Mayor G.T. Bynum signed an executive order to safeguard funding for future parking meter improvements in downtown Tulsa by ensuring that money paid into parking meters goes directly into the system to make expeditious repairs and enhancements.
Prior to the executive order, revenue received from parking meters was distributed into the City’s general fund, which is the primary funding source for most City operations, including the parking meter system.
Last week, City leaders discussed the future of metered parking in downtown Tulsa and Mayor Bynum said major changes to the current system would not occur until the metered parking system is working properly.
“We have a parking meter system that is outdated and yet we cannot make improvements if we don’t have the appropriate funding to do so,” Mayor G.T. Bynum said. “We want visitors to have a comfortable and convenient experience when visiting downtown Tulsa and this executive order is a step in the right direction.”
Mayor Bynum also affirmed that tickets will not be issued at broken meters.
Recognizing the booming growth in downtown and the vibrant night scene, downtown business owners approached the Downtown Coordinating Council and the City of Tulsa to incorporate changes to the parking system to address current needs.
Tulsa will soon have a mobile app to pay for on-street parking anywhere in downtown and provide the convenience of paying for additional time from a smartphone. Other methods of payment include coin, credit card, or a phone number. Rates and hours for parking meters will not change at this time.
Although the City will not be able to completely overhaul the current system immediately, the long-term goal is to have the 30-year-old parking meters updated to new parking pay stations, like those currently located in the Arts District.
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