Tulsa Taking Fresh Look At How Businesses Use Sidewalks

The City of Tulsa says what's been called a 'moratorium' on allowing businesses to use on sidewalks is really just a fresh look at the rules.

The City notes there are places where restaurants are nearly blocking sidewalks, and where valet parking is actually taking up public parking spots.

At other buildings, wheelchair ramps were afterthoughts and built outside the door.

8/9/2016 Related Story: City Presses Pause On Downtown Businesses Outdoor Seating Requests

Paul Zachary with the City of Tulsa said, “The things that are being put out in the public right of way, we believe are things that should have been incorporated on the private property, within the building footprint, instead of pushing everything out there and adversely affecting the functioning of the public right of way.”

The city plans to update the rules, but doesn't expect any delay in new agreements if public access isn't restricted.