Tuesday during a news conference, Mayer Taylor made the new street plan official. Official for a vote that is. Look for a plan to vote on this November.

Whitney R. Maudlin, who graduated from The University of Tulsa College of Law in May 2008, was awarded first place in the 2008 American Bar Association Tort Trial and Insurance Law Student Writing Competition.

Mauldin will receive $1,500 and an all-expenses paid trip to the ABA Annual Meeting in New York City in August. Her paper “Good Business/Bad Faith: Why the Insurance Industry Should Adopt a Good Faith Model” was selected as the winning entry and is being reviewed for possible publication in the ABA Tort Trial & Insurance Law Journal.

The paper was the result of an independent study Mauldin completed while in law school as an independent study supervised by Vicki Limas, associate dean and Tom Arnold, professor of law. She said winning this competition at the culmination of law school is a testament to the legal education she received at TU.

“I had amazing writing professors in law school who really cultivated and fine tuned my ability to write critically,” Mauldin said. “I also received great support from my supervising professors and was able to network with professionals in the insurance industry through our alumni association.”

Mauldin, a graduate of Bartlesville High School, has accepted a position with the Tulsa County District Attorney’s office, where she also interned during law school.

ABOUT THE TU COLLEGE OF LAW

The TU College of Law provides an academically rigorous, yet congenial atmosphere with opportunities for scholarship, leadership and faculty mentoring. Students develop practical skills through participation with student-driven legal journals, award-winning moot court teams, two on-campus clinics and a new pro bono program. Joint interdisciplinary degrees include a JD/MBA and JD/MTAX and unique specialties include energy and environmental law and Native American law. The Mabee Legal Information Center is recognized as one of the nation’s top university law libraries. The TU College of Law is one of the four colleges of The University of Tulsa, which is ranked among U.S. News and World Report’s Top 100 Universities. To find out more visit: www.law.utulsa.edu.

Mayor Kathy Taylor has launched a new program in Tulsa, dubbed PLANiTULSA, a citywide initiative, which aims to give community members the ability to assist in reshaping and furthering the development of our city. For those who complain about what can and should be done around the city to make it better, this is your opportunity to get involved. Thirty-so years ago the city announced a comprehensive idea that was used to assist in development; but our city leaders now believe it’s time to make some changes to that plan.

PLANiTULSA allows for community members to come together and form a common vision. Citizens are being called upon to help determine how they want their city to develop and advance during the next 30 years. “I urge every Tulsan to take an active role as their ideas and suggestions will be amongst the most important elements of the plan and will be crucial to its ultimate success,” Taylor stated in a press release.

Thistulsa is both excited and skeptical about how much involvement our local politicians want from our community. Urban lifestyle in downtown Tulsa had a bit of detail surrounding how much money and where it was going from Vision 2025 and its downtown development budget. In recent years, Tulsa has had an increase in overall development, mostly from the funds presented by Vision 2025. Yet it makes us wonder how much our input as citizens will really have; when we can’t get responses to our inquiries as to where our money has gone.

Its obvious a new plan is needed and should retain the amount of momentum and progress made throughout our city. If properly established, PLANiTULSA could really address the overall needs of our city and its citizens. The development of PLANiTULSA has been in progress throughout 2007 into 2008.

Tulsa officials partnered with Portland, Or. based firm Fregonese Associates, Inc. to assist in the development project.

This project aims to target more than your typical discussions of road conditions, parks, and crime zones. It is a hot topic to assist in overall creating a more diverse Tulsa. Currently there are development projects for shopping districts and plazas all over South Tulsa, but with the help of Fregonese; its hopeful to bring economy and business back to the dead areas of town that were once flourishing with economy.

If you have some suggestions or ideas, be sure to checkout the PLANiTULSA website, www.planitulsa.com.

Vision 2025 set many wheels in motion for various real estate and development groups around Tulsa, Oklahoma. There were proposals of remodeling numerous downtown historic locations and large warehouse style buildings into urban living spaces: lofts, flats, and town homes. However, it has been a few years and there has not been a whole lot of progress. Progress is not just measured in visible changes to our downtown community, but the quality of living as well. We realize that not all progress can be seen from the streets, but when do we get to start seeing progress and not just hearing about it.

Been there, done that

Personally, I’ve lived downtown. I lived in Tulsa’s beautiful downtown Tribune building for well over a year. I miss the downtown urban lifestyle that came with living downtown. I miss sitting on the roof and drinking my beer, listening to the loud pedestrians cross Archer and Main street after the bars close, and those loud trains that never seem to let up. Those are elements, whether noise pollution or trash that make living downtown an unique experience. Now, looking back and remembering how difficult it was to find an Urban pad in the first place; where is the rest of the lofts?

Who needs and proposed what?

During Vision 2025 there were proposals and fund requests from ten development / real-estate management companies in Tulsa. The funds were allocated out and distributed to help increase the overall quality of residential living spaces in downtown Tulsa. The funds were allocated based on longevity and overall return on the community for each dollar spent; we think. Why else give someone money to develop a Tulsa loft project, than to make sure its livable, secure, and nice; right?

