Brookside businesses getting ready for spring

After a winter's nap, things are springing up all along Brookside in Tulsa. News on 6 business reporter Steve Berg has an update on the neighborhood's never-ending evolution. <br><br>It may be

Thursday, January 22nd 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

After a winter's nap, things are springing up all along Brookside in Tulsa. News on 6 business reporter Steve Berg has an update on the neighborhood's never-ending evolution.

It may be chilly outside, but start thinking patios. Two new versions are in the works for spring. At the cornerstone of Brookside, the Brook, owner Michael Watkins says they've begun their biggest undertaking since they first renovated the theater into a restaurant, an extension room where the patio was, but with a generous helping of glass. "Going to add to our patio, we're adding 6-foot operable windows that will give it an open-air effect."

Even when customers are seated, Watkins says the glass will extend well below shoulder level, and even if it's 100-degrees outside, Watkins says they're welcome to open the window, thanks to 17-tons of air-conditioning. "The air-conditioning will be going. If the customer wants to open the window, we'll open the window.â€

As popular as the patio was, on some days, like Thursday for example, it might be a little too cold. Or during the summertime, a little too hot, this way, when it's done, they'll be able to use it year-round.

One block south, the former site of the Blu Rose, then the short-lived Blu, is in bloom again. This time as Smitty's. New owners Jason Smith and Rob Aloisio want to re-create the Blu Rose atmosphere, with an even-better version of that club's popular outdoor deck. â€Weâ€™re gonna put a fireplace, and put a cover over it and a TV out here, so you can watch football during the fall. We want to bring this deck back to Brookside, we all hung out up here and in fact Rob actually met his wife out here at the Blu Rose."

And if you love Brookside, you'll have lots to look forward to.