Norton continued with the value of the investment we have in downtown Tulsa with the streets and expressways which link the city and the tax base it provides to fund for city and school functions.
The important factor for Tulsa to draw business is to bring residents back to the area. The Mayo Residences, First Street Lofts, Tribune Lofts and many other residential developments are attracting those resident back to downtown.
Safety and parking are the other issues Norton addressed explaining that the Tulsa Police Department will tell anyone that downtown Tulsa is the safest residential area in town but the perception, which is reality to the general public, is that downtown is not safe. To improve this perception, a police bike patrol and foot patrol are soon to be implemented to change the perception of the safety of downtown.
The master plan of downtown's 900 acres remains complicated for the simple fact that downtown is owned by many different property owners unlike a new development which is under the control of one person or entity. The City's plan must concentrate on the five areas which it does control. Those projects include streets, sidewalks, parking, green space,
The future of downtown may include potential retail developments by one of two different developers are brewing for the East side of downtown and some conjecture that Wal-Mart may consider a location for downtown. Other future changes proposed are removing one-way street restrictions and a comprehensive directional system (called way-finding system) to make the area more friendly for visitors.
Norton's final encouragement was for involvement in influencing legislators and city officials to coordinate and implement downtown development projects
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