Southroads/Promenade district?

[SXSW]

TheArtist brought up the fact that the area around 41st and Yale is somewhat dense (for Tulsa's standards) and has the mall, Southroads shopping center, a few midrises, and OU-Tulsa all in the vicinity.  How could this area be made into a more walkable district?

While Promenade has its parking garages, Southroads is extremely suburban in design with giant parking lots out front.  I would think if they rebuilt Southroads now it would be much more urban but that redevelopment was in the mid to late 90's.  I think you could make it more walkable, however, by expanding the center.  Widen the sidewalks and pedestrian connectors in the front of Reasor's, Barnes & Noble, etc. making it easier for pedestrians to navigate in between the stores.  Allow the parking lots to remain but add more tree islands to make them more appealing.  Then add another strip of businesses fronting 41st Street with on-street parking like on Peoria and 15th.  Have BancFirst build a bigger multi-story branch at their corner that comes up to the street.

Promenade needs another anchor tenant, maybe a Bloomingdales?  Right at the corner of 41st and Yale would be a good place (the only place really) and it would connect to the existing mall with a large street entrance.

As far as OU-Tulsa goes, all the development looks pretty good and the new parking garage has consolidated a lot of surface parking there.  Additional buildings will be built over the years adding to the density of campus.  The current small neighborhood in between the south part of campus and I-44 could be removed to make way for on-campus apartments, and a student residential component could be built around where the OU-Tulsa sign resides at the corner of 41st and Yale, a huge waste of space IMO.

Finally the little strip center on the NW corner could easily be torn down and redeveloped as something more urban, like sidewalk cafes and coffee shops targeting OU-Tulsa students and people walking around and shopping at Promenade or Southroads.  Residential or office space above would help add more pedestrian traffic to the rest of the district.

Thoughts?

[sgrizzle]

Doesn't promenade have an empty anchor spot?


I would like to throw these out:
* Hotel
* Northern side of southroads changed to structured parking
* Southern side parking lots replaced with pedestrian-friendly shops built between the big boxes
* Delaware entrance to Southroads given better appearance. Fountain or otherwise.
* Elevated walkway (moving sidewalks?) or other to move people from promenade to southroads.

[waterboy]

That's good thinking but I don't think you mean Delaware. Hudson?

It is a great insight to recognize this area as an emerging district worthy of redesign. I hope something comes of it.

[swake]

They have an empty anchor spot, but, as of a week or so ago, there was no "for lease" sign on it. It may be leased, does anyone know?

[sgrizzle]

quote:Originally posted by waterboy

That's good thinking but I don't think you mean Delaware. Hudson?

It is a great insight to recognize this area as an emerging district worthy of redesign. I hope something comes of it.

Darlington


It starts with a D dangit.

[Renaissance]

Residences, residences, residences.  Wedge some attractive four-story apartment complexes along the northeast corner of Yale and 41st with retail on the bottom floor.  Widen all the sidewalks and encourage more outdoor eateries.  I like the idea of filling in the south lot with Utica Square-style retail shops as well.

[TheArtist]

All great ideas. I especially like the one of mid rise apartment or condos with retail/sidewalk cafe type things on the bottom facing OU. And yes one or two more stores in the south parking lot with perhaps a small fountain with a few trees and benches would make the area feel more cozy and attractive. Or perhaps a fountain with small park like area near the corner where the gas station is. Wherever it goes, we are missing that type of feature there and it would further "key" you in to the fact that its not just another strip mall type area. That its "nice" lol.  As I have said before, a couple of the right things and it could be another beautiful midtown type area for Tulsa to be proud of.  And whatever developer figures it out first could definitely make his return IMO.  Also others would see the potential and follow. If I had the funds I would do it. Plus I love the huge backyard with the house sitting on the high spot, thinking of planting a little vineyard next spring.[] Have you ever heard of a 50s style ranch home being turned into a little italian villa? lol

[aoxamaxoa]

Prediction.....someday the area of housing between I44 and the malls (houses) will be redeveloped.....many moons from now.