Downtown

By Laura Dennis

The efforts made to revitalize downtown Tulsa continue to impact downtown life in a big way. The IDL, responsible for carrying an estimated 62,000-plus vehicles each day through and around the downtown Tulsa area, is seeing incremental changes on and along its path. You might be tired of the constant construction and rerouting, but these inconveniences are not without purpose and a greater vision.

Community leaders and organizers have tediously planned and thought out the reconstruction and redevelopment of downtown, with efforts to preserve its architectural history and maintain the intention that downtown Tulsa is “where culture and commerce intersect and create an environment where creativity and innovation flourish.”

In 2022, completed projects — like Davenport Lofts, The View Apartments, USA BMX Headquarters and Hall of Fame, Oil Capital Apartments and the office structure at 222 N. Detroit Ave. — give hope to a more easily accessible and beautiful downtown for all to enjoy.

In 2023, milestones will be made for several construction projects, including the EvansFintube site, OKPOP Museum and the Sinclair Building.

Efforts to upgrade/update

infrastructure

Road construction is a necessary, ongoing chore in the downtown area, but a few projects have reached completion in the last year.

Both Main Street and Boulder Avenue have been converted from one-way to two-way streets. Fifth Street also has seen a two-way conversion along with an extension into Civic Plaza. Construction is scheduled to convert both Cincinnati and Detroit avenues to two-way traffic in the coming months, according to the Tulsa Planning Office.

Reimagining the Center of the Universe

The Downtown Tulsa Partnership, the City of Tulsa and several private investors are revamping and restoring the Center of the Universe Plaza and Boston Avenue Bridge through the Reimagining the Center of the Universe partnership.

Created in 1983, the “acoustic anomaly” (as many refer to it) was born from the ashes of a damaging fire that required reconstruction along the 100-year-old Boston Avenue Bridge. The distinctive space holds nostalgic memories and experiences for many Tulsans, and the city is committed to respecting its history and to maintaining its unique aspects through these improvements. Capital funding and DTP fundraising will cover the repair of the bridge structure and provide partial funding for the plaza improvements including new pathways, lighting, landscaping, public art and more.

The project was approved in December 2019 but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was resumed in 2021 with a structural survey conducted by the City of Tulsa. Construction for