If you’re looking for a city with easy navigation, Tulsa, OK should be on your mind. Between Tulsa’s Downtown Coordinating Council and the Vision 2025 initiative, there are new city goals to convert all the one-way streets into two-way streets. As it is now, Main Street from Sixth Street to 10th Street allows only one direction, which is north to south. The Vision package allocated $457,000 for the street project on Main from Sixth Street to Seventh Street to include that conversion. And, the Downtown Council set aside $115.000 to create the conversion between Seventh Street and Tenth Street.

This improvement will revitalize Downtown Tulsa and make it more accessible to suit everyone’s needs. The people that don’t work in the downtown area will soon want to visit the area because the two-way streets will make it easier for them. Between 2001 and 2008, a number of streets were converted to make the traffic more accessible. Boston Avenue from Third Street to Tenth Street are the most recent conversion projects completed.

When funding is available, the Downtown Tulsa project will be to complete Fifth Street from Denver to Boulder Avenues, Fourth Street from Denver to Detroit avenues, Boulder Avenue from First to Eleventh Streets and Cheyenne Avenue from First Street to the Broken Arrow Expressway.

According to the Director of the Metro Chamber Downtown Development, the conversions are in line with Tulsa’s Downtown master plan. The streets will be more pedestrian-friendly. There will also be more people on the streets, which will bring more business. It may even encourage new growth with retail stores, restaurants and even hotel operations.

This is exciting news and will keep Tulsa, OK on your mind.

Originally posted at: http://tomandbev.info/2012/01/19/another-reason-to-keep-tulsa-ok-on-your-mind/

Midtown Tulsa Real Estate offers short commute to downtown Tulsa

Downtown Tulsa is a great place to live, work and play and many are interested in midtown Tulsa real estate to shorten their commute to downtown Tulsa. Currently there are few condos downtown for sale and those that are for sale include sizable HOA dues. Rental apartments are available at the Mayo Hotel and Philtower Building, but those interested in home ownership are looking in areas with a short commute to downtown Tulsa.

One area often overlooked by those shopping midtown Tulsa real estate is the area west of Denver and south of downtown Tulsa which includes Childers Heights and the historic Stonebraker Heights. I call it the area of midtown "down by the river," because it literally is between downtown Tulsa and Tulsa's River Parks.

Downtown Tulsa is home to the new Tulsa Driller's baseball park, Tulsa Convention Center, Performing Arts Center, BOK Center and Bluedome Arts area. It's the place to go for ballet, symphony, rock concerts and fine dining.

Tulsa River Parks includes 26 miles of surfaced trails for jogging and cycling - weaving through picnic areas, playgrounds, sculptures and fountains - along the banks of the Arkansas River. It's the place to go for concerts, festivals, running, cycling and outdoor activities.

Midtown Tulsa Real Estate offers short commute to downtown Tulsa

If you are relocating to Tulsa, you might consider purchasing a home "down by the river" with a short commute to downtown Tulsa. I am happy to show you around, because I live here!

Featured Properties:

614 West 14th Street, Childers Heights

Historic home behind McBirney mansion, meticulously renovated while retaining vintage charm. Chef's kitchen, office, formal dining, sunroom, 3 living areas, 700 sf finished basement. Landscaped, flagstone drive, balcony. Newly constructed 630 sf garage apartment, deck above 3-car garage. $550,000
www.640west14thstreet.com/

1607 South Elwood Avenue, Stonebraker Heights

Contemporary and vintage midtown home near Resonance Mansion with the feeling of the seashore. Wrap-around porch, new siding, new roof, elegant hardwoods, 4 decorative fireplaces, newer H/A. Formal dining, custom kitchen, large master bedroom, great storage in historic Stonebraker's Heights. $275,000
http://1607selwoodavenue.realbird.com/

Do call me if you are shopping for midtown Tulsa real estate- it's the best little corner in Tulsa to live! 918-852-5036!  

Copyright 2011 Lori Cain All Rights Reserved - Originally Posted at: Midtown Tulsa Real Estate - Lori Cain

I recently attended the "Top of the Town" fundraiser for the Tulsa Child Care Resource Center. We toured eleven venues in downtown Tulsa, many with spectacular views of our historic art deco downtown buildings. You can read the post about the fundraiser or just enjoy a few of the spectacular views!

And one of my favorite photos of downtown Tulsa - taken six years ago on our wedding day, June 11, 2005 - Demetrius and I Greek dancing at 4th & Boston!

