Red Fork: Main Street Community

[MichaelC]

From KTUL

quote:Tulsa - Residents of the southwest Tulsa community known as Red Fork are celebrating after Mayor Kathy Taylor announced today the Oklahoma Department of Commerce has chosen its project as Tulsa's first Urban Main Street Community.

Red Fork is the area of old Route 66 along Southwest Boulevard from the Arkansas River to West 49th Street. Businesses and community members are getting involved to restore the west side to its glory days.

"This is wonderful news," says Don Engle, President of Red Fork Main Street. "A number of volunteers worked on this very thorough application process. Now we are ready to roll up our sleeves and get to work."

While there is no financial backing from the Department of Commerce for the project, more than 140-thousand dollars was pledged by businesses and individuals to cover the first three years of operation. In addition, a team of experts will come in and transform the west side and also provide help in applying for grant money.

"We have a preservation architect, interior designer, marketing specialist, promotion specialist who helps find events to bring people into the community," Linda Barnett, Oklahoma Main Street Director, told NewsChannel 8 last month.

The Oklahoma Main Street Program was created by the state Legislature in 1985 to stimulate the revitalization of historic business districts in Oklahoma communities. More than sixty cities have received assistance through the program since its inception.

[Rico]

Where is this RWarn Character....?

I thought he was the Mayor of Red Fork or something...

[RecycleMichael]

Back when CB radios were cool... my father's CB handle was Red Fork Mayor.

[AVERAGE JOE]

This is really outstanding news. The Main Street Program is a very successful nationwide model that has done great things for towns all over Oklahoma.

[AMP]

Video Killed the Radio Star

Internet Killed Small Retail

Buck Myers owns several shopping centers and commercial real-estate in that area as well as all around Green Country.  

There once was a Grocery store down the street from Ollies, they never turned a profit so it shut down like so many brick and mortar private businesses in Tulsa have.  

The Grocery Store was stripped of all the Copper Wiring during last Winter when thieves made their way in. It had some extra Large wire as the time it was built the coolers and HVAC equipment was not efficient at all.  Used some massive amounts of electricity to power the old school regfrigeration systems.

The old Crystal City Bowling Alley, which was a Paint Ball Game Room by the last tenet had a fairly nice restaurant inside.  Vandals made quick work of all the very nice Tiffany Style Stained Glass hanging light fixtures, and smashed large mirrors, destroyed coolers and most anything with glass.  It is a shame how expensive equipment like that becomes damaged for no reason.  

Not sure of what changes can be made with $140 grand.  

I always have enjoyed eating at Ollies, even if the food is common the atmosphere with all the Trains is always entertaining.  Believe one of the past owners ran for a political office at one time.  

Most small brick and mortar retail businesses, other than the giant box retailers, remind me of 8 Track Tape Players today.  

Huge utility bills, way to high of ceilings with little or no insulation not designed and constructed to be Energy Efficient.  Even if you had free rent in most those old buildings the utility bills in many would far exceed the revenue generated.  

I can browse, locate and get specific details on most any item I need online, order with a click of my mouse, pay using plastic and expect shipment in a few or just two days from as far away as The Republic of China.  I got a package in two days from Central China via DHL.  

Local dealers I called on the phone regarding parts for the product line I needed had no clue about the parts I was seeking, but people in China knew exactly what I wanted and shipped it to me that day.  

I found it in less than 10 minutes using Google search, couple of Emails, photo with my digital camera and providing a shipping address and credit card charge through paypal.  

[rwarn17588]

The reason the grocery store in Crystal City wasn't profitable was because it was a crappy grocery store, and the locals (including me) knew it. It was always messy, and dented-can products have only so much appeal. I'm surprised the Health Department didn't shut it down.

Part of the problem with Crystal City is its current landlord charges too much for rent. I heard that from several tenants. Opening a store there is a risk venture, but existing businesses there seem to be doing well. It's not like it's in a terrible location -- just off I-244 with good access.

Fortunately, Crystal City is reportedly up for sale for $2.25 million. There is interest in the property. Hopefully, someone will take it off the current owner's hands and show a little more vision and initiative.

Yes, I concur with the other posters here that the Main Street program is an overdue and welcome development for Red Fork.

And you don't have to call me the Mayor of Red Fork. But I do consider myself a trustee. []

[patric]

Something tells me they havent though this one out completely.

Sure, Its a great day if you're selling the Acorn glare bombs that line Main Street USA streets.  
Of course, someone with some true vision and a sincere interest in the area might see this as an opportunity to break from the "every towns' gotta have it" mold and do something more original.

Or we can just let the grant money run out and let someone down the line figure out what to do with the electric bill that never stops coming.  With Acorns it's going to be three or four times what it was, and I havent heard anyone's plans for that yet.