The City of Tulsa effectively puts a hold on downtown businesses’ use of public space as more and more developments are incorporating it into their plans.
License agreements are used for a variety of things, including sidewalk cafes, planters, steps or ramps to buildings, railings, and signs. Policies on license agreements are being reworked and likely won’t be finalized until a walkability study is finished next month.
"There are a lot of different policy documents that give direction for what happens within that right of way, and so it's important to us at this point to ensure we're being consistent in the way that we're reviewing those things and that we're using criteria that's based in policies," said Planning Director Dawn Warrick.
Existing license agreements won’t be affected. Warrick said there are two considerations for the policy revision.
"Not only do we want to activate the sidewalks and have activities and uses and vibrant street life, we also want to make sure that we provide enough safety measures," Warrick said.
The recently commissioned walkability study, which should be finished by mid-September, could have some impact on the new license agreement policy.
