Letter from individuals to Mayor and City Council

[Admin]

Dear ______

After reviewing the Mayor's list of projects for potential third penny sales tax funding, I am very disappointed at the limited investment in downtown.  

I believe we can only revitalize Tulsa by developing a distinctive identity and economic growth around a dynamic, urban core.  As we achieve this, Tulsa and surrounding communities will benefit and prosper.    

Reasons to invest in downtown:
•   Become competitive with other cities
•   Attract new, creative businesses
•   More tax revenue for the City of Tulsa
•   Rebuild the tax base that supports Tulsa Public Schools
•   Complement Vision 2025 Downtown initiatives
•   Attract individuals and families of all ages who prefer a walkable urban environment, many of who are the Creative Class
•   Reintegrate the community
•   Stimulate tourism
•   Reduce the huge cost of maintaining our infrastructure
•   Every expert tells us to revitalize our downtown if we want to stimulate economic growth

The Mayor and City Council must transform the third penny tax program into a genuinely strategic investment vehicle.  I urge you to allocate substantially more funds to downtown projects.  I understand that in the past, downtown's needs were viewed as one council district.  I would like to challenge you to look at the big picture: Downtown is the economic engine for the entire region.  Downtown is not just a district.  Downtown belongs to everybody.  It's the "city center" and "urban core" for all districts.  It is what defines and gives identity to a city. To neglect downtown is to neglect the future prosperity of each and every district.  

Our near competitors (such as Oklahoma City and Kansas City) are investing $Billions in infrastructure improvements and public-private partnerships designed to deliver vibrant livable downtowns.  I urge you to invest an additional $100 million in projects dedicated to our urban core.  I ask that you particularly include the following:

•   Visual Arts Center site acquisition
•   6th Street Flood mitigation and canal project – additional and continued support of
•   Centennial Walk – Phase 2 – additional and continued support of
•   Sealed Corridor – Phase 2 Quiet Zone Extension for Railroad – additional and continued support of
•   Structured Parking Facilities – Increase and enhance, including street level retail in the parking facilities
•   Downtown Core Street Improvements, Enhancements, Streetscaping, Lighting, and Improved Signage
•   Sidewalk, Streetscaping, Lighting and Landscaping in the emerging arts district of 3rd and Kenosha
•   Assistance to Urban Residential Developments – additional and continued
•   Connections between Downtown and the trail systems, including River Parks
•   Boulder Avenue – Reconnect downtown to Brady district along Boulder Avenue

Many believe Tulsa is at a critical crossroads right now, and that if we don't make the right decisions now, we will lose our opportunity to become a truly competitive and vibrant city.  

Sincerely,
(Name)
(Address)
(district)