on each side of the foot bridge? They're gone.
What? were they stolen?
That's what I was wondering. Wouldn't surprise me if they were.
Somebody *tried* to steal it but damaged the sign. It's being fixed now and some steps are going to be taken to prevent that from happening again.
Any suspects?
quote:
Originally posted by carltonplace
Any suspects?
Vandalizing Route 66? I suspect Eisenhower.
Signs are back! Saw them yesterday morning on my way to work. I hope they are more secure now.
It's up temporarily (for the Route 66 Marathon) until the city can install a protective mesh on the rear of the sign to deter thieves.
So the sign will be up for a short time, disappear again, then return for good.
They really need to do something about the flags on the plaza. Some are hanging by one corner and all are ragged. Looks like crap.
Saw that on friday. Guessing they didn't buy quality flags.
quote:
Originally posted by TulsaMINI
They really need to do something about the flags on the plaza. Some are hanging by one corner and all are ragged. Looks like crap.
Wow. That didn't take long...
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Originally posted by Oil Capital
quote:
Originally posted by TulsaMINI
They really need to do something about the flags on the plaza. Some are hanging by one corner and all are ragged. Looks like crap.
Wow. That didn't take long...
Sure it did. Oklahoma wind? We burn through flags left and right at my office and we have them clipped.
quote:
Originally posted by Townsend
quote:
Originally posted by Oil Capital
quote:
Originally posted by TulsaMINI
They really need to do something about the flags on the plaza. Some are hanging by one corner and all are ragged. Looks like crap.
Wow. That didn't take long...
Sure it did. Oklahoma wind? We burn through flags left and right at my office and we have them clipped.
My comment actually had a deeper meaning ;-)
Since this thread is active again, I've been meaning to ask...
In front of the semi-circle of state flags, there are small monuments in a similar arrangement. However, it looks like there are monuments missing on the left side. Is that intentional or are they planning on completing the semi-circle? It looks unfinished, but I haven't even been up close to see what they are, so I'm not even sure about the context of those monuments.
Those are informational plaques. Once the statues get installed, there may be additional plaques talking about the statues.
There is a large bronze monument (entitled East meets West) in development that will be installed in the semi-circle. At this point, from communication with the artist and foundry, it appears to be at least 7 or more months away from final completion.
There are several issues which caused delay, one is the complexity of the piece and a second is that the artist was injured in a fall and lost many moths of being able to work on it last year. Having seen portions of the piece it will be well worth waiting for.
I meant to post this a couple of days ago...
The flags have all been replaced! Much better!! Thank you!
Yay! Signs are back!! ;D
http://www.newson6.com/global/story.asp?s=10239625
Vandalized. Again. Sh!theads.
(http://www.tulsaworld.com/articleimages/2010/Thumbs/20100313_vandals0313p1_package.jpg)
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20100313_16_A3_Vandal110695
Per TW:
Massive bronze sculpture for Route 66's Cyrus Avery Plaza nearly ready
(http://www.tulsaworld.com//articleimages/2012/a1bronze091212.jpg)
QuoteClint Howard has cast a bronze sculpture or two - but not one like this.
Not a larger-than-life monument of a larger-than-life personality to be displayed alongside one of America's iconic roadways.
Not one of Cyrus Avery, accompanied by his wife and daughter, driving a Model-T along Route 66.
"It is a huge undertaking," Howard, owner of Deep in the Heart Art Foundry, said during a phone interview from Bastrop, Texas. "And it's fun. But still, it has been intimidating at times because we want everything to look perfect."
Tulsans will get the chance to see just how close to perfect the bronze sculpture - named "East Meets West" - really is next month when it is unveiled at the Cyrus Avery Plaza at the intersection of Riverside Drive and Southwest Boulevard.
The unveiling will end work that began in 2003, when Tulsa County residents approved $1.2 million in Vision 2025 funds for the project - part of $15 million allocated for Route 66 projects.
The sculpture was scheduled to be finished in 2009, but the contract was modified to allow for delivery this year.
Howard and his staff have been working on it for about six years.
The sculpture, by Texas artist Robert Summers, features Avery and family in a Model T as they encounter a horse-drawn carriage on its way from the west Tulsa oil fields.
At 135 percent actual size, the sculpture will weigh nearly 20,000 pounds, stretch more than 60 feet from end to end, and rise 15 feet in the air.
Avery, a former Tulsa County commissioner, is considered the father of Route 66 because he lobbied Congress in 1926 to make it a national highway stretching from Chicago to Los Angeles.
At the time, Tulsa was figured to be the perfect spot for the road to cross the Arkansas River because of the 11th Street Bridge.
Howard estimates that by the time the sculpture is complete, his foundry will have cast and welded nearly 1,000 pieces of bronze.
It's the detail of the "East Meets West" sculpture that separates it from other large pieces Howard has done.
"This is definitely the most complicated, based on all the components and the levels of detail," Howard said. "We have all the pedals in the floorboard, the key in the ignition, the brake assembly."
Summers delivered a table-top version of the sculpture to Howard in 2006. Howard then began the process of creating a mold, beginning with the creation of a Styrofoam version of the sculpture.
After covering the Styrofoam sculpture with an oil-based clay, Summers returned to sculpt the statue with the detail of the table-top version.
"Then we make a mold on it," Howard said.
Working on sections at a time, he and his staff poured 2,000-degree bronze into ceramic shells - then knocked off the shells.
"Then we started reassembling the statue from all these castings we have made from bronze," Howard said.
"Originally it was one-fifth life size, and now it is 135 percent life size.
"You are talking about 8 1/2-feet figures for the people, cars and wagons. Everything is oversized."
Howard said it will take at least one 18-wheeler, maybe two, to transport the sculpture to town next month.
"It will come up to Tulsa in four sections, plus maybe some miscellaneous parts," Howard said. "I am planning on it taking two weeks (to assemble) and hoping it can get done faster."
Read more from this Tulsa World article at http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20120912_16_A1_CUTLIN343055
Did someone say "Clint Howard"?
(http://www.helpfulsnowman.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/8261-25891.gif)
Quote from: BKDotCom on September 12, 2012, 11:45:20 AM
Did someone say "Clint Howard"?
(http://www.helpfulsnowman.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/8261-25891.gif)
Best voice dub in Star Trek History.
(http://blog.rifftrax.com/wp-content/uploads/320x240.jpg)
So those were his real eyebrows!
I'm excited that this statue will be finally installed.
Now children, behave.
(https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/387800_10151143962233983_292960296_n.jpg)
(https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/182093_10151143962308983_2014758532_n.jpg)
(https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/603888_10151143962408983_1362735334_n.jpg)
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