One Individual's Downtown Tulsa Development Project

Big downtown Tulsa development projects like the East Village and Channels get lots of attention and publicity, but it may be years before anything gets done. <br/><br/>Meanwhile, as News on 6 reporter

Monday, September 25th 2006, 10:09 am

By: News On 6

Big downtown Tulsa development projects like the East Village and Channels get lots of attention and publicity, but it may be years before anything gets done.

Meanwhile, as News on 6 reporter Rick Wells explains, individuals are making progress on downtown development one building at a time.

Contractors have begun working inside what will become Jeff Bells' new downtown Tulsa home at 3rd and Kenosha. "I bought the property 2 and a half years ago." Since then, there has been lots of work both inside and out. A lot of it Jeff Bell has done himself. Several dumpster loads of stuff had to be hauled away.

The new roof is on. He will have a great view of downtown, which he says is spectacular at night. "My fiancÃ©e and I were on the roof the 4th of July, we could see fireworks at the ball park, also 21st Street bridge as well as Sapulpa. We had a great view."

They will live on the upper floor, with kitchen living and dining area on one end, bedroom, bath and office on the other. "It's been a fun project, allowed me to be as you said a pioneer if you would, re-engineering downtown."

Jeff Bell says Tulsa is a bit behind other cities in this kind of residential development in commercial areas. But it's getting better, Jeffâ€™s architect says it's presented some interesting challenges. Jeremy Perkins: "making happen what the client wants to happen and meeting all the requirements to do that."

Bell has also purchased the building next door. He plans to renovate that into lofts once he finishes his own place.