Tulsa Company Plans Downtown Development In 'Deco District'

Emory Bryan, News On 6

TULSA, Oklahoma -- There's a new effort to kickstart development in what's being called "The Deco District," part of downtown Tulsa's central core.

Downtown's largest property owner is trying to start some ground floor development, a focus on getting something on the street level, to attract and keep people on the upper floors.

See a preview of the plan

"People want to be where people are, so we're going after places that draw a crowd," said Clay Clark, of Fears & Clark Realty.

They're focusing on the streets around 5th and Boston, what they call the Deco District, believing it can become a night time destination, with fancy restaurants and entertainment that's different than elsewhere downtown.

"The central part of downtown, this deco district is going to have a little different feel to it, it's going to attract a little different kind of consumer, but I think they'll complement each other," said Braxton Fears, of Fears & Clark Realty.

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Fears and Clark work as leasing agents for Kanbar properties, representing buildings like the Philcade.  Kanbar owns one third of the office buildings downtown and wants retail on the street level in all of them.

"And so we're really wanting to restore a vibrancy to this area to make the residential more compelling and the office space more compelling," Clark said.

Jeremy Auld is grateful to have someone else interested in the area. He opened Elote' two and a half years ago and hope other restaurants will follow his lead and stay open for more than just lunch.

"We'd love to see go and stay open nights, maybe serve some alcohol, something to add to the night life in the Deco District," Auld said.

Kanbar owns a dozen buildings in the core of downtown.  They just started this effort, and have no commitments yet, but are hopeful they soon will.