TulsaNow

During the June 12th Economic Development Commission meeting, Don Himelfarb presented a summary of the report on the City Hall Consolidation Study. Below is a link to the PowerPoint presentation. Also, there will be a video airing on Channel 24 at 11:00am, 4:00pm and 10:00pm most days (not Tuesday). The video will also soon be available on YouTube. The City Council will vote on the consolidation very soon, most likely on June 28th. The EDC voted unanimously to support the consolidation plan.

Here are some of the reasons the EDC gave for their vote:

• Saves the city (and taxpayers) a significant amount of money, money which can then be free to spend on other needy items.
• Helps in the revitalization of downtown.
• City Hall DESPERATELY needs to present a more favorable impression to companies considering relocation to Tulsa (not to mention our own residents.)
• The potential for LEED Certification (Green building) creates a competitive advantage for Tulsa and demonstrates the desire for our city to be a leader in environmental issues (also reduces long term energy needs of the City.)
• Creates a “One Stop” for city services all in the same building.
• Improves downtown real estate market by reducing vacancy.
• Replaces current (obsolete/aging) city hall location with a hotel site adjacent to convention center (will make new arena much more desirable for major conventions, and will increase tax revenues.)
• It is an innovative idea that presents Tulsa as a more forward thinking city, and is vital if we want to compete in the 21st Century.
• THERE WILL BE NO TAX INCREASE AS A RESULT OF THIS.

Link to report summary:
http://www.cityoftulsa.org/OurCity/Mayor/OneTech.asp


Rebecca Bryant, Immediate Past President of Tulsa Now, agrees with the above statements and also adds this:
It is imperative that our city councilors understand the importance of this consolidation and its positive benefits to the city. Mr. Himelfarb is presenting this report to the city council today. The Mayor, Mr. Himelfarb, and members of the EDC are asking for letters to your city councilors stressing the need to take this innovative and fiscally responsible step forward for the betterment of Tulsa.