The Tulsa Historical Preservation Commission has started a blog
to promote preservation in general and the National Preservation Conference, which will be held in Tulsa Oct. 21-25.
The latest item is about how historic preservation efforts have rejuvenated downtown St. Louis.
I'm a big beneficiary of the Tulsa preservation movement. I live in Tulsa's premier historical preservation overlay district, north Maple Ridge.
The HP zoning overlay has recreated the neighborhood in its own image. At one time it was definitely down on its cuffs, but now it is the most attractive historic neighborhood in Tulsa.
So, because of the city's wisdom in creating HP zoning, I can live in a beautiful neighborhood that is walking distance from work.
Our property values are higher and my standard of living better because of HP zoning, and I suspect every one of my neighbors would agree.
That said, it's not a solution for every neighborhood.
I don't think it's had as much of a positive effect in Brady Heights, for example.
Further, there's all different level of preservation. Everyone's a preservationist when it comes to saving the Skelly Mansion. But what about the weed-begone ramshackle down the street that no one can seem to do anything about?
It's a very dicey formula.
But, I'm here to tell you, that, implemented properly and prudently, HP zoning can be a neighborhood saver.
