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Greenwood Legacy Corporation to Implement Kirkpatrick Heights-Greenwood Master Plan

10/24/2024
The community’s plan to develop 56 acres of Tulsa Development Authority (TDA) and City-owned land in Greenwood and North Tulsa took a major step forward this week with the establishment of Greenwood Legacy Corporation to manage future development in the Plan area.
Greenwood Legacy Corporation, which is the name for the Community Development Corporation (CDC) that has been formed with the support of a community Advisory Committee formed in April of this year, is made up of North Tulsa residents and community stakeholders who will support and lead the implementation of the Kirkpatrick Heights-Greenwood Master Plan.
“This is an important step forward for community-led development in our city,” Mayor G.T. Bynum said. “I am eager to see how Greenwood Legacy Corporation will carry out the community’s vision in the months and years to come.”
The Kirkpatrick Heights-Greenwood Master Plan is a 95-page roadmap developed by Greenwood and North Tulsa residents to guide development on 56 acres of land in Greenwood and North Tulsa. Some of the land contained within the footprint of the Plan was historically owned by Black Tulsans but was lost after the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.
 
“We are excited to announce the establishment of the Greenwood Legacy Corporation (GLC) in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a pivotal initiative aimed at supporting revitalizing the historic Greenwood District,” Founding Board member Dr. Lana Turner-Addison said. “Guided by the Kirkpatrick Heights-Greenwood Master Plan, the GLC seeks to address historical inequities while promoting sustainable economic development.”
Greenwood Legacy Corporation was formed based upon recommendations made by a Community Governance Working Group that met throughout 2023. Following those meetings, the Tulsa Development Authority (TDA) approved a nine-member Advisory Committee in April to assist in the creation of a CDC.  
“Through housing development, enhancing local businesses, improving infrastructure, and preserving the rich cultural heritage of Greenwood, the GLC is dedicated to creating an inclusive environment that honors the district's legacy as a hub of African American entrepreneurship,” Turner-Addison added. “Together, we will empower residents and unlock new opportunities for growth and revitalization in a community that embodies resilience and strength.”
Ultimately, the Advisory Committee helped in the:
“As a working group member from the beginning and now a board member of the Greenwood Legacy Corporation, I’ve seen firsthand the incredible dedication and collaboration that’s brought us to this point,” Founding Board member Eugene Harris said. “The establishment of the Community Development Corporation is a huge milestone for our community, signaling a new era of growth and opportunity for the historic Black Wall Street Area. This plan, developed by and for the residents of Greenwood and North Tulsa, reflects our shared vision for a vibrant, thriving future, and I’m honored to be part of the team leading its implementation.”
Each CDC Founding Board member was selected from members of the Advisory Committee. Similar to how the Advisory Committee was selected, the Founding Board anticipates that remaining Board seats will be filled through a public application process. The Founding Board is legally responsible for voting to approve additional members of the Board.
Members of the Founding Board include:
Over the next 3-6 months, the Founding Board will focus on the following areas:
In addition to the Community Governance Working Group and the Advisory Committee, Greenwood Legacy Corporation is supported by:
More information about the Kirkpatrick Heights-Greenwood Master Plan, including information on each of the Advisory Committee members and the community-driven process to get to this point, can be found at https://partnertulsa.org/greenwoodlegacycorporation/.