A series of town hall meetings over the city's $919.9 million capital improvements proposal neared its conclusion Tuesday as north Tulsans funneled to the microphone to plead for more projects in their area.
"All of these things are needed, but when I look on here and I don't see north Tulsa on here represented anywhere, I want to start crying," said Morgan Boyle, who spoke during an open-mic segment.
At least 90 people attended the meeting at the Rudisill Regional Library. It was the fourth of five public input meetings over the proposal to extend the city's third-penny and 0.167-cent sales taxes and issue general obligation bonds to fund mainly infrastructure projects.
About 30 people spoke during the open-mic segment, with most demanding more north Tulsa projects or supporting funding for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.
Although not denoted in project lists handed to attendees, north Tulsa's two City Council districts - 1 and 3 - would receive among the largest shares of the proposal's street repair funding, with 26 percent of $470 million.
The proposal also includes the cost of designing the widening of two major north Tulsa arterial streets, bridge replacements, Gilcrease Expressway matching funds and major improvements to north Tulsa's Lacy Park and Gilcrease Museum.
But several people who spoke at the meeting said the proposal should also fund repairs to three north Tulsa recreation centers that were closed and targeted for demolition after lying dormant for most of a decade.
The centers - at B.C. Franklin Park, 1818 E. Virgin St.; Springdale Park, 2223 E. Pine St.; and Ben Hill Park, 210 E. Latimer Place - are vital for neighborhood life, speakers said.
"There's not one dollar in this plan for my park," said Michelle McCane, who said Springdale Park has the same playground equipment she played on as a child 15 years ago. "I have to get in my car and drive across town to another community that Tulsa cared enough to improve."
The city's budget this year allocates $124,000 for both B.C. Franklin and Spring-dale parks as part of a plan by Councilor Jack Henderson to build up the funding necessary to repair their recreation centers.
City officials have estimated that at least $900,000 - but as much as $1.4 million - would be needed for each.
Regina Goodwin said north Tulsans have expressed their views about the recreation centers so often that they feel like showing up at meetings is pointless.
"Like Regina said, ... we've been having input on every package - Vision, Plani- Tulsa - and we're still ignored," Michael Reed said.
Several residents said the proposal should fund more sidewalks and public transportation, saying they desire a more walkable city that allows them to forgo the use of a car.
Sidewalk additions are planned for street rehabilitation projects that are part of the proposal, and $23.4 million would go to pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure for such improvements to existing sidewalks.
The plan also includes $29.75 million to replace buses and add a rapid bus transit line along Peoria Avenue.
Last meeting slated
Tuesday: 6 p.m., Carbondale Assembly of God, 2135 W. 51st St. (Council District 2)
Zack Stoycoff 918-581-8486
zack.stoycoff@tulsaworld.com
Original Print Headline: North Tulsans frustrated
