Future Of Mayo Hotel Uncertain

A film camera caught Lana Turner and Ann-Margaret at the Mayo. <br><br>In its hey day, the hotel housed Presidents, Elvis, Joe DiMaggio and the richest Americans.<br><br>For the first time since a group

Sunday, January 7th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

A film camera caught Lana Turner and Ann-Margaret at the Mayo.

In its hey day, the hotel housed Presidents, Elvis, Joe DiMaggio and the richest Americans.

For the first time since a group bought the Mayo in 1987, co-owner Bruce Robson says there has been some talk about tearing down all the memories.

The Mayo's owners say during the 13 years they have owned the building, about a half dozen groups have wanted to buy it and develop it. But each time the financing fell through.

A Denver developer was ready to rebuild the memories.

But when voters turned down plans for a refurbished convention center and a new arena in November, Robson says the developer backed out.

"Unfortunately, the market in Tulsa right now without the type of activity the bond issue would have created is not conducive to redeveloping as a hotel," says Robson.

Preservationists disagree.

"Downtown is bubbling, housing is being built on three out of four sides and we are getting close to needing the Mayo again," says Martin Newman, Preservation Oklahoma.

The National Registry of Historic Places and Preservation Oklahoma has the Mayo on its list of most endangered historic properties.

They believe the memories will cause Tulsans and city leaders to step forward to find a way to keep the Mayo alive.

Tulsa's crown jewel opened in 1925. At the age of 57, its doors closed.

The rooms were known for having ice water running from the faucets. Now the water drips inside, on the majestic lobby.

"We don't know what the future is," says Robson

But Robson says they are going back to the drawing board one more time.

He says talks of tearing down the memories of the Mayo are only small talk.

He doesn't want it to become serious talk.

In 1998, the city applied for federal loans to subsidize the project.

Robson says they can still use that funding, but they just need to find a new developer.