Tulsa Intersection Near Downtown Set For Redevelopment

A busy intersection just outside of downtown Tulsa now has what it needs to be redeveloped.

Wednesday the Tulsa Metropolitan Planning Commision said yes to rezoning parts of the area around 11th and Lewis.

Now with a mixed use designation, get ready for some really cool things to start happening here.  

For 34 years Perry Isom has sold to his customers out of his shop at 11th and Lewis.

He couldn't be more excited about the future of this part of Tulsa.

"It is coming this way so fast," Isom said.

Development along 11th is moving quickly.

The commission said yes to an application by the Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation to rezone part of it for mixed use developments.

It includes property where the former Tulsa Welding School sits and empty space next to Renaissance Brewery, just across from the recently announced Mother Road Market.

"Imagine areas like downtown with the Brady Arts District and the Blue Dome. People are walking and eating there and they have got shops there. So our hopes along 11th are that it continues to develop," said Shanese Slaton, project manager for Mother Road Market.

Right now, she said, their focus is mainly on the market, but they hope this rezoning encourages others to develop here as well.

"There is a lot of beautiful property there waiting to be developed and buildings waiting for revitalization so were just kind of excited to see what our neighbors do," Slaton said.

The store fixtures of Tulsa building is under contract to be renovated into possible apartments and retail.

Give it a few years and this area — and a large portion of 11th — could look completely different.

"Not dirty glass, empty buildings or under used buildings. These buildings are getting used and getting snapped up it is some neat stuff," Isom said.

And Isom said now he is just curious to see what his neighbors do.

"If I'm around here long enough, I will find out won't I?" Isom said.

The vote was unanimous by the commission, with many saying they can't wait for this area to get redeveloped.