Another plan for Tulsa's old Mayo Hotel

It's been vacant for more than 20 years, and sometimes it seems like it's had just as many efforts to renovate it. But could Tulsa's fabled Mayo Hotel "finally" be restored? <br><br>Monday,

Monday, September 30th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

It's been vacant for more than 20 years, and sometimes it seems like it's had just as many efforts to renovate it. But could Tulsa's fabled Mayo Hotel "finally" be restored?

Monday, the latest in a long line of owners announced their plans for landmark. News on Six business reporter Steve Berg says the owners feel this is just a small step. But the difference between this plan and previous plans is that "this" one is actually going to happen.

Charlie Snyder is from Minnesota, but the latest owner of the beloved Mayo hotel knows the history, and the skepticism. "We know that a lot of folks have looked at redeveloping the building over a long period of time, the building's been vacant for some twenty years." The behind-the-scenes motto is under promise and over deliver.

As people may recall the first phase was to renovate the basement into a small parking garage. Monday's phase is larger. To renovate the lobby into a grand hall for parties, weddings, black-tie galas, and other special events. The business plan is obviously more complicated, but basically they believe it will work because there's nothing else like it. "There's really not another venue in Tulsa that's going to offer this scale, the magnificence of this building and definitely the historic quality and the historic value to this facility."

Snyder says they know there will be stumbles along the way. â€œBut we're very comfortable that the first two phases are thought out and will hopefully be beneficial to us." As for they're going to do with the rest of the building, they very matter-of-factly say they have no idea. Commercial or hotel space is unlikely to say the least with the current climate. Residential is a possibility.

But the important thing says many is that the first step has finally been taken. Talmadge Powell with Talmadge Powell Concepts, Inc. "Based on what I've heard just talking to people, there seems to be an incredible amount of positive energy being generated."

Events have already been booked. A wedding reception in just three weeks. And a fund-raising party for the Tulsa Opera in January, which will also serve as the grand re-opening for the building.