On Nov. 4, 2008, Tulsans decided to invest in our future by approving the 5-year streets plan.
This plan will reverse decades of neglect and provide one of the most significant public investment in our infrastructure in Tulsa history.
Over the past year, engaged citizens and my colleagues on the City Council attended town hall meetings all across Tulsa. Ultimately, the citizens designed the plan to fix our streets. They talked- we listened.
Now that package has been approved, Public Works engineers are busy setting the work schedule. After the bonds are sold, construction to Fix Our Streets will begin in the next few months. Click here to review the project in your area.
Now, we will turn our attention to the job at hand and get the work underway to Fix Our Streets!
Sincerely,
Mayor Kathy Taylor
Tulsa Streets Update
For more than two years through surveys and town halls, Tulsans said fixing the city streets is a priority. On Nov. 4, 2008, Tulsans voted to make a sizable investment in the community to provide $451.6 million in funding through the third penny sales tax and a general obligation bond issue. The two funding packages combined represent the largest investment in infrastructure in Tulsa’s history.
Now, the hard work begins. With citizen approval in place, the Public Works Department will begin to schedule and design work to be done. The schedule depends on coordination with other projects, the level of funding available as the bond issues are sold, the condition of the pavement, the geographic location and the complexity of the work to be done. All nine council districts of the city will receive street work, so projects will be spread throughout Tulsa.
The projects will vary in size and type of work to be done, from patching and crack sealing to asphalt overlay to complete reconstruction – including storm water issues, sidewalk tripping hazards and handicap ramps, and the replacement of old water lines.
All work must be carefully coordinated to minimize inconvenience to the public - motorists and adjacent property owners. The projects are grouped in order to maximize contractor efficiencies, but not overlap with other projects in the vicinity. The Department will strive to avoid working on simultaneous projects in an area where lane closures on a parallel streets or intersections would disrupt the flow of traffic.
The Public Works Department also must coordinate with other agencies and utilities that also do work in the right of way or in the streets. The Public Works Department has working relationships with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and Tulsa County. Utility companies, cable and fiber optics all are responsible for coordinating their work with the Public Works Department to avoid gridlock in residential or business districts. Access to businesses is always a priority, especially during the upcoming holiday season.
The first bonds are scheduled to be issued in July, 2009, as existing bonds are paid. Bonds provide revenue for projects as soon as they are sold. In Tulsa, we use property taxes to repay general obligation bonds. It is important to wait until existing debt is paid before issuing new bonds, so property taxes will not be increased more than anticipated.
In the meantime, more than $70 million of street repairs funded by the 2006 third penny sales tax and the 2005 general obligation bond will begin. Tulsans will see an increase in street work before the end of 2008.
As with all street projects, Public Works will hold meetings with residents and businesses in an area surrounding the project. Adjacent property owners and tenants will be notified of those meetings by mail and can check online http://fixourstreetslive.com/Projects-Map/Default.aspx for updates.
At those meetings, Public Works officials will provide specific details of the project and timelines for the work.
Each street project is overseen by a City of Tulsa field inspector. Meeting participants will receive contact information for the field inspector and the contractor’s foreman. The project details, maps and contact information for inspectors also will be updated on fixourstreetslive.com.
This public investment, combined with the street repairs already scheduled or underway will make a significant impact on the condition of our streets. This public investment will have a positive impact on quality of life, public safety and neighborhood vitality. It’s progress as promised. Thank you Tulsa.
Let's Get Fit!
Let’s get fit, Tulsa! Living healthy isn’t just about losing weight: it’s about forming habits that will last a lifetime. Tulsa Million Miles is a brand-new fitness and health initiative led by Mayor Kathy Taylor and Mayor’s Fitness Challenge that encourages Tulsans to get fit, one mile at a time.
Whether you stay active by walking, running, biking, or swimming, you can use TulsaMillionMiles.com to track your miles and watch your progress. The goal of Tulsa Million Miles is to track one million miles – and beyond – that Tulsans can achieve together.
Choosing nutritious foods and making exercise a daily activity are important, too. That’s where the Tulsa Million Miles program comes in – we’re here to help you track your progress and provide you with the support you need to be fit and healthy.
Visit www.tulsamillionmiles.com often to log your miles and share your stories. We can even help you convert miles into calories burned, so you can track your own weight loss goals.
Tulsa Million Miles can help you find trail maps, park information, activity guides, and information on upcoming fitness events like runs, walks, and bike rides.
Together with your neighbors and friends in the Tulsa community, you can do your part to help us log one million miles – or more.
Join Mayor Taylor now…let’s shape up Tulsa, one mile at a time!
State of the City
On Wednesday, October 29, Mayor Kathy Taylor delivered her State of the City to local businesses and organizations. Read her full speech online.
Vote for your favorite Tulsa Entrepreneur in the
Mayor’s Tulsey Awards
Nominations have been submitted and now it’s time to cast your vote for your favorite Tulsa entrepreneurs!
One entrepreneur will be recognized in each of the following Tulsey categories: Civic, Emerging, Entertainment, Franchise, Green, Interactive, Legend, Serial, Young and the coveted Entrepreneur of the Year. The winners of each category will receive a hand-cased Golden Driller Statuette, symbolizing the entrepreneurial excellence of Tulsa. The Mayor’s Tulsey Awards are publicly driven entrepreneur awards that celebrate the pioneers and innovators of the Tulsa community.
The winning entrepreneurs will be announced at the Mayor’s Tulsey Awards Ceremony, sponsored by Xeta Technologies, at the historic Cain’s Ballroom on Thursday, November 20 from 7 – 11 p.m. Local Tulsa bands and restaurants will be providing live music and food samplings to celebrate Tulsa entrepreneurs. Event is open and free to public.
North Tulsa Economic Report
North Tulsa Economic Report - November 19, 2007
