Several weeks ago, the City of Tulsa announced a new project near the sidewalk along 4th St. between S. Denver Ave. and S. Cheyenne, which is located near the Denver Avenue Bus Station. Boulders were placed at the site this week and the project will be progressing with an expected community art project in the coming weeks.
The City of Tulsa works every day to find alternatives and supportive services for individuals experiencing homelessness and to ensure public safety is at the forefront of every project and decision the City makes. Mayor Nichols has also made reducing homelessness a top priority of his Administration with the goal of making homelessness brief, rare, and non-recurring by 2030.
Public Safety
In recent years, the bus station and surrounding area have become a location for individuals to gather with many using the space to take advantage of individuals experiencing homelessness. During the month of July 2025, Tulsa Police responded to 121 calls for service in this area. These calls included:
Nineteen calls for disturbances, 17 calls for trespassing or an ongoing crime, 3 calls for drugs, 3 calls for assault, 2 calls for fights, 2 calls for vandalism, 1 indecent exposure, 1 stabbing, 1 larceny and 1 reported drug overdose.
In the past week, the Tulsa Police Downtown Impact Unit also led an investigation into a known drug dealer who frequents this same area. The suspect was arrested at the bus station on July 29 with help from the Real Time Information Center. This individual was seen conducting a drug exchange near the bus station and subsequently arrested. Further investigation revealed he had more drugs at his residence, where children were inside, and a search warrant led to officers recovering 318 grams of methamphetamine.
Compassionate Path with BeHeard
With public safety in mind and due to extreme heat, at the inception of this project, the City of Tulsa partnered with BeHeard, a nonprofit organization offering daytime shelter, shower facilities, and food accommodations. Shuttle services to and from BeHeard are offered to those who would like a safe space during the day and receive supportive services. There has been a clear demand for these types of services with nearly 40 individuals using the shuttle service each day from downtown to BeHeard. Over the last month, BeHeard served 870 individuals, including 21 children, 32 veterans, 43 senior citizens, and 227 people experiencing chronic homelessness across the city. The City continues to work with outreach providers on a more targeted outreach effort at Denver Avenue Bus Station to offer people access to day services such as restrooms, water, food, and case management.
Other landscaping options for the area were considered but boulders were the most cost-effective approach and were donated by a local quarry.
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