Thanks to everyone who supported our efforts to save the proposed Riverside Drive sidewalk that will eventually connect downtown Tulsa to The Gathering Place. Fifteen organizations, dozens of high profile public figures including four former mayors and hundreds of individuals answered the call. To voice their concerns, nearly three hundred energized Tulsans including a convincing majority in favor of the sidewalk crammed a meeting hall at the Tulsa Garden Center on the evening of November 24th.
In spite of this overwhelming demonstration of public backing, the mayor has elected to defer further consideration of building the sidewalk until after The Gathering Place is completed. Many if not most sidewalk supporters have indicated they are not ready to give up and are seeking alternatives for potential next steps. Smart Growth Tulsa team members have been studying options for moving forward and we outline them below.
So what are the options, where do we go from here?
Five different options have been discussed and all have some degree of merit, as well as some degree of risks for failure. Smart Growth Tulsa places the highest priority on Option #1, but we also encourage and will support others in pursuing their own preferred initiatives.
- Option #1. A city council budget amendment override is our preference. The city council might be able to counter the mayor’s executive order cutting the sidewalk. It would require several budget amendments, one to un-appropriate funds from the Improve Our Streets package that would have been used to build the sidewalk. The second would to re-appropriate those same funds to build the sidewalk separate from Improve Our Tulsa. Note: Even if the council should pass the budget amendments, the mayor could put a hold on the funds for the remainder of his term in office. However, the same can be said for all of the other options as well.
- Another option would be to obtain a convincing legal opinion from a credible ADA expert that the City of Tulsa will be at risk of fines and penalties if the sidewalk is not built. This is not likely to be a quick or easy solution as the process is complicated involving multiple federal agencies and departments. The ADA angle is worth pursuing and might ultimately be the deciding factor in how and when the sidewalk is built. Unfortunately it will take a considerable amount of time before the process plays out, which potentially could wind up in U.S. Courts.
- There is a 3rd idea floating around that suggests the mayor might appoint a task force to study the issues more in depth. While the task force outcome is likely to be fairly predictable in terms of support for the sidewalk, there is little evidence at this point to suggest it would be enough for the mayor to reverse his position.
- Another intriguing idea has been run up the flagpole, an “Occupy Riversidewalk” campaign. It was suggested the TYPros could lead us, encouraging participants to park near Riverside on the streets north of the gathering place and “walk the walk”. From the outset it would be clear that the demonstration would end as soon as the mayor agreed to build the sidewalk while Riverside is closed. Emphasis would be made on the discrimination against folks who use wheelchairs and the fact not building the sidewalk disregards the needs of those with physical challenges.
- An option #5 has been suggested to address specific neighborhood concerns and try to find solutions and build a consensus. A group could be formed by the mayor to possibly include members of the Engineering Services Department and perhaps the Tulsa Community Foundation or others to explore various restrictions to limit non-resident parking during events. The group could also look into options for providing some type of infrastructure barriers to provide additional protections for pedestrians using the Riverside Drive sidewalk.
Here is our plan to leverage the current momentum and build on it:
Option #1 is preferred by Smart Growth Tulsa because it could lead to the quickest resolution. Like the other options it will only be successful if supporters stand firm and resolute. Councilors need to be convinced that their constituents support the sidewalk near unanimously. To reach that conclusion they will need to hear from sidewalk supporters in record numbers.
- SGT will appeal to the Tulsa City Council to take actions which will potentially lead to construction of the sidewalk concurrent with the other road improvements as originally planned. We will revise appropriately the letter that supporters signed to the mayor, and address it to councilors. It will be in the name of Smart Growth Tulsa and we will not be asking organizations, public figures or individuals to sign it, however anyone will be welcome to use it if they wish. Click here to download: Letter to Tulsa City Councilors.
- The gathering of signatures and promotion of the Town Hall meeting by our organization proved to be effective. This time around however, we suggest that a new approach is in order. We encourage everyone to contact the city council directly and express your concerns in your own words.
- SGT will support anyone, including individuals and organizations that pursue a goal to build the sidewalk through their own initiatives, including the options listed above or any new ideas that may surface.
Here is how you can help.
If you want the city council to take action, email not only your councilor but all councilors and ask them do what is right and in the public’s best interest. You can contact all nine Tulsa City Councilors by copying and pasting the following links into your email program.
dist1@tulsacouncil.org; dist2@tulsacouncil.org; dist3@tulsacouncil.org; dist4@tulsacouncil.org; dist5@tulsacouncil.org; dist6@tulsacouncil.org; dist7@tulsacouncil.org; dist8@tulsacouncil.org; dist9@tulsacouncil.org
Please consider sending a copy or blind copy to these Tulsa World reporters who have been closely following the story, it will help the media keep the public informed: jarrel.Wade@tulsaworld.com Kevin.Canfield@tulsaworld.com sidewalk@smartgrowthtulsa.com
Well-constructed individualized messages typically have more impact. We recommend you make your point in your own words. If time constraints are a concern; a simple short message can also be effective. You might consider something along these lines:
Dear Councilors, I respectfully request that you consider actions to insure that the proposed sidewalk on the east side of Riverside Drive, connecting downtown to The Gathering Place is built. Building the sidewalk is the right thing to do for our community and it will serve the public’s best interest. Thank you, (your name).
For background information and media links, please visit our previous post: Two Steps to Save the Riverside Drive Sidewalk
Thanks again for your support!
