“Downtown Tulsa is a desirable destination: home to centers of culture and employment and increasingly a complete urban neighborhood including residential, commercial and recreational uses. Improving the built environment . . . offers tremendous opportunity.” These words by Mayor Bynum introduce the Jeff Speck Walkability Study. Mayor Bynum is correct in these statements, and the…
DetailsIn November of 2015, after a rigorous and lengthy process, the Tulsa City Council formally adopted an updated zoning code which became effective in January of 2016. Through that process, we made a number of significant improvements to Tulsa’s outdated land use policies, which at the time were absent some valuable tools utilized by thriving…
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“If others want to dictate how downtown property is to be used, they should consider investing their own money in downtown real estate. Then they can call the shots.” Thus sayeth the Tulsa World editorial writers, the omnipotent, all-knowing purveyors of truth, justice and the American way.
DetailsVoting for the mayor’s proposal were Councilors Phil Lakin, David Patrick, Ben Kimbro, Karen Gilbert and Anna America, who as council chairwoman cast the deciding vote after her peers were split four in favor and four opposed.
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It’s not difficult to speculate on what’s behind the February 21st, 2017 Special City Council Meeting to consider a mayoral sponsored resolution regarding the future of a portion of Helmerich Park. Quite simply, it is damage control, and an
DetailsOur new Zoning Code was adopted in January of 2016 after more than two years of collaborative effort. It is vastly improved in content and format over the 46-year old
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Unintended consequences of this vague amendment are too serious to allow the passage of State Question 777. We already have the right to farm and the majority do so using good agricultural practices. However,
DetailsOur organization recognizes that the RDO represents a significant step forward in getting Tulsans accustomed to the notion of an overlay district. With those sentiments in mind, our talented group of planners, urban designers and activists have collectively formulated some observations and recommendations which we feel will help enhance and improve the overlay.
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The idea of big box stores close to the core of cities is contrary to both leading-edge retail trends and best practices in urban design. It is even more questionable within an area designated as parkland. And what message does it send to Tulsans – who have just voted to fund beautification of the river?
DetailsGet ready to speak up! After the Vision Tulsa election on April 5th, Tulsans can turn their attention to a matter of crucial importance to sustaining and improving the quality of life in the Arkansas River corridor. For well over a year, a group has worked to establish design standards and guidelines for new developments in what, if approved, will be the first Special Area Overlay District incorporated into the city’s new updated zoning code.
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Helmerich Park holds an important place in Tulsa’s river corridor park system. As the growth of our linear river park continues, there are real possibilities for Helmerich Park, just as we now see for the Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Park and The Gathering Place for Tulsa.
DetailsThis sale converts land specifically allocated from 1985 sales tax collections to the restricted category of Parks Facilities Improvements to so-called economic development. The 1985 sales tax expenditures policy states “… NONE of such funds shall ever be spent for any other purpose.”
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TPFA cannot legally, or morally, be used as a subterfuge to sell off park land bought with 1985’s sales tax money for a non-park, commercial use without the direct involvement of the Tulsa City Council acting in the role specifically prescribed by existing law.
DetailsA once heralded act, spearheaded by Tulsa philanthropist Walter Helmerich, embraced by the mayor and city council, saved 67 acres along the banks of the Arkansas River from impending high density development.
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One of the more impactful things that is happening nationwide is that some of the historically worst offenders in terms of auto-dependent sprawl are now conforming to appropriate urban design standards and are massively profiting from it.
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