Blogging Tulsa Real Estate

The development of a mass transit system with light rail and Bus Rapid Transit (BRTs) will help Tulsa attract and retain young adults.

At the today's PLANiTULSA session at the BOk Center a majority of the tables who presented their findings emphasized the importance of a mass transit system for attracting and retaining young adults, much needed for the growth and success of Tulsa's growth economy and quality lifestyle.

Each table was given a giant map of Tulsa and four packets of stickers.  Each group could only open one packet of stickers to use on their map.

The four packets of sticker choices were:

1. Trend -- Do nothing.  Just move where we've been going.
2. Economic Growth -- Empower emerging key industries
3. Empower Neighborhoods -- Make sure neighborhoods grow and prosper to empower entrepreneurial vitality
4. Attract and Retain Young Adults -- Give young people what they want and they will move to Tulsa (or come back to Tulsa) and help drive our economy

There were two 17-year old girls at my table, Claire and Hannah.  Their input was both exciting and informative for the other five of us at our table.  It was a privilege to have participated with them and to hear their input.

There were several hundred people attending this session and most of the participants were "middle aged," much older than Claire and Hannah.  Actually there was a nice cross section among age groups.  Nevertheless, most groups who presented their "stickered-up maps" chose to empower neighborhoods or to attract and retain young adults.

A big theme that emerged in how to attract and retain young adults was that emphasis has to be placed on developing a light rail system or a BRT (bus rapid transit).  Mass transit emerged as being crucial to Tulsa's strategic planning.

The development of mass transit (light rail or BRT) with central hubs at both downtown Tulsa and at the intersection of I-44 and the Broken Arrow Expressway had many different permutations among the groups who presented.   Destinations included:  Claremore, Owasso, Broken Arrow, Jenks, Sand Springs, Brookside, North Tulsa, the Airport, and the Promenade Mall.  Most groups felt it was important to make use of existing rights-of-way along the Frisco line, the Union Pacific line, or the lines that no longer have tracks on them.

Along these mass transit routes participants developed a rich urban environment, including villages and high-density housing options mixed with light office and retail for entrepreneurial lifestyles. 

One group emphasized the importance of developing a strong artery along the full length of Peoria from 71st Street straight up through North Tulsa.  This would capture the heartbeat of Tulsa.  My table thought this plan was very equitable and would encourage growth throughout the city.

What did you hear at the PLANiTULSA session you attended?

http://TulsaRealEstateWeb.com

http://NortheastOklahomaRealEstate.com

http://BixbyOklahomaRealEstate.com

http://dsolano.homesandland.com

The goal of PLANiTULSA is to develop a comprehensive plan for growth so that Tulsa can attract young skilled workers during the upcoming labor crisis.  Tulsa will be in competition with other cities for educated skilled workers.

Tulsa's population is declining.

The City of Tulsa was first incorporated in 1898.  It grew substantially with the oil boom that was kicked off by the discovery of the Glen Pool in 1905.

Since then Tulsa has had its ups and down in population growth.

According to John Fregonese, who has been hired to help Tulsa develop a new comprehensive plan, Tulsa lost six percent of its residents in the years between 2000 and 2005. 

This period of flat or declining growth coincided with an increase in growth in the region.  While Tulsa had 62% of the MSA in 1970, it now only has 42% of the MSA.

According to Mr. Fregonese, who spoke at the BOk Center this afternoon, half of Tulsa's growth will be natural growth; the other half will come from people moving in from elsewhere, from within the U.S. and from foreign countries.

OK, so big deal, who cares?  We should care.  Here's why:

By the year 2010 the country will be experiencing a labor crisis with fewer people entering the labor force.  Cities will compete for workers.

So if Tulsa wants to attract more young people into its workforce, we will need to align our planning with the Emerging American Vision in which people want economic success, social equity, and environmental responsibility.  This translates into walkability and entertainment districts among other things.

What did you get out of today's PLANiTULSA session?

http://TulsaRealEstateWeb.com

http://NortheastOklahomaRealEstate.com

http://BixbyOklahomaRealEstate.com

http://dsolano.homesandland.com

If you missed last night's PLANiTULSA session at the Greenwood Cultural Center, then drop everything today and hurry on down to the BOk Center and attend this afternoon's session of PLANiTULSA.

This is your chance to put your two cents in!

No more whining!

Bring your ideas to the BOk Center today between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM.

Parking is free at the Parking Garage of the Old City Hall building at 200 Civic Center.  Enter from the west off of 6th Street.

Be there!  We want to hear from you now -- not later when it's too late to add more concrete to add width to the walkways in the nosebleed section (oops, that should be a comment in one of my previous blogs). 

I therefore repeat:  I don't hear whining!  So be there and be heard now!

http://TulsaRealEstateWeb.com

http://NortheastOklahomaRealEstate.com

http://BixbyOklahomaRealEstate.com

http://dsolano.homesandland.com