The East End

For years we have all heard about the East Village Project. This morning I received an email from Nik Majdan pointing me to a web site located at http://www.globaldevelopmentpartners.com/EastEnd.html.

The East End Project is described as Global Development Partners announces a dynamic urban lifestyle environment, the East End in Downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma. Encompassing over 14 city blocks, the East End connects Tulsa’srevitalizationg Downtown to the affluent Mid-Town district of the City creating a destination that will serve a 100 mile regional trade area of over 2,500,000 people. The East End will offer over 1.9 million square feet of mixed-use development including over 450,000 square feet of retail and dining experiences; 800 units of unparalleled urban living; three high quality hotels; 150,000 square feet of modern office space; and -- as a centerpiece -- an 8,000 seat state-of-the-art baseball stadium. These integrated components will result in an innovative, vibrant urban district. In Spring of 2009, the East End will deliver a live/work/play/stay environment to Tulsa and a destination of choice for its regional trade area.

Does anyone know any more on the status of this project?

Arena Progress

One Year: 25 Percent Complete: New arena taking shape
By BRIAN BARBER World Staff Writer
8/27/2006

Construction crews will soon begin assembling the BOK Center's steel framing.

From out of the dirt, a massive skeletal structure has risen over the past 12 months to support the BOK Center's seating bowl that will one day hold thousands of spectators.
With about 25 percent of the downtown arena complete as construction marks its first year Thursday, project leaders are encouraging the public to keep watching.
View Full Article from the Tulsa World.

Converting Tulsa's Boston Avenue To 2-Way Traffic

From KOTV
One of downtown's major streets is undergoing some major changes. Boston Avenue won't look anything like it does now, but the work has a ways to go.

News on 6 reporter Emory Bryan says the cars cut through the dust, but pedestrians have bear it while Boston Avenue is dug up and rebuilt.

Damen Banks has already broken a headlight on a pothole. Because of the dust, he has to wipe down his scooter before he hops on. "My clients have a hard time trying to find a place to work, but I guess it's all for the good.”
More...

Tussle brews over site

Downtown Development: Next Step: Tussle brews over site...
Greenwood group wants it outright

A grassy plot connecting the Greenwood Business District and the Brady Village neighborhood is the focus of a competitive development process initiated by the Tulsa Development Authority.
"The fairness of the situation demands it," the authority's chairman, Carl Bracy, said. "We've been looking at all of the downtown property in our inventory, and this is certainly one of the most promising for development."
Read the full stort at the Tulsa World

Downtown Merchants Trying To Put A Stop To 'Meter Hogs'

From KTUL

Tulsa - Some downtown merchants are hoping to curb a problem with parking meters. Office workers are monopolizing those meters. So, driving customers can't reach downtown businesses. NewsChannel 8's Jerry Giordano explains what they're looking to do.

"That white (car) has been here only a little while, but it will be there the rest of the day."

Chuck Adamson is a merchant in downtown Tulsa. He's got plenty of shoes. What he doesn't have is plenty of parking.

"They plug the meter every hour on the hour," Adamson says. "Or, they'll move their car a few feet so it looks like they've moved."

Full Story Here.

Tulsa City Council Approves Cost Cutting Bid At The BOK Center

The Tulsa City Council has approved another major bid on the BOK Center. An almost $8-million bid for concrete was part of a plan to save money by changing some of the specifications for the arena. From KOTV... Full Story Here.

Mid-day entertainment is back in the heart of Downtown Tulsa

From KOTV...

Downtown Tulsa Entertainment
KOTV - 8/3/2006 1:15 PM - Updated: 8/3/2006 2:43 PM
Mid-day entertainment is back in the heart of downtown Tulsa.

Downtown Tulsa Unlimited presents its Music on the Square concert series. Thursday, Earl Clark performed for the lunchtime crowd.

The concerts are every Thursday from noon to 1 PM, through the end of October.

Next Thursday, Shannon Thomas performs.

Keep those buildings cool!

KOTV has a fun little article on keeping all those downtown buildings cool.

When it comes to beating the heat, one company practically controls the thermostat downtown. That's because much of downtown's air conditioning comes from one building and News on 6 reporter Emory Bryan shows us how it works.
It's the largest air conditioner in Tulsa - a unit with 22,000 tons of cooling power. It cools more than half of the office space downtown. Full article here

Downtown: Revitalization: Group's Mayo Place plan angles for clubs, shops

Check this out in the Tulsa World...

Downtown: Revitalization: Group's Mayo Place plan angles for clubs, shops
By ROBERT EVATT World Staff Writer
7/7/2006

The move to revitalize downtown Tulsa with urban living, shopping and entertainment now has a shared vision -- as well as a name.

The planned 12-block Mayo Place would be within walking distance of the under-construction BOK Center, transforming the area into an attractive destination for visitors, said George Shaffer, the chief executive officer of American Parking Services and a collaborator on the project.