The Atlas Life Building has been a prominent piece of downtown Tulsa’s history since our oil-boom infancy. The Greek Titan, Atlas, has been up on the roof of 415 S. Boston Avenue observing our little town since 1922, a silent witness as Tulsa grew up around him. Through the boom days and the bust days, Atlas – iconic symbol of strength – has endured.
Photo: Ed Sharrer

Nearly 90 years after its first grand opening celebration, the Atlas Life Courtyard by Marriot has made history again. Several hundred people celebrated the ribbon-cutting of downtown Tulsa’s newest hotel on August 19th, 2010.
Photo: Jennifer Hoppa

This Certified Historic Rehabilitation tax credit project is a stellar demonstration of how historic preservation and economic development work hand-in-hand to restore vitality, right here in downtown Tulsa. They’ve shown us that you don’t need to build a new building to have a first-class, nationally-branded hotel. The Courtyard by Marriot Atlas Life sets a fine example for others to follow with our historic building stock here in Tulsa. That’s worth celebrating!
Photo: Jennifer Hoppa

The program, sponsored by Tulsa Beautification Foundation (TBF), is designed to assist neighborhood and homeowners’ associations registered with the City of Tulsa or registered non-profit organizations. Grants will fund various beautification projects by providing a dollar-for-dollar match for other locally-raised funds.

A specific project should give neighborhood-based and charitable organizations incentive to raise funds, build partnerships with businesses, and cultivate the spirit of volunteerism and community support needed to complete a project. This process is designed to help groups complete a project dedicated not only to the improvement of their own lives, but also to the improvement of quality of life for all of Tulsa.

For more information about the grant program, click here.

Thankfully, there are still talented craftsmen available to repair historic architectural elements. Master Craftsman Richard Dyer, Ironwork by Richard Dyer, is repairing the cast iron sill and casing. Casey Goodwin, Goodwin Construction, is the General Contractor who has sourced matching granite and will oversee interior repairs.

To see some "before" and "during" pics, check out the Flickr photoset, and check back for "after" pics when the work is completed!

The neighborhood will dedicate its new neighborhood signs, provide games for kids, and have hamburgers and hot dogs available for purchase. Take a tour of Roosevelt Elementary School and homes throughout the neighborhood, too!

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, please call 918-557-0770 and check out the Tulsa World article on the festivities.

PHOTO: Sherry Brown, Tulsa World

And if you’d like a sneak peek, here’s a Flickr photoset showing the restored lobby, second floor hotel lobby, one of the rooms, and the Historic Floor corridor.

UPDATE: Read the Tulsa World article about the opening of the new hotel, along with information about the formal Grand Opening in August.

The program will be modified, but most property owners and developers should be able to weather the temporary changes.

The two words to remember are "accrue" and "defer." In a nutshell, tax credit projects can continue to accrue credits during the two-year moratorium period, but payment will be deferred until it expires on July 1, 2012.

UPDATE: Read the June 4, 2010 Tulsa World article for further analysis.