Tulsa’s historic Pearl District residents and business owners are facing many drastic changes in the area due to the City of Tulsa’s Elm Creek Basin Project. The Elm Creek Basin Project would claim, via eminent domain, many of Tulsa’s oldest homes. The project would install two additional ponds, West and East of Peoria each with mixed-use development (condos and retail space) surrounding.  The City of Tulsa’s assertion is that both of these ponds are needed to manage storm water for 10year + rain events within the city. The City stated in their 2011 FEMA project application and subsequent denials, that areas in the Pearl, Gunboat, and 18th and Boston would continue to flood in 10 year rain events. However, on June 6th, 2019, the City of Tulsa experiences a 25-50 year rain event with zero reported flooding. Not only did no structure within the City flood on that date, the 2019 Arkansas River Flood damaged no structures within city limits, per The City of Tulsa.

Engineering studies for this project were conducted in the 1990’s, prior to major flood management infrastructure implementation and Centennial Pond construction.  Up to date evaluations should be required. 

FEMA’s determination stated the Elm Creek Project at $10M was not an economically beneficial solution (twice) and that the city should explore other more cost effective alternatives. With revised plans, the city now estimates the project will cost $30M, which would make the project even more unfeasible economically.  The city has received $5M of $30M via taxpayer funding through the 2014 Improve Our Tulsa Bond.  This money is being used as Phase 1 of the project, which is intended as acquisition funding.  The City yet to receive funding for the remaining $25M required to complete the project. However, homes in the Pearl District are being taken via eminent domain as we speak. 

It is imperative that citizens of Tulsa understand the true nature and value of this project. The City must provide documentation that these ponds are a necessity in order to use eminent domain and prove that there are no other viable alternatives, i.e. utilizing existing parks and city owned lots.  

The City has the ball rolling. Three properties are in the condemnation process, mine included, with appraisals happening for many more. Help us save our homes!!

Join us in Saving the Pearl! It is an integral part of Tulsa’s history. Let’s move to preservation and restoration vs destruction and modernization.

Stop Eminent Domain Abuse by the City of Tulsa!!!! Stop the Elm Creek Basin Project!!!