Thursday night, at 7pm, there will be an informational meeting at Centenary Methodist to learn more about the possible settlement in the John 3:16 expansion trial. This is a rare opportunity to hear from the attorneys working on the case, and to have your voice heard as well. The plaintiffs are interested in hearing from community members who will be impacted by the expansion and they would like input as to whether or not the settlement is acceptable.
Again, the meeting is at Centenary Methodist at 7:00 PM on Thursday, October 30.
Those of you who read last Friday’s issue of Tulsa World may have noticed the article, “Designing a Love for the Past in Brady Heights“, by our neighbor, Tim Williams. If not, it’s definitely worth digging in your recycling bin. Tim’s piece is a great introduction to the recent history of Brady Heights and the important role historic preservation plays in its continuing revitalization.
The article also addresses the reasons behind the association’s decision to become historically zoned. “The purpose of that action is saving the architectural and societal aspects of our history, not to create static museums of the past — simple dioramas — but to keep them alive and functioning with respect for the design and details of the original structure.”
Many of us who have moved to Brady Heights from other parts of Tulsa have a difficult time explaining our rational to outsiders. When Tim writes that his mom “cried for two days” after he moved into his “shell of a home” in 1982, it’s definitely a story most of us can relate too on some level– I think we’re all probably accustomed to wide-eyed and disbelieving reactions. Tim has articulated his attraction to Brady Heights so well, all we need to do now when confronted by naysayers is hand them this article and smile. It’s a real testament to the revitalization of our community that Tim’s mother now lives in the same neighborhood that brought her to tears less than thirty years ago.
Designing a Love for the Past in Brady Heights was published in the October 17th, 2008 issue of the Tulsa World.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is currently holding its annual conference in Downtown Tulsa, October 21-25. Visit PreservationNation.org for more information. For more information on historic preservation within Tulsa, visit The Tulsa Preservation Commission.
On Wednesday, October 22nd, Brady Heights will be celebrating the dedication of our new monument! The event will take place from 9:45am to 10:15am in order to coincide with the National Historic Preservation Conference Bus Tour. Those of us who work during the morning hours may have trouble making it the dedication, but it will definitely be worth a sick day if you’re able!
Members of the local media and city government have been invited, as well as the students from Emerson Elementary who helped create the mosaics. A reception with punch and cookies will follow at the Brady Mansion. For more information, visit the Tulsa Spirit Monument page,or download a press release here.
There was a time that the Tulsa Spirit Monument seemed to have been forgotten. Brady Heights had received funds for the monument through the city’s Vision 2025 initiative, but no one came forward to bid on the project. And then Terry McGee, of Mcgee Enterprises, stepped up and saved the monument from a fate in bureaucratic limbo!
Terry is a local businessman and community leader who has long worked towards improving and strengthening the North Tulsa community. He and his construction team worked diligently to insure that the job was completed before this month’s National Preservation Conference. We were all amazed to see the monument built so quickly, it seemed to have appeared overnight!
The Brady Heights Neighborhood Association is so thankful to Terry Mcgee and Mcgee Enterprises for his huge role in the realization of the Tulsa Spirit project! The pride he and his team take in their work, and in their community, is evident to anyone who sees our beautiful monument.
Because of the change in seasons, we’ve been walking in the dark for the last couple weeks… so it’s time for a change! The neighborhood walk will now begin at 4:00 pm on Sunday afternoon. Meet us at the garden at 1146 N. Cheyenne for an opportunity to socialize with neighbors and get a little exercise at the same time!