The Answer
On September 2 I posted the following photo and then asked the city planning department a one word question concerning the following property:
Why?
And now we have an answer:
“Two citations have been issued for the property at 302 NW 10th -. Case # 06-4483326, for improper storage of vehicles in a C-CBDF zoning district went to court on September 5, 2008, the case was continued until October 17, 2008. Case # 04-026511X , the defendant entered a plea of no contest and was fined $277.00. The Chief Zoning Inspector is talking with the Municipal Counselor’s office about issuing additional citations.”
- Bob Tener
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Comments
I used to live in Tulsa around the time when Woodland Hills Mall was not “the place to hang out.” There were no strip malls across the street and a Best Buy about a mile down the road and that was it. I remember a little auto shop on the corner of 71st and Mingo that been in business there for 20 years or more. Til this day, it is still there because the property values have gome up so much that the owner doesn’t want to sell it until he gets a ridiculous amount of money for it. I have a feeling that is what is going on in this instance as well.
I’m glad to see the city finally doing something about this even though they are being “reactive” instead of “proactive.” I’d really love to see the city become more aggressive on the code enforcement front.
good job steve for getting an answer from the city. Nice to know that they are doing something about it.
By the way Steve, I liked your story on the Seiber apartments…I think what could be even bigger for MidTown is if they renovate the Olser Building which is right across the street from 1492. I remember hearing a while back it was being renovated. Hopefully it comes to fruition. You might look into it!
Totally off-topic, Steve, but I’ve just watched Berry Tramel’s video at http://www.newsok.tv/?titleID=1788889285 . Puhleease, educate him about Oklahoma history a little, won’t you? 
He is spreading misinformation again, this time not about sports.
I hear ya been talking bout ma car lot I won never sell not for one million dollars. They took AR JOBS!!!
I’m just hoping we can get the worldwide recorder concert to return downtown – but maybe without Yoko Ono as conducter (Kenny G, however, is still welcome)
I’d have left a comment in the video clip area but I didn’t see that as possible … does Berry have a newsok blog, where I could do that?
Yes, he has a blog:
http://blog.newsok.com/berrytramel
Numerous people over the years, public and private, have talked to the owner about the condition of his property. He does not seem to be concerned about the impact on the surrounding area. Although he continues to pay the fines for improper storage of vehicles, the biggest issue with the site, in terms of limitations on the City’s powers, is that his use as a garage precedes the rezoning of the district and the imposition of design review requirements. We cannot retroactively enforce for design or grandfathered use. We will, however, continue to enforce on vehicle storage.
The City is very much aware of the impact that ongoing code violations of this nature have on the appearance and economic attractiveness of the Midtown area, and we will continue to explore avenues to rectify these problems. Although this particular site remains a problem, it is not for want of trying on the City’s part to facilitate action. I think it is important to consider this site in the context of the Midtown area in general. Midtown is very much on the rise and has improved enormously over the last 10 years, due to both the efforts of numerous private property owners and the City. Midtown was down and out 15 years ago, and while it’s not perfect yet, nor probably ever will be, it is the direction that we should stay focused on, which is very positive. Yes, properties like this are a problem, but there are fewer and fewer of them each year. That’s the key measure of success.
Indeed, it wasn’t that long ago that the Central Business District had several buildings that were boarded up and were clear eyesores. While some buildings still stand empty, I can’t off hand think of a single boarded up building in the CBD. That’s significant, and I wonder how many other downtowns can make such a boast. Likewise, downtown has no adult bookstores, theaters or clubs. All of this, I know from observation and experience, is the result of the city’s zoning efforts and also the city’s planning staff.
That having been said, I’ll be continuing to send out the question “why?” My next one will be directed at the Oklahoma RedHawks.
I remember talking to Banta about this back in December and they told me they had tried to get it but the owner will not give it up. Too bad. It would be a cool property.
…be bold