Tulsa, You’re Nearly Perfect, But Here’s What I’d Tweak

I have lived in Tulsa for just over seven months now and in that short time I have found myself deeply connected to this city. I have met incredible people, found a strong creative community, and watched this place show up again and again for artists, musicians, and filmmakers. There is an energy here that is rare. It is scrappy and authentic and full of people building something together. Tulsa is a city with soul.

But like any great city, there is still work to be done. I am not here to complain. I chose this city because I saw its potential and every week it proves me right. Still, there are a few things I wish were better. If we could fix even half of these, Tulsa would be one of the best places to live in the country. All we would need after that is a way to control the weather and we could officially call it perfect.

Here are a few changes I believe could make a huge difference.

1. Sidewalks should not be a rare feature

We were lucky to buy a home that happens to be in a small pocket of sidewalk-friendly streets. But take a walk in almost any other part of Tulsa and you will find yourself in the road. Literally.

Sidewalks are either nonexistent or end abruptly with no safe alternative. For people who walk daily, especially those with kids or dogs, this creates unnecessary risk. The roads are not wide and the traffic does not slow down. Walkers are left to fend for themselves.

According to recent city planning statistics, less than one third of Tulsa neighborhoods have consistent sidewalk coverage. That number should be higher. Sidewalks improve safety, encourage community, and support health. We should not have to gamble with traffic just to walk the dog.

2. The bike routes need more than a painted sign

Tulsa has made progress. The River Parks trail is exceptional. Downtown has started to make room for cyclists in a few areas. But once you leave those spaces, the system falls apart.

Too often, something is called a bike route when all that really means is someone painted a small bicycle symbol on the pavement. There are no barriers, no lanes, and no protection. Cyclists are placed directly in the path of cars that may or may not know they are supposed to share the road.

Tulsa has a growing number of people who want to commute by bike or simply ride safely around town. But right now, most of the city is not built to support that. A bike route should be more than a suggestion. It should be safe and functional.

3. Let’s clean up the interstates

In some areas of town, especially on the interstates and off ramps, the amount of trash becomes pretty hard to ignore. Wind blows it in. People toss it out. And it starts to look like no one is in charge of picking it up.

There is an opportunity here. Many cities use community service programs to keep these areas clean. People who need to complete court-ordered service could help maintain public spaces in exchange for hours. The infrastructure for this already exists. We just need to put it to work.

Trash sends a message about a city. When someone visits Tulsa, their first impression might come from what they see driving in. Let’s make sure they see a city that cares about how it looks.

4. Construction projects seem to last forever

Everyone complains about road work. It takes time. It is expensive. I get it. But here in Tulsa it often feels like some construction zones become part of the landscape.

There is a section of Route 66 near Delaware that has been under construction since I arrived in town. I have driven by it countless times and I cannot remember ever seeing someone actually working on it.

Delays happen. Projects take longer than expected. But it would help a lot if the city communicated more clearly about timelines and progress. A simple sign with estimated completion dates or project goals would help residents feel informed rather than frustrated.

5. Tulsa is dog friendly. The people need to be as well

Tulsa loves dogs. I have never lived in a city where more people smile at you simply for walking a dog. But what I have noticed is that not everyone is doing their part when it comes to cleaning up after them.

There are too many parks and sidewalks where someone clearly decided to leave a mess behind. That might seem like a small issue, but it reflects on the whole community. Dog ownership means responsibility. If you are not picking up after your dog, you are making it harder for the rest of us to enjoy the space.

6. Reverse parking on Cherry Street is not working

Cherry Street is one of the best parts of Tulsa. The restaurants and shops bring in a lot of foot traffic and the neighborhood has character. But the decision to create reverse angle parking has made it incredibly difficult to drive through the area smoothly.

When one person tries to back into a spot, it stops traffic in both directions. If someone is not confident in the maneuver, it takes even longer. What should be a quick trip turns into a line of cars waiting for a single parking decision.

Parallel parking might not be perfect but at least it does not bring traffic to a halt. This system could be rethought to make the street work better for everyone.

7. The radio stations could use more variety

I usually stream my music or listen to podcasts, but the car I drive for work does not have Bluetooth. So every once in a while I turn on the radio.

And every time, I hear the same 20 songs.

I love “Mr. Blue Sky” as much as the next person, but if I hear it twice in one trip to the grocery store, something is off. Tulsa has an incredible music scene. There are local artists making work that deserves to be heard. Why not use the airwaves to showcase some of that?

Radio still has power. It shapes mood. It reflects identity. Right now, it feels like it is on autopilot.

In closing

Tulsa is a remarkable city. I came here to make films and found so much more than a production location. I found community. I found talent. I found a city that feels like home.

Every one of these issues is fixable. They are not unique to Tulsa, but solving them here would show that the city is serious about growth and quality of life. The infrastructure is here. The people are here. The momentum is here.

Let’s make the small changes that turn a great city into a truly exceptional one.

And if anyone figures out how to control the weather, call me. I have notes.