TulsaNow

Tulsa, Oklahoma, August 8th, 2008 - TulsaNow and a group of volunteers have debuted their "DowntownLive" project at the Tulsa Press Club. DowntownLive was conceived 6 months ago when a group of concerned citizens expressed their frustrations with the lack of a directory or map of Downtown available to visitors or citizens of the Tulsa area. TulsaNow organized the project and volunteers spent over 1,000 hours canvassing downtown, cataloging every public business inside of the Inner-Dispersal Loop, then compiling the information and creating both a comprehensive website and an easy-to-distribute printed guide. The printed map features an original artistic map created by Artist William Franklin that captures both the physical blocks and streets of Tulsa, as well as the spirit of Tulsa through its vibrant graphic elements. The printed maps will be distributed to businesses around Tulsa within the next few weeks. The website, www.DowntownLive.org, was created in conjunction with Evolution Studios. It features detailed information on over 200 businesses and features hours, directions, pictures, reviews, ratings and much more.


If you believe in the DowntownLive project, we need volunteers and we need sponsors to cover costs such as printing. Anyone who wants to know more, or just wants to help, should send an email to downtownlive@tulsanow.org .

DOWNTOWNLIVE! PRESS CONFERENCE - Fri, 8/8
Downtown revitalization. Everybody talks about it, but what can you DO about it?

This year, TulsaNow decided that the time for talk was over. It was time to do something tangible to help downtown reach its full potential.

The concept? A comprehensive online guide to downtown retail, dining, nightlife and entertainment--along with a big, bold, printed map to help people find their way. The coolest part? DowntownLive! is a collaborative, grassroots effort of average citizens, all volunteering our time and talents to help the city we love.

We asked for help, and received an overwhelming response. Information gatherers, photographers, artists, graphic designers, web designers... It seems we weren't alone in our desire to see downtown Tulsa thrive.

The TulsaNow DowntownLive! project is a tangible step towards bringing more people downtown, and helping them discover all the cool and unique things downtown has to offer. It's our way of supporting those visionaries and risk-takers who have already brought restaurants, retail and nightlife to the historic core of our city.

And we're just getting started! Our plan for DowntownLive! is that it will continue to grow and evolve, along with downtown Tulsa.

Join us, along with Mayor Taylor and Councilor Gomez, for the official unveiling of the DowntownLive! map, and a sneak peek at the DowntownLive! online guide.

If you can't make it to the press conference, don't worry. The official launch party will be in September, so we can all celebrate together.

WHAT: DowntownLive! Press Conference
WHEN: Friday, Aug 8, 10:30 AM
WHERE: Tulsa Press Club
MORE INFO: info@tulsanow.org

Citizen Input Key to Success of Comp Plan Update

If you think the term "Comprehensive Plan" sounds like a boring document created by bureaucrats in the basement of City Hall, then you haven't met John Fregonese. As the lead consultant to Tulsa's PLANiTULSA project, Fregonese stresses that all great plans begin by engaging the community. PLANiTULSA will be about "implementing the community's vision," and the process starts with a basic question: "What do people want?"

TulsaNow believes that citizens are eager to get involved and share their thoughts. They just don't know it yet.

That's why TulsaNow will host a public event called "PLANiTULSA: Think Big! (Dreamers Wanted.)" Speakers will include John Fregonese of Fregonese Associates and Gary Reddick of Sienna Architecture Group. The event will take place from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 15 at the OSU-Tulsa Auditorium, located at 700 N. Greenwood on the campus of OSU-Tulsa. The event is free and open to the public.

The purpose of the event is to help Tulsans understand the importance of the comprehensive plan, and how they can play a role in shaping Tulsa's future.

According to Sarah Kobos, President of TulsaNow, "Whenever I talk to people about PLANiTULSA, the first thing everyone says is 'Now, what exactly is the comprehensive plan?' Once you explain it, they get all excited. Most people have opinions about what Tulsa needs, or how to make Tulsa better, but nobody ever asks them what they think. We want people to understand that they can get involved in PLANiTULSA and really make a difference. Every voice counts."

Learn more about PLANiTULSA and the Comprehensive Plan Update: www.planitulsa.org

Download Flier: TulsaNow-PLANiTULSA.pdf