Tulsa's Investments Will Spur Resurgence, Just Like Nashville, Developer Says

The Tulsa Regional Chamber of Commerce chose to head to Nashville this year for the 2015 Intercity Tour.

News On 6 went along to see them learn how to brand a city, fuel economic development and how to boost Tulsa's music scene.

9/6/2015: Related Story: Tulsa Commerce Leaders Taking Cues From City's Music Scene

This year there was a new face in the crowd, a developer whose company is behind two of the largest residential projects currently underway.

“I think Nashville is one of the most exciting cities in the United States,” American Residential Group’s Steve Ganzkow said.

And that is why Ganzkow traveled to Music City with the Tulsa Chamber this year.

“We've seen a lot of things they are doing here, and that is something we want to duplicate or enhance in what we're doing in Tulsa,” he said.

And two of the projects are currently underway.

Less than a year ago, the land on Greenwood between Second and Third was needing a facelift. Today, you see progress on a $25 million apartment project by American Residential called The Edge. And early next year, the final product is set to open to its first tenants.

Just a few blocks away, more land will soon be home to The View – 12,000 square feet of apartments and retail.

"We live in Tulsa and like to invest in Tulsa, and just think about all the stuff going on in the Brady and East Village have been so exciting,” he said. “We are just so excited to be part of it and happy to keep it going.”

Nashville Mayor Karl Dean says the key to getting the private investments is for the city to have the confidence to invest in itself.

Take the newly built Music City Center and parking garage in Nashville. It is more than 2 million square feet across six city blocks.

"We have invested in the city and built the new convention center that has just knocked it out of the park,” Dean said. “We've invested in areas in town to encourage private investment and that has been happening.”

And with these examples of similar investments happening in Tulsa, Ganzgow couldn't turn down a few days to learn from the Nashville success story.

“And how it had happened in a relatively short time, because Nashville 15 years ago is not remotely what it is today,” Ganzkow said.