[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6480193,"mediaKeyId","5690305-f967ba5d0c4a96e65830df064edbcb5c","parentId",5690305,"title","Council hears request to close portion of public way at Comanche Park for Tulsa Housing Authority redevelopment","audioSeconds",140,"startMs",473000,"endMs",613000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5690305-f967ba5d0c4a96e65830df064edbcb5c&start=473&end=613","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5690305-f967ba5d0c4a96e65830df064edbcb5c/thumbnail_473000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6480193/Tulsa/Tulsa-County/Oklahoma/Council-hears-request-to-close-portion-of-public-way-at-Comanche-Park-for-Tulsa-Housing-Authority-redevelopment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6480193-51bc2cc79599397eb799a1fe4cdb9d2b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151006&Signature=kF1iubvyyt393aIHcptJQK~1MBXVXb9274KreV7g9AQcF-yyZZYv88A9FPDiUGM5i0jbvlFBaVZmffk2VyiloCEz3Y2hW1G69qD7W3U9yweWT1wYxV78sX5rtx0uDSbYMnLwqj-XcJ4rctFwZgQlyaYvkMBHijOVskjjnHJh0Lgzy7~53sp2MhygdKnfkZlzfkUhi7kCP6VhEsWaK6qIyDI3xhzphFBnbMF-n-bUR4VguUNGKFA63JPvXdw5i8YzCNgIHnKlPHOQcK5NhzHoqTfpCtmniLo1t7SXakhNFMtiAxlyIV6ojc5ZnUxhZMDZC8De9xKjZHfuOPPej3mdKQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Tulsa","date","2025-08-27T14:30:00Z","article","The council heard an ordinance request to close a portion of public right of way located at or near 3608 North Quaker Avenue in the Comanche Park addition. The application was filed by Jamie Skipper of Wallace Design Collective on behalf of the Tulsa Housing Authority to allow future expansion and redevelopment in District 1. A public hearing on the closure was scheduled for the meeting and the item was placed on the calendar for final vote on the 10th.

Matt Lipty of the Public Works Department told the council the Tulsa Housing Authority is redeveloping the property and that the current street configuration does not work with the proposed redevelopment. \"These streets do not connect anything next to them,\" Lipty said, and staff recommended approval of the closing ordinance to accommodate the redevelopment plan.

Ending

The council set the item for a future vote (the 10th) and did not take a final vote during the discussion recorded in the transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Tulsa - Council Public Works Committee","oneSentenceSummary","An ordinance was introduced to close part of the public way near 3608 North Quaker Avenue to accommodate redevelopment by the Tulsa Housing Authority; Public Works staff said the streets in question do not serve adjacent properties and closure would support the housing project; final vote set for the 10th of the month.","taxTitle","Tulsa, Tulsa County, Oklahoma","taxId",2682,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6480198,"Parks department outlines multiple capital projects: Woodward Park, animal shelter, zoo, Gilcrease and gateway signage among highlights",874,1110000,1984000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5690305-f967ba5d0c4a96e65830df064edbcb5c&start=1110&end=1984","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5690305-f967ba5d0c4a96e65830df064edbcb5c/thumbnail_1110000.jpg","/articles/6480198/Tulsa/Tulsa-County/Oklahoma/Parks-department-outlines-multiple-capital-projects-Woodward-Park-animal-shelter-zoo-Gilcrease-and-gateway-signage-among-highlights","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6480198-dfe6c5c27434638ec4877eac72fae430/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151006&Signature=exgy8UYFq1FTLeUr3aWRZklYxDP7QsrWZ4X~GfF51M0ScwtboXu1fF6eFoC10Fi6h4SsBXNs8eekyB77EXwmRQV5fDIg7-6QZhPWIrOaxtrYgi~hOKC8JVG-xceJAYo3FtMAqNHmfMlLfWAojGPb0YW8OzfKmVj70zwhRQSuqpUyBLIVbGIJ9SiQzFUrGOzApxk5czGLHTf-6XHFwIsCc2u3HqIUS1Lnnw3y4oPaXcov0vMtJH2unN6bOb3S3Q54KbFci0EtH3EDTn68kzxNY2hvg70exlJc4UJ6EEEjaMnFSi~SR1wki6IW6V~DSOKoO-EnU995BCIeX5j8DAF1BQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Parks, Culture and Recreation staff presented a wide-ranging capital program update to the council, summarizing progress on parks, cultural facilities and museum projects across the city.

