News Updates

A Face-Off Over Infill Plans. Well-known Pearl District developer Jamie Jamieson had some strong words for Josh Walker, chairman of Tulsa Metropolitan Area Planning Commission (TMAPC). In the March 2 letter, Jamieson said the new PUD 588-A (or "planned unit development," which are small-scale plans to redevelop specific areas) conflicts with plans that are already in progress.

"INCOG's support of this application displays a breathtaking disregard for ten years of community planning efforts," Jamieson wrote.

"This case is much more than just a normal, boring PUD amendment. It's a test of this city's commitment to the future and its own plan," he wrote. "It's a clash between a large, individual entity acting entirely out of self-interest on one hand, and transparent, collaborative, city-sponsored, TMAPC-adopted, council-approved, small-area planning on the other."

Jamieson outlined 16 reasons why TMPAC should reject the latest PUD amendment, which he thinks conflicts with other plans already in place.

Grab a UTW next week to read more about the battle of the small area plans.

Ideas Already Rolling In. Since a state-of-the-art "gathering space" park and recreation area along the Arkansas River was announced two weeks ago, concepts and ideas have been rolling in. Robert Duenner, a local financial advisor, said he wanted to add his own input for the Blair Mansion area between 26th and 29th Sts.

Duenner said he'd like to see the property adorned with a "Korean Busan Theatre concept," featuring an LED roof that changes colors "to morph the building" for different events. He said he was also drawing up plans for an "Olympic-size pool, gym, small theatre space, restaurants and a reflecting pond."

Duenner also said he'd like to "keep the Blair forest intact as a great public space."

To add your ideas, diagrams, concepts and photographs to the conversation, go to agatheringplacefortulsa.com.