For the full press release click here.

“Based upon an in-depth review of Simon’s plans, their lack of follow up detail, and how these plans do not respect the surrounding properties and their future intended use, Tulsa Urban Wilderness Coalition cannot support Simon’s development plans and requests for public tax incentives for this site.  We wish Simon well in the Tulsa market but feel it is unfortunate they selected this site without apparent consideration for what pristine urban wilderness means to not just Tulsa, but the entire region,”

TUWC public relations coordinator Laurie Biby said.

Tulsa Urban Wilderness Coalition meeting with mall developer

Wilderness group opposes proposed outlet mall near Turkey Mountain

A local wilderness coalition said Tuesday that it cannot support the proposed development of an outlet mall near the Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness area, in part because the developer has been unable to fully address the organization’s concerns about the project’s impact on the area.

Turkey Mountain update: Simon Group meets with Tulsans about mall plan, and the reception gets chilly

Simon appears reluctant to share any of its 2,000 parking spaces with trail users. Instead, the company plans to go to the George Kaiser Family Foundation (one of the property owners adjacent to the proposed mall site) and see if the foundation would mind tearing up its property to put an additional 50 or so parking spaces and trailhead access. It’s been communicated to Simon that trail users do not want to sacrifice even more wild land for parking.

Can the tide be turning?

Turkey Mountain is in District Two. I live in District Two (2/10 of a mile from the Turkey Mountain parking lot) and Jeannie and I have exchanged emails a few times. She is not at all sold on the mall going on Turkey, and she can be quite influential with the other eight counselors. Take a few minutes to send an email. If you’re lucky and they respond, keep the dialogue open. These city officials work for us, and want to represent us.