Tulsa citizens ideas take center stage at city planning meeting

Monday, October 28th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

People who've always wanted to have some say in how the city does its planning, are in luck - News on 6 Anchor Scott Thompson files this preview of a unique approach to city planning in Tulsa:

Some Tulsans are tossing around some ideas about the future of our city. They're not politicians, just ordinary citizens with some big ideas on how to make Tulsa a better place to live.

Rachel Zebrowski, Architect: "When you're in Downtown Tulsa in any one of the high rise buildings you're looking down at this wasteland of rooftops that could be much more interesting than they are now."

With the help of her six-member architectural firm, Rachel Zebrowski came up with a plan. She'd like to turn these bland rooftops into a brilliant artistic statement. And she thinks such a demonstration could catapult Tulsa on to the national stage.

Rachel Zebrowski, Architect: "If artists were able to come on board and do almost a competition where you were looking at several different options and that collection of art itself gained attention for Tulsa."

That's just the kind of talk members of Tulsa Now are hoping to generate with what they're calling "The battle of the Plans".

It's a forum in which ten ordinary citizens will talk about their ideas for the city.

Rex Brown, Tulsa Now: "Everything from architects urban planners to just plain old folks talking about their ideas for what will make tulsa a better place to live."

And not just Tulsa's downtown - the battle of the plans will tackle the Arkansas river, Route 66; even Mohawk Park.

Rex Brown: "A lot of people have great ideas and a very select few have gotten to share them with anyone and we think this is a good start."

Rachel Zebrowski: "In Tulsa we really are unique special and part of a different kind of society and we donâ€™t talk about it much and I think acknowledging that and having fun with it is a tremendous idea."