As most of you know, we have been working with officials advocating for a sound wall design along the 51st Street corridor from Peoria to Lewis that will preserve and protect our neighborhood and neighbors. We had three areas of concern when we started. We already have a favorable resolution in one area, west of St. Louis to Peoria, where there will be a sound wall.
The current functional ODOT plan does not include a sound wall in the area east of Utica to Lewis. However, we were informed this week ODOT has asked the sound specialist to revisit and conduct sound studies in this area. This is good news for our neighborhood. The results should be available in July.
The third area of concern is west of Utica to St. Louis. The current functional ODOT plan has a wall in this area, but allows for openings at Utica, Troost, Trenton and St. Louis. We believe this many openings so close together defeats the purpose of the sound wall in mitigating noise. It also does not give neighbors defensible space from the 80,000 vehicles and occupants or the pedestrians that walk along the highway and cut through our neighborhood daily. We asked the City of Tulsa to close Troost and Trenton so ODOT can construct a continuous sound wall in this area. Emergency officials studied the issue and determined access and response time will not be affected. The city considered this determination along with concerns and issues from the neighborhood and has given clearance to close these two streets. The issue of funding is keeping this area from a favorable resolution right now.
We ask you to continue contacting legislators, city, county and state officials. We are being heard. You are making a difference for positive action in our neighborhood. Thank you for your help!
If you need officials contact info, have any questions or concerns, contact Jamie @ jlbelger@att.net or 918-607-9979.
Friday, June 18, 2010
First Tulsa County Assessor's Forum Scheduled: Tuesday, July 13
With the primary election for the Tulsa County's Assessors office fast appriaching on July 27th, Heller Park Neighbors (HPN) would like to invite Tulsans to come out an learn where the incumbent Ken Yazel and his opponent Cheryl Clay stand on the issues.
HPN will be hosting an open forum on Tuesday, July 13th at Southern Hills Baptist Church located at 5590 S. Lewis at 7:00 PM.
In these times of a tough economy and budget crisis, it is imperative the residents of Tulsa County be knowledgeable about the candidates and participate in all area elections that affect our great city! So come and get informed!
HPN will be hosting an open forum on Tuesday, July 13th at Southern Hills Baptist Church located at 5590 S. Lewis at 7:00 PM.
In these times of a tough economy and budget crisis, it is imperative the residents of Tulsa County be knowledgeable about the candidates and participate in all area elections that affect our great city! So come and get informed!
Alert Neighbors Crime Commission Class: Tuesday, August 10
Join us for an Alert Neighbors training class presented by the Crime Commission on Tuesday, August 10th at 7:00 PM. The class will be held at Southern Hills Baptist Church located at 56th and Lewis.
To sign up, contact Sylvia Spilman at 918-895-6900 or email sylvia22@cox.net.
To learn more about this program, call 918-585-5209 or go to http://www.crimecomok.org/.
Please respond by July 31.
To sign up, contact Sylvia Spilman at 918-895-6900 or email sylvia22@cox.net.
To learn more about this program, call 918-585-5209 or go to http://www.crimecomok.org/.
Please respond by July 31.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Minutes of May 4, 2010 Heller Park Neighbors Meeting
Meeting Minutes
Heller Park Neighbors
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
7:00pm at Southern Hills Baptist Church
Proceedings:
Meeting called to order at 7:00PM by South Peoria Neighborhood Connection Foundation President, Lanny Endicott.
After an introduction of the most recent news / activities of the South Peoria Neighborhood Connection Foundation, Mr. Edicott introduced the proposed board of Heller Park Neighbors
President: Sylvia Spilman
Vice President: Millard Burgess
Treasurer: Julie Reinke
Secretary: Carlos Moreno
Website Developer: Wendi Ward
Quadrant Captains:
1 – Jamie Belger
2 – Lynne Leapline
3 – Alice Costas
4 – Vacant
and called for a motion for the above proposed board to be voted on by the organization as a slate. The motion was called, seconded, and passed without objection, by a vote of the meeting’s attendees.
The meeting was handed, then, to Sylvia Spilman who after giving some brief updates as well of some recent issues that Heller Park Neighbors will be addressing in the coming days / weeks (outlined below), called for a motion that the proposed bylaws be adopted as-is by the organization. It was discussed that any changes to the bylaws would be considered by the board, when submitted in writing by those concerned. Bylaws will be made available via the Heller Park Neighbors website. The motion was called by Millard Burgess, seconded, and passed without objection, by a vote of the meeting’s attendees.
Sylvia Spilman introduced Crime Commission Executive Director, Carol Bush.
