The Downtown Coordinating Council is planning a roughly $2.4 million renovation of the Center of the Universe, and the Tulsa Development Authority is ready to help the work along.
TDA approved $191,750 in unspent tax increment financing for the project. That funding will likely go toward initial design work.
"This seems like an excellent way to leverage TIF funds … $2.35 million project on $191,750. That seems like a great leverage to me," said TDA Development and Project Manager Casey Stowe.
The DCC wants to fix up the Center of the Universe and surrounding pedestrian bridge, which has cracked and uneven surfaces, missing trees, and other blemishes. Executive Director Brian Kurtz said the Trace public art installation, which has light-up bricks follow visitors’ steps, factored into the DCC's push for the project.
"Working with the artist, acknowledging that it was supposed to be up for two years, I think we’re in year five right now and the art itself needed to be replaced, but I didn’t feel great spending $50,000 replacing the art project when the rest of the surroundings were in the condition that they are," Kurtz said.
The DCC already has a $1 million commitment from an unnamed donor and will turn to the city, county and private partners for the rest of the funding needed.