Did you know there are several bed and breakfasts in the Tulsa area?  Not too many people know this.  On April 25th I attended a tour of four of the B&Bs in our area.  Cedar Rock Inn on W. 41st St. is an example of adaptive re-use, using a structure for something other than it’s original purpose.  This lovely building has a fabulous history.  It was built in 1890 by Tecumseh Perryman, a Creek Nation allottee on 55 wooded acres called Redberry Farms.

The building is beautifully restored and most of the original features have been retained.  One example is the floor in one room that is papered with dollar bills.  The owners could have gone in and gutted and modernized, but they chose to stay as close to the original as possible.  It might even have been easier to have gutted the interior, but by keeping what was already there, they preserved the integrity of the building and utilized the energy embedded in what was already built.

The furnishings are mostly used since everything fits the era of the house.  The owners found a man who restores antique ceiling fans and he provided most of the fans.  At least one bathroom has a claw foot tub.  The house is a wonderful example of reuse, restore and recycle.

I will be sharing my stories and observations about things that I like about Tulsa in additional postings.  Be sure to check back for more B&B stories.

This is the first in a series of articles written by local city supporter and resident Peggy Pianalto.

Midtown homeowner Karen Chastain and her family have been swamped with stormwater runoff from four infill homes built around her home over the last several years. Tulsa’s weak and antiquated ordinances do not help residents like the Chastain family.  Mayor Bartlett and the city council must take action to enact and enforce more restrictive ordinances that will protect homeowners from this costly damage.

Timely and effective enforcement, including significant fines, is absolutely necessary for Tulsa homeowners and tax payers.  It is not right that the only recourse you have is to sue your neighbors and builders.

Tulsa World: City considers ‘teeth’ for stormwater policy

Last evening the city council rejected Eric Gomez’s appointment to the TMAPC by a vote of 6-3.

Councilors Westcott and Eagleton berated the audience for speaking against Gomez. Let us tread carefully here because members of Preserve Midtown have already been on the business end of a developer’s SLAPP suit for trying to protect their property rights. Having been deprived of our freedom of speech, we take this First Amendment right very seriously. Whether the councilors like it or not, we have the right to stand up in a public forum and voice our opinion. Civil protest is our ability to participate in the process. If neighborhoods are not allowed to participate then there is no process.

Preserve Midtown will continue to inform citizens about future candidates for city positions that affect their property rights. We will also post Councilor Eagleton’s and Councilor Westcott’s lectures from last evening when they are available so you can form your own opinion.

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Mayor Bartlett has submitted the name of Eric Gomez for nomination to the Tulsa Planning Commission. Mr. Gomez’s resume and Ethics Agreement are below.

Preserve Midtown believes that it is important for citizens to be aware of whom is sitting on the boards that affect their quality of life and property values.

The Planning Commission is a 9 member commission made up of a majority of individuals in the real estate and development fields. There is currently also one attorney, one representative from the Tulsa preservation Commission and one neighborhood representative.

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