According to Vision 2025’s website vision2025.info there was supposed to be RFP’s in 2005; seen them yet? The walk project, park remodels, and various other projects that spawned out of the same financial allocation are complete. There are also a few of the loft and building remodels that are complete: Tribune, Philtower, etc in downtown. So yes, there are a few downtown loft living spaces in Tulsa. The Tribune Phase II project listed below is not for any remodeling or further enhancements to the original building. The money is to build a secondary location directly next door the Tribune Building. “Hello, buy my loft, but by the way — a new building is going in right next door which is going to be MUCH nicer!” Try to sell that in two years. Trust me, it’s difficult!

Who, Why, What, Where, When, etc..

Transok Building
600 S. Main St.
Funds requested: $2 million
Total project cost: $4.7 million
Developer: Navajo Properties

The proposal: This is one of several downtown properties that have been purchased by California investors Henry Kaufman and Maurice Kanbar. The pair want to create 52 lofts on the upper floors, with the ground floor used as commercial space. The lofts would range in size from 752 to 1,450 square feet, with rent priced between $940 and $1,812.50 per month. Formerly known as the Public Service of Oklahoma Building, this art deco structure - completed in 1929 - is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Gates Building
Two buildings at 323 E. Brady St. and 216 N. Elgin Ave.
Funds requested: $1 million
Total project cost: $2.25 million
Developer: Gates Building LLC, Robert
Johnson Architects

The proposal: Converting the old Gates Hardware building and an adjacent structure in the Brady District into 16 units. They would rent for about $950 per month starting out. If sold, they would be priced between $180,000 and $200,000.

The Mayo Hotel
115 W. Fifth St.
Funds requested: $8.4 million
Total project costs: $21,342,548 million
Developer: Mayo LLC

The proposal: Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Mayo Hotel was once hailed as the finest hotel in Oklahoma and was the tallest building in the state. In recent years, the Grand Lobby and Mezzanine have been renovated without public funds, and this project would continue that effort. The building would have 118 lofts that would be sized between 700 and 3,060 square feet and rent for $700 to $3,060 per month. There also would be new elevators, a revamped Crystal Ballroom and a rooftop bar. The proposal is split into two parts — one for $5 million and the other for $3.4 million — in case the city wants to help fund only a portion of the work.

First Street Lofts
310 E. First St.
Funds requested: $1,574,315
Total project cost: $2,824,315
Developer: Blue Dome Properties LLC

The proposal: A residential loft building that would be marketed as “creative spaces for creative people.” Sixteen units would range in size from 678 to 1,883 square feet and rent for between $700 to $2,100 per month. The bottom two floors would be commercial space.

The Olive District
Third Street and Kenosha Avenue
Funds requested: $5 million
Total project cost: $11.3 million
Developer: Maverick Properties

The proposal: In what is being billed as the beginning of the Olive District, 25-year-old entrepreneur Micha Alexander would construct a new building that would be a mix of condos and office and retail space. The 29 condos would have prices ranging from $153,150 to $238,200, and a penthouse would be priced at $630,600. Alexander said he is flexible on the name of the Olive District. It originated with the idea of making the cellular tower on the site look like a swivel stick and putting several giant olives at the bottom. (He started up the martini lounge 818 nearby.)

The Wright Building
115 W. Third St.
Funds requested: $1.5 million
Total project cost: $6,065,650
Developer: RK Development LLC

The proposal: To convert the top five floors of the building, which is in the process of being put on the National Register of Historic Places, into 27 one- and two-bedroom loft apartments. They would be sized between 1,027 and 1,710 square feet and rent for between $1,500 to $2,200 per month. A 45-space parking structure would be connected. The 1917 building was the first high-rise medical office in Tulsa.

The Mayo Building
424 S. Main St.
Funds requested: $4.5 million
Total project cost: $15.1 million
Developer: Wiggin Properties LLC

The proposal: The design calls for 94 one- and two-bedroom units in sizes ranging from 600 to 2,000 square feet, with ground-floor commercial outlets such as the current tenant, Billy’s On the Square restaurant. Monthly apartment rent would be $650 to $2,400. Amenities would include hardwood floors and a rooftop terrace. The building was constructed in 1910 and expanded in 1917.

Tulsa Club Condos
115 E. Fifth St.
Funds requested: $2.5 million
Total project cost: $6 million
Developer: Tulsa Club Development Co.

The proposals: With retail and office space on the first two floors of this art deco building, the rest would be converted to condominiums and penthouses. The 47 condominiums would range in sizes from 746 to 1,000 square feet and sell for between $111,000 and $150,000. The 13 penthouses would be 1,300 square feet each and sell for $260,000. This 1926 building was constructed through a joint effort between the Chamber of Commerce and the Tulsa Club, an exclusive organization that was started by Tulsa’s oilmen. Club members enjoyed a lounge, squash courts, gymnasium and barber shop and other amenities until it closed in 1994 due to falling membership.

