City Of Tulsa Looks For Public Input On Center Of The Universe Revitalization Project

The City of Tulsa wants to know what people would like to see for the new re-design of the Center of the Universe and the Boston Avenue Bridge in downtown.

They will out this evening asking people to fill out surveys about what they would like to see. Some people said they want to see more shade, more signs pointing out the area, and repairs to the bricks at the Center of the Universe.

Kathy and Art Pacione are visiting Tulsa from New Jersey and decided to stop by the Center of the Universe.

"I didn't know what to expect. It's kind of cool,” said Kathy. “The city itself is beautiful, and I did hear a mini echo!"

Over the past 40 years, the Center of the Universe has become a place for tourists and Tulsans to hang out. Hundreds of people walk by the area every day. Those in charge of revamping the area say it’s important to them to keep the tradition in place but to add new features as well.

"We've heard from hundreds of Tulsans who have told us about the Center of the Universe was a place that they had their first date, it's a place where they went and took pictures on their wedding day, there are so many memories,” said Brian Kurtz, the president of the Downtown Tulsa Partnership. “It's such an important place for people.”

Kurtz says one of the things people care the most about when it comes to upgrading the area, is making it more of a destination- a place to sit and talk and grab a bite to eat.

"We've heard from so many people that they want this to be an accessible public space that the history and the inquisitive nature, the mystery behind the audible anomaly, they want to keep that intact," said Kurtz.

People who pass by each day are excited to see something being done to improve this area.

"I'm really excited to hear about this,” said Bran Du. “I didn't even know this was happening, so just hearing about something happening here, I'm super excited."