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Tulsa makes neighborhood index program permanent, hopes to avoid gentrification

(From left to right) Laura Woods, City Councilor Jackie Dutton, Mayor Monroe Nichols
Ben Abrams
/
KWGS News
(From left to right) Laura Woods, City Councilor Jackie Dutton, Mayor Monroe Nichols, Tulsa Principal Planner Paulina Baeza and Clara Wagoner at the announcement of the NCI Collaborative on Monday, June 8, 2026.

Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols and City Councilor Jackie Dutton announced Monday the Neighborhood Conditions Index, which was launched as a pilot program in 2025, will continue permanently as the NCI Collaborative.

The program was developed by City Hall as a way of evaluating the well-being of neighborhoods by nine categories:

  • Land use
  • Housing and neighborhoods
  • Parks and recreation
  • Transportation
  • Communities and civic engagement
  • Environment and natural resources
  • Economic development
  • History, culture and creativity
  • Public services

The program has only worked with three neighborhoods so far after 22 applied for the pilot program.

The results, according to the city, included new traffic signs and speed humps, neighborhood cleanup events and free spay-neuter clinics for pets.

Abandoned houses cropped up as a primary concern for residents during the pilot.

Nichols emphasized he wants to reduce blight in vulnerable communities without pricing existing residents out.

"The goal is not to gentrify neighborhoods,” Nichols said. “The goal is to make sure that folks who are in the neighborhood have good options to stay in their neighborhood."

A public meeting is scheduled for June 18 at Martin Regional Library to get feedback from residents about the next round of evaluations.

The city said applications for that next round are open until Aug. 14.

Residents can apply here.

Editing by Michael Marcotte

Produced with assistance from the Public Media Journalists Association Editor Corps.
Produced with assistance from the Public Media Journalists Association Editor Corps.

Ben Abrams is a news reporter and All Things Considered host for KWGS.
Check out all of Ben's links and contact info here.