Tulsa? Tulsa!

[TulsaFan-inTexas]

http://www.preservationnation.org/magazine/2008/july-august/tulsas.html

[PonderInc]

Fantastic article!  The cover alone makes you think "Wow!  I want to see that!"

I had the same experience when SWA's Spirit Magazine covered Tulsa a while back.  Gorgeous, exciting photos that really show off how cool and beautiful Tulsa is.  http://www.spiritmag.com/2008_04/features/meet_tulsa.php

Then I see the official stuff the Chamber or the Visitor's Bureau puts out, and it's like our professional promoters don't "get it."  They can't capture what's incredible about Tulsa.  (I am...a bicycle wheel?)

Great article, great info.  There's going to be an event at the Philcade on Tues, 6/24 @ 5:30 PM to talk about Art Deco, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and to celebrate our "cover story" with Preservation magazine.  Free and open to the public.

More info: http://www.tulsanow.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=10446

[TulsaFan-inTexas]

That Spirit magazine article is a fantastic read. I recall reading that awhile back. Thanks for the link with more information Ponder.

[cannon_fodder]

View the slideshow and try to guess where it is!
http://www.preservationnation.org/magazine/2008/july-august/its-in-the-details.html

Great article.  BUT, the stats that 50+ Deco buildings worthy of being on a tour as well as the 52% of downtown turned into parking... are just sad.  Hopefully we have seen the error of our ways - $4 gas should go a long way in convincing people that density is our friend.

[Renaissance]

Makes me really hope they do the new ballpark in Art Deco, or at least pay homage to the style.  It's just so fun and classy, and a perfect fit for an instantly-classic ballpark.

[TulsaFan-inTexas]

quote:Originally posted by cannon_fodder

View the slideshow and try to guess where it is!
http://www.preservationnation.org/magazine/2008/july-august/its-in-the-details.html

Great article.  BUT, the stats that 50+ Deco buildings worthy of being on a tour as well as the 52% of downtown turned into parking... are just sad.  Hopefully we have seen the error of our ways - $4 gas should go a long way in convincing people that density is our friend.

I'm glad the article pointed out the truth (parking lots) as well as the fact that Tulsa seems to be recognizing the value of all of the beautiful art deco.

[OUGrad05]

Good article but I'm really worried that Tulsa is going to run off a lot of their businesses.  They're funding their new ballpark with an extension and increase of prop taxes inside the IDL.  This is a bit annoying and I know of a couple people who plan on leaving if its approved and if a few big businesses start to leave that could spell problems.  

It's kinda funny since htey're pitching it to the people of tulsa liek its all private money when its not.

[AVERAGE JOE]

quote:Originally posted by OUGrad05

Good article but I'm really worried that Tulsa is going to run off a lot of their businesses.  They're funding their new ballpark with an extension and increase of prop taxes inside the IDL.  This is a bit annoying and I know of a couple people who plan on leaving if its approved and if a few big businesses start to leave that could spell problems.  

It's kinda funny since htey're pitching it to the people of tulsa liek its all private money when its not.

Where are you hearing that there will be an increase in property taxes? That is the first I've heard of it. To my understanding, the financing would only include an extension of the already existing downtown improvement district fees -- not an increase.

[mrB]

Maybe the tax topic should be discussed in another thread?

On a positive note, as the original post/thread started. I went to the 'Public' reception Tues evening, held at the Philcade building in their ornate lobby to celebrate our "cover story" with Preservation magazine. A few people spoke, mostly about what the Tulsa Preservation Commission, Tulsa Foundation for Architecture, and Tulsa Art Deco Society were up to and preparing for the National Trust for Historic Preservation Conference in Tulsa Oct. 21-25.

The event included remarks from Tulsa Art Deco Society President Rex Ball, FAIA AICP, Tulsa Foundation for Architecture Board President Matt King, AIA NCARB and Preservation’s editor in chief, James Schwartz.

Positive, positive words about Tulsa.

And then a good thing happened this morning [Wed]. As my wife and I were leaving the Blue Dome Diner after a late breakfast, I recognized Preservation magazine’s editor in chief, James Schwartz and Martin Newman, a local realtor and past chairman of the Tulsa Preservation Commission, leaving the diner also.

I had a brief, pleasant visit with them both. Two very nice gentlemen, with strong beliefs in preserving architectural history here in Tulsa and nationally. It was great to see them supporting a local downtown diner for breakfast before Mr. Schwartz was flying back to D.C.


p.s.  Marty Newman saved Tulsa's art deco Fire Alarm Building when it had sat vacant for many years and he bought it from the city in the 90's. He held on to it until the right people came along. The Tulsa Fire Alarm Building recently began new life as local offices for the American Lung Association of OK.

