Downtown Tulsa Partnership Releases Annual Report, Announces New Public Safety Initiative

Downtown Tulsa Partnership FY24-25 Annual Report

Councilor Gilbert Attends Downtown Tulsa Partnership Annual Meeting

Councilor Karen Gilbert attended the Downtown Tulsa Partnership's (DTP) annual meeting, where they presented their Fiscal Year 2025 annual report. The report highlighted significant urban development projects and beautification efforts, and provided updates on ongoing initiatives for Downtown Tulsa.

URBAN DEVELOPMENT

The annual report for FY25 showed $16 million in public investments for Downtown Tulsa, including $3.5 million in economic development monies to fund Public Realm Action Plan (PRAP) projects.

These projects include:

• 5th Street Alley Activation

  • This project aims to transform an underutilized public space into a safe, walkable, and welcoming environment, complete with artistic lighting and public art, and is scheduled for completion in Spring 2025.

• Center of the Universe

  • The rehabilitation of the Boston Avenue Bridge and plaza aims to attract locals and visitors alike to one of Tulsa's unique attractions. The second half of the plaza rehabilitation is scheduled for completion in Fall 2026.

• Chapman Green

  • The $1.3 million improvement project will update and add lighting, landscaping, and neighborhood amenities to the 20-year-old two-acre park.

• Brush Arbor Grove Dog Park

  • Formerly known as Legacy Park, the site will become Tulsa's newest dog park and is scheduled to be completed in May 2026.

Next steps for DTP include the overhaul of Downtown's wayfinding signage and adding pedestrian-oriented signs, improving pedestrian safety at the Elgin at-grade and Detroit and Cincinnati overhead railroad crossings, and launching the Predevelopment Assistance Program to further support small-scale developers.

BEAUTIFICATION

In FY25, DTP initiated several public art projects that improved the greenery, lighting, safety, and cleanliness of Downtown Tulsa:

• Enclosed 20 trash cans in the Deco District with public art

• A $48,000 investment that led to the planting of 96 trees, removed 75 dead/damaged trees, and planted over 1,000 annual flowers and perennial vegetation

• Commenced a partnership with the City of Tulsa, with a $250,000 grant from the Department of Justice, for the Downtown Graffiti Removal Program

SAFER TOGETHER INITIATIVE

Downtown Tulsa Partnership also announced the new Safer Together Initiative, which aligns public safety priorities with resources in Downtown Tulsa.

Safer Together is a series of actions and priorities combining visible presence and response, social services outreach, and community engagement to address safety. It is a combined effort between Downtown Tulsa Partnership, the City of Tulsa, Tulsa Regional Chamber, and Housing Solutions that focuses on expanding resource and outreach efforts to promote public safety and mental health.

SAFER TOGETHER PRIORITIES AND ACTION STEPS:

Increase presence, visibility, and response of police and safety personnel

• Increase and maintain number and deployment of TPD officers and dedicated Downtown Unit

• Fund and deploy expanded DTP elevated "Community Safety Officer" program to increase impact and visibility

• Expand and maintain alternative response programs like ART-2 and COPES to provide critical crisis and non-police resources

Coordinate and collaborate between public and private safety groups

• Establish a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between TPD, DTP, and other first responders outlining standards of operations and collaboration

• Fund and hire a "Director of Safety Initiatives" role to coordinate DTP's on-the-ground work with first responders, private building security personnel, and service providers

• Explore feasibility of and fund a shared Downtown Public Safety Center for increased coordination among first responders

Update and inform stakeholders and public with data-driven information

• Regularly share resources and tools with up-to-date information for businesses, residents, and consumers

• Publish monthly data dashboards highlighting Downtown incident trends

• Execute a collaborative communications campaign with coalition partners

Advocate for policy reform and funding appropriations that increase housing and mental health resources and reduce crime

• Expand resources for individual rehousing plans to decrease rates of unsheltered homelessness

• Increase shelter capacity for low-barrier, daytime, and emergency needs

• Increase access to mental health and substance-related support services

• Support improved re-entry planning to properly exit individuals from jails, hospitals, and treatment centers

Achieve a clean and active public environment

• Target enforcement and cleaning hot spots with TPD and City departments

• Improve public realm conditions through Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) interventions

• Address public-facing graffiti and prosecute repeat offenders

• Increase placemaking initiatives to promote welcoming public spaces

The Safer Together coalition includes municipal government, law enforcement, first responders, social services outreach teams, businesses, and philanthropies.

More information can be found at www.downtowntulsa.com.