Tribune Loft Condos
Phase II, adjacent to the original Tribune Building location at 20 E. Archer St.
Funds requested: $4 million
Total project cost: $11,592,000
Developer: American Residential Group

The proposal: A new building would be constructed with complimentary architecture adjacent to the original 1924 Tribune Building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The second phase would have 40 units with one to three bedrooms and ranging in size from 831 to 2,258 square feet. They would have prices ranging from $165,000 to $395,000. The new building also would have office and retail space on the first floor and parking.

900 Reunion Center
9 E. Fourth St.
Funds requested: $2.76 million
Total project cost: $3.76 million
Developer: Reunion Investments Limited LLC

The proposal: Sixteen luxury condos sized between 1,500 and 1,800 square feet would be constructed in this 10-story building. Pricing for the condos has not been determined.The red-brick with limestone trim building was constructed in 1917 as the First National Bank building.

Conclusions

We don’t really have any conclusions as of yet, but we do have over 25 emails currently out there in cyber-space waiting for answers. We have started the process of finding out some answers and letting you know where we stand on downtown livable spaces. Urban lifestyle in Downtown Tulsa Loft Spaces; we know it exists, and will only get better — but how long do you think it’s going to be before we can really start living and enjoying some downtown Tulsa lofts and amenities?

OKLAHOMA CITY - The House slipped a measure through very easily Wednesday declaring English as Oklahoma’s official language. The proposal for the bill, which now is on its way to the Senate, would require a vote from Oklahoma citizens before it becomes a law. However, the bill was approve 70-28, after an estimated hour and a half of procedural bibble-babble as opponents tried to get the measure shot down.

What impacts will this have on our state? One of the major impacts would be testing and examinations that are currently approved to be bi-lingual would be required in English-only. When a Hispanic citizen visits the Department of Motor Vehicles and attempts to get a driver’s license; they would be required to take the English examination — now being offered Spanish as well. Oklahoma Legislature passed a law several years ago allowing the tests to be offered to citizens in English and Spanish. If the bill passes, the Spanish version goes bye-bye.

It seems as though our Oklahoma republicans voted for the bill, including 15 Democrats. All of the opposition towards the new Bill 163 were Democrats.

“We have an obligation to defend our common language and safeguard it as an inheritance for future generations of Americans,” said Rep. Randy Terrill, House author of the bill. “Being able to read and write in English is critical, particularly when we are talking about driving.”

The bill also calls for ceasing the use of languages other than English on state documents and providing services, however, some agencies and organizations are required by the federal government to include various language versions of their documents and literature or risk losing hundreds of millions of dollars in government funding.

Who voted what?

The House of Representatives voted 70-28 Wednesday for Senate Bill 163, which calls for a vote of the people on whether English should be the official language of the state.

Democrats voting for the measure (15): Neil Brannon, Joe Dorman, Jerry Ellis, Rebecca Hamilton, Wes Hilliard, Terry Hyman, Scott Inman, Lucky Lamons, Ken Luttrell, Ryan McMullen, Richard Morrissette, Eric Proctor, R.C. Pruett, Brian Renegar and Purcy Walker.

Republicans voting for the measure (55): Dennis Adkins, Don Armes, Gary Banz, Lisa Billy, Chris Benge, Gus Blackwell, Ann Coody, Marian Cooksey, David Dank, Lee Denney, David Derby, Dale DeWitt, Rex Duncan, John Enns, George Faught, Jeff Hickman, Terry Ingmire, Mike Jackson, Shane Jett, Dennis Johnson, Rob Johnson, Tad Jones, Fred Jordan, Charlie Joyner, Sally Kern, Charles Key, Guy Liebmann, Scott Martin, Steve Martin, Mark McCullough, Randy McDaniel, Skye McNiel, Ken Miller, Jason Murphey, Ron Peters, Pam Peterson, Ron Peterson, Greg Piatt, Mike Reynolds, Phil Richardson, Colby Schwartz, Earl Sears, T.W. Shannon, Kris Steele, Dan Sullivan, Randy Terrill, Mike Thompson, Todd Thomsen, Sue Tibbs, John Trebilcock, Weldon Watson, Paul Wesselhoft, Susan Winchester, Trebor Worthen and John Wright.

Democrats voting against the measure (28): John Auffet, Scott BigHorse, David Braddock, Mike Brown, Ed Cannady, Wallace Collins, James Covey, Darrell Gilbert, Larry Glenn, Terry Harrison, Chuck Hoskin, Ryan Kiesel, Al Lindley, Al McAffery, Ray McCarter, Jeannie McDaniel, Jerry McPeak, Danny Morgan, Bill Nations, Anastasia Pittman, Paul Roan, Wade Rousselot, Mike Shelton, Ben Sherrer, Jerry Shoemake, Jabar Shumate, Glen Smithson and Dale Turner.

Republicans voting against the measure: None.

Excused (3): John Carey, Lance Cargill and Doug Cox.