In 2010 the City of Tulsa entered into a contract to sell the former City Hall located in the ‘Civic Center’ complex. It had been declared surplus property after offices were moved to the newly purchased One Technology Center. The sale came about after the City of Tulsa received an unsolicited offer from a prospective…
I recently spent some time in East Tulsa, driving around, visiting small businesses, talking with proprietors, and cruising through a few neighborhoods. East Tulsa is the fastest growing part of our city and accounts for the major part of our recent population growth, modest as it has been. In spite of feeling like a racial…
Let’s buckle up Tulsa and get busy and be all that we can be. Let’s quit talking and just do it! Let’s act now! Let’s shoot for the stars. Let’s go for it. Let’s be the very best Tulsa that we can be! Let’s build, let’s invest, and create a city like no other.
During the PlaniTulsa process, Tulsans clearly expressed the desire for change in the form of neighborhood revitalization, expanded housing choices, a diverse and strong economy, and more and better transportation choices in moving around town.
Some commonly accepted Smart Growth Principles encourage mixed land use development Promote compact building designs Create a range of housing opportunities and choices Build walkable neighborhoods Foster unique, attractive communities with a sense of place Preserve open space, farmland, natural beauty, and critical environmental areas Strengthen and direct development towards existing communities Provide a variety…
Thursday, August 21, 2014 at 6:00 PM the Tulsa City Council will consider three rezoning applications that if approved would essentially be a death blow to Tulsa’s only Form Based Code, the essential policy building block of Smart Growth. Smart Growth Tulsa calls on every Tulsan to TAKE ACTION IMMEDIATELY to prevent this giant step backward in…
In early 2009, about a week or so before I attended my first meeting as a newly appointed member of the Tulsa Metropolitan Area Planning Commission; I met with Wayne Alberty, then Director of Land Development Services at INCOG to get my marching orders. The planning commission and Wayne in particular were getting a lot…
Smart growth theory becomes practice through redevelopment strategies and zoning policies that channel housing and job growth into urban centers and neighborhood business districts. They create compact, walkable, and bike- and transit-friendly hubs. This typically requires local governments to implement code changes that allow for increased density and relaxed parking regulations that not only eliminate…
The relationship between housing and transportation is key to creating smart growth neighborhoods because the goal is to reduce families overall housing and transportation costs. Statistics indicate the average American family spends more than 50% of their household budget on housing and transportation combined. Smart growth strategies can help families reduce these combined costs. Smart…
Smart Growth Tulsa advocates for quality and affordable housing in safe neighborhoods for people of all income levels. There is growing demand nationwide for housing in walkable neighborhoods with access to public transportation, parks and civic spaces. The entire community benefits when we create a wide range of housing choices—whether it’s garden apartments, row houses,…