Unity-Heritage Neighborhoods Plan

Adopted in 2016, the Unity Heritage Neighborhoods Plan identified eight goals and 58 implementation measures (including sub-measures). As of July 1, 2021, about 45% of those implementation measures are complete or ongoing, and another 40% are in progress.

Documents

View Plan
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2021 Report

2020 Report
2019 Report

 

Implementation Status

RefImplementation MeasureStatus
Goal 1: Enhance the desirability of all neighborhoods in the planning area.
1.1Encourage local leadership and active participation in neighborhood associationsOngoing
1.2Establish a tree planting program that would allow residents to request trees to be installed in the public parkway, or provide bulk-rate trees to residents who wish to plant them on their private property.In Progress
1.3Develop a residential Curb Appeal Manual to educate homeowners on basic, low-cost projects that can be done to improve neighborhood character. Complete
1.4Establish zoning and tax incentives to encourage the development of quality assisted living and senior housing.Ongoing
1.5Establish a residential tax abatement program for new development or rehabilitation projects that result in lower lot vacancy, increased home ownership, and higher local property values. Not Initiated
1.6Use incentives to require specific multi-family design characteristics that would enhance neighborhood character and integrate development with its context.In Progress
1.7Install streetlights throughout the community.In Progress
1.8Advocate for and work with the Tulsa Police Department to restore a community policing approach that engages residents through schools, churches, not-for-profits, neighborhood associations and other established networks. Ongoing
1.9Expand the number of, and awareness of, opportunities for youth to be active in the community through recreation, athletics, arts and culture, volunteerism, and civic engagement. Ongoing
1.1Work with the Oklahoma DOT to install substantial landscape buffers against the Gilcrease Expressway, Tisdale Parkway, and Cherokee Expressway (Highway 75).In Progress
Goal 2: Preserve and stabilize the area's healthy neighborhoods.
2.1Work with local designers, contractors, schools, and material suppliers to provide basic volunteer maintenance for elderly and disabled residents.Ongoing
2.2On residential lots with alley access in the Brady Heights Historic District, support homeowners in modifying garage access so that it is provided from the alley and curb cuts from the public street can be removed.Ongoing
Goal 3: Transform and revitalize neighborhoods most impacted by vacancy or poor maintenance.
3.1Strictly enforce maintenance and safety regulations, and encourage participation in the CityÕs Homeowner Rehabilitation Loan Program.Ongoing
3.2Utilize the Tulsa Development Authority to acquire vacant, dilapidated or tax delinquent properties, assemble larger project sites, and transfer properties to preapproved developers. Ongoing
3.3Utilize special zoning overlays to allow for higher density residential development around transit services, parks, commercial areas, and other amenities and destinations. Ongoing
3.4Support the removal of vacant and dilapidated structures.Ongoing
3.5Establish a Òvacant neighborhoodÓ program that would allow for the acquisition of undeveloped lots by individuals for an expansion of their lot, or by neighborhood organizations for the development of local open spaces and amenities. Not Initiated
3.6Utilize special zoning overlays to allow for innovative and sustainable uses - such as urban agriculture or stormwater management - as primary uses on blocks with large areas of vacancy.Ongoing
3.7Consolidate and resubdivide the lots on predominantly vacant blocks to allow for larger housing models that reflect contemporary housing demand.Ongoing
3.8As lot consolidation and resubdivison occurs, reconfigure public right-of-way to eliminate lots with awkward access or double frontage. Obsolete
3.9Assemble vacant lots and develop neighborhood parks in areas under served by existing open spaces and access to recreation.Obsolete
Goal 4: Capitalize on OSU-Tulsa, Langston University-Tulsa, and proximity to Downtown to spur redevelopment of the southern edge of the Unity Heritage area.
4.1Work with OSU-Tulsa, Langston University-Tulsa, and other existing partners to encourage participation in local job training programs and on-campus employment for local residents. Ongoing
4.2Coordinate closely with the University Center at Tulsa to establish long-term land needs, anticipated access, and development standards to allow for the healthy expansion of their existing local campus.In Progress
4.3Develop a comprehensive, long-term, mixed-use vision for the remainder of the southern redevelopment area. In Progress
4.3.aModified street network that creates more feasible development sites, maintains access to downtown, supports pedestrian and bicycle mobility, and eliminates unsafe intersections.In Progress
4.3.bIntegrated open spaces that are accessible to many potential users, serve as a transition between land uses, and provide a unifying element through larger sites. In Progress
4.3.cTransitions to surrounding neighborhoods through the reduction in scale of non-residential development, buffers along rear property lines, and moderate density housing that reflects local residential character.Ongoing
4.3.dCommunity-based amenities that enhance educations, recreational, or cultural services for nearby residents. In Progress
4.3.eUnique urban design elements that take advantage of opportunities for local murals or sculptures, provide interesting gateways into the community, establish focal points for local identity, and complement attractive building and site design. In Progress
4.4Improve underpasses at Main Street, Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Detroit Avenue, and Greenwood Avenue as priority connections to Downtown Tulsa through enhanced signage, lighting, and urban design.In Progress
