Which City(s) Should Tulsa Emulate?

[patric]

Several cities found massive savings by first examining what each city service really costs. Now Tulsa is about to start that same kind of search.
Indianapolis is where the mayor is looking as the example of what change can mean. The city revamped how it evaluates what it does and how much it costs. The city hired accounting firm KPMG. Their recommendations saved the city $550 million over 13 years.

"That savings alone has allowed Indianapolis to embark on a renaissance of growth and development guided by a better operated city government. This is exactly what we want for the City of Tulsa," said Mayor Bartlett.

So is there one ideal city for all city services?
For years, other cities have been coming to Tulsa to see how one of our success models, EMSA, has worked, so were not completely behind the curve.

If you want Tulsa-sized cities as a model to save money on city services, you may have to look at more than one city.

Tucson would be considered the model for saving millions on street lighting, for example, but I dont know where they stand on bus service, trash, water or funding community centers.

[Vision 2025]

One of the more interesting I have been to in the last few years is Fargo...

[Conan71]

One of the more interesting I have been to in the last few years is Fargo...

Did someone say "Fargo"?

[Vision 2025]

Was my impression too before I went...

[PepePeru]

Did someone say "Fargo"?

She was from up Brainerd, not Fargo.

[patric]

One of the more interesting I have been to in the last few years is Fargo...

In all seriousness, can anyone cite examples of cities who's services would be considered a real model we could learn from?
In the EMSA example, Tulsa used to be the worst (think "Mother Jugs and Speed") before we became the model ambulance service.   What city has the most successful public transportation, for instance?
Ive always been told we cant have subways because of the pipelines, but surely there is a map of pipelines somewhere...

There have to be better models we can adopt, rather than throw more money at models that have failed us.

[custosnox]

In all seriousness, can anyone cite examples of cities who's services would be considered a real model we could learn from?
In the EMSA example, Tulsa used to be the worst (think "Mother Jugs and Speed") before we became the model ambulance service.   What city has the most successful public transportation, for instance?
Ive always been told we cant have subways because of the pipelines, but surely there is a map of pipelines somewhere...

There have to be better models we can adopt, rather than throw more money at models that have failed us.

Everyone immediately jumps to subway when it comes to light rail, but I think sydney has the idea with above ground mono rail, which could allow rail in places here where underground lines could not go.

http://www.metrotransport.com.au/index.php/monorail/monorail-home.html

[Conan71]

In this day and age, subway would be way too expensive, it'll never happen in Tulsa.  We can't even properly fund streets here.  I did a quick Google and you can figure $100mm to $2 + billion per mile (that was an example in NYC).

[SXSW]

In all seriousness, can anyone cite examples of cities who's services would be considered a real model we could learn from?
In the EMSA example, Tulsa used to be the worst (think "Mother Jugs and Speed") before we became the model ambulance service.   What city has the most successful public transportation, for instance?
Ive always been told we cant have subways because of the pipelines, but surely there is a map of pipelines somewhere...

There have to be better models we can adopt, rather than throw more money at models that have failed us.

You have to look at Portland as having one of the most successful public transit systems that combines streetcars connecting inner neighborhoods through downtown, light rail connecting outlying parts of the city and suburbs to downtown, and buses connecting everywhere in between all with high levels of ridership.  In Portland development follows transit and thus is not centered around the car like in Tulsa and most comparable U.S. cities.  

[patric]

You have to look at Portland as having one of the most successful public transit systems that combines streetcars connecting inner neighborhoods through downtown, light rail connecting outlying parts of the city and suburbs to downtown, and buses connecting everywhere in between all with high levels of ridership.  In Portland development follows transit and thus is not centered around the car like in Tulsa and most comparable U.S. cities. 

...which makes me wonder if there is room in the Comprehensive Plan for the day when people decide that their car is just too expensive to use in the city.
Hey, did you ever think we would see the day when people gave up their "house phone"?

[BKDotCom]

Hey, did you ever think we would see the day when people gave up their "house phone"?

Now they never leave home without it!

[Gaspar]

I love Tulsa. 

We have our share of problems, but they are small compared to most places I've lived.  Our people are friendly and our businesses are strong (relative to the rest of the country).

Our landscape is beautiful, our architecture and development is diverse, we are blessed with resources and a relatively low cost of living.

Fix our streets, sell the city owned eyesores, and lower taxes.  Then we can have other cities attempting to emulate us.  We don't need to emulate anyone. 

[Red Arrow]

Now they never leave home without it!

Now, if we could only figure out how to get rid of the cord.   

[Red Arrow]

...which makes me wonder if there is room in the Comprehensive Plan for the day when people decide that their car is just too expensive to use in the city.

Public transit convenience over a personal vehicle would be another good reason to give up the car.

For those wanting to know which cities have functioning light rail, visit:  www.lightrailnow.org  Scroll down a bit on the left side in the yellow.  There you will find links to success stories, heritage operations and pretty much anything you would want to know.

[heironymouspasparagus]

Gaspar
You already enjoy low taxes.  The big problem is the graft and corruption that sucks up too much of it.

Everything else is right on.  This is a great place to live.  Well, except for the Crashship, maybe...  And it beats OKC handily.  Toronto might be close, except for winter.

Now, let's make it even better.  Oh, yeah, I guess we have to wait for a new mayor, huh?