New traffic signals are now active at North Peoria Avenue and East Mohawk Boulevard as the City of Tulsa and the North Tulsa Economic Development Initiative celebrate another improvement along the North Peoria corridor.
The signals were completed and activated Friday, Sept. 4, as part of the Peoria Connection initiative, a Vision-funded economic development project focused on improving North Peoria Avenue between 56th Street North and Mohawk Boulevard.
For business owners who have watched the area change over the years, the new signals represent more than an improvement to traffic.
Why are the new signals important?
Business owners Damali Wilson and Charles Harper have operated the 36th Street North Event Center at North Peoria Avenue and East 36th Street North for 10 years.
Wilson, who was born and raised in the area, said better lighting and traffic control could make the corridor more inviting while encouraging drivers to slow down and notice businesses along Peoria Avenue.
“If we’re trying to create an atmosphere for people that’s inviting and that people want to come out and, you know, peruse the businesses that are going to be coming into this area. We’ve got to have lighting,” Wilson said.
Wilson said the area has been dark for years and believes improvements could give residents and visitors more opportunities to walk, bike and explore businesses in the area.
What is the Peoria Connection?
The Peoria Connection is a collaboration between the City of Tulsa, Tulsa Planning Office and NTEDi aimed at making the North Peoria corridor more attractive for new development while supporting neighborhood pride and community investment.
NTEDi President Lana Turner-Addison said the organization has advocated for improvements to the corridor for years.
“This corridor has been a dangerous corridor in the past,” Turner-Addison said.
Turner-Addison said the new infrastructure represents an opportunity for more investment in North Tulsa.
“It’s seeing things come and investment come to North Tulsa that really can help build the type of North Tulsa we desire to have,” Turner-Addison said.
Former Tulsa City Councilor Jack Henderson also attended the celebration. He said he and former District 3 Councilor Roscoe Turner previously worked to address safety concerns along Mohawk Boulevard.
Henderson said he is excited to see the work completed after years of advocacy.
What other improvements are planned?
The new traffic signals are one part of a larger list of projects planned through the Peoria Connection.
Those projects include:
- New trees along Peoria Avenue between Mohawk Boulevard and 56th Street North, in partnership with Up With Trees.
- New streetlight poles along the corridor, in partnership with Public Service Company of Oklahoma.
- A storm sewer project on the east side of Peoria Avenue at 52nd Street North to address maintenance challenges caused by a steep ditch.
- Community cleanup events where volunteers remove litter along the Peoria Avenue corridor.
- Decorative streetlight poles with banners planned along the corridor.
Additional improvements are also underway through separate funding sources.
Those projects include street rehabilitation between 36th Street North and 46th Street North and between 46th Street North and 56th Street North.
Sidewalk projects are also planned to complete sidewalks along Peoria Avenue between Mohawk Boulevard and 56th Street North.
How could the changes affect local businesses?
Harper said he has seen significant changes along the corridor since opening the event center.
He pointed to improvements including roads, benches, plants, lower speed limits, bike lanes and other infrastructure.
He said one of the most important parts of the changes is seeing children walking and riding bikes in the area.
“I think what I love most about it is the kids are involved,” Harper said. “So when I come in the morning, I see kids walk, and I see kids who are on the bike, and we start getting that next generation.”
Harper said he hopes children growing up in the area will see North Tulsa as a place they want to return to after graduating.
Wilson said the improvements could also give people more time to notice businesses along Peoria instead of simply driving through the corridor.
What does NTEDi say is next?
Turner-Addison said the traffic signals are part of a larger effort to bring investment and infrastructure to North Tulsa.
She said NTEDi is continuing to work with the city, residents and other community partners on projects aimed at improving the corridor.
For Wilson and Harper, the changes are already visible, and they say continued investment could help create a safer and more welcoming North Tulsa for residents, businesses and future generations.
