The designs are now finalized for the Drillers new home in downtown Tulsa. Wednesday morning the board of trustees gave the go ahead on the plans.
Work is already underway at the new ONEOK Field, future home of the Drillers, even though the final design plans were not approved until Wednesday.
The last plans were sent back by the Tulsa Stadium Trust.
The new plans have some minor changes that will have a big impact according to the board. The main theme outside the building will be art deco and layering, with brick and zinc panels.
Board memebers say the old plans were more angular, now the ballpark will be softer and more welcoming since the updated plans will round some corners and add more brick.
There were concerns about the positioning of the stadium. Many face northeast, but ONEOK Field face will southeast.
Officials say the big reasons for the position have to do with the comfort of the players and the fans. They say the breeze will be better, the downtown view will be better, and highway sound will be minimalized.
"When people come to our ballpark, while we want them to have fun and enjoy it and feel welcome, we also want them to remember, when they see a picture, that's the ballpark in Tulsa," said Chuck Lamson, the president of the Tulsa Drillers.
Besides construction on the ballpark, other vacant buildings are being revitalized.
Recently the George Kaiser Family Foundation purchased a building at 307 E. Brady. Ken Levit, Executive Director of the Foundation, said the plan is to turn the upstairs of the building into lofts and the downstairs into an art studio.
The Kaiser Foundation already owns at least 4 buildings in the area. Other plans include housing, parks and a museum.
Levit said they are committed to revitalizing the area, extending commerical development between the minor league baseball field and other Brady District restaurants.
To a webcam with live updates on construction of ONEOK Field, click
here.
