Commissioners map land and partnerships for North Tulsa housing and economic development

Members of the commission’s land, community and economic development subgroup presented a working draft purpose statement and said they are mapping available parcels and contacting landowners and tribal liaisons to develop housing and economic opportunities in North Tulsa.

The subgroup described its mission as reclaiming land to create housing and economic opportunities for residents impacted by historic disinvestment. Commissioners said the immediate goals include identifying sites for transitional housing, establishing pathways to permanent affordable housing, and collaborating with community landowners and tribal liaisons.

Work described at the meeting included outreach to the city’s land-records staff and the county clerk to identify parcel owners, contacts with a title company to assist with abstracting and deeper title research, and efforts to engage a Cherokee cultural liaison and tribal representatives for coordination. Commissioners noted that Oklahoma is an "abstract state," which affects title work and the potential to research historic ownership and quiet-title issues.

The subgroup estimated more than 100 acres of undeveloped land in Outer North Tulsa were under consideration (figure discussed at the meeting and presented as an order-of-magnitude estimate rather than an exact inventory). Commissioners requested follow-up on whether the city or county holds subscriptions to mapping tools used for parcel research and suggested exploring pro bono assistance from title companies for deeper land-history work.

Commissioners said they will incorporate the subgroup’s working draft into the commission’s community meeting materials and solicit additional volunteers and stakeholders for the housing committee.