North Peoria Avenue widening project could be big boost for area

Tuesday, September 12th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

A Tulsa road-widening project is expected to do more than just clear up traffic. Tulsa city officials have approved expansion of North Peoria Avenue from Pine Street to Mohawk Boulevard. The $6.6 million project was made possible by a 1996 third penny sales tax. The stretch of road is slated for a major face-lift, widening the road from two lanes to five with raised medians and turn lanes.

People who live in north Tulsa are excited about the road construction slated for the area. It could mean a big financial boost for their community. "It'll be good,â€ said resident Alfred Robinson. â€œThere's no major grocery stores or drug stores out this way. People won't have to travel so far to get things they need."

City officials are hoping the North Peoria expansion will do for the area what the intersection at North Cincinnati Avenue and Pine Street did for businesses. "There was nothing here,â€ Robinson said. â€œJust a Laundromat and a club. The rest of the land was just a wide open space." Some businesses in the North Pointe Shopping Center say moving to the location helped their business to grow. Residents hope the new project will do the same. "If it stays,â€ said resident Mary Davis. â€œWe need shopping in this area. There's nothing around here.â€

If you have questions or concerns about the widening of North Peoria Avenue, city officials and representatives from the construction project will be available at a special meeting tonight at 7:00 at Booker T. Washington High School located at 1631 E Woodrow Place in Tulsa.