Heller Park Neighbors Updates:
1) Index cards were provided at the meeting for attendees to write down questions / concerns. They will be read at the upcoming board meeting, to gauge neighborhood interests and guide future meetings, discussions, activities, etc.
2) mowing of the park will be conducted every 2 weeks by a City of Tulsa contractor, weather permitting. In the event that the park cannot be mowed at the scheduled time, Heller Park Neighbors is calling for a “mowing crew” that can come and get the job done. Individuals interested in being a part of the crew, please contact Millard Burgess.
3) The problem of disappearing yard signs for meeting noticed was discussed. One idea would be to have volunteers display those signs in their own yard, so as not to interfere w/ city rules regarding yard signs. Anyone interested in displaying meeting notice yard signs in their own yard, please contact Sylvia Spilman.
4) A box for donations will be set at the back table of each public meeting of Heller Park Neighbors. Meeting attendees are encouraged to donate, for Heller Park Neighbors to carry on its operations, activities, meetings, purchase meeting / administrative supplies, etc.
Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Minutes submitted by Secretary, Carlos Moreno.
Heller Park Neighbors
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
7:00pm at Southern Hills Baptist Church
Proceedings:
Meeting called to order at 7:00PM by South Peoria Neighborhood Connection Foundation President, Lanny Endicott.
After an introduction of the most recent news / activities of the South Peoria Neighborhood Connection Foundation, Mr. Edicott introduced the proposed board of Heller Park Neighbors
President: Sylvia Spilman
Vice President: Millard Burgess
Treasurer: Julie Reinke
Secretary: Carlos Moreno
Website Developer: Wendi Ward
Quadrant Captains:
1 – Jamie Belger
2 – Lynne Leapline
3 – Alice Costas
4 – Vacant
and called for a motion for the above proposed board to be voted on by the organization as a slate. The motion was called, seconded, and passed without objection, by a vote of the meeting’s attendees.
The meeting was handed, then, to Sylvia Spilman who after giving some brief updates as well of some recent issues that Heller Park Neighbors will be addressing in the coming days / weeks (outlined below), called for a motion that the proposed bylaws be adopted as-is by the organization. It was discussed that any changes to the bylaws would be considered by the board, when submitted in writing by those concerned. Bylaws will be made available via the Heller Park Neighbors website. The motion was called by Millard Burgess, seconded, and passed without objection, by a vote of the meeting’s attendees.
Sylvia Spilman introduced Crime Commission Executive Director, Carol Bush.
Heller Park Neighbors Updates:
1) Index cards were provided at the meeting for attendees to write down questions / concerns. They will be read at the upcoming board meeting, to gauge neighborhood interests and guide future meetings, discussions, activities, etc.
2) mowing of the park will be conducted every 2 weeks by a City of Tulsa contractor, weather permitting. In the event that the park cannot be mowed at the scheduled time, Heller Park Neighbors is calling for a “mowing crew” that can come and get the job done. Individuals interested in being a part of the crew, please contact Millard Burgess.
3) The problem of disappearing yard signs for meeting noticed was discussed. One idea would be to have volunteers display those signs in their own yard, so as not to interfere w/ city rules regarding yard signs. Anyone interested in displaying meeting notice yard signs in their own yard, please contact Sylvia Spilman.
4) A box for donations will be set at the back table of each public meeting of Heller Park Neighbors. Meeting attendees are encouraged to donate, for Heller Park Neighbors to carry on its operations, activities, meetings, purchase meeting / administrative supplies, etc.
Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Minutes submitted by Secretary, Carlos Moreno.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Neighborhood Meeting Tues. May 4, 2010, 7:00 pm, Southern Hills Baptist Church
Heller Park Neighbors will be meeting on Tuesday, May 4, 2010 at 7:oo PM. The meeting will be held at Southern Hills Baptist Church at 55th and Lewis.
The topic of this meeting is "Taking Back our Neighborhood Through Organizing" and the agenda items include:
1) Presentation from Crime Commission
2) Presentation of Draft of Heller Park Neighbors By-Laws
3) Update on Heller Park
We need block captains to help spread the word about this meeting. These important volunteers make copies and distribute flyers to neighbors on their block. If you are interested in doing this, please contact Jamie Belger at jbelger@att.net or 607-9979 to get a copy of the flyer.
We are in the process of updating our neighborhood database. Our email list is the most efficient form of communicating with our neighbors, so let us know if you have any changes in your information. Also, visit with your neighbors and ask them to contact us so we can add them to our list.
See you at the meeting!