Highlights included:
- Woodward Park: major landscaping and pond excavation underway; storm pipe work and retaining wall foundations in progress; construction likely to continue about another year.
- Fred Johnson Park: staff had just received 100% drawings; plan to send documents for interdepartmental review and to bid next month; construction planned to begin by year end with approximately one year of construction and a public opening targeted in 2027.
- Citywide court and recreation facility rehabilitations: resurfacing and refinishing work is underway at multiple sites; a full list was provided in the packet.
- Hill Park and Dreamkeepers Park: design consultants selected (PDG for Hill Park; TSW for Dreamkeepers) and contracting in progress; community engagement to follow when design agreements are in place.
- Outdoor play amenities: playground replacements underway or recently completed at several parks; a larger replacement list was included in the backup materials.
- Animal shelter: building slab pour underway; east half poured with west half scheduled pending weather; construction advancing.
- Tulsa Performing Arts Center: IOT 3 renovation design has started and construction manager interviews are underway.
- Greenwood Cultural Center: project submitted for permitting and expected to go out to bid this fall.
- Public Safety Center: staff are meeting weekly on phasing and budget to keep the project within budget while managing demolition sequencing.
- Tulsa Zoo: carnivores/African Wilds construction started and is scheduled for substantial completion in May 2027; HVAC and electrical upgrades planned for the Rainforest exhibit.
- Gilcrease Museum: building work nearing completion after long lead times for panels and stairs; staff expect substantial completion in September, exhibit installation through 2026 and museum opening in early 2027.
- Route 66 gateway signage: staff are coordinating with ODOT on two gateway signs and site locations that meet ODOT safety and access standards.

Staff also mentioned an active conversation about locating the Crybaby Hill (Melancholy Child) statue along Route 66, possibly on Riverside Drive in East Tulsa, and said final placement had not been determined.

Ending

Councilors asked for follow‑up on project schedules and community engagement timelines; Parks staff offered additional briefings and packet materials for council districts.","Parks, Culture and Recreation staff provided an update on dozens of capital projects including Woodward Park pond and landscaping work, Fred Johnson Park going to bid, animal shelter construction, Tulsa Zoo expansions, Greenwood Cultural Center permitting and the near completion of Gilcrease Museum building work.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6480206,"Public Works updates council on IoT 1–3 capital programs; sidewalk funding and design constraints raised",387,785000,1172000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5690305-f967ba5d0c4a96e65830df064edbcb5c&start=785&end=1172","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5690305-f967ba5d0c4a96e65830df064edbcb5c/thumbnail_785000.jpg","/articles/6480206/Tulsa/Tulsa-County/Oklahoma/Public-Works-updates-council-on-IoT-13-capital-programs-sidewalk-funding-and-design-constraints-raised","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6480206-d6cc6d05bcea96b5fe5ec2b95cb6de99/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151006&Signature=CJXgCkCf7jH1L1rPqJmBJENMm2tSBXBkYz7q2nfZ5PdfkpYISe0kpISlYgS3UTY~r17aAWchrWwk7KK2oYieQr~1JMzEu6Uq18z8vJcTwj7S7lZ7kpFeX1PCL3QtPVOgFTSshkrvVm26Ao~qzTw7BieLk-~UP0W29dmRqFX0CWEUPkEUZQidW~8V8qP4V8klcbdnKKvoQz859Ro3u8lHKWydR444a4t06kz4XM94kYwCjwZO1KglByGxtgpTyrXHR4VeeaYFg0nLBAJ6A2LMAi46xsxawwDNyGSwTxcrWyaOf2jDlacAjW5YrlOKWn6tttB3HnIzMHnlosky9dgD1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Public Works staff presented an update on the city's capital programs known as IoT 1, IoT 2 and IoT 3 (Improving Our Tulsa series). Staff said IoT 1 funding has been fully received and designs are wrapping up with construction scheduled in the current fiscal year. IoT 2 projects are in design and construction; IoT 3 has received limited funding and is providing gap funding plus citywide bridge project design work.

Staff noted the programs include routine and preventive maintenance projects (carried out by street staff) that are expected to continue for roughly five years alongside capital work. They said widening funding for four projects was secured and design on those projects will start in the fall. Interactive maps for the capital programs are available on improveartulsa.com and through links on the city's website.

Councilor Bellas and others asked whether sidewalk replacement is included with the street projects. Public Works staff said sidewalk work varies by project: some widening jobs include sidewalks by design, while many non‑arterial rehabilitations typically do not add wholesale new sidewalks and instead focus on repairs and ADA access ramps. Staff also said the city maintains separate sidewalk funding sources and grant opportunities that could be used to build new corridors where warranted.

