RIVERVIEW NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION

March 10, 2009 MEETING MINUTES

BOARD MEETING:

Attendees are Anne Pollard, Ron Miller, Gary Kuck, Anita Bryant, Jerry Mitchell, Barbara Maxwell, Ray Luth, James Bengfort, Lana Taylor.

Anne Pollard announced that our goal is the submission of a Master Plan by July.

We will be adding a suggestion form to our website.

Ron Miller reviewed our revised plans for Vision 2025 funds. Stickball park was covered by the Centennial Commission, the Carson arch was scrapped in favor of a major gateway project. Locations: Lawton and Riverside (Route 66 plaza area), Houston and Riverside (Spotlight Theatre), 18th and Boulder (near Council Oak and Stickball Park), 13th and Elwood (off the BA Expressway).

Balance in bank account: $872.15. In the future, the minutes and treasurer's report will be posted on our website and a motion for approval will be entertained at the Board meeting.

GENERAL MEETING: Liberty Tower greeted us with exceptional hospitality by serving refreshments. Thanks also to the Ambassador Hotel for loaning us extra chairs. Approximately 60 people attended.

Called to order at 7pm by President Anne Pollard.

Guest Speakers:

Kevin Stephens, developer, reviewed plans for the Synagogue: creation of an interior structure and leave the exterior shell. Focus is Land Legacy, an organization counseling on how to be "green," non-profit organizations, visual arts presentation area. Condos will be constructed in the current parking lots from 15th to 14th.

Eric Gomez, District 4 City Counselor, promoted the value of attending neighborhood meetings. He mentioned that we were behind the curve in new development but well positioned to learn from the mistakes of others. $450 Million in projects have been finished or under construction in District 4: BOK Center, Ball Park, OSU Hospital, and a $50M office building near Utica and 15th.

Dennis Whitaker, City Planner for Route 66, brought us up to date on the Gold Meadow sign (scheduled installation on April 9th). He told us of the national attention our Plaza, Bridge, and Skywalk are receiving. He reported on plans for the development at the Plaza and how it is growing to include housing for related organizations, restaurants, gift shop, coffee shop, etc. A bronze statue 135% size will be installed to honor Avery.

Dr. Jack Crawley, urban planning consultant, covered a lot of territory in explaining what attracts development and the cost effectiveness  of density . Tulsa has 2300 per sq. mile and Los Angeles has 7800 per sq. mile for comparison. He also explained why creation of light rail would attract development vs. building to serve existing development. He showed numerous illustrations including a Regional Rail System connecting Tulsa to Owasso, Broken Arrow, Jenks, Sand Springs in a hub-spoke arrangement. He also spoke of water pipes from Gunboat Park to the Arkansas River that could be "daylighted" for an open canal.

A link to a website will be provided so individuals can investigate and stay up to date on the plans.

Next meeting will be at the McBirney Mansion, May 12, At this time the planned theme will be our parks, trees, and neighborhood clean up.

Meeting adjoined at 8:30pm.