[AVERAGE JOE]

quote:Originally posted by mrB

Maybe the tax topic should be discussed in another thread?

On a positive note, as the original post/thread started. I went to the 'Public' reception Tues evening, held at the Philcade building in their ornate lobby to celebrate our "cover story" with Preservation magazine. A few people spoke, mostly about what the Tulsa Preservation Commission, Tulsa Foundation for Architecture, and Tulsa Art Deco Society were up to and preparing for the National Trust for Historic Preservation Conference in Tulsa Oct. 21-25.

The event included remarks from Tulsa Art Deco Society President Rex Ball, FAIA AICP, Tulsa Foundation for Architecture Board President Matt King, AIA NCARB and Preservation’s editor in chief, James Schwartz.

Positive, positive words about Tulsa.

And then a good thing happened this morning [Wed]. As my wife and I were leaving the Blue Dome Diner after a late lunch, I recognized Preservation magazine’s editor in chief, James Schwartz and Martin Newman, a local realtor and past chairman of the Tulsa Preservation Commission, leaving the diner also.

I had a brief, pleasant visit with them both. Two very nice gentlemen, with strong beliefs in preserving architectural history here in Tulsa and nationally. It was great to see them supporting a local downtown diner for breakfast before Mr. Schwartz was flying back to D.C.


p.s.  Marty Newman saved Tulsa's art deco Fire Alarm Building when it had sat vacant for many years and he bought it from the city in the 90's. He held on to it until the right people came along. The Tulsa Fire Alarm Building recently began new life as local offices for the American Lung Association of OK.

thanks for getting us back on track! []

[BierGarten]

quote:Originally posted by AVERAGE JOE

quote:Originally posted by OUGrad05

Where are you hearing that there will be an increase in property taxes? That is the first I've heard of it. To my understanding, the financing would only include an extension of the already existing downtown improvement district fees -- not an increase.

If the Tulsa World writes it it must be true!

[Steve]

I am thankful for any favorable publicity Tulsa can get, but the preservationnation.org group makes this seem like a new archeological find.  Tulsa's art deco buildings have been featured and discussed in most major publications for years, and it has been known in the architectural world for years what gems we had and still have here.

I am more excited about the National Trust for Historic Preservation conferrence that will be here in Tulsa in October 21-24.  This will not only focus on Art Deco, but all historic preservation issues, including post WWII modern architecture.  I am particularly interested in this since I live in Lortondale, a very historic post-WWII modern design residential neighborhood in Tulsa.  About 1 week ago, I saw a large tour bus creep down my street, full of people looking at the houses in Lortondale.  I assume this was related to the upcoming preservation conference.

[PonderInc]

Yep.  One of the field sessions will be: "Mid-Century Tulsa: Back to the Future!"  

The preliminary NTHP conference program says:
"Celebrate Tulsa's Mid-Century Homes of the Future.  Featuring mid-century neighborhoods such as Lortondale and Ranch Acres, see how residents have worked diligently to restore the architecture of their homes and their communities.  Creative marketing, community education and sheer determination have created a mid-century feeding frenzy with homes being snatched up by design-savvy and preservation-minded buyers."

[Steve]

quote:Originally posted by PonderInc

Yep.  One of the field sessions will be: "Mid-Century Tulsa: Back to the Future!"  

The preliminary NTHP conference program says:
"Celebrate Tulsa's Mid-Century Homes of the Future.  Featuring mid-century neighborhoods such as Lortondale and Ranch Acres, see how residents have worked diligently to restore the architecture of their homes and their communities.  Creative marketing, community education and sheer determination have created a mid-century feeding frenzy with homes being snatched up by design-savvy and preservation-minded buyers."

Thanks for the info PonderInc.  In addition to Art Deco, Tulsa has (or had) a wealth of post WWII modern developments.  I am proud to live in one that still exists in Lortondale, at the 4900 block of East 26th Street, a true existing icon of post WWII residential development.  Not to mention the fact that it was the very first tract home development in the U.S. with central air conditioning as a standard home feature, and the first subdivision in Tulsa with a developer-built community swimming pool, opened in the summer of 1956, still in operation today in 2008!  I just took a dip in the pool tonight.  Wonderful.

[YoungTulsan]

Do you think there will be enough parking for the conference?  They may need to raze a few buildings for more parking spots!