Press - Complete Our Streets Panel Issues Report

Complete Our Streets Panel Issues Report

The Complete Our Streets citizens’ panel met today with City Councilors and Mayor Kathy Taylor to present the panel’s report on the conditions of city streets and forward recommendations for funding improvements.

Mayor Taylor said her staff will now review the report and will seek citizen input on the issues and on funding options.

The Mayor and panel co-chairs met with city councilors at their regular Tuesday committee meetings at City Hall.  Panel co-chairs Sharon King Davis and Dewey Bartlett Jr. headed the panel named in September. 

Mayor Taylor thanked the panel representatives for their efforts and also thanked Council members for hosting a series of public meetings held in recent weeks to gather citizen input on streets.

“The citizens of Tulsa spoke,” said Mayor Taylor. “Their message was loud and clear: First things first, Mayor. Fix the streets, fix them right and make sure they are maintained.”

Despite the massive needs outlined in the report, the Mayor said, “I have to tell you I am not one bit discouraged. Instead, I am energized by the possibilities before us.”

 “We now have a roadmap; a solid plan and a smart approach to fixing the streets.”

Panel Co-Chairman Sharon King Davis said Tulsa streets have been deteriorating for decades. “This process made it clear that our streets didn’t get into this shape overnight. Years of inadequate funding have taken their toll,” she said.

Panel Co-Chairman Dewey Bartlett Jr. said appointing a citizens panel was the right approach.  “Tulsa has a long history of successful initiatives when private citizens get involved,” he said. “The Mayor brought citizens into this process because she knows it is the best way to solve a problem.

Mayor Taylor cautioned that there won’t be any easy solutions or quick fixes.

“The citizens have done a great job in giving us their views, but their job isn’t done,” the Mayor said. “I’m not letting them off the hook just yet. I’m going to continue to make this a public process as we work to find the best way to implement the plan we now have in hand.”

The report indicated that a variety of funding mechanisms will be needed to pay for necessary street improvements.

A bond issue dedicated to street improvements is one possible option, but the Mayor said more study and citizen input is needed before such a funding package can be proposed.

“I think that, working with the Council, we will have a game plan very soon,” said Mayor Taylor. “I refuse to sit on this report or let it gather dust on a shelf. We will act on these recommendations and we will act soon.