The topic of this meeting is "Taking Back our Neighborhood Through Organizing" and the agenda items include:
1) Presentation from Crime Commission
2) Presentation of Draft of Heller Park Neighbors By-Laws
3) Update on Heller Park
We need block captains to help spread the word about this meeting. These important volunteers make copies and distribute flyers to neighbors on their block. If you are interested in doing this, please contact Jamie Belger at jbelger@att.net or 607-9979 to get a copy of the flyer.
We are in the process of updating our neighborhood database. Our email list is the most efficient form of communicating with our neighbors, so let us know if you have any changes in your information. Also, visit with your neighbors and ask them to contact us so we can add them to our list.
See you at the meeting!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Notes from ODOT Public Meeting, March 26, 2010, 7:00 PM, Marshall Elementary School
Present were: City Councilor G.T. Bynum (dist9@tulsacouncil.org) State Representative Dan Sullivan (danielsullivan@okhouse.gov) Senator Gary Stanislawski (stanislawski@oksenate.gov) and Paul Zachary, City of Tulsa.
Present for ODOT were: Ray Sanders, Randle White, Kevin Larios, Mark Zishka, Bruce Arnold, Craig Moody, Frances Campbell, Kenna Mitchell, Marty Stewart, and Helene Murdock of Poe & Associates. ODOT’s website is www.odot.org/meetings. Daily construction schedules are available on the website also.
110 neighbors attended.
Handouts of the functional plan of I-44 from Riverside to Yale Ave. were passed out.
A slide presentation of how the sound walls and the bridge piers will look revealed an Art Deco design with stained (rather than painted) concrete. If all goes as planned, the project is scheduled to go to bid in Fall 2010; depending on what month it goes to bid, construction could start late this year or early next year. Construction typically begins three to four months after a project is awarded by the Oklahoma Transportation Commission. Delays are the result of unresolved right-of-way and utility considerations.
The only sound walls in the current plan are from Riverside to Newport and Quincy to Utica, 1,800 feet long, 9-16 feet high. The issue of closing Trenton and Troost is still open for discussion with the City of Tulsa despite ODOT’s information that all streets along the Quincy to Utica section will remain open to 51st Street. Persons living close to 51st St state they have a personal safety issue with leaving the streets open because of the easy access to their homes. 51st Street will be one way traveling East from Peoria to Lewis. No sound wall is planned currently for Utica to the Canyon Creek apartments. Explanation of why this is not in the plan was that it was not in the 2006 plan and there is no funding for it. ODOT further stated that there are commercial buildings buffering the sound on 51st Street between Utica and Canyon Creek. ODOT explained further that the sound walls were for the Heller Park Neighborhood only. Members of the audience were quick to point out that Heller Park Neighbors reaches to Lewis Ave. and that ODOT has demolished the commercial buildings on the North side of 51st Street and from Utica to Canyon Creek Apartments on the South side.
ODOT pointed out further, that the sound tests did not show a decibel range of over 66, necessary to require sound walls in the area East of Utica. One resident of the 221 homes of the affected area challenged this by stating that the sound reaches over 75 decibels in his yard located South of the apartment buildings between Utica and Wheeling.
The ODOT presentation also included “before pictures” of the green space which had been taken recently, and “after pictures” showing the sound walls. Question arose concerning who would mow the grass. ODOT stated it will be the responsibility of the City of Tulsa.
As to the design and the color and method of coloring the walls, ODOT stated that the design decisions were the result of a feasibility study made including the Arts Council, Alaback Designs and the City of Tulsa and others to assure the area will be aesthetically pleasing.
A question was raised as to whether ODOT planned to maintain the wooden fence which was behind the demolished school East of Quincy. The answer was no.
Another question was raised as to whether the planting of trees for further sound reduction was planned. ODOT will not do this, but Up With Trees will be selling six foot trees (four for ten dollars) at TCT NE which may be purchased to be used on private property. Up With Trees also have trees available for individual homeowners as part of the program with the City of Tulsa to Re-Green and the Apache Foundation. For more Up With Trees information, contact April Wodul at 910-8733.
ODOT stated that the Perryman Ditch (which ends at Yorktown) should be completed by fall. Weather has delayed the project. ODOT stated that it would fill the existing potholes on I-44 near the Arkansas River bridge as soon as possible.
Present for ODOT were: Ray Sanders, Randle White, Kevin Larios, Mark Zishka, Bruce Arnold, Craig Moody, Frances Campbell, Kenna Mitchell, Marty Stewart, and Helene Murdock of Poe & Associates. ODOT’s website is www.odot.org/meetings. Daily construction schedules are available on the website also.
110 neighbors attended.
