Plans Unveiled To Improve Tulsa's Market District Along Route 66

Changes are coming to Tulsa’s Market District on Route 66. People can expect to see some new traffic lights, trees, and more near 11th and Lewis. 

Burlinda Radney has lived in the Market District for 20 years and said it's time for some improvements.

"We have many, many people who move here deliberately to be able to be within walking distance of the hospital, or within a quick bus ride of getting downtown," said Radney.

She said getting better sidewalks is one thing lots of people want to see, including business owner Liz Huckleby. 

“My door is really close to the road actually, just a strip of sidewalk. So it’ll actually give a lot more walking space and just make it more esthetically pleasing It’ll be prettier to look at. Just nature it up a little bit," said Huckleby.

The funding is coming from the Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation and improvements will include planting 77 trees, adding Route 66 signs and new lighting.

Business owners hope customers will be patient during the construction. 

“I think the future will hold the ability to where you can spend a whole day on Route 66, you can park and shop and sip and eat and all that good stuff and it will be completely supporting local business which I think is great," said Lizette Corcoran, owner of Felizsta in The Shops at Mother Road Market.

Radney said she expects the additional traffic in her neighborhood to be worth it. 

“On the one hand, you know, traffic is important and we’ve got visitors that are going to be coming through because of the heightened awareness of Route 66. I think that’s just part of living in a city you take the good with the bad," said Radney. 

The project is expected to start this month and last about a year.