And now there’s this development: People putting their money where their mouth is. Tulsa Urban Wilderness Coalition now has 501(c)(3) status and an account with the Tulsa Community Foundation.
There’s been multiple rumors swirling for the last few weeks that Simon may be looking elsewhere, but nothing has been confirmed and their zoning hearing is still on TMAPC’s calendar for June 17.
Organizers of an effort to keep commercial development off Turkey Mountain have taken steps to add legitimacy and financing to their mission.
The Tulsa Urban Wilderness Coalition has been awarded formal nonprofit status and is launching fundraising efforts to preserve land near the River Parks Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area.
The group’s 501©(3) designation will allow donors to make tax-exempt contributions toward its efforts to acquire and preserve public green space.
A donation account at the Tulsa Community Foundation and an online Go Fund Me account have been created.
“The account with TCF gives our coalition financial credibility and donors confidence they are donating to a sound and reputable organization,” said Erin Schuster, a member of the coalition’s finance committee.
The organization plans to use the money raised to purchase land for long-term preservation. Its top priority is acquiring a privately owned, 60-acre tract along the western flank of the urban wilderness area.
The Turkey Mountain trails, which are used by runners, hikers, bicyclists and horseback riders, spill out of the River Parks property onto private land, including the property where developers plan to build an outlet mall.
“Our first priority from Day 1 was to try to stop the development on Turkey Mountain,” said Colin Tawdry(sic)
, the coalition’s coordinator of government affairs. “Our second priority has been to purchase the land and finally end the threat of commercial development on Turkey Mountain for good.”
The coalition was formed in response to the proposed outlet mall.
Tulsa Premium Outlets would cover more than 48 acres at U.S. 75 and 61st Street and would include more than 350,000 square feet of leasable space.
Simon Property Group, owner of Woodland Hills Mall, announced plans to build the upscale outlet mall last year.
Critics of the proposal are concerned that the mall would encroach on the trails and spoil the wilderness setting of Turkey Mountain.
“We noted from the beginning this site had numerous challenges to the sort of development which was proposed, including issues of public interest and safety,” Tawney said. “The public made their voices heard and forced Simon Properties back to the drawing board.”
A hearing for Simon’s proposed zoning change application before the Planning Commission is set for June 17. The hearing originally was set for March 18; however, the developer asked that it be postponed first to April 15 and then until June.
“I believe Simon may be at the point of realizing the odds are stacked against them enough they won’t get the zoning changes they need to proceed,” Tawney said. “If they abandon their plans for this site, we have to be prepared to spring into action immediately.”
In a December press release announcing plans for the mall, Mark Silvestri, chief operating officer of Simon Premium Outlets, said the company had already received strong interest from retailers who have “enjoyed great success with us around the country and are very anxious to be with us in Tulsa.”
“We are optimistic our premium outlet will be equally supported by the market,” Silvestri said in the release.
The land targeted for the mall is already zoned for commercial use. For its current plans, however, Simon needs the Planning Commission to change the zoning.
“We don’t want someone else to slip in and try to develop it,” Tawney said.
The Tulsa Community Foundation is affiliated with the George Kaiser Family Foundation, which owns 139 acres on Turkey Mountain. The Kaiser property is not the acreage on which the mall is planned.
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/local/tulsa-urban-wilderness-coalition-gets-nonprofit-status-raising-funds-to/article_ccb0c66a-ab59-5ea7-bb15-f094d52a0236.html#user-comment-area