|
Listen to this article here
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
GREENWOOD Dist.–The master plan to redevelop 56 acres of land in the Kirkpatrick Heights and Greenwood areas of North Tulsa has reached another milestone in its implementation phase.
The land is owned by the City of Tulsa and Tulsa Development Authority (TDA). In 2021, the City of Tulsa held a community meeting at the Greenwood Cultural center to get input from community stake holders for the master plan development.
There have been several dozen meetings held since the initial community meeting to continue the Kirkpatrick Heights Greenwood Master plan.
To view the full master plan, click here.
A Plan for Success
According to the master plan, the vision of the development aspires to maintain the legacy of Greenwood while creating a vibrant environment for current residents of the community, descendants and their heirs. There are five elements that will help achieve the goal:
- Rebuild – provide mixed-use destinations that are affordable and welcoming.
- Move– the allowance of residents and visitors to move between and through walkable nodes with increased ease of mobility.
- Connect – connect residents to the land, to each other, and to the entrepreneurial spirit and legacy of Greenwood through new enterprise and local ownership.
- Innovate – development through technology, connection to place and people, and support of local business.
- Honor – uphold the legacy of Greenwood and Black Wall Street as it was, through sharing and learning from the past to support the generations of today and inspire the generations of tomorrow.
The master plan also intends to address the challenges of lack of housing options, physically divided community and little mobility options, history of disinvestment and displacement, limited opportunity for community input on development, and the rapid growth of the city.
Funding
The project is estimated to cost about $14-22 million dollars, according to a press release. The city acquired an additional $5 million dollars from voter- approved funding. The City of Tulsa and its partners are seeking several avenues to obtain full funding for the project.
PartnerTulsa serves the economic development portion of the city, also receiving funding to go towards the master plan development.
Working Together for the Greater Good
Ashley Philipsen, Co-chair of the Kirkpatrick Heights Greenwood Master plan, spoke to the Black Wall Street Times about the effort it has taken to see the project go from idea to fruition. She said the community has played a key role in the years of development, and she would like residents to view the plan.
“I would encourage residents to review it because this has been a year’s long process, where community members, not just adults, but students, young people, elders have all poured into this vision.” Philippsen told the Black Wall Street Times.
Philipsen mentioned the 56-acre redevelopment has potential to be a national model for community/government collaboration, instead of dictation.
“From my vantage point as an engaged resident, and engaged co-chair, I’m excited for this to serve as a national model for doing things with, not to or for communities,” she added. “This is born from community, and will reflect our wants, needs and dreams.”
The Kirkpatrick Heights Greenwood Master Plan is now in its final stage of implementation. Updates can be found at: https://partnertulsa.org/building-wealth-for-our-community/community-revitalization-projects/kirkpatrick-heights-greenwood-site-master-plan/.