Ending

Council members requested follow‑up briefings and one‑on‑one meetings with Public Works staff to review district‑level packages; staff offered to meet with council aides for deeper dives and to share interactive maps and project lists.","Public Works staff reviewed status of the city's IoT (Improving Our Tulsa) capital programs: IoT 1 is fully funded and moving to construction, IoT 2 is midstream, and IoT 3 has limited gap funding; councilors pressed staff on sidewalk replacement, ADA clearance and funding limits.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6480211,"City to seek buyers for $107.7 million in general obligation bonds; sale set for Sept. 17",280,316000,596000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5690305-f967ba5d0c4a96e65830df064edbcb5c&start=316&end=596","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5690305-f967ba5d0c4a96e65830df064edbcb5c/thumbnail_316000.jpg","/articles/6480211/Tulsa/Tulsa-County/Oklahoma/City-to-seek-buyers-for-1077-million-in-general-obligation-bonds-sale-set-for-Sept-17","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6480211-75e83138dc819268507c0aa43c7ebe7b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151006&Signature=QBlOFKEP9OkN2K4sjWZwNwo9hmq3xKEU33rwij9-HJ1MRfIF2jGgG-sQ3GQgkm92UGn161vU7CTHYFQvbv3im9tFDzDwakCes6eySyg0eIJx45H8uU~j2EeVmp-D1uTtnr-IpZIFam1wStzqL8DHMzqPsJodLhHuYZppsVZbxvxfhKU7LaKyaxd8hyxMcYkveVakYAzEyJ3hqdlgYqmGqvetI73CBiDk9M2j6~463U6Z7~eQZ0moNFAzAQ4LpdJ~FRmLtyjqAXCAJBEJ-javRUF5FXsfQmo8ve85jPloMF9l5luRKhnVHHrPjyMQ-bdDBtBaLpy1F11ut-c8Z9GwbA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chad Becker of the City of Tulsa Treasury told the council the city will seek to sell general obligation bond series 2025A in the amount of $107,705,000 under a resolution before the council. The sale date is set for Sept. 17; the bonds will not close until Nov. 4, when staff will return to the council with the results and recommend award to the lowest and best bidder.

Becker said the issuance is structured over 14 maturities and draws on authorizations from both the 2019 and 2023 bond packages. The proceeds are designated for streets projects, community facilities and public safety buildings and facilities; a list of projects included with the bond packet was referenced in the presentation.

Staff gave rate and cost projections using Bloomberg estimates: \"double A plus GO bonds plus 50 basis points\" in a range roughly 3.0% to 4.7% and a projected true interest cost of about 4.0%, Becker said. The resolution carries an emergency clause and, after sale, the bonds will be submitted to the Oklahoma attorney general for statutory review and approval; municipal GO bonds carry a protest period.

Ending

The resolution was placed on the council agenda for final action later that evening; staff will present the bid results and a recommendation to award to the lowest responsive bidder after the Sept. 17 sale and ahead of the Nov. 4 closing.","City treasury presented a resolution to authorize sale of $107,705,000 in general obligation bonds (Series 2025A) to finance streets, community facilities and public safety projects; sale date set for Sept. 17 and closing expected Nov. 4.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6480214,"Tulsa council debates ordinance setting 18‑inch clearance from roadways, sparking equity and enforcement concerns",0,1921000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5690305-f967ba5d0c4a96e65830df064edbcb5c&start=1921&end=1921","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5690305-f967ba5d0c4a96e65830df064edbcb5c/thumbnail_1921000.jpg","/articles/6480214/Tulsa/Tulsa-County/Oklahoma/Tulsa-council-debates-ordinance-setting-18inch-clearance-from-roadways-sparking-equity-and-enforcement-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6480214-7624aa8c27676d2f1ab79d478a3ab68a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151006&Signature=ASbw94GddfrhqOaGCJgvFiG5qhYI7WH6JrgkX-wIgxSXwZML8jq9T6k7Feobfnh5qTrbnhwASBGrZ9ghWZVGX7ncsZ8vrYBhrKsMK4cdgXtU75HmnKTrkJ1~QX2bY1BSQ194h7gmMNLcoahAwqiuqvYHdVA6vUI~zmWwydrwF4CP9jAgJ9qpwvClHqlRE2Pnq3pSol4pHofHjA8coV~Va1i551kIyTeyj9L1bX6FCGG02Vw3i80uubj6SepQiYx9JB7kN~J7vQ~PaDwuJkLfJBHbueUMkVl5eURLyLla~46q9kfjdZMwoCUeu1KhuNkwPgT7dT9u2bL4AjL-GAlCRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Councilor Vanessa Lincoln introduced an ordinance to amend Tulsa Revised Ordinances Title 37 — the city's traffic code — to prohibit sitting, lying upon or standing within a minimum horizontal clearance (18 inches) of certain roadways and medians and to rename and reorganize related sections of Chapter 11 and Chapter 2. The item carried an emergency clause and was before the council for second reading; no vote was recorded in the meeting transcript.

