Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Tulsa Urban and Economic Development Committee approved a rezoning from CS to CG at East 11th and 131st East Ave for a tortilleria and event center (8-1-0 TMAPC vote), and unanimously recommended rezoning from RS3 to RM3 at 42nd and Union for approximately 136 apartment units. The committee also advanced $269,408 in Affordable Housing Trust Funds for the Tulsa Square Apartments hotel conversion project creating 147 affordable units near 31st and Memorial. A significant Brown Ordinance was introduced to redirect $5 million in Improve Our Tulsa 2023 funds from Partner Tulsa's control to TEDC and Historic Greenwood District Main Street for District 1 economic development.
Key Decisions (7)
Rezoning Z7854 at East 11th and 131st East Ave
Rezoning from CS to CG for property at northeast corner of East 11th and 131st East Ave, requested by Ethos for property owners Juan and Maria Oropeza. Purpose is for tortilleria (tortilla manufacturing) and event center under 250 people. TMAPC recommended approval.
Rezoning Z7855 at 42nd and Union for Apartments
Rezoning from RS3 to RM3 for multiple properties at northeast and southeast corners of 42nd and Union, requested by Justin Bruin of Wallace Design for property owners James A. and Orrico Gierdner. Purpose is apartments with concepts showing approximately 136 units. Council District 2.
$5,000 Financial Empowerment Center Donation Appropriation
Appropriating $5,000 in donations to the Office of Financial Empowerment for materials and supplies related to April and May financial literacy events.
$260,641.88 Emmett Till Cold Case Program Transfer
Transfer of $260,641.88 between account groups within the Emmett Till Cold Case Program sub fund for forensic genetic genealogy for potential 1921 race massacre victims, aligning budget to DOJ revisions before grant deadline.
$100,000 Humana Healthy Horizons Grant Appropriation
Appropriating $100,000 grant from Humana to Office of Health and Well-Being, with $80,000 for salary accounts and $20,000 for other services and charges to support continued operations.
$269,408 Affordable Housing Trust Funds for Tulsa Square Apartments
Resolution approving allocation of Affordable Housing Trust Funds not to exceed $269,408 to assist in construction of 147 affordable units at Tulsa Square Apartments (former Clarion hotel conversion near 31st and Memorial). 73 units for income below 60% AMI (cap ~$37,000), remainder for below 120% AMI. Developer: Oakview Hospitality Group.
Brown Ordinance to Redirect $5 Million Kirkpatrick Heights-Greenwood Funds
Councilor Hall-Harper introduced ordinance to amend Improve Our Tulsa 2023 temporary sales tax expenditure policy, redirecting $5 million from Kirkpatrick Heights-Greenwood (previously administered by Partner Tulsa) to District 1 Economic Development Projects administered by TEDC and Historic Greenwood District Main Street. Public hearing held; vote scheduled for May 13th.
Zoning Changes (2)
Northeast corner of East 11th and 131st East Ave
Ethos (for Juan and Maria Oropeza)
Northeast and southeast corners of 42nd and Union
Justin Bruin, Wallace Design (for James A. and Orrico Gierdner)
Development Activity (5)
Tortilleria and Event Center
Tortilla manufacturing facility and event center (under 250 capacity) on existing commercial property
42nd and Union Apartments
Approximately 136 apartment units on large property between Union and Highway 75 with elevation change
Tulsa Square Apartments
Hotel conversion to 147 affordable units (studios and one bedrooms); 73 units below 60% AMI, remainder below 120% AMI; fourth floor completion expected mid-May
Greenwood Entrepreneurship at Moton
Business incubator facility; ribbon cutting scheduled for tomorrow
Shops on Peoria / Oasis Grocery
Strip center, shops, and single-operated grocery store described as one of most profitable in Tulsa
Market Signals (5)
Housing Demand
Hotel-to-apartment conversions are accelerating near 31st and Memorial, with city monitoring the area to prevent over-conversion of all hotels to apartments.
Housing Demand
West Tulsa (District 2) is actively welcoming developers, with councilor noting weekly door-to-door outreach confirming resident support for new apartment development.
Commercial Demand
North Tulsa grocery store (Oasis) at Pine and Peoria is described as one of the most profitable and successful stores in Tulsa, indicating strong retail demand in underserved areas.
Sentiment
Community trust issues with Partner Tulsa and Greenwood Legacy CDC are driving elected officials to redirect $5 million in public funds to alternative implementation partners (TEDC and Main Street).
Infrastructure
Intersection improvements at 41st and Union may be needed to support new 136-unit apartment development near Highway 75.