Community Meets Over Plans To Bulldoze Closed North Tulsa Rec Buildings

The city of Tulsa plans to knock down three buildings that once served as gathering places in North Tulsa. But not everyone agrees it's the right thing to do.

A community meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Monday at the Rudisill Library to discuss the recreation centers.

The buildings haven't been open to the public for 10 years, but were operated independently for community events and athletic leagues up until two years ago. They've been shuttered ever since.

The Ben Hill Recreation Center was named after a former state legislator. B.C. Franklin is a tribute to the father of the famed Tulsa civil rights leader John Hope Franklin. At Springdale rec center, staff have a legacy of feeding the hungry.

"I just can't imagine them wanting to tear these historical buildings down," said Jack Henderson, District 1 City Councilor.

City councilor Jack Henderson wants to see the facilities revitalized, but the city of Tulsa says it would cost too much money to bring the buildings up to code.

"The budget for the Parks Department has been cut every year. As they cut them, they targeted North Tulsa," Henderson said.

The city says it's actually cheaper to knock the buildings down and start over.

For example, Franklin Park will get a pavilion, a sports court and a splash pad for a cost of $470,000. By comparison, repairs to the pool alone would total $516,000.

Henderson's not convinced -- calling these old buildings pillars of their neighborhoods.

"When you got something to do, you stay out of trouble. When you take away activities that's going to keep you busy, you open the door," Henderson said.

Henderson worries if North Tulsa loses these buildings; the area also misses out on new opportunities. 

"For all practical purposes, once you take this rec center, it's gone. Anytime you tear down a building they're not going to say, 'Let's go build another rec center where we tore that other one down.' They're not going to do that," Henderson said.

The city says these changes are all part of the Parks Master Plan, the result of three years of planning. But Jack Henderson wants to continue the discussion with people in his district, so he's holding a meeting about this 6 p.m. Monday night at the Rudisill Library.

Rudisill is located at 1520 North Hartford Avenue.