Lincoln said the ordinance is “about public safety,” citing engineering guidance and federal practice in support of the 18‑inch measure. She told the council the provision was drawn from AASHTO standards and engineering practice and is intended for higher‑speed streets and medians where people have been seriously injured or killed.

The measure prompted extended debate on scope, enforcement and equity. Councilor Bellas said sidewalks are public rights of way and voiced concern that the sidewalk provision could criminalize ordinary pedestrian behavior, such as waiting for a ride or briefly standing while looking for a car. “I'm still having any trouble. ... When I look at sidewalks, they're meant to be public rights of way,” Bellas said.

Councilors raised three recurring concerns: whether the 18‑inch rule should apply to sidewalks as well as medians; how officers would use discretion in enforcement; and whether existing design shortfalls (narrow sidewalks, utility poles in walkways, missing sidewalks in some neighborhoods) would produce inequitable enforcement against people who lack safer options. Several councilors said they supported regulating medians but opposed applying the 18‑inch prohibition to sidewalks citywide.

Deputy Chief Wilmerhauser, referenced by council members in the discussion, told the council in a prior meeting that Tulsa Police Department would use the ordinance as a tool rather than an immediate citation generator: “they would use it as ... something to make them, you know, not to write the warning they can't be here,” council members reported he said.

Council members compared Tulsa's draft to other cities. Staff noted Houston and some other municipalities have ordinances that prohibit sitting or placing personal items in portions of the public way; penalties vary widely (examples cited in the presentation ranged from $50 to $500 in other jurisdictions). The draft before Tulsa kept the local fine at $150, unchanged from previous local citations, but several councilors asked staff to explore lowering the citation and to write clearer warning/affirmative‑defense language to avoid removing people from services pathways.

Council members requested clarifications and possible amendments including:
- Narrowing language so the rule applies to medians and roadway edges but not to pedestrian refuge islands or sidewalks that are designed and intended for pedestrian use;
- Adding explicit affirmative defenses for people delayed by injury, medical need or equipment failure; and
- Directing city legal staff to draft adjustments on sidewalk exclusions, definitions for \"pedestrian refuge island,\" and options for a graduated warning/enforcement regime and lower booked‑to‑court fines.

Several councilors said existing city engineering programs already separate sidewalks from roadways in many newer corridors, and staff said ongoing capital and routine maintenance programs will continue to address design gaps over multiple years. Council members who opposed applying the 18‑inch prohibition to sidewalks cited equity concerns, potential chilling effects on free assembly and speech, and the risk of increasing interactions between people experiencing homelessness and the criminal justice system.

No final amendment or vote was recorded in the transcript; councilors asked staff and city legal to return with draft revisions and with options for fines and affirmative defenses. The ordinance remained scheduled for final action later the same evening and councilors signaled follow‑up work would be necessary before a final ordinance was enacted.

Ending

Council members agreed to continue work with city legal and public safety staff on narrowly tailored language that would keep the safety focus on medians and roadway edges while addressing concerns about sidewalk application, enforcement discretion and fines.","Councilor Vanessa Lincoln introduced an ordinance to amend Tulsa Revised Ordinances Title 37 to ban sitting, lying or standing within 18 inches of certain roadways and medians; councilors debated applying the rule to sidewalks, potential fines and enforcement impacts on people experiencing homelessness.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council hears request to close portion of public way at Comanche Park for Tulsa Housing Authority redevelopment

Parks department outlines multiple capital projects: Woodward Park, animal shelter, zoo, Gilcrease and gateway signage among highlights

Public Works updates council on IoT 1–3 capital programs; sidewalk funding and design constraints raised

City to seek buyers for $107.7 million in general obligation bonds; sale set for Sept. 17

Tulsa council debates ordinance setting 18‑inch clearance from roadways, sparking equity and enforcement concerns