Tulsa, OK -
Parts of the new Vision 2 plan to improve Tulsa may seem like some of the old one, Vision 2025.
Voters approved the original plan back in 2002. The county reports 32 of the 22 projects in the $575,000,000 project. Surrounding cities like Collinsville, Bixby, Broken Arrow, Glenpool, Jenks, Owasso, Sperry, Sand Springs and Skiatook received at least $11 million combined for improvements that are completed.
Route 66 projects are still under construction and so are others around downtown Tulsa.Tulsa's pet projects are all around you, like the Jazz Depo, Expo Square, and renovated convention center, but one of its shining examples, the BOK Center was constructed in 2008. "Downtown Tulsa has completely transformed in the last 10 years. The BOK Center was the match that lit that fire," Councilor G. T. Bynum told reporters Wednesday. Bynum and Mayor Dewey Bartlett called on Tulsans to continue to carry the torch further with Vision 2.
The Arkansas River is at the top of their wish list. "I've suggested and certainly others have supported focusing on the river," said Bartlett. Bynum told Tulsa's Channel 8,"putting water in that river is the single most transformative thing we can do."
A master plan for the river is also part of the original vision. The county's latest progress report released in June says it still is, along with improvements to Zink Lake, which is another Bynum favorite. A few reasons why some oppose the new plan. "They need to cut their budget. They need to reduce their spending. They need to find out where there's waste, and they need to make it happen that way," said Ronda Vuillemont-Smith, a conservative who posses the project.
Vision 2 is on the November ballot. Part of it will pay for $158-million worth of city improvements. No matter what leaders want, they say you will ultimately drive changes. "We're asking them to please don't hold back. Let us know," said Mayor Bartlett at Wednesday's news conference.
Five town halls are planned for Vision 2 input. Check with the city for more information.
