Preserve Midtown

     It may come as a surprise to learn that Tulsa is one of the nation’s premier centers of art deco architecture, putting it in the classy company of Miami Beach, New York, and Los Angeles, stated Wayne Curtis of the National Trust.  Mr. Curtis spent 3 days with local architect Rex Ball, Marty Newman, Lee Ann Ziglar and Amanda DeCort touring our Tulsa Art Deco stars.
     Tulsa fell in love with deco and, after a brief estrangement, appears poised for a second honeymoon. “It means lively, it means young, it means different,” says Ball, noting that it reflects the vibrancy of Tulsa’s rebirth. “It’s a spirit and a way of life that are coming back.”

To read more about our Art Deco heritage, go to Tulsa’s Deco Gems

Congratulations to Brady Heights for being named by This Old House online as one of the 15 best places in the US for retirees to find a good old house.

This Old House has been a very popular program on PBS television which takes older homes across the US and renovates them into up to date homes.  Those homes that are sometimes referred to as “eyesores” do have great value with some time and effort put in to make them shine like they did when they were new.

To read more about Brady Heights, go to the This Old House Article

It saddens me to tell you that the TMAPC has decided not to study the benefits of the proposed conservation district ordinance.

The TMAPC has decided that they do not want to “step on” Fregonese’s toes by continuing their review process.  They are leaving conservation districts for the Fregonese planning group to deal with.

Where does this leave supporters of the conservation districts who need this tool to help them preserve their older neighborhoods?

If you would like to let the planning commission know your views on this development, send email directed to all TMAPC Commissioners to bhuntzinger@incog.org.  One email will be sent to all commissioners.

You can also let your city councilman know how you feel about this development.  He is representing you and your needs.

It has been reported that our signs are being stolen from some of our supporter’s yards.  If this has happened to you, please email us your name and address and we will replace your sign.

Many thanks for your support!

Protecting America’s Historic Neighborhoods:
Taming the Teardown Trend

Wednesday, May 28
6 o’clock
Harwelden Mansion
2210 South Main
Tulsa

Using examples from across the country, Jim Lindberg will describe the scope and impact of the teardown trend.

He will explain the forces behind it, and offer suggestions for how
neighborhoods and communities can foster sustainable growth without sacrificing historic character.

Jim Lindberg is the Director of Preservation Initiatives in the Mountain/Plains Office of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.  He is the author of numerous articles and co-author of three books on historic preservation.  Mr. Lindberg lives in Denver.

Free and Open to the Public
Information and Reservations
info@preservok.org
(918) 583.5550

Sponsors
Preservation Oklahoma
Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office
Kirkpatrick Foundation
Oklahoma’s Most Endangered Historic Places Program

Co-Sponsors
Tulsa Foundation for Architecture
Arts and Humanities Council of Tulsa

     A new group, Brookside–Home of Neighbors and  Friends, has requested help from Brookside and other Tulsa area residents who would like to express their views regarding the proposed Bomasada project at 39th and Rockford abutting this Brookside residential neighborhood with a petition and action.  After sitting last Wednesday from 1:30 pm until 10:00 pm  to present their case against this mammoth project, concerned homeowners were allowed only three minutes each to state their positions.  At this very late hour, they were rejected by the TMAPC and the project was given a green light. The next step is the City Council.

     Please go to Enclave Petition Information to learn more and access this petition.  Laura Collins is spearheading this effort and lives across the street from this project on Rockford.

Many Brookside resident homeowners, business owners  and  city Urban Design staff meet together over several years to complete  the  Brookside Infill  Study Plan.  It was completed in May, 2002 and  “action  taken” in December, 2002.  However, it was never adopted into the  current  zoning plan.  We are providing copies of the residential infill  part of  this plan for you to read and study.  Ask your city councilor why this plan was not enacted into  our current zoning plan.  View the Design Policies for the infill here.

Dear Neighbors,

MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW!!

I am giving you a heads up NOW that there will be a Brookside Neighborhood Association open meeting to provide  information and discussion regarding the proposed Bomasada Mid-Rise (4-story) Apartment and Parking Garage Proposal at  39th Street and Rockford Avenue

ON Monday,  MAY 19TH AT  5:30 P.M. AT  Wright  Elementary  School.

The developer of Bomasada has applied for rezoning this property for a higher density classification  – RM-3.

They are asking for a variance in height and setbacks. This property is currently RM-1/RM-2 — low to medium density.

This proposed change of zoning will set a precedent for future development in our community!

The impact on the families living along 39th Street and Rockford Avenue will be tremendously disruptive and will certainly result in changing the traffic along the 41st and Peoria shopping area.

You deserve to have an opportunity to learn about this proposed change and lend your voice in deciding this matter.

The City didn’t listen when they OK’d the Albertson’s food store.  Will they listen this time?

Let’s exercise our right to have a say in representative government.

I hope that many of you will be able to come and listen, ask questions and speak your mind.  You don’t have to be a member of BNA to attend this.   If you live in the Brookside area and care about the future of our community, then you should come and participate.

Read the rest of this entry »

 This was submitted to us by a supporter of PreserveMidtown and is included here for your enjoyment.

Slum Lords

The superrich make lousy neighbors—
they buy a house and tear it down
and build another, twice as big, and leave.
They’re never there; they own so many
other houses, each demands a visit.
Entire neighborhoods called fashionable,
bustling with servants and masters, such as
Louisburg Square in Boston or Bel Air in L.A.,
are districts now like Wall Street after dark
or Tombstone once the silver boom went bust.
The essence of superrich is absence.
They like to demonstrate they can afford
to be elsewhere. Don’t let them in.
Their riches form a kind of poverty.

Jerry Gustafson