City Unveils Arena District Master Plan

1/8/2019

Nine-month planning process concludes with public reception

After nine-months of community input, the Arena District Master Plan is complete and was officially unveiled today by city leaders and stakeholders.

The Arena District Master Plan will help set the future vision for the District, which is comprised of the area on the western edge of the central business district, including the BOK Center, Cox Business Center, civic institutions and Central Library.

Beginning in February of 2018, the Arena District Master Plan effort launched to help develop improvements to the District’s public realm. Led by a team of City Staff, members of the Tulsa community, and nationally-recognized consultants, the master planning process assessed the current state of the District, evaluated the potential of public infrastructure investments, identified opportunities for private development, and provided a phased roadmap for future decisions.

For Mayor G.T. Bynum, this plan provides the types of catalytic projects that will propel Tulsa into the next era of growth and vibrancy.

“Completing the Arena District Master Plan is an integral step in setting the future direction of Downtown Tulsa,” Bynum said. “I want to thank the many stakeholders who participated in this process that will help guide the City’s public investments in the district and allow our team to begin developing key economic development tools to promote private development.”

Tulsa County Commissioner and Downtown Coordinating Council Chair Karen Keith said this plan is the blueprint to revitalizing one of Downtown Tulsa’s most visible districts.

“This area should reflect the work and investment that has established world-class destinations like the BOK Center, the City County Library, and the Cox Business Center. Establishing and implementing this vision for the Arena District is a priority for the Downtown Coordinating Council and one that will require support and collaboration from all sectors to bring it to fruition,” Keith said.

Recommended in the plan are three signature public-private projects, including the Page Belcher Federal Building block, the Tulsa Municipal Courts block, and the Denver Avenue Transit Center block. Additionally, the plan prioritizes catalytic park spaces and street enhancement projects, including added green spaces around the BOK Center and Cox Business Center, creation of a new park on Civic Center Plaza and renovations to the Plaza of the Americas.

Projects support the overall strategy to transform the district from civic use to a world class 18-hour neighborhood and destination, which is a vision BOK Center General Manager Casey Sparks supports.

“BOK Center is a perfect example of what this type of vision combined with public and private support can accomplish,” Sparks said. “I don’t think anyone can argue that BOK Center has surpassed expectations and is one of the leading catalyst for downtown economic development.  It’s time to continue the momentum and take this area to the next level.”

A public reception will also be held this evening, Jan. 8 from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Central Library, Pocahontas Room to present the plan to residents and stakeholders.

The plan will be reviewed at the Tulsa City Council’s Urban and Economic Development Committee on Jan. 9 at 10:30 a.m. followed by a vote of the Council on Jan. 16 for full adoption.

PLAN ACCESS
Download the complete Arena District Master Plan online here. 

VISUALS
Download high resolution renderings from the Arena District Master Plan here.