Destination Districts

By Laura Dennis

In 2019, the Tulsa Planning Office launched Destination Districts, a commercial revitalization program intended to increase economic growth, highlight diversity, support cultural representation and create a deep sense of community in selected areas of Tulsa with historical and cultural importance. TPO has approved four districts in the Tulsa area: Kendall Whittier, the Tulsa Global District, the Historic Greenwood District and Route 66.

But Destination Districts Manager Samantha Extance said they are working to expand the program and make it more inclusive. “I’m hoping to add an option for other areas that are emerging, that do have grassroots organization, that do have investments,” she said. “We want to offer these areas the same kind of support we’re giving our current districts.”

Kendall Whittier Main Street

Kendall Whittier, located at 2205 E. Admiral Blvd., is primarily an arts district. You’ll find a handful of art studios, restaurants, the Las Americas grocery store and a lot of unique, eclectic retail. It’s also home to the Tulsa Farmers’ Market, Ziegler Art and Frame and several breweries.

The district hosted many events in 2022, including Amps on Admiral, the Kendall Whittier Arts Festival, the Los Festivales y Mercados and more. The Regenerate/Reimagine Project launched in December and is an art and economic development project that reimagines neighborhood storefronts.

“(Kendall Whittier) is recognized for its economic revitalization, place making and place keeping,” she said. “We point to them as the example of what can be accomplished through the program.”

Tulsa Global District

The most recent addition to the Destination Districts program, the Tulsa Global District is a special qualifier because unlike the others, it’s nowhere near downtown. Located near the intersection of East 21st Street and South Garnett Road, you’ll find a multicultural hub of Hispanic and Latinx businesses and communities, comingled with a large and diverse Asian population.

The district’s calendar events for 2022 included the Festival de Frida, the Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month Festival, the AAPI Cultural Festival, The Square at Nam Hai Market and a Celebración del Dia de los Muertos. In 2023, look for more murals via the Global Walls program, which utilizes public art to create vibrant places while highlighting the unique culture of the district.

“The Global District has so much strength within their organization,” Extance said. “They’ve pulled off quite a bit in their first year within the program.”

Historic Greenwood District

Located at North Greenwood Avenue and East Archer Street, the Historic Greenwood District is also known as “Black Wall Street” and is the epicenter of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. This resilient community includes a hub of successful Black-owned businesses, as well as historic tributes to the many people affected by the race massacre.

Greenwood held several events in 2022, including the Greenwood Farmers and Artisans Market, Juneteenth, the HBCU BBQ and the Greenwood Main Street Carnival. The district intends to continue these events for 2023, and will add more to the calendar.

The district has two redevelopment projects in the works bringing with them economic opportunities. PartnerTulsa is leading the development for Kirkpatrick Heights and Greenwood Master Plan and is overseeing the Evans-Fintube site redevelopment project. “Those two projects are going to be absolutely catalytic and transformative for Greenwood,” Extance said. “We’re going to continue to see more development and energy in their district.”

Route 66 Main Street

Route 66 Main Street is Tulsa’s largest Destination District. It spans a 4-mile stretch, reaching from the Arkansas River to the Crystal City Shopping Complex. Centered at 3310 Southwest Blvd., you’ll find a mix of industrial businesses and manufacturing; quirky, assorted Route 66 businesses; retail and restaurants.

“The district has such a rich history in both Route 66 history and in Tulsa’s oil history,” Extance says. “You’ll find lots of historical markers and plaques in the area.”

Events for 2023 will include PatriotFest, 918 Food Festival, Art Crawl on 66 and Keep Oklahoma Beautiful Day.