Handouts of the functional plan of I-44 from Riverside to Yale Ave. were passed out.
A slide presentation of how the sound walls and the bridge piers will look revealed an Art Deco design with stained (rather than painted) concrete. If all goes as planned, the project is scheduled to go to bid in Fall 2010; depending on what month it goes to bid, construction could start late this year or early next year. Construction typically begins three to four months after a project is awarded by the Oklahoma Transportation Commission. Delays are the result of unresolved right-of-way and utility considerations.
The only sound walls in the current plan are from Riverside to Newport and Quincy to Utica, 1,800 feet long, 9-16 feet high. The issue of closing Trenton and Troost is still open for discussion with the City of Tulsa despite ODOT’s information that all streets along the Quincy to Utica section will remain open to 51st Street. Persons living close to 51st St state they have a personal safety issue with leaving the streets open because of the easy access to their homes. 51st Street will be one way traveling East from Peoria to Lewis. No sound wall is planned currently for Utica to the Canyon Creek apartments. Explanation of why this is not in the plan was that it was not in the 2006 plan and there is no funding for it. ODOT further stated that there are commercial buildings buffering the sound on 51st Street between Utica and Canyon Creek. ODOT explained further that the sound walls were for the Heller Park Neighborhood only. Members of the audience were quick to point out that Heller Park Neighbors reaches to Lewis Ave. and that ODOT has demolished the commercial buildings on the North side of 51st Street and from Utica to Canyon Creek Apartments on the South side.
ODOT pointed out further, that the sound tests did not show a decibel range of over 66, necessary to require sound walls in the area East of Utica. One resident of the 221 homes of the affected area challenged this by stating that the sound reaches over 75 decibels in his yard located South of the apartment buildings between Utica and Wheeling.
The ODOT presentation also included “before pictures” of the green space which had been taken recently, and “after pictures” showing the sound walls. Question arose concerning who would mow the grass. ODOT stated it will be the responsibility of the City of Tulsa.
As to the design and the color and method of coloring the walls, ODOT stated that the design decisions were the result of a feasibility study made including the Arts Council, Alaback Designs and the City of Tulsa and others to assure the area will be aesthetically pleasing.
A question was raised as to whether ODOT planned to maintain the wooden fence which was behind the demolished school East of Quincy. The answer was no.
Another question was raised as to whether the planting of trees for further sound reduction was planned. ODOT will not do this, but Up With Trees will be selling six foot trees (four for ten dollars) at TCT NE which may be purchased to be used on private property. Up With Trees also have trees available for individual homeowners as part of the program with the City of Tulsa to Re-Green and the Apache Foundation. For more Up With Trees information, contact April Wodul at 910-8733.
ODOT stated that the Perryman Ditch (which ends at Yorktown) should be completed by fall. Weather has delayed the project. ODOT stated that it would fill the existing potholes on I-44 near the Arkansas River bridge as soon as possible.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
ODOT Meeting - I-44 Sound Wall Plans, March 26, 7:00 pm, Marshall Elementary
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) has scheduled a public information meeting for 7:00 pm, Friday, March 26, 2010 at the Marshall Elementary School located at 56th and Peoria.
The purpose of the meeting is to inform the Heller Park Neighborhood of the Department's plans to construct a sound wall from Quincy Road to Utica Avenue on the south side of I-44.
Should you have any questions, please contact Craig Moody at (405) 522-1465.
The purpose of the meeting is to inform the Heller Park Neighborhood of the Department's plans to construct a sound wall from Quincy Road to Utica Avenue on the south side of I-44.
Should you have any questions, please contact Craig Moody at (405) 522-1465.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Leadership Meeting, Thursday, January 21, 2010
If you are interested in a leadership role in the Heller Park Neighbors organization, please try to attend this meeting *or* send an email to info@hellerpark.org.
Here are the details of the meeting.
-The meeting is Thursday, January 21, 2010 at 7:00pm.
-The meeting will be at Southern Hills Baptist Church at 56th and Lewis in room 202.
-Park in the west parking lot and enter the building under the awning. The stairs and elevator will be directly ahead and to the right.
-Go up to the second floor. Room 202 is at the north end of the hall.
Here are the details of the meeting.
-The meeting is Thursday, January 21, 2010 at 7:00pm.
-The meeting will be at Southern Hills Baptist Church at 56th and Lewis in room 202.
-Park in the west parking lot and enter the building under the awning. The stairs and elevator will be directly ahead and to the right.
-Go up to the second floor. Room 202 is at the north end of the hall.
