Tulsa City Councilor Vanessa Hall-Harper wanted to change who’s in charge of implementing funding — and how it can be spent — for a plan to transform the Kirkpatrick Heights/Greenwood area.
On Wednesday night, with the support of the city council, she got her wish.
The goal of the master plan is to revitalize nearly 60 acres of publicly owned land in north Tulsa. Thanks to the Improve Our Tulsa 3 sales tax package, $5 million has been raised for the effort.
The new ordinance shifts control of the funding from the city’s leading economic development partner to the Tulsa Economic Development Corporation (TEDC), a financial organization supporting small businesses in the city. It also expands the geographic boundaries for where the money can be spent.
Up to this point, PartnerTulsa had been in charge of overseeing the revitalization. But leadership changes and concerns of transparency have dogged the process.
Hall-Harper’s documented criticism of PartnerTulsa took center stage as she said she was left out of decisions made by the nonprofit that involved her district. PartnerTulsa staff have signaled that’s not the case.
Ahead of Wednesday’s vote, Hall-Harper held an emergency meeting Tuesday to let residents know of her proposal.
She said a lot of comments during Wednesday’s meeting in opposition to the change were a “clear misunderstanding” and she “strongly believes in the voice of the people.” She told her constituents the move is in the best interest of the district.
“Nothing is being done that is out of the ordinary. And it is unfortunate that some organizations feel like they have to raise everyone’s blood pressure and make it seem like something negative is happening,” Hall-Harper said. .
District 8 Councilor Phil Lakin said while he understands residents’ concerns, he trusts Hall-Harper and TEDC will invest the $5 million properly.
“There is no reason for me to vote any other way,” Lakin said. “I do get comfort in the fact that we are working with a tried and true nonprofit organization. It will be capital-focused.”
District 2 Councilor Anthony Archie threw his support behind the ordinance, saying the council had in years prior only voted on funding for the project, not on oversight.
“We voted for the $5 million to go into the plan. We did not vote for who is managing or overseeing the funds,” Archie said. “That is no insult to the work of PartnerTulsa or (Greenwood Legacy Corp.), I think they should be at the table … But this is an opportunity for us to expand that partnership with someone who is trusted in the community.”
Greenwood Legacy Corp., (GLC) which introduced a new executive director in December, was charged with implementing the master plan. The corporation will still have a role in the master plan’s development after the council vote.
Not everyone at Wednesday’s meeting bought those arguments. Former city councilor Joe Williams said the new ordinance would cause more confusion and conflict in the community.
“Imagine if you talked to your constituents, you made a promise, you asked for their input, you said it mattered and you were going to listen,” Williams told councilors. “Then you came back to a council meeting and changed everything you told your constituents. Now you’re a liar.”
Before any changes can be made, the ordinance change will head to Mayor Monroe Nichols’ desk for consideration.
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