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Sales Tax Overview Committee updates council on Turkey Mountain, Tulsa Zoo project and retail revitalization loan fund
Summary
The sales tax oversight committee reported progress on Turkey Mountain trails and parking, the Tulsa Zoo carnivores habitat fundraising and the Retail Revitalization Revolving Loan Fund, which has awarded $725,058 of $1.5 million to date.
The Tulsa Sales Tax Overview Committee (STOC) reported to the City Council on March 4 that multiple park and trail projects are advancing and that the city’s retail revitalization revolving loan fund has begun making loans to small businesses along priority corridors.
Kathy Siebert, presenting the monthly STOC report, said Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness is completing six miles of new trails to be called the Sanctuary Trails; the trails will not open to the public until the planned network is finished. Siebert also reported ongoing work on parking‑lot projects funded by vision funds and ARPA, and a River Parks Authority tunnel design under review for a safe crossing at 71st Street.
Siebert told councilors that Tulsa Zoo’s carnivores habitat project is moving forward: package one had been advertised and public bids were due Feb. 25. She said the zoo’s carnivores project has a current cost estimate of about $37 million, combining $8 million in sales-tax budgeted funds with $20.92 million in private funding secured so far; the zoo is pursuing additional fundraising and continuing cost‑control (value engineering).
Retail revitalization loan fund numbers
Michelle Barnett, senior vice president for economic and workforce development at Partner Tulsa, reported on the Retail Revitalization Revolving Loan Fund (RRRLF). The city set aside $1.5 million from Vision Tulsa for the fund, which provides low‑interest, short‑term loans targeted to properties along bus rapid transit routes and retail revitalization corridors. As of Dec. 1, 2024, the city had awarded $725,058 from the fund. Barnett said the average loan size was $103,580 and that 57 percent of awards were under $100,000; about 48 percent of the $1.5 million remained available at that date. Barnett said 2025 priorities include marketing the program so more businesses can access capital and seeking additional non‑city capitalization, including HUD funds.
Other STOC highlights
- Fred Johnson Park at 61st and Riverside: design work in progress, with an anticipated advertising date for construction this summer and completion targeted for fall 2026.
- Civic Center garage elevator modernization: a $1,350,000 elevator modernization contract has been accepted and is in progress, Siebert said, noting the existing units were beyond useful life.
- Woodward Park: a delayed groundbreaking was linked to locating a 90‑inch RCP (reinforced concrete pipe); a supplier in Dallas is fabricating a replacement and construction will begin when it arrives.
Why it matters: STOC oversees spending of voter‑approved sales tax funds. The committee’s updates show where the city’s sales tax revenues are being spent on parks, trails and small‑business assistance, and they flag remaining funding and fundraising needs for major projects.
Speakers during the STOC presentation included Kathy Siebert and Partner Tulsa staff Michelle Barnett and Jonah Tawas. The council asked a handful of clarifying questions and confirmed vacancies and upcoming mayoral appointees reported by STOC staff.
Provenance: STOC report and RRRLF statistics are part of the sales tax overview committee monthly status report in the council packet and were presented during the meeting’s authorities, boards and commissions section.
