News:

Long overdue maintenance happening. See post in the top forum.

Main Menu

Downtown Impressions

Started by TurismoDreamin, August 26, 2008, 09:50:39 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

TurismoDreamin

I wanted to share my short drive through downtown today.

I was heading northbound on Riverside and exited on the 21st street/Boulder exit and followed the road til I reached Boston and headed northbound from this point on. Firstly, i'd like to note that throughout my entire drive, I stopped a total of TWO times. As a matter of fact, I drove end to end, south to north of Boston Ave without stopping. I knew they were talking about implementing that stop light program to do such a thing but I didn't know they had already put it into action. Anyways, as I drove by TCC, I noticed the new school structure to my right. It's nice to see downtown adding another building to its skyline. Granted, TCC brings people to downtown throughout all times of the day which is a good thing. I passed this building and felt the road smooth out. The roads of downtown are starting to become pleasant. I actually enjoyed driving down "certain sections" of downtown considering that before, my car took a true beating on the roads since I have a sport suspension (I bent a rim in downtown a few years back). I looked over at Holy Family and saw the excellent progress come along with the historic church. I glanced over at the Centennial Green on 6th and Boston...a nice place where people can gather and a break from the monotonous building and parking lots. And Boston, it's such a well-lit place. The brick work lining the sidewalks added a warm touch to the street saying to pedestrians "hey, I'm walkable." I turned left at 3rd in front of the giant BOK tower to circle around to head south on 1st and Cheyenne. Here is the new shiny coin of Tulsa...the BOK Arena. The luminescent glass gave off a bright colorful glow to a seemingly fluorescent building, in that I saw the light it was giving off from Riverside. Heading west on 3rd now I noticed many cars pulling aside taking in the same sight of the arena as I was seeing. I noticed many well-dressed individuals inside the arena walking around. I noticed two film crews who appeared not to have an affiliation with a news network, but by the looks of their equipment, seemed to be filming the building for a type of promo or mini-movie of some sort. Circling around now at Frisco Ave and then 4th street pointed me back into the direction of the downtown skyline framed between the post office on my left and central library on my right....just as captivating to the eye as the arena. I headed down Denver and once again was just thrilled with the smooth, newly-paved road. I turned right at 11th and merged onto 12th (disappointed with 12th streets road condition) which I took til I reached Southwest Boulevard and passed under another downtown highlight, the Route 66 memorial bridge. I quickly turned on Riverside and brought my drive to a close, peering over at the improved lighting of the very improved park trail.

I drive through downtown daily but never get a chance to take it all in like I did tonight. Plus, downtown looked better at night too. But, I thought of the drive as I would if I were a tourist or a visitor from elsewhere just taking a leisurely drive through downtown. With the route I took, I would have concluded that downtown takes care of most of their streets. It looks very walkable. It's well lit. With more buildings being added, it's growing. Buildings look well-maintained or new. The city as a whole looks much more attractive. There really are plenty of things to see downtown. The arena looks so magnetic as if events of all sorts would be attracted to it. I mean you can't help but look at the arena and say "wow." Riverside park looks bright and rejuvenated.

Overall, I simply would like to say I'm impressed with what I saw tonight in downtown and encourage all of you to at least try out the route I took and see if you got the same impression I did.

TheArtist

#1
You know, I can perfectly well understand why people in the recent past have had such negative views of downtown. And have even had negative views of Tulsa in general.

Downtown and the river, the river parks, are the cities front door and living room. They are our collective "social places", gathering places,,,, the primary places that would naturally identify and set the tone for any city.

And for so long they have been quite shabby, hum-drum, and even depressing.

To now see both the River and Downtown, cleaning up, being refreshed and revitalized... is a relief.

Have you ever been sick or just not feeling well for a while, and then when you wake up that one morning and feel normal, you suddenly realize how GREAT it feels to just BE normal? lol How every day things just feel so much better, and your thankful to be well again.

Tulsa has been in a malaise for such a long time now. Things are starting to feel like that moment when your "turning the corner" and getting better and realizing how great you will feel when your all well.

I know that sounds a bit melodramatic, and perhaps I am just projecting the relief I am feeling for finishing that huge stressful project lol. But I really think we are starting to turn the corner and get our mojo back. I think downtown, and the river, are starting to turn into places that, feel and look, great. And that makes me feel good too. Silly perhaps, but there it is.

"When you only have two pennies left in the world, buy a loaf of bread with one, and a lily with the other."-Chinese proverb. "Arts a staple. Like bread or wine or a warm coat in winter. Those who think it is a luxury have only a fragment of a mind. Mans spirit grows hungry for art in the same way h

tulsa1603

quote:
Originally posted by TheArtist

You know, I can perfectly well understand why people in the recent past have had such negative views of downtown. And have even had negative views of Tulsa in general.

Downtown and the river, the river parks, are the cities front door and living room. They are our collective "social places", gathering places,,,, the primary places that would naturally identify and set the tone for any city.

