Designers Envision a Better Future for a Notorious Tulsa 'Parking Crater'

Sometimes a public shaming can be good for less-than-desirable land uses. Case in point: designers mobilizing to remodel a notorious parking crater in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

1 minute read

March 4, 2015, 12:00 PM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Jarrel Wade reports on the details of a proposed a makeover for the notorious parking crater located in Tulsa's cathedral district. The surface parking lot was the "winner" of 2013's Golden Crater award from Streetsblog USA, in a vote that was described as a landslide.

"The designers, a group of local architects and design consultants, are presenting their designs for a multisport field and facility Wednesday to the Downtown Coordinating Council." The design actually adds parking capacity, but underneath the multi-sport field designed by Jones Design Studio. The design was originally proposed as a submittal to the 2014 Tulsa Young Professionals Street CReD contest, which "called for conceptual designs to replace surface parking." After winning that competition, the design is seeking more institutional audiences.

According to the article, the south side of Downtown Tulsa has been "the focus of planners for years, hoping that someone would marry parking with business space on the same land mass. The area between Eighth and 12th streets from Boulder to Detroit avenues is filled with parking lots."

Wednesday, March 4, 2015 in Tulsa World

Sweeping view of Portland, Oregon with Mt. Hood in background against sunset sky.

Oregon Passes Exemption to Urban Growth Boundary

Cities have a one-time chance to acquire new land for development in a bid to increase housing supply and affordability.

March 12, 2024 - Housing Wire

Aerial view of green roofs with plants in Sydney, Australia.

Where Urban Design Is Headed in 2024

A forecast of likely trends in urban design and architecture.

March 10, 2024 - Daily Journal of Commerce

Cobblestone street with streetcar line, row of vintage streetlights on left, and colorful restaurant and shop awnings on right on River Street in Savannah, Georgia.

Savannah: A City of Planning Contrasts

From a human-scales, plaza-anchored grid to suburban sprawl, the oldest planned city in the United States has seen wildly different development patterns.

March 12, 2024 - Strong Towns

Aerial View of Chuckanut Drive and the Blanchard Bridge in the Skagit Valley.

Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding

The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.

March 18 - The Seattle Times

Historic buildings in downtown Los Angeles with large "Pan American Lofts" sign on side of building.

Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly

The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.

March 18 - Beverly Press

View from above of swan-shaped paddleboats with lights on around artesian fountain in Echo Park Lake with downtown Los Angeles skylien in background at twilight.

LA's Top Parks, Ranked

TimeOut just released its list of the top 26 parks in the L.A. area, which is home to some of the best green spaces around.

March 18 - TimeOut

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.