In the 1960s, it was assumed that Tulsans would continue to move further south out of Midtown. Therefore, the Midtown area was zoned to a CH or "commercial heavy" designation, which attracted businesses that are less suited to residential values -- such as auto repair and painting.

Now, three decades later, Midtown is once again an attractive residential area and real estate values are climbing. Many residents feel that a reasonable mix of retail shops and offices are more suited to the future of this area.

Members of neighborhood associations in Midtown are joining together to create their vision of a more livable Midtown, rather than simply reacting to the desires of existing and new businesses.

This proactive coalition approach seeks to achieve a balance between commercial growth and residential amenities.

During the past several years, neighborhood associations have learned that they can be more effective when they support each other. A coalition of neighborhood associations can be a loud voice that will be heard by the City Council, the Mayor, the Planning Commission, the County Commissioners, and the Board of Adjustment.

Our goals include:

1. Understand the intent of the City Master Plan for Midtown and current zoning code and practice in our area.

2. Periodically review the District Master Plans covering Midtown to see how well they conform to current conditions and needs.

3. Utilize the services and planning expertise of INCOG and the City.

4. Find common planning and zoning concerns that unite Midtown neighborhoods.

5. Share methods to defend neighborhoods from adverse development.

6. By careful study of our neighborhoods and working with residents, businesses and city staff, recommend balanced solutions to growth in Midtown.

1. Meet with City Council, the Mayor, INCOG, the County Commissioners, TMAPC, and the Board of Adjustment and the media to advocate our recommendations.

2. Link together association representatives by telephone, fax, and e-mail so that the Coalition can react quickly on important issues.

3. Increase Midtown attendance at meetings and representation on boards that make decisions that affect Midtown (such as TMAPC, Board of Adjustment, Tulsa County Public Facilities Authority).

4. Follow and comment on voting records of members of Boards.

5. Liaison with Mayor's Office for Neighborhoods, School Board, Police and Fire Department and Public Works.

6. Search for and promote quality candidates for City and County offices.

7. Consider important issues in Midtown and communicate the views of the membership to the media.

1. Market Midtown to realtors and to the Tulsa Chamber the benefits of living in Midtown.

We will evaluate our goals regularly and keep the coalition flexible, relevant, and an effective forum for neighborhoods.

To become a voting member of the Midtown Coalition, a Neighborhood Association must:

• Be registered as an Association with the City

• Be located in the Midtown area

• Complete a member neighborhood datasheet annually

• Designate a delegate and an alternate for a year

• Pay dues of $25 a year to cover mailing and administrative costs of the Coalition

The Coalition meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM.

The Coalition world-wide web home page is http://www.geocities.com/tulsa_midtown_coalition

The Coalition has an e-mail list for announcements of meetings and important news. A sign-up form is available on the Coalition home page.

Public statements may only be made on behalf of the Coalition when authorized by the membership as a whole or by the board.

This WWW home page space is provided to the Midtown Coalition free of charge by Yahoo! Geocities in exchange for the placement of a small ad on each page. Appearance of an advertisement on any of our pages does not imply endorsement of the advertiser by the Midtown Coalition.