Midtown Neighbors Running Into Problems As Gathering Place Construction Continues

A few midtown neighborhoods that back up to Tulsa's Gathering Place are getting a new storm water system. But some say the on-going projects are also causing a lot of problems.

The Gathering Place is being built near 30th and Boston, and the neighbors who live nearby know, eventually, all of the inconveniences will be worth it. But, for now, they are having to look at construction equipment and are dealing with broken pathways to their homes and uneven cement in their driveways.

“It's kind of like an alarm clock every morning," said neighbor Cody McCoy. "It's been interesting, never a dull moment with construction in front and back."

Along with the Gathering Place construction, a new storm water system is being installed. A 14-inch water line is the latest addition.

It raised some cement driveways a few inches, making them uneven, angering McCoy's neighbors.

"I know they are getting fed up with it. I don't blame them," he said.

His driveway wasn't damaged this time, but before the new street was poured, he came home to find a huge hole.

"My mom's car bumper got ripped off when she was backing up because they left about a foot gap there," McCoy said.

A new drive has been poured, but the slope is steeper, so vehicles bottom out almost every time.

McCoy said he is trying to stay positive.

"Looking at the big picture, I know it's going to be a beautiful thing in the end," he said.

The City said all the uneven driveways on the street will be re-poured - they just aren't sure when that will happen yet.