TULSA, Okla. — Mayor G.T. Bynum presented a $772 million package to the Tulsa City Council aimed at funding critical improvements to streets, facilities and create a new housing initiative.
This is the first time Bynum has released details about the renewed plan.
The mayor remarked that more than $1.6 billion in legitimate requests were filed, but the allocated money is all the city could provide in funds it already has available.
Next, officials will shape the plan with input from Tulsa city councilors and Tulsans through public town halls during April, then councilors will finalize the plan May 24 and it will be put up for a vote in the city election August 8.
“It is hard when you know that there are so many needs in our community," Mayor Bynum said.
"But what this proposal will do is allow us to address decades of deferred maintenance, get our public safety personnel the vehicles they need to respond to emergencies reliably, address the greatest challenge our city is facing, which is homelessness right now - do all of that without raising taxes.”
The proposal includes relocating police and fire department headquarters along with emergency management to a city public safety center, while demolishing the current police courts building.
“There's horrible water damage and leakage, and routine flooding," Mayor Bynum said.
"The pipes in that (Tulsa Police Department) building are leaching minerals into the water at a rate that when Chief Franklin turns on the tap in his office it looks like mud is coming out of the sink. And that building honestly is in a location that is much more prime for redevelopment because we have the Cox Convention Center right next door.”
Here's a look at the categories proposed:
Streets and Transportation: $279.8 million
- Key Funding For: Inflation adjustments, street and bridge replacement and rehabilitation projects, and street widening projects.
City Facilities: $249.4 million
- Key Funding For: Tulsa Performing Arts Center, Tulsa Parks, Public Safety Center, Tulsa Zoo, Citywide Facility Maintenance, Cox Convention Center, and more.
Capital Equipment: $152.8 million
- Key Funding For: Tulsa Fire Department fleet, other City vehicles and equipment, such as police cruisers and snowplows.
Housing & Neighborhoods: $90 million
- Key Funding For: Creation of $104.2 million Tulsa Housing Initiative and additional neighborhood investments.
WATCH Bynum's presentation here:
You can see the full plan here.
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere --
Download our free app for Apple, Android and Kindle devices.
