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
View Map
2021 Report
2020 Report
2019 Report
Implementation Status
| Ref | Implementation Measure | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Goal 1: Enhance the desirability of all neighborhoods in the planning area. | ||
| 1.1 | Encourage local leadership and active participation in neighborhood associations | Ongoing |
| 1.2 | Establish 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 |
| 1.3 | Develop a residential Curb Appeal Manual to educate homeowners on basic, low-cost projects that can be done to improve neighborhood character. | Complete |
| 1.4 | Establish zoning and tax incentives to encourage the development of quality assisted living and senior housing. | Ongoing |
| 1.5 | Establish 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 |
| 1.6 | Use incentives to require specific multi-family design characteristics that would enhance neighborhood character and integrate development with its context. | In Progress |
| 1.7 | Install streetlights throughout the community. | In Progress |
| 1.8 | Advocate 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 |
| 1.9 | Expand 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 |
| 1.1 | Work 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. | ||
| 2.1 | Work with local designers, contractors, schools, and material suppliers to provide basic volunteer maintenance for elderly and disabled residents. | Ongoing |
| 2.2 | On 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. | ||
| 3.1 | Strictly enforce maintenance and safety regulations, and encourage participation in the CityÕs Homeowner Rehabilitation Loan Program. | Ongoing |
| 3.2 | Utilize the Tulsa Development Authority to acquire vacant, dilapidated or tax delinquent properties, assemble larger project sites, and transfer properties to preapproved developers. | Ongoing |
| 3.3 | Utilize special zoning overlays to allow for higher density residential development around transit services, parks, commercial areas, and other amenities and destinations. | Ongoing |
| 3.4 | Support the removal of vacant and dilapidated structures. | Ongoing |
| 3.5 | Establish 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 |
| 3.6 | Utilize 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 |
| 3.7 | Consolidate and resubdivide the lots on predominantly vacant blocks to allow for larger housing models that reflect contemporary housing demand. | Ongoing |
| 3.8 | As lot consolidation and resubdivison occurs, reconfigure public right-of-way to eliminate lots with awkward access or double frontage. | Obsolete |
| 3.9 | Assemble 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. | ||
| 4.1 | Work 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 |
| 4.2 | Coordinate 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 |
| 4.3 | Develop a comprehensive, long-term, mixed-use vision for the remainder of the southern redevelopment area. | In Progress |
| 4.3.a | Modified 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.b | Integrated 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.c | Transitions 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.d | Community-based amenities that enhance educations, recreational, or cultural services for nearby residents. | In Progress |
| 4.3.e | Unique 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 |
| 4.4 | Improve 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 |
| 4.5 | Work 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. | ||
| 5.1 | Market 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 |
| 5.2 | Support collaboration among Tulsa Public Schools and local employers to establish employment, internship, and mentorship opportunities for high school students in the planning area. | Ongoing |
| 5.3 | Work 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 |
| 5.4 | Work 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 |
| 5.5 | Seek 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 |
| 5.6 | Establish 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. | ||
| 6.1 | Work 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 |
| 6.2 | Expand 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 |
| 6.3 | Integrate into new development locally-themed murals, sculptures, and open spaces that convey the cultural importance of local residents and events. | In Progress |
| 6.4 | Install 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 |
| 6.5 | Support collaboration among local schools, churches, and not-for-profits to teach neighborhood history and support intergenerational programs. | In Progress |
| 6.6 | Install 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. | ||
| 7.1 | Relocate secondary commercial, auto service, and light industrial uses away from local commercial retail nodes. | Ongoing |
| 7.2 | Provide small business support through education, training, and tax incentives. | Ongoing |
| 7.3 | Where 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 |
| 7.4 | Provide municipal incentives for healthy food stores, pharmacies, medical services, and other uses that enhance access to critical goods and services. | In Progress |
| 7.5 | Proactively market opportunities for low-cost small business loans offered through the Tulsa Economic Development Commission and other local agencies or institutions. | Ongoing |
| 7.6 | Work with local retailers to establish and market a Òbuy localÓ customer discount program. | Not Initiated |
| 7.7 | Support 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. | ||
| 8.1 | Utilize 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 |
| 8.2 | Install 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 |
| 8.3 | Work with ODOT to enhance pedestrian crossings at busy roadways through repainted crosswalks, pedestrian refuge areas, pedestrian signals, and modified vehicular signal timing. | In Progress |
| 8.4 | Establish a dedicated trail connection between Crawford Park and Lacy Park along Young Street and a portion of the existing Osage Prairie Trail. | Not initiated |
| 8.5 | Continue 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 |
| 8.6 | Work 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 |
| 8.7 | Work with Tulsa Transit to assess new transit routes in order to enhance connectivity to major commercial, employment, recreation, or cultural destinations. | Complete |
| 8.8 | Coordinate closely with Tulsa Transit as it plans for Bus Rapid Transit along Peoria Avenue. | Complete |