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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:
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Facilitation of the creation of Articles of Incorporation for a CDC
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Creation of bylaws for the CDC
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Recruitment and recommendation of volunteers to serve on the CDC Board of Directors
“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:
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Eugene Harris: Mr. Harris was born and raised in Tulsa and is a resident within the Kirkpatrick Heights-Greenwood Master Plan boundaries. Mr. Harris retired after working for ONEOK/ONE Gas for over 25 years. He has served on numerous boards and authorities and represented the University Park Homeowners Association as a member of the Community Governance Working Group. Mr. Harris brings his skills in nonprofit leadership and employee development to the Founding Board.
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Scott Moore y Medina: Mr. Moore has lived in Tulsa since 2016, and lives within the Kirkpatrick Heights-Greenwood Master Plan boundaries. Mr. Moore is a company founder, registered architect, and community builder. He has experience as a HUD grant technical writer, architect, and working with Community Development Corporations and most recently participated as a lead planning team member for the Envision Comanche CHOICE Grant with the Housing Authority of the City of Tulsa. Mr. Moore has received numerous planning awards and participated in community visioning for numerous projects and collaborations that support the sustainability of people and places.
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Joshua Roby: Mr. Roby has lived in Tulsa for the past 20 years, has over 20 years of experience in banking, and is the current Senior Vice President for Grand Bank Tulsa. He has served on various boards in Tulsa and is one of the founding members of the Chamber of Commerce-led Tulsa’s Young Professionals. In addition to his two decades in banking, Mr. Roby has extensive experience in management, business development, financial and credit risk analysis, and community involvement. He is also a North Tulsa resident.
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Dr. Lana Turner-Addison: Dr. Turner-Addison was born and has lived in Tulsa all her life. She owns and operates a business, Pine Premiere Childcare, located within the Kirkpatrick Heights-Greenwood Master Plan boundaries. She served as a Co-Chairperson of the Master Plan Leadership Committee, and as a member of the Community Governance Working Group. She currently serves as a member of the Planning Commission and previously served as the Human Rights Director for the City of Tulsa. She is also a former member of the Tulsa Public Schools Board and is the founder of the North Tulsa Economic Development Initiative.
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Daquette Wilson: Ms. Wilson was born and raised in Tulsa, lives within the Kirkpatrick Heights- Greenwood Master Plan boundaries, and was a member of the Community Governance Working Group. She is the Manager of the Be Well Community Development Corporation and a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Ms. Wilson is an experienced community development, community engagement, and nonprofit leadership professional.
Over the next 3-6 months, the Founding Board will focus on the following areas:
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Board Governance: The Founding Board will finalize its Bylaws, elect officers, and develop its timeline for soliciting applications for additional Board members. Any additional Board seats will be filled through a public application process. Additionally, the Board will work with legal counsel to prepare paperwork for seeking nonprofit status.
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Staffing: The Founding Board will work with PartnerTulsa staff to identify critical initial staffing needs and determine how these staffing needs will be met. It is expected that PartnerTulsa staff will continue to support the CDC and its Founding Board through an initial incubation period.
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Operations: The Founding Board will work with PartnerTulsa to develop a recommended budget and develop contracts to access funding dedicated by PartnerTulsa and the City of Tulsa for the CDC’s launch.
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Development Analysis: Working alongside PartnerTulsa staff, the Founding Board will begin evaluating the path to physical development within the Master Plan area, leveraging funding recently awarded through a U.S. Department of Transportation grant intended to support innovative approaches to financing development.
In addition to the Community Governance Working Group and the Advisory Committee, Greenwood Legacy Corporation is supported by:
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City of Tulsa – The City of Tulsa has provided $2 million to support the startup and launch of Greenwood Legacy Corporation. Additionally, voters also approved $5 million in the latest Improve Our Tulsa sales tax extension that will support future investments in the Master Plan area. The City is also supporting efforts to pursue major grants to support the Master Plan’s implementation.
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PartnerTulsa – PartnerTulsa has provided staff support to the Advisory Committee, funding for legal services to support the formation of Greenwood Legacy Corporation, and funding for other necessary consulting services through its Operating Budget. PartnerTulsa will continue to support the launch of Greenwood Legacy Corporation, seeking to move the CDC from incubation to independence.
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GableGotwals – GableGotwals has provided independent counsel to the Advisory Committee, with the anticipation that it will continue support the Founding Board over the coming months.
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