September 27, 2024

Tulsa People: 'The Next Arts Hotspot: Riverbend neighborhood seeks cultural district designation'

Just a few minutes west of downtown, off Charles Page Boulevard, is a haven for creators and a growing arts district. Mixed-use zoning, commercial buildings and proximity to the highway system make this area a practical choice for small businesses, while easy access to the city’s trail system, historic neighborhoods with affordable housing, and ample green spaces mean it’s also family friendly. To highlight this unique community, local artists and business owners are working to establish “Riverbend Arts District” as an official arts and cultural district.

“We have this industrial-meets-creative neighborhood here that is just a really prime growing area for artists to live and work in,” says Rachel Rose Dazey, co-owner of Dillon Rose Fine Jewelry, 1229 Charles Page Blvd. 

Dazey, who’s been in this location for seven years, believes the district’s combination of residential and commercial zoning makes it friendly to artists. 

“The zoning is unique in this area. For two blocks on either side of Charles Page Boulevard it’s zoned commercial, which means artists can buy a house and run an arts business out of it without breaking any codes,” she says. 

Chris McCabe, co-owner of Belafonte, a multi-use creative event space at 306 S. Phoenix Ave., agrees. 

“Crosbie Heights and the Charles Page corridor is by far the most affordable place to live in Tulsa that has such direct access to the culture and arts districts of downtown,” McCabe says. “With its flexible zoning and plethora of warehouses, industrial spaces and long-standing neighborhood storefronts, it offers many affordable opportunities for live-work spaces. The area has a palpable air of grittiness and stoutheartedness, with a pervasive DIY culture mindset — a perfect environment for entrepreneurs and creatives to thrive.” 

McCabe and his wife, Erin, have purchased several more commercial and residential properties in the area since buying the building that houses Belafonte in 2023. 

Jackie Potter and her husband, Chad, own several properties in the area, including Station 13, a venue in a 90-year-old building that was once a fire station. Potter, like Dazey and McCabe, hopes official recognition of the district by the city and state will bring awareness to potential businesses and consumers alike. 

“We are a hidden gem on Charles Page, and we want to bring awareness to our community about all that we have to offer,” she says.

From 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on Nov. 2, this neighborhood will host a free festival. Station 13, like many of the area’s businesses, will open its doors to the public. The venue will have food and a DJ. Belafonte will host live music and comedy performances, as well as yoga, DIY workshops and artist presentations. According to Dazey, who’ll host activities at her studio, Lime Scooters will be extending their service boundaries for the day to encompass the new district, allowing riders to travel as far as coworking and event space WOMPA and Station 13. 

For more information, visit dillonrose.com, jpottercollective.com and

belafontetulsa.com.