View Full Version : Tulsa River Projects



Swake2
12-11-2006, 03:53 PM
A 200 Acre commercial/office/lifestyle/retail development has been announced for Jenks on the Arkansas River just south of the Oklahoma Aquarium and Creek Turnpike. Details are not going to be announced until January but will reportedly include a canal, lake and lots of water features. No dollar figure has been announced.

The first real expansion of the Oklahoma Aquarium is nearly complete.

The $40 million Phase II of the River Walk Crossing (just north of the Aquarium) is reportedly going to start construction soon despite Jenks’ declining to fund a TIFF. Hotel and other properties will be included in this phase. Phase III is also supposed to include residential space.

King’s Landing is nearing completion. It’s a new lifestyle center in Tulsa directly across the river from the Aquarium.

The $120 million first phase of the new Creek Nation Casino Resort is now well underway. Total price of project through all phases is a reported $500 million. This is across the river and a little north of The River Walk Crossing.

Two competing projects, first the $780 million multi-use “Channels” project (which is likely about dead) and a multi-use project from the developer of “Branson Landing” in Missouri for the west bank of the river (which would be underwater if the “Channels” happens). The developers say they want the Tulsa project to be even larger than the $600 million Branson Landing project.

County Commissioner Randi Miller says that a vote on some slate of river projects will happen likely in February. No word on if it will include “The Channels” as yet, but she is also a backer of the people behind the Brandon Landing project so it likely won’t have the “Channels” in it. There is no word on what will happen with the $100 million in donations that John Kelly Warren and company are going to donate for “The Channels” if that project is not forwarded to the voters.

Any funding package, according to Miller, will at least include the dams at Sand Springs and 105th St in Jenks/Tulsa and riverbank improvements. It will also likely include public financing to help the new project in Jenks and either “The Channels” or the Branson Landing developers project.

Millions in funding from the 3rd Penny Sales Tax and Vision 2025 is approved waiting on what the current mix of projects will include. Senator Inhoff is also working on funding for the river through the Corp of Engineers.

BOK CEO George Kaiser will soon announce plans for the $10 million he is donating to river projects.

OKC PATROL
05-08-2007, 03:45 PM
Its about time - I visited the river near jenks with some tulsa friends of mine recently. We sat near the river. The deveolment is akin to the Hefner lake development. Unfortunately the food stinks(mexican rest. of some kind) we did a brisk walk around the new development, because really there wasnt much development. My friends were not impressed and I kinda felt sorry for them and said "things will get better soon around tulsa"- As I tried to avoid the eyesore of a huge dried up mud bed of a river. I hope tulsans can pass the gas on taxes, before they really start to fall behind OKC.- 2025?- might as well be 3001. lol

OKC PATROL
05-08-2007, 03:54 PM
Oh- also if anyone goes to the jenks aquarium- get ready to be dissapointed. You will pay 16 bucks to get in! And the darn thing looks like a fake racetrack and is a very SMALL facility. It took me about 30 mins to enjoy...needless to say I was pissed. The shark thing is exaggerated and its a pity that they call it -my I dare say OKLAHOMA aquarium? come on...it should have more space/exhibits than that to carry that big of a name. It also looks like Joes crab shack inside the pathetic thing..lol

jbrown84
05-08-2007, 08:58 PM
I was a bit disappointed with it myself. Did feel a little unimaginitive in design and it wasn't much bigger than Aquaticus at the OKC Zoo.

But I do like the architectural style of the outside.

Easy180
05-09-2007, 07:30 AM
I was underwhelmed as well, but I'm not exactly an aquarium kind of guy anyway...Too pricey for what you get, but then again we just stopped in before heading onto an even more pricey dinner at The Melting Pot

drumsncode
05-09-2007, 08:18 AM
Its about time - I visited the river near jenks with some tulsa friends of mine recently. We sat near the river. The deveolment is akin to the Hefner lake development. Unfortunately the food stinks(mexican rest. of some kind) we did a brisk walk around the new development, because really there wasnt much development. My friends were not impressed and I kinda felt sorry for them and said "things will get better soon around tulsa"- As I tried to avoid the eyesore of a huge dried up mud bed of a river. I hope tulsans can pass the gas on taxes, before they really start to fall behind OKC.- 2025?- might as well be 3001. lol

As someone who dearly loves the RiverParks trail running from 71st up to 19th, let me recommend that you go up to the little restaurant on 19th. I think it's called The Rivers Edge. The food is mediocre, but the atmosphere in that area is to-die-for. That's why I love it so much, it's that it's NOT like the Hefner area with all its overpriced restaurants set a hundred yards from the trail (exception is Louie's).

In terms of enjoyment of its exercise trail, I don't think anything OKC could do could match the beauty and atmosphere of that stretch of RiverParks, especially if you make some forays onto the rail-trail and go through the historic neighborhoods. I don't want to see that area become an enclave for the rich, and I'm sure that's in everyone's plans. It's such a fantastic area around 31st and Riverside.

OKC PATROL
05-09-2007, 09:27 AM
:artist: Only a Tulsan- try red rock canyon grill and all the others that actually hang over the water- so your judgement is nonsense....people sit right on the edge of the lake sipping on wine eating GREAT food watching sail boats and wind surfers- thats why it draws major boating events. Overpriced eateries? You make no sense. I paid an enormous amount for the poopy food I always get in Tulsa. I understand that tulsa has a HUG quality about it. So I understand your defense. Its Ok most of my friends in tulsa actually worry about their city being overshadowed by OKC soon. So I am more impressed with hefner- which really is a small development when compared to OKC proper/inner city/river walk/bricktown///.-sorry, its just my opinion.
Oh also- I have been all over the river walk- its nice, WHEN IT ISNT A MUD BED/I am sure it is filled because of the rain right now, but it doesnt last that long...I know the port of catoosa or whatever. I have played frisbee to soccer in your area. So I wouldnt pass such a fast judgement on OKC. Nichols Hills is where I grew up- It has monster parks/trails. It EATS Black and Gold row(what a gross name)- it doesnt even have sidewalks/like the rest of tulsa, along with the silly bottle neck streets with poopy signs you cant even see. I probably know more about tulsa than you anyway.My friends in tulsa have seen my areas and were like "I just didnt know" and neither do you. Oh did I mention Heritage Hills to Oak Tree and back again to Gallardia and sooo many others. You just havent been to OKC- Its ok though most tulsans are so pompous they dont even try to refer to OKC as a sister city...A visit would be ridiculous for most of them with their mentality of their precious hills la de da da...You cant hike them so whats the point? I have lived in Colorado/Crested Butte to Boulder/Santa Fe. Not impressed with Tulsa- sorry. If I go near the area I would rather visit Arkansas-at least they have the springs! OHH soon my house will eat your house for breakfast- CANT WAIT.(sorry for being so mean) Bye Bye for now

OKC PATROL
05-09-2007, 10:48 AM
Sorry I will get off my pompous soap box.