And for so long they have been quite shabby, hum-drum, and even depressing.

To now see both the River and Downtown, cleaning up, being refreshed and revitalized... is a relief.

Have you ever been sick or just not feeling well for a while, and then when you wake up that one morning and feel normal, you suddenly realize how GREAT it feels to just BE normal? lol How every day things just feel so much better, and your thankful to be well again.

Tulsa has been in a malaise for such a long time now. Things are starting to feel like that moment when your "turning the corner" and getting better and realizing how great you will feel when your all well.

I know that sounds a bit melodramatic, and perhaps I am just projecting the relief I am feeling for finishing that huge stressful project lol. But I really think we are starting to turn the corner and get our mojo back. I think downtown, and the river, are starting to turn into places that, feel and look, great. And that makes me feel good too. Silly perhaps, but there it is.





I think the trick will be to keep the momentum going....the snowball effect.  The stadium will be a major MAJOR addition.
 

carltonplace

I love driving NORTH! on Boston Ave. I can't belive that I can do that legally now.

I agree, I see new restaurants everywhere(I can eat at a different place every night of the week if I want) The Mayo is being fixed up and had a black tie event with well-dressed people everywhere on 5th. Denver looks so much better, the new trees are in on 3rd.

I can't believe this is my downtown and how great it looks.

sgrizzle

Wasn't Boston always Northbound?

carltonplace


Breadburner

I like to eat there food is good....
 

PonderInc

Ahhh, the downtown Impressions!  Prime rib sandwich, tortilla soup, and some carrot cake!

Friendly Bear

#8
quote:
Originally posted by TurismoDreamin

I wanted to share my short drive through downtown today.

I was heading northbound on Riverside and exited on the 21st street/Boulder exit and followed the road til I reached Boston and headed northbound from this point on. Firstly, i'd like to note that throughout my entire drive, I stopped a total of TWO times. As a matter of fact, I drove end to end, south to north of Boston Ave without stopping. I knew they were talking about implementing that stop light program to do such a thing but I didn't know they had already put it into action. Anyways, as I drove by TCC, I noticed the new school structure to my right. It's nice to see downtown adding another building to its skyline. Granted, TCC brings people to downtown throughout all times of the day which is a good thing. I passed this building and felt the road smooth out. The roads of downtown are starting to become pleasant. I actually enjoyed driving down "certain sections" of downtown considering that before, my car took a true beating on the roads since I have a sport suspension (I bent a rim in downtown a few years back). I looked over at Holy Family and saw the excellent progress come along with the historic church. I glanced over at the Centennial Green on 6th and Boston...a nice place where people can gather and a break from the monotonous building and parking lots. And Boston, it's such a well-lit place. The brick work lining the sidewalks added a warm touch to the street saying to pedestrians "hey, I'm walkable." I turned left at 3rd in front of the giant BOK tower to circle around to head south on 1st and Cheyenne. Here is the new shiny coin of Tulsa...the BOK Arena. The luminescent glass gave off a bright colorful glow to a seemingly fluorescent building, in that I saw the light it was giving off from Riverside. Heading west on 3rd now I noticed many cars pulling aside taking in the same sight of the arena as I was seeing. I noticed many well-dressed individuals inside the arena walking around. I noticed two film crews who appeared not to have an affiliation with a news network, but by the looks of their equipment, seemed to be filming the building for a type of promo or mini-movie of some sort. Circling around now at Frisco Ave and then 4th street pointed me back into the direction of the downtown skyline framed between the post office on my left and central library on my right....just as captivating to the eye as the arena. I headed down Denver and once again was just thrilled with the smooth, newly-paved road. I turned right at 11th and merged onto 12th (disappointed with 12th streets road condition) which I took til I reached Southwest Boulevard and passed under another downtown highlight, the Route 66 memorial bridge. I quickly turned on Riverside and brought my drive to a close, peering over at the improved lighting of the very improved park trail.

I drive through downtown daily but never get a chance to take it all in like I did tonight. Plus, downtown looked better at night too. But, I thought of the drive as I would if I were a tourist or a visitor from elsewhere just taking a leisurely drive through downtown. With the route I took, I would have concluded that downtown takes care of most of their streets. It looks very walkable. It's well lit. With more buildings being added, it's growing. Buildings look well-maintained or new. The city as a whole looks much more attractive. There really are plenty of things to see downtown. The arena looks so magnetic as if events of all sorts would be attracted to it. I mean you can't help but look at the arena and say "wow." Riverside park looks bright and rejuvenated.

Overall, I simply would like to say I'm impressed with what I saw tonight in downtown and encourage all of you to at least try out the route I took and see if you got the same impression I did.



Must be a hallucination.

Are you smoking Hashish again?

When you sober up, all Tulsans will be paying for the Iconic pretty building until 2017.

Now, THAT's a terrible hangover.....

[}:)]


TURobY

Sometimes, the hangover is worth it. Apparently the majority of voters agreed.
---Robert

cks511

The trail from 11th to 31st is the best street in Tulsa!!!

