Tulsa Preservation Commission

Tulsa Preservation Blog

News, announcements, links, thoughts and musings from TPC Staff.

Request for Proposals — Downtown Tulsa Survey

Posted by Amanda DeCort on November 24, 2008    |  Link to this Entry  |  Email this Entry

The City of Tulsa is soliciting proposals from professionally qualified individuals and firms for completion of an intensive-level historic/architectural survey of downtown Tulsa.

The survey will identify sites, structures and districts eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Preliminary inventory work in downtown Tulsa has identified roughly 500 structures of varied sizes and architectural styles within project boundaries. Please be aware of the project time line. The Request for Proposals document provides further details.

All proposals must be received by the City of Tulsa no later than 5:00pm Central Time on Monday, January 5, 2009. Email submissions are encouraged.

For additional information, please contact Amanda DeCort at 918-576-5669 or adecort@cityoftulsa.org

2008 National Preservation Conference — More Public Events!

Posted by Ed Sharrer on October 16, 2008    |  Link to this Entry  |  Email this Entry

In addition to the free public events taking place NEXT WEEK at the 2008 National Preservation Conference, the public has the opportunity to register for the following ticketed events on Saturday, October 25, without purchasing a full conference registration.

Tulsa Overview (ticket price $35)
1:30 – 5:00 p.m.
From being the end point of the notorious Trail of Tears, to railroad and market town serving surrounding cattle ranches, to thriving oilboom city — Tulsa has a diverse and vibrant history. See how all these influences still resonate in modern-day Tulsa. Featured sites include Gilcrease Museum, Roosevelt School, Tulsa’s oldest house, Cain’s Ballroom, Tulsa Union Depot, Williams Technology Center (HOK), and the Tulsa Municipal Building (Old City Hall).

Downtown Tulsa Safari (ticket price $20)
1:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Lions and tigers and... dolphins? Pigs and turkeys and buffalo, too? In downtown Tulsa? Absolutely! There’s an urban jungle in the heart of the city if you know where to look. Go on an offbeat architectural safari to spot the whimsical terra cotta wildlife on Tulsa’s buildings.

Going Green, Tulsa Style (ticket price $35)
1:30 – 5:00 p.m.
It’s great to be green in Tulsa. See some recent renovations of older buildings that have made concern for the environment a priority: Dennis R. Neil Equality Center, the SemGroup Building, the Fire Alarm Building, and East Village.

Tulsa’s Historic Gardens (ticket price $35)
1:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Philbrook Gardens, Tulsa Rose Garden, Woodward Park, and Swan Lake are just some of the special spots to be visited or viewed. Find out how Tulsa’s most renowned horticultural attractions were developed from pastures, farmland, and a Creek Indian allotment.

Mid-Century Tulsa: Back to the Future! (ticket price $35)
1:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Celebrate Tulsa’s mid-century homes of the Future. Featuring mid-century neighborhoods such as Lortondale and Ranch Acres, see how residents have worked diligently to restore the architecture of their homes and their communities. Creative marketing, community education and sheer determination have created a mid-century feeding frenzy with homes being snatched up by design savvy and preservation-minded buyers.

Closing Party: Take Me Back to Tulsa! (ticket price $75)
7:00 – 11:00 p.m.
An unforgettable evening is in store as we gather in the historic dance hall at Cain’s Ballroom, and boogie to the Western swing of 9-time Grammy award winners Asleep at the Wheel. As Ray Benson says, “We’re a dance band. That’s what we’re about. And that’s plenty.” Asleep at the Wheel has continued to carry the torch of western swing and pack venues across the globe –- don’t miss this opportunity to see a world-class band, eat world-class barbecue, and dance the night away. Lessons are included!

Tickets to these events may be purchased at the conference registration table in the Tulsa Convention Center during registration hours. Please download an information flyer for registration hours.

Eastern Oklahoma’s Best Buildings Calendar Kick-off Event, Sept 30

Posted by Ed Sharrer on September 29, 2008    |  Link to this Entry  |  Email this Entry

Tulsa Foundation for Architecture, Arts & Humanities Council of Tulsa, and AIA Eastern Oklahoma invite you to celebrate Art and Architecture with the premiere of Eastern Oklahoma’s Best
Buildings 2009 Calendar on Tuesday, September 30, 5:30 – 7:00pm, at the International Plaza Building (1350 South Boulder Avenue, Tulsa).