Top of the Town, downtown Tulsa, T-Town, that is!

Tulsa is commonly referred to as "T-Town," and when we refer to downtown, it is "downtown Tulsa." What an amazing spot for the Child Care Resource Center to host its 3rd Annual "Top of the Town" fundraiser! Held Thursday June 16, 2011, the event was sold out before it started. On the route, there were eleven venues in downtown Tulsa to visit and food was provided by several restaurants. You could start wherever you wanted and visit each stop for as long as you liked.

My friend Linda and I began at the Atlas Life Building at 415 South Boston Avenue. We visited the Atlas Grill and the Tulsa Press club, both on the first floor. Now housing the Courtyard by Marriott, we toured several rooms there - we received a massage in one hotel suite, tasted sushi in another, enjoyed tequila injected strawberries in another, then returned to the bar for a glass of wine and great piano music.

From there, we traveled north to the elegant Mid Continent Tower where we enjoyed music and bruchetta from Ti Amos on the 36th floor - what an amazing view from that roof top!

Top of the Town, downtown Tulsa, T-Town, that is!

Next on the tour was the Kennedy Building where champagne and chocolate were served on the 10th floor. We traveled through The Tunnels connecting the 320 Building and Kennedy Building. If you've never toured downtown Tulsa's tunnels, you need to make a point to do that! In the 320 South Boston building, we enjoyed scrumptious mini pot pies and music in the lobby, then went up to the 21st floor to enjoy the amazing view.

Next stop on the tour was First Place Tower, then we headed over to 5th Street to visit The Mayo 420 Building and the Mayo Hotel Penthouse Bar - yet another spectacular view.

With tired feet by then, we took advantage of the Goldzern Tulsa Pedicabs to ride back to the Elote Cafe and Mod's Coffee & Crepes. Last stops of the tour included the Waite Phillips Penthouse/Philcade Building and a VIP reception for sponsors in the Philtower Building.

Downtown Tulsa is enjoying a revitalization surge, and it was a delightful way to re-visit many buildings I hadn't entered in years and see some I had never visited.

I'm very excited about the Atlas Life Building being re-vamped and turned into a Marriott and of course, it was a treat to see the rental apartments at the Mayo 420 Building. I recently visited the Mayo Hotel Penthouse Bar for another social function and have attended several wedding receptions there - the restoration job for the hotel is simply exquisite.

My dear friend Nancy Feldman was Honorary Chair of the Top of the Town Committee, and we were happy to see Nancy and her husband Raymond as we toured. The Child Care Resource Center (CCRC) is on the cutting edge of best practice for children, families and teachers, promoting quality care for EVERY child. CCRC provides services in Tulsa, Creek, Rogers and some Wagoner counties. If you haven't donated to CCRC, please consider doing so.

It was an evening to be treasured and I hope you enjoy some amateur photos taken by my point & click camera. Linda and I ran into several friends as we toured downtown Tulsa and met some new ones along the way. This is definitely going to be on my 2012 calendar for the 4th Annual Top of the Town event!

Copyright 2011 Lori Cain All Rights Reserved - Originally Posted at: Midtown Tulsa Real Estate - Lori Cain

Locally-Owned Full-Service Salon, CENTRIC, the Salon at Philtower, Downtown Tulsa

Downtown Tulsa is one of my favorite places to shop, so I’m thrilled that my friend Amanda Burn’s salon is in the magnificent Philtower building on 5th Street, just east of Boston. This is one locally-owned business you’ll want to support!

Mandy has been doing my nails for years, and she gives the best French Gel manicure in Tulsa! She offers pedicures and manicures in all price ranges: a quick manicure is only $20, petite pedicure is $30 and full spa pedicure is only $60.

Centric is a full-service salon with two hair stylists on staff. Gentlemen working downtown can drop by for a quick executive trim or full hair cut. Ladies can drop by for a snappy hair cut or blow-dry or schedule a full highlighting. And if you have a hot date after work, drop by for a quick styling and know you’ll look your best.

Locally-Owned Full-Service Salon, CENTRIC, the Salon at Philtower, Downtown Tulsa

Massages and waxing are also available, so visit Carmen for an eye-brow wax, and it’s almost the time of year for your bikini wax. Massages and facials are only $60 – just the stress relievers you may need during your work day.

For those working downtown, Centric is conveniently located so you can work your salon needs into your work schedule. For those driving to downtown, Mandy has convenient parking in the lot across the street.