Friendly Bear

quote:
Originally posted by TURobY

Sometimes, the hangover is worth it. Apparently the majority of voters agreed.



At least that Paragon of Virture, the Tulsa County Election Board, told us a new Tulsa COUNTY Tax for Vision 2025 passed.

And, by SIXTY PERCENT!

Apparently, a virtual mandate.....

Who would ever doubt the word of a patronage County office controlled by Commissioner Randi "Blue-Bell" Miller, Commissioner Dilbert Collins, and Commissioner "Dirty" Bob Dick?

[:O]

Gold

It most certainly passed.

If you have an issue with the vote counts, talk to the Election Board.

Poor FB.  He has no clue and nothing to say so he makes stuff up.

Guess he doesn't want to move to 1st and Utica.

[:X]

Hoss

quote:
Originally posted by Friendly Bear

quote:
Originally posted by TurismoDreamin

I wanted to share my short drive through downtown today.

I was heading northbound on Riverside and exited on the 21st street/Boulder exit and followed the road til I reached Boston and headed northbound from this point on. Firstly, i'd like to note that throughout my entire drive, I stopped a total of TWO times. As a matter of fact, I drove end to end, south to north of Boston Ave without stopping. I knew they were talking about implementing that stop light program to do such a thing but I didn't know they had already put it into action. Anyways, as I drove by TCC, I noticed the new school structure to my right. It's nice to see downtown adding another building to its skyline. Granted, TCC brings people to downtown throughout all times of the day which is a good thing. I passed this building and felt the road smooth out. The roads of downtown are starting to become pleasant. I actually enjoyed driving down "certain sections" of downtown considering that before, my car took a true beating on the roads since I have a sport suspension (I bent a rim in downtown a few years back). I looked over at Holy Family and saw the excellent progress come along with the historic church. I glanced over at the Centennial Green on 6th and Boston...a nice place where people can gather and a break from the monotonous building and parking lots. And Boston, it's such a well-lit place. The brick work lining the sidewalks added a warm touch to the street saying to pedestrians "hey, I'm walkable." I turned left at 3rd in front of the giant BOK tower to circle around to head south on 1st and Cheyenne. Here is the new shiny coin of Tulsa...the BOK Arena. The luminescent glass gave off a bright colorful glow to a seemingly fluorescent building, in that I saw the light it was giving off from Riverside. Heading west on 3rd now I noticed many cars pulling aside taking in the same sight of the arena as I was seeing. I noticed many well-dressed individuals inside the arena walking around. I noticed two film crews who appeared not to have an affiliation with a news network, but by the looks of their equipment, seemed to be filming the building for a type of promo or mini-movie of some sort. Circling around now at Frisco Ave and then 4th street pointed me back into the direction of the downtown skyline framed between the post office on my left and central library on my right....just as captivating to the eye as the arena. I headed down Denver and once again was just thrilled with the smooth, newly-paved road. I turned right at 11th and merged onto 12th (disappointed with 12th streets road condition) which I took til I reached Southwest Boulevard and passed under another downtown highlight, the Route 66 memorial bridge. I quickly turned on Riverside and brought my drive to a close, peering over at the improved lighting of the very improved park trail.

I drive through downtown daily but never get a chance to take it all in like I did tonight. Plus, downtown looked better at night too. But, I thought of the drive as I would if I were a tourist or a visitor from elsewhere just taking a leisurely drive through downtown. With the route I took, I would have concluded that downtown takes care of most of their streets. It looks very walkable. It's well lit. With more buildings being added, it's growing. Buildings look well-maintained or new. The city as a whole looks much more attractive. There really are plenty of things to see downtown. The arena looks so magnetic as if events of all sorts would be attracted to it. I mean you can't help but look at the arena and say "wow." Riverside park looks bright and rejuvenated.

Overall, I simply would like to say I'm impressed with what I saw tonight in downtown and encourage all of you to at least try out the route I took and see if you got the same impression I did.



Must be a hallucination.

Are you smoking Hashish again?

When you sober up, all Tulsans will be paying for the Iconic pretty building until 2017.

Now, THAT's a terrible hangover.....

[}:)]





Must really suck to be you, FB.  I mean, someone who complains about downtown but never visits.

[:O]

TURobY

quote:
Originally posted by Friendly Bear

quote:
Originally posted by TURobY

Sometimes, the hangover is worth it. Apparently the majority of voters agreed.



At least that Paragon of Virture, the Tulsa County Election Board, told us a new Tulsa COUNTY Tax for Vision 2025 passed.

And, by SIXTY PERCENT!

Apparently, a virtual mandate.....

Who would ever doubt the word of a patronage County office controlled by Commissioner Randi "Blue-Bell" Miller, Commissioner Dilbert Collins, and Commissioner "Dirty" Bob Dick?

[:O]




More reliable than a silly, old Pooh Bear. If you are alleging voter fraud, then file a complaint. You know what they say: "Put up, or shut up...".
---Robert