Parking. Lots.

I always wanted to propose a special property tax for parking lots.

JUST STOP, DAMMIT!It would be based on the number of levels. For instance a 4-story parking garage would pay less than a 2-story parking garage. The highest rate would be applied to a “single level” or surface parking space. And maybe a parking structure over a certain number of levels might pay no property tax at all.

Radical I’m sure. But until there is some economic incentive to stop bulldozing history we’ll continue to see an ever-expanding sea of asphalt.

Image courtesy Plan59.com

We Shall Gather at the River

Earlier this week I learned about a bizarre proposal to build an amusement park next to Tulsa’s urban wilderness area at Turkey Mountain. The public reaction has been swift and negative.

In the interest of equal time here’s a development idea for the Arkansas River in Tulsa that’s actually not bad.

A Gathering Place for Tulsa

Bad River Development Idea No. 24

Everyone agrees that Riverside Drive is one of Tulsa’s most unique and beautifual assets.

Why then are so many people dead set on screwing it up? Over the years I have heard some of the silliest ideas pitched as “river development” along the Arkansas. Skyscrapers on a sand bar, a miniature Branson next to a refinery, sailboats beside the Pedestrian Bridge, a shopping center with no shopping… oh, wait, that one actually happened.

photo courtesy Hammerhead Bicycles

Then today I came across a new kooky idea: build an amusement park on Turkey Mountain! Yeah, the lovely urban wilderness where people love to run and ride bicycles would become (drum roll, please): Tulsa Harbour.

It must be classy because they put a U in harbor. And this isn’t just some Photoshop ha-ha. Here’s a rather disturbing post I found on the Turkey Mountain events calendar– Avid Hiker writes:

Just a note to all of you that enjoy Turkey Mtn – this small bit of “urban wilderness” that we are so blessed with in Tulsa: I ran into a group of developers in the parking lot today. They are wanting to develop the lower SE corner of Turkey Mtn. from 71st to the south end of the trails into an amusement park similar to Frontier City with hotels. It would take up 140 acres. It would be called Tulsa Harbour. You can verify this with Jeannie Cue, District 2 City Councilor, and Nick Lombardi, Stan Frisbie Real Estate.

This isn’t just a bad idea. It’s a terrible idea. I’m all for development and better utilizing our riverfront’s natural resources- but screwing it up to do so seems a little short-sighted.