4.5Work with the Oklahoma DOT to improve the aesthetic character of the I-244 embankment through decorative landscaping and retaining walls.In Progress
Goal 5: Build on the presence of industry and employment to add additional jobs and employ local residents.
5.1Market existing small business incubator spaces, and develop new ones as needed, as part of the Lansing Business Park in order to support local innovation and entrepreneurship in the Unity Heritage area. Ongoing
5.2Support collaboration among Tulsa Public Schools and local employers to establish employment, internship, and mentorship opportunities for high school students in the planning area. Ongoing
5.3Work with Tulsa Public Schools, neighborhood advocates, and not-for-profits to establish a Young Leaders Development Program for students who attend Tulsa Public middle and high schools in the planning area. Ongoing
5.4Work with local employers, Tulsa Tech, Workforce Oklahoma, OSU-Tulsa, and Langston University Tulsa to design continuing education and adult curricula specifically designed to link local residents to employment in local industries. Ongoing
5.5Seek funding to engage professional assistance to develop a branding program for the Lansing Business Park as the ÒNorth Tulsa Business ParkÓ to call attention to positive growth and investment happening in the community.Not Initiated
5.6Establish a position for a full-time economic development professional to assist with small business development and recruitment to the OSU-Tulsa redevelopment area, Lansing Business Park, and commercial corridors throughout the Unity Heritage area. Complete
Goal 6: Celebrate the areaÕs history and strengthen its character.
6.1Work closely with the Greenwood Cultural Center, OSU-Tulsa, Langston University Tulsa, John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation, YMCA, the North Tulsa Economic Development Initiative, local employers, religious institutions, and others to undertake a comprehensive marketing campaign for the area that highlights the communityÕs important history and new investment in neighborhoods, commerce, culture, and industry.In Progress
6.2Expand the presence of historical markers and images in and around the Greenwood District that describe important sites, events, and legacies of Black Wall Street.In Progress
6.3Integrate into new development locally-themed murals, sculptures, and open spaces that convey the cultural importance of local residents and events.In Progress
6.4Install decorative streetscaping and wayfinding on Greenwood Avenue, Denver Avenue, Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard, Greenwood Avenue, Peoria Avenue, John Hope Franklin Boulevard, Pine Street, and Apache Street, prioritizing important nodes centered around commercial, civic, or cultural amenities. In Progress
6.5Support collaboration among local schools, churches, and not-for-profits to teach neighborhood history and support intergenerational programs. In Progress
6.6Install informational signs and community gateways at interstate exit ramps and along primary arterials as they enter the Unity Heritage area.In Progress
Goal 7: Enhance local commerce and access to important goods and services.
7.1Relocate secondary commercial, auto service, and light industrial uses away from local commercial retail nodes.Ongoing
7.2Provide small business support through education, training, and tax incentives.Ongoing
7.3Where vacant residential lots abut commercial uses, encourage the conversion of these lots for use as commercial parking that would support commercial redevelopment and provide the opportunity for screening from adjacent residents. Ongoing
7.4Provide municipal incentives for healthy food stores, pharmacies, medical services, and other uses that enhance access to critical goods and services. In Progress
7.5Proactively market opportunities for low-cost small business loans offered through the Tulsa Economic Development Commission and other local agencies or institutions.Ongoing
7.6Work with local retailers to establish and market a Òbuy localÓ customer discount program.Not Initiated
7.7Support collaboration among the Tulsa Regional Chamber of Commerce, Greenwood Chamber, and other business development advocates to market commercial development opportunities in the area. In Progress
Goal 8: Expand multi-modal transportation options throughout the Unity Heritage Neighborhoods area.
8.1Utilize the existing street network (including Main Street, Marshall Street, Virgin Street, and Hartford Avenue) to establish a comprehensive network of on-street bike lanes. In Progress
8.2Install dedicated bike infrastructure along key arterials and collectors, including the north side of Pine Street, the east side of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard between Virgin and Apache, and on the east side of Hartford along Crawford Park. Not Initiated
8.3Work with ODOT to enhance pedestrian crossings at busy roadways through repainted crosswalks, pedestrian refuge areas, pedestrian signals, and modified vehicular signal timing.In Progress
8.4Establish a dedicated trail connection between Crawford Park and Lacy Park along Young Street and a portion of the existing Osage Prairie Trail.Not initiated
8.5Continue to install sidewalks on neighborhood blocks that currently lack them, including the area bound by Marshall Street, Elgin Avenue, King Street, and the Osage Prairie Trail, and generally in neighborhoods north of Pine Street. Not Initiated
8.6Work with Tulsa Transit to enhance bus transit stops through shelter installations, new signage and scheduling information, and pedestrian-connections to public sidewalks and nearby land uses. In Progress
8.7Work with Tulsa Transit to assess new transit routes in order to enhance connectivity to major commercial, employment, recreation, or cultural destinations. Complete
8.8Coordinate closely with Tulsa Transit as it plans for Bus Rapid Transit along Peoria Avenue.Complete