Tulsans Weigh In On Vision Plan Draft List

We are three months away from a possible vote on a Vision 2025 package; Monday night, the public had a chance to see the draft proposal and ask questions on how the money from the sales tax extension will be spent.

More than 700 people showed up to the Greenwood Cultural, with dozens having to wait outside due to the fire code.

It’s a topic that a lot of people wanted to hear about; after all, if people vote to extend the .6 percent sales tax, it could generate close to $800 million over 15 years.

A diverse crowd attended Monday’s first public discussion on the draft proposal city leaders came up with last month.

1/11/2016 Related Story: Tulsa Councilors Get Heated During Vision Renewal Meeting

Tulsa City Councilor, Jack Henderson, said, “A lot of work has been put into this, and time, and a lot of people's talent. We've taken this everywhere we could to make sure we came up with a good package for the city of Tulsa.”

Councilors earmarked more than $300 million for public safety operations and equipment. The next largest chunk would go to river infrastructure.

Henderson said, “The river is the one thing that is going to put Tulsa on the map, better than what it already is.”

The remaining would focus on other economic development projects - with more than $60 million going to expanding the Gilcrease Museum.

“There's no question, for every dollar spent on a museum, that $7 will go back into the city. And I am so proud of the councilors who had the vision to support this thing,” said museum supporter, Sally Tucker.

But not everyone was happy

“I can tell you all that in the late 70s and 80s, north Tulsa looked better then, than 2016,” one man said. “It is a shame we are talking one Tulsa, but north and west Tulsa look like third world countries.”

There are several north Tulsa projects in the draft, but Henderson said they could only include so much. He is now asking voters to look back at what the original vision package included and the impact they made.

And, come April, it will most likely be time for round two for voters.

Vision plan supporter, Daniel Regan said, “To me, it is an exciting time. We are taking our future and deciding what we want it to be and investing is where it all starts.”

There are two more public meetings scheduled: The first is Tuesday at Kirk of the Hills at 4102 East 61st Street then Wednesday at Tulsa Community College, Southeast Campus, at 10300 East 81st Street - both start at 6 p.m.

The meetings are a chance for the public to voice opinions and ask questions before the council votes on the final draft, which is expected Thursday.

You can learn more about the draft here.