Can BOK Center Save Downtown?
Downtown Tulsa’s New attraction is getting ready to launch soon and its existence is to be one of the elements that revives Downtown Tulsa, this and the decision to move the Tulsa Drillers, the Tulsa baseball team, downtown. The question is Can a event building and a baseball team spark an interest? I honestly believe it can. I have already seen multiple hotel chains looking at property and some even buying and beginning renovation. I believe hotels will play a key role because as of right now the Downtown Tulsa night life doesn’t exist. I mean its almost scary going downtown at night because its really a ghost down, if you were to get mugged, no one would find you until Monday morning. The BOK Center and its capacity will bring bigger events to Tulsa, which brings out of town guests. Now, if there is a good amount of quality hotels downtown, people will stay downtown. With all of these new people downtown, they will need something to do after the event. This openings the doors for more bars, clubs, and restaurants, creating that downtown nightlife once again.
Already a lot of the buildings are turning their upper levels into loft apartments. If Tulsa can get people to move back into downtown and this new event center brings enough big names on a regular basis then we might have something. Really believe it can work out and I really hope it does. Its something that won’t happen over night but in time we could see some big changes which can impact Tulsa as a whole.
September 10th, 2008 at 11:19 am
It is so nice to hear that more cities around the country are starting the process of getting their downtown areas revitalized by putting in combination retail and residential buildings. We are doing that here in Austin and it is a little on the expensive side to start out but it is forcing our citizens to downsize…which I am all for…we have all become huge keepers of STUFF….Less is More.
September 10th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Converting old areas into retail and lofts is a hot topic in Central Texas. I work in Austin and have seen the last 5 years bring a lot of change. Properties in the downtown area are hot with increased gas prices. Buyers like a shorter commute and possibility of getting rid of their car expense. Austin is a very Green city.
September 10th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
They are trying that in the Morristown NJ downtown as well. Built huge condo projects which have all been smashing successes, now they are building another but this time with lots of retail on the lower levels and a huge parking garage in back to boot. We shall see if the retail works out. Congrats to Tulsa for at least trying to make things better.