The 2009 calendar features photographs by seven of Tulsa’s most distinguished architectural photographers:

• John Amatucci
• Ralph Cole
• David Halpern
• Nathan Harmon
• Scott Miller
• Scott Raffe
• Don Wheeler

Enjoy wine and hors d’oeuvres on the plaza, a silent auction featuring architectural photography, and discover Eastern Oklahoma’s Best Buildings!

Admission is $35, which includes an Eastern Oklahoma’s Best Buildings 2009 Calendar. Visit www.aiaeok.org or phone 918.583.0026 for reservations.

Original Cupola Installed on Blue Dome Service Station

Posted by Ed Sharrer on September 25, 2008    |  Link to this Entry  |  Email this Entry

Fun news to report in downtown Tulsa! The cupola that originally graced the top of the Blue Dome Service Station has been returned to its rightful place of honor this week.

Michael Sager, owner of the Blue Dome Service Station as well as the Vickery Phillips 66 Station, deserves a big pat on the back for repairing and reinstalling the cupola. Just in time for the National Preservation Conference to roll into town!

Free Public Events at 2008 National Preservation Conference

Posted by Amanda DeCort on September 24, 2008    |  Link to this Entry  |  Email this Entry

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is proud to announce the following schedule of events during the 2008 National Preservation Conference that are free and open to the public. Mark your calendar and download the Public Events Flyer for future reference.

Tuesday, October 21st
Special Lecture: The Oklahoma Preservation Story
Presented by Bob L. Blackburn, Executive Director, Oklahoma Historical Society
5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
First Presbyterian Church (709 South Boston Avenue)

Wednesday, October 22nd
Opening Plenary Session
Featuring Mayor Kathy Taylor and Chief Wilma Mankiller
4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Boston Avenue Methodist Church (1301 South Boston Avenue)

Thursday, October 23rd
National Preservation Awards
6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Will Rogers High School (3909 East 5th Place)

Friday, October 24th
Special Lecture: The Romance of the Mother Road, Historic Route 66
Presented by best selling author Michael Wallis
5:45 – 6:45 p.m.
First United Methodist Church (1115 South Boulder Avenue)

Saturday, October 25th
Closing Plenary Session
Featuring Nell Irvin Painter, PhD, Historian and Anthony M. Tung, Author and Urbanist
10:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Tulsa Convention Center (100 Civic Center)

Wednesday, October 22nd – Friday, October 24th
Exhibit Hall
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Thursday and Friday
Tulsa Convention Center (100 Civic Center)

Questions? Please contact conference@nthp.org.

Shape Tulsa’s Future at PLANiTULSA Public Workshops, Sept 22-23

Posted by Ed Sharrer on September 10, 2008    |  Link to this Entry  |  Email this Entry

PLANiTULSA is a once-in-a-generation, community-wide planning effort that gives Tulsa residents an opportunity to shape the future of the city through the development of a new Comprehensive Plan.

What is a Comprehensive Plan? It’s the overriding policy document of the City of Tulsa, establishing a vision of what Tulsa should become as a city over the next 20-30 years. The City’s policy decisions — transportation, infrastructure, housing, social services, capital improvements, zoning — are designed to achieve the goals of the Comprehensive Plan and make that vision a reality.

Tulsa’s current Comprehensive Plan is 30 years old. It’s time to update the plan and establish a new vision for Tulsa.

Launched in May 2008, the PLANiTULSA process will take between 18 months and two years. Hands-on, citywide workshops are set for September 22 and 23. Nine small area workshops will follow in late 2008 and early 2009.

Your participation is critical. Ideas gained from the public workshops will become the foundation of the new Comprehensive Plan.

Don’t miss your chance to shape the future of Tulsa for decades to come. Register today for one of the September workshops and make sure your voice is heard.

For more information, visit planitulsa.org, download a Fact Sheet or a copy of the flyer pictured at left, or call 918-576-5684.