Greetings,
Let’s fix the streets!
There is no question that decades of inadequate funding have deteriorated Tulsa’s streets to the point that they are in the emergency room.
Last fall, I appointed a citizens panel to extensively study the issue and make recommendations on how we best fix the streets. The panel reported their findings and then my colleagues on the City Council launched a series of town hall meetings throughout the city to listen to what citizens had to say. I attended those meetings and found the voices of Tulsans to be loud and clear: fix the streets, fix them now and be accountable for your work.
This week, thanks to the bi-partisan support of City Councilors, I forwarded a five-year, $451 million street plan to the Election Board to be put on the November 4 General Election ballot. This plan funds the streets – and only the streets, and it lets the voters hold us accountable for progress. I will keep you updated on the details of the plan, but you can also watch our website, www.cityoftulsa.org, for additional details about the projects included.
This past weekend was certainly the celebration of a lifetime as the BOK Center opened its doors to the public for the first time. Thousands of Oklahomans joined special guests, Garth Brooks, the Hanson brothers and world-renowned architect, Cesar Pelli to cut the ribbon on Tulsa’s new point of pride. On Sunday, a 450-voice community choir, gave an uplifting performance to all those gathered to celebrate this historic day.
Our new BOK Center is a shining example of the new kind of energy in our city. It is a symbol of our spirit, our vision and our perseverance. Tulsa’s progress continues!
Sincerely,
Kathy Taylor
Mayor
Thousands Experience
BOK Center's Grand Opening
From the crowds that came to watch dignitaries and entertainers cut the ribbon, to the hundreds who sang in the choir, a huge host of Tulsans came together in the final days of August and on Labor Day weekend to celebrate the opening of the BOK Center in downtown Tulsa.
Visitors enjoyed $1 concession prices and went on guided tours of the arena and its facilities.
Mayor Kathy Taylor was joined by former Tulsa mayors, county elected officials, the builders, the BOK Center’s designer – world renowned architect Cesar Pelli – as well as by country music legend Garth Brooks and Tulsa’s pop music phenomenon, the Hansons, for the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Aug. 30.
Street Proposal Update
"Let's fix our streets!"
With that statement, Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor announced she has formally sent to the Election Board a $451 million proposal designed to rebuild Tulsa's crumbling streets. The proposal will be on the November General Election ballot.
The Mayor made the announcement in a news conference at City Hall. She was flanked by City Council members who approved the measure last Thursday evening.
Seniors Invited to
"Run for the Roses"
If you are over 50 and love a good run, the Tulsa Parks Department encourages you to sign up for the “Run for the Roses” event set for Saturday, October 11.
“Run for the Roses” will start at Centennial Park, 1028 E. 6th St., at 8 a.m. The course will take runners through three kilometers of Tulsa streets and finish at the Tulsa Garden Center’s Rose Garden – 2435 S. Peoria. At the finish line, participants can enjoy a continental breakfast of bagels, cream cheese, and fruit. The nearly 3k fun run is sponsored by Tulsa Parks and Gold Medallion Health Care.
Mayor Hosts Nations' Second
Dropout Prevention Summit
The City of Tulsa hosted the Keeping Our Promise Dropout Prevention Summit at the University of Tulsa last week. The summit was sponsored by America’s Promise Alliance, and the City of Tulsa was the second city in the nation to host this summit. Educators, non-profit organizations, government officials, leaders, students and parents were all on hand to focus on one common goal – improving high school completion rates in Tulsa by enhancing the quality of education.
What's That Hazardous Waste Doing In My House?
You may not realize it, but your home is probably filled with all sorts of pollutants. Many everyday products such as paint and lawn chemicals can be dangerous if used or stored improperly, and can cause serious environmental damage if tossed in the trash, poured down the sink or washed into the storm sewers.
Some common household pollutants include paint thinners, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, pool chemicals, cleansers, acids, caustics, ammunition, batteries, motor oil, and antifreeze.
Help Shape Tulsa's Future
Do your part in shaping the future of our city. Get involved in one of PlaniTulsa’s hands-on workshops. Sign up for the Sep. 22 or 23 workshop by visiting: www.planitulsa.org