Tulsa Preservation Blog

News, announcements, links, thoughts and musings from TPC Staff.

Share the Message on Advocacy Day: PRESERVATION = JOBS!

Posted by Amanda DeCort on March 3, 2010 | Link to this Entry | Email this Entry

Atlas Life Building Today is Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill, and hundreds of preservation activists are meeting with their elected officials to deliver the message that "Preservation Equals Jobs!"

The National Trust for Historic Preservation shared the following facts about preservation and jobs via email:

1. The Historic Rehab Tax Credit has created 1.8 million jobs since it was enacted in 1976 – including 58,000 in 2008, at an average cost of $9,000 per job – compared to $248,000 cost per job created by the recent stimulus bill.

2. Preservation jobs created by programs like Save America’s Treasures (SAT) are cost-effective jobs as well. A National Park Service study showed SAT has created 16,000+ jobs at a cost of $13,780 per job.

3. Preservation jobs are “green jobs” – jobs that help make our existing buildings more energy efficient and contribute to more sustainable communities."

The National Trust urges all of us to "help send a message to Congress that now is not the time to cut back on programs that not only save America’s heritage but save America’s jobs!" For more information on the Saving America’s Treasures campaign, please click here.

We know that preservation means jobs here in Oklahoma, too. Visit the SHPO’s website by clicking here to access the recent Economic Impact Study. Findings show the huge impact preservation activities have on our state economy. Contact Tulsa Foundation for Architecture for a copy of "Downtown Tulsa: Building Opportunity" to learn more about this important issue on the local level.

Please don’t hesitate to email TPC staff for more information.

National Register Nomination Grants Available from SHPO

Posted by Amanda DeCort on February 19, 2010 | Link to this Entry | Email this Entry

TPC logo Thinking about nominating your building to the National Register of Historic Places?

The Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) has announced its annual matching grants to government and non-profit organizations for the preparation of National Register nominations.

Each grant is limited to $1,000 and the applicant must provide a cash match of at least $700.00. Recipients will use grant funds to hire a professional to prepare the nomination package.

Applications and detailed instructions are located on the SHPO website. Deadlines are April 1st for the first round and June 1st for the second round.

TPC staff will be very happy to help you navigate this process. We have succesfully facilitated several grant applications in the recent past on behalf of other organizations, including the Mount Zion Baptist Church and Will Rogers High School nominations.

Don’t miss this! The Brady Arts District Celebration @ Living ArtSpace

Posted by Amanda DeCort on January 27, 2010 | Link to this Entry | Email this Entry

Join us as we review and celebrate the plans and achievements of the Brady Arts District.

Be the first to see the district’s new image, sample food from local restaurants and learn about upcoming events.

Preservationists, entrepreneurs, local developers, downtowners - come and learn about three new historic districts in the works!

Click here for an invitation to share with friends and colleagues.

Thursday, February 4th, 5:30 to 7:00 pm
Living ArtSpace Tulsa
307 E Brady

TFA White Glove Open House, January 19

Posted by Ed Sharrer on January 12, 2010 | Link to this Entry | Email this Entry

TFA logo The Tulsa Foundation for Architecture invites you to attend the 5th Annual White Glove Open House on Tuesday, January 19, 2010, from 4:30 - 7:30pm in the Lower Level of the Kennedy Building (321 S. Boston Avenue - map).

Browse through 100 years of Tulsa’s architectural history and see TFA’s archivists at work while enjoying the company of fellow preservationists and architecture lovers.

For more information, please contact TFA at 918-583-5550.

Tulsa Artist Features Historic Architecture - Brick by Brick

Posted by Amanda DeCort on January 4, 2010 | Link to this Entry | Email this Entry

Painting by Celeste Vaught Local artist Celeste Vaught is on a mission to paint as many of Tulsa’s fantastic historic buildings as she can. You can check out her "Brick X Brick" series by visiting her blog, http://celestevaughtart.blogspot.com/. Vaught’s striking paintings have captured everything from the Atlas Life Building to the Phoenix Dry Cleaners.

Vaught’s work has been featured in the Gilcrease Museum “American Art in Miniature” show in November of 2009 as well as this year’s Utica Square “Art in the Square” show. Three of the paintings have been on display at Pearl Gallery in December. Look for more upcoming shows.

She says it is very easy to drive past these places every day without stopping to appreciate their unique beauty. Her goal is to capture as many of them as she can through her art.

Tulsa architecture buffs, this series is not to be missed!

Downtown Tulsa Architectural Survey: Economic Opportunities Abundant

Posted by Ed Sharrer on December 3, 2009 | Link to this Entry | Email this Entry

The recently completed Intensive Level Architectural Survey of Downtown Tulsa confirms what many Tulsans have known for years — downtown Tulsa is rich with architectural significance and economic redevelopment opportunity. The survey identified 14 potential National Register historic districts downtown, which would result in nearly 150 buildings becoming eligible for historic rehabilitation tax credits. Be sure to read today’s Tulsa World coverage of the downtown survey.

The full survey report will be posted online Monday, December 7 at tulsapreservation.org/downtownsurvey. For more information on the downtown survey, potential downtown National Register districts, or the historic rehabilitation tax credit program, please contact Amanda DeCort at 918-576-5669.