The last time I was in for my regular manicure, Mandy noticed again that I was wearing my hair in a pony tail. So, stylist Chris Tesh fit me in to whip my hair into shape!

The Salon’s decor is very contemporary and comfortable. Every product you may need is available for sale.

The Philtower building is located at 427 S. Boston Avenue, and you can get to the Centric Salon through the front door on Boston or from the Salon front door on 5th Street. Phone is 918-295-0002, and walk-ins are always welcome. Do tell Mandy that I sent you!

Originally Posted at: Midtown Tulsa Homes for Sale - Lori Cain

Name a downtown street after Leon Russell - Leon Russell Road is a reality in Tulsa Oklahoma

It all started with a group on Facebook called "Name a downtown street after Leon Russell." Description of the group is, "A group of fans of the great Leon Russell who think it's a travesty that no major Tulsa artifact, street or the like has been named for the Master of Space and Time of Tulsa. Do you have any ideas on how to make this happen? Let us know."

I joined the Facebook group the minute I became aware of it, and it now has over 3,000 members.

Leon Russell and I share a birthday - we were both born on April 2nd. He returns to Tulsa almost every year for his annual birthday bash, and of course, I try to make "our celebration." I'm including one photo of his April 2010 birthday bash.

I've been listening to Leon since high school and enjoy his music as much today.

I understand from a Tulsa World article written by David Harper that Charles Roden discovered the Facebook campaign and got involved by submitting a formal proposal to the city. Roden's mother attended Will Rogers High School with Leon.

Name a downtown street after Leon Russell - Leon Russell Road is a reality in Tulsa Oklahoma

Leon Russell Road is 3rd Street between Peoria & Utica Avenues. It's in the heart of the Pearl District whose boundaries are I-244 to the north, IDL (Inner Dispersal Loop) to the west, 11th Street to the south and Utica Avenue to the east. The Pearl District is an area of downtown/midtown that is going through an awesome revitalization and is home to many local vendors and artists.

Garden Deva's Lisa Regan held her 11th Annual Open Studio party this weekend at 3rd and Trenton. Their festivities wound up around 6:00pm in preparation for the dedication and celebration of naming Leon Russell's Road.

The location for the homage is appropriate, because Leon and friends recorded music at the Church Studio at 304 South Trenton Avenue, a stone's throw north of Lisa's Garden Deva studio.

Leon will be playing with Elton John in Tulsa this Friday, November 12, at the BOK Center at 8:00pm. We are expecting to hear tunes from the recent release, "The Union," along with all the favorites we know the words to.

I'm sure he'll take a minute to drop by his old studio to see the new sign for his old street.

Originally Posted at: Midtown Tulsa Real Estate - Lori Cain

Tulsa Drillers Baseball at the new ONEOK Field in downtown Tulsa

Last night was my first trip to downtown Tulsa's ONEOK Field, home of the Tulsa Drillers, the Double-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies Major League Baseball team. Demetrius and I went with friends, Mike and Laurie, for the Tulsa Driller's "Fireworks Friday" game.

We first visited the Tycoon Lounge where we enjoyed adult beverages in air-conditioned comfort and am amazing view behind home plate. They offer a buffet dinner there for a reasonable price which Mike had, but Demetri, Laurie and I had the Chicago hot dog - yum!

We stepped outside on the patio to sing our national anthem, the Star Spangled Banner with the other 8,000 fans in attendance. 

Tulsa Drillers Baseball at the new ONEOK Field in downtown Tulsa

Once the ballgame begun, we went down to the stands and took our place in our seats, also behind home plate.

Although we lost 7 to 3 to the Springfield Cardinals, the enthusiasm among the fans was still spirited. At the 7th Inning Stretch, we sang our state song, "Oklahoma", and "Take Me Out to the Ballgame." The fans in the stands even did "the WAVE."

The ballgames have themes each evening and this was "Fireworks Friday." Our ages don't matter, do they? We all enjoy fireworks!

It was a great Friday night date in downtown Tulsa. The revitalization efforts in downtown Tulsa include the new ONEOK Field, the BOK Center, the restoration of the Mayo hotel, the continuing addition of many wonderful restaurants and more.

We are proud of our historic and beautiful art deco buildings in downtown Tulsa. Do come visit downtown Tulsa, and if there's a Tulsa Driller's home game, please do go cheer them on!

Originally Posted at: Downtown Tulsa and Midtown Tulsa Real Estate - Lori Cain