An Overview
In
years to come… most will assume that the game changing events which lead to
downtown Tulsa’s revitalization were the addition of the BOK Center and ONEOK
FIELD as major pieces to the puzzle. Make no mistake about it; they were
pivotal in providing the kind of public investment needed to inspire confidence
in the local development community which will complete this work. It would be
wrong, however, to diminish the critical role of those entrepreneurial pioneers
of the Brady District who had a vision for what downtown Tulsa could be, and
worked tirelessly for 30 years to make it happen.
Over those past 30 years, The Brady District has morphed into an eclectic
collection of mixed use businesses including bars, clubs, restaurants, office
space, arts establishments and some housing. In the process The Brady has
become a cultural and urban arts destination, emerging with a regional and
national identity with an authentic character that is incubating a growing
creative economy, particularly in downtown Tulsa.
The Brady District - Some
background
Wyatt Tate Brady, after whom the
Brady District was named, was one of the original incorporators of Tulsa.
He came to the area in1890 as a shoe salesman and promptly opened one of the
town's first mercantile stores. Slowly but surely the area has begun
transforming the former warehouse district into an arts and entertainment center
by the addition of new venues which compliment the rich cultural icons of bygone
days, such as the Cain's Ballroom the the Ole Lady on Brady.
Many new additions are
in the works to compliment those early cornerstones of the District, including
the renovating of the Mathews Warehouse, to house the Arts and Humanities
Council Visual Arts Center. And, historic Philbrook Museum will develop a
downtown gallery / museum. A new central park and music stage will be
complimented with an overall beautification plan with lighting, sidewalks,
landscaping and consistent and distinct district signage.
An exciting new plan for The Brady District
In 2008 and 2009,
neighborhood, philanthropic, business and city leadership came together to
articulate a cohesive and exciting new vision for the future of The Brady
District. The idea was conceived to align previous community and planning
efforts, and then establish a vision statement based upon broad-based community
input. The resulting Small Area Plan will provide a guideline for
development, to further revitalize and shape the area.
Meet the Brady Bunch
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