Project Nexus - NW Downtown Redevelopment

[Dspike]

Seems like this should be its own thread. Williams and others are working toward redeveloping the entire NW corner of the IDL, including moving the jail and social services. Quite ambitious!

https://tulsaworld.com/news/local/business/article_9defe165-d5ec-401d-9d8e-a9bb513a3065.html#tracking-source=home-top-story

A limited liability company associated with Williams was buying up small properties within a mile of One Williams Center in downtown Tulsa, according to county land records.

Nexus Development Partners paid approximately $5.3 million for the properties, county records show.

The three lots directly east of the Tulsa County Jail on north Denver Avenue, and a fourth property nearby, are but a fraction of the land Williams and its partners hope to accumulate within the Inner Dispersal Loop as part of a bold vision to transform northwest downtown.

Project Nexus would establish a public-private partnership to create an arts and entertainment district that would connect downtown's disparate neighborhoods, spur mixed-use development, and eventually relocate the Tulsa County Jail and social service agencies concentrated along Archer Street, according to documents obtained by the Tulsa World and people familiar with the project.

The development area would be anchored by a new soccer/multi-purpose stadium that would serve as home to FC Tulsa, the city's professional soccer club. FC Tulsa announced in 2020 a multiyear sponsorship with Williams.

As currently envisioned, Williams Stadium would be constructed in two phases — as would the development district — along the east side of north Denver Avenue in the area where Hiland Dairy operated for years. Phase one calls for a 8,000-seat facility that would be expanded to 15,000 seats.

The feasibility study estimates an investment of more than $700 million would be needed to see phase one, the core of the district, through to completion by 2030.

What Tulsans would get in return — in addition to the multi-purpose stadium — is more than 500,000 square feet of office and retail space, two hotels, 540 multi-family housing units — including 250 workforce units — and more than 3,000 parking spaces, according to the feasibility study

[Markk]

A parting gift for the city.

[Tulsan]

My thoughts:

-Wow! I knew something was brewing but this exceeded my expectations.

-This rendering would have them closing Cheyenne and Cameron. But it appears they would rebuild Davenport for connectivity?

-And also it looks like a complete rebuild of Denver to bring it to grade where it currently dips under the decommissioned tracks by the jail.

-Stadium design concept pretty nifty, HOK is the architect.

-Who else involved? Obviously the Crafts, presumably David Sharp since it's all over Interak property. GKFF? Muscogee Creek Nation?

-So they have purchased old Brady Theater and presumably will decommission it as a venue. Will they build a new theater? Sad to lose a historic theater although it was pretty run down. There will be a hole to fill for that size room.

-I heard in an open meeting of Partner Tulsa that Williams intends to move another 1000 jobs downtown. Will they go in the tower? Or will some of the referenced office space be for them? If they go in the tower will BOK finally build their new HQ that was shelved after the shale bust?

-How quickly will social services move? Iron Gate has a lease from the county and the new facility is only 7 years old. Moving all those facilities is going to be a LOT. Where will they go? Obviously moving the jail is 10-15 years away at minimum. The real issue is the homeless cluster.

[bacjz00]

I didn't make the assumption that the Tulsa Theater would close as a part of this project. Only that it would be "integrated". I can't imagine that venue going anywhere, but of course a major remodel as long overdue.

[swake]

I didn't make the assumption that the Tulsa Theater would close as a part of this project. Only that it would be "integrated". I can't imagine that venue going anywhere, but of course a major remodel as long overdue.

I recall the late great Glen Hansard remarking how great the acoustics were compared to modern buildings. He loved the place.