Friday, April 24, 2009
I-44 Meeting Follow-Up Information
Thank you to the over 150 neighbors who attended our meeting on Friday, April 17, 2009 to discuss the widening of I-44 and its effects on our neighborhood. Updates about the widening of I-44 from Riverside to Yale, including traffic advisories can be accessed via this link. You can also view street closure information from the City of Tulsa's Weekly Street Construction Update.
Many neighbors asked that we post the contact information of the city and state officials who can hear our concerns about the project.
Ray Sanders
Project Management Division Manager
405-522-7600
rsanders@odot.org
Randle White *ATTENDED THE 4/17 MEETING*
Field Division 8, Division Engineer
918-838-9933
rwhite@odot.org
Paul Green *ATTENDED THE 4/17 MEETING*
Field Division 8, Assistant Division Engineer - Construction
918-838-9933
pdgreen@odot.org
Bruce Arnold *ATTENDED THE 4/17 MEETING*
Field Division 8, Tulsa Residency Engineering Manager
918-836-7116
barnold@odot.org
Kenna Mitchell *ATTENDED THE 4/17 MEETING*
Media & Public Relations Division, Public Information Manager -Tulsa
918-838-9933
kamitchell@odot.org
Mayor Kathy Taylor
One Technology Center
175 E. 2nd St. Suite 690
Tulsa, OK 74130
918-596-7411
cityoftulsa.org/OurCity/Mayor/MayorContact.asp
City Councilor- District 9 *ATTENDED THE 4/17 MEETING*
G.T. Bynum
175 E. 2nd St. Fourth Floor
Tulsa, OK 74103
918-596-1990
Dist9@tulsacouncil.org
City of Tulsa - Public Works Deputy Director of Engineering *ATTENDED THE 4/17 MEETING*
Paul Zachary
2317 S. Jackson Rm S-200
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74107
918-596-9565
pzachary@cityoftulsa.org
City of Tulsa - City Traffic Engineering *ATTENDED THE 4/17 MEETING*
Mark Brown
440 W. 23rd St.
Tulsa, OK 74107
596-9749
markbrown@ci.tulsa.ok.us
Senator - District 35 *WAS INVITED TO THE 4/17 MEETING BUT DID NOT ATTEND*
Gary Stanislawski
6119 E. 91st St. Suite 300
Tulsa, OK 74137
918-493-4190
stanislawski@oksenate.gov
State Representative - 71
Dan Sullivan
601 S. Boulder St. 1100
Tulsa, OK 74119
800-522-8502
dansullivan@okhouse.gov
Many neighbors asked that we post the contact information of the city and state officials who can hear our concerns about the project.
Ray Sanders
Project Management Division Manager
405-522-7600
rsanders@odot.org
Randle White *ATTENDED THE 4/17 MEETING*
Field Division 8, Division Engineer
918-838-9933
rwhite@odot.org
Paul Green *ATTENDED THE 4/17 MEETING*
Field Division 8, Assistant Division Engineer - Construction
918-838-9933
pdgreen@odot.org
Bruce Arnold *ATTENDED THE 4/17 MEETING*
Field Division 8, Tulsa Residency Engineering Manager
918-836-7116
barnold@odot.org
Kenna Mitchell *ATTENDED THE 4/17 MEETING*
Media & Public Relations Division, Public Information Manager -Tulsa
918-838-9933
kamitchell@odot.org
Mayor Kathy Taylor
One Technology Center
175 E. 2nd St. Suite 690
Tulsa, OK 74130
918-596-7411
cityoftulsa.org/OurCity/Mayor/MayorContact.asp
City Councilor- District 9 *ATTENDED THE 4/17 MEETING*
G.T. Bynum
175 E. 2nd St. Fourth Floor
Tulsa, OK 74103
918-596-1990
Dist9@tulsacouncil.org
City of Tulsa - Public Works Deputy Director of Engineering *ATTENDED THE 4/17 MEETING*
Paul Zachary
2317 S. Jackson Rm S-200
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74107
918-596-9565
pzachary@cityoftulsa.org
City of Tulsa - City Traffic Engineering *ATTENDED THE 4/17 MEETING*
Mark Brown
440 W. 23rd St.
Tulsa, OK 74107
596-9749
markbrown@ci.tulsa.ok.us
Senator - District 35 *WAS INVITED TO THE 4/17 MEETING BUT DID NOT ATTEND*
Gary Stanislawski
6119 E. 91st St. Suite 300
Tulsa, OK 74137
918-493-4190
stanislawski@oksenate.gov
State Representative - 71
Dan Sullivan
601 S. Boulder St. 1100
Tulsa, OK 74119
800-522-8502
dansullivan@okhouse.gov
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