Traffic A Concern For Tulsa Residents Near Planned Apartment Development

Wednesday, those behind the development of what will be called Cosmopolitan Apartments asked the Tulsa Planning commission for its stamp of approval.

The 280 apartments will be on an empty plot of land near Denver and Riverside with rent starting around $1,000.

Years ago, different apartments sat in the same area but have since burned down or been demolished. Now, new developers are going through all the needed steps to bring their project to fruition.

In May, a Houston-based developer bought more than four acres of empty land on the corner of Denver and Riverside with hopes to turn it into the Cosmopolitan Apartments.

Development spokesperson, Stuart Van De Wiele said, "We view this as a first class project that will serve as a cornerstone of growth along Riverside with the development of the park and other areas of downtown."

There will be between 260 to 280 apartments within the four floors, along with a courtyard and a pool.

A lawyer representing the developer, Bomasada, asked the Tulsa Planning Commission to approve new development standards for the lot that would allow the project to move forward.

"In 1983 the PUD had two 12-story towers, 330,000 feet for office space and mixed-use. We are proposing a much lower intensity development," Van De Wiele said.

But some who live in the historic neighborhood surrounding it, like homeowner Eric Robb, had a few questions.

"We were excited about the thing at first until the traffic situation came up," he said.

The proposal calls for entrances to an internal parking garage for tenants to be on Denver and West 17th street, but neighbors are concerned about safety issues and having close to 300 more drivers use their streets to get back and forth.

Stephanie Regan and her husband have lived in the area for 19 years. They said they are in favor of the project as long as it is done correctly.

"There has been very limited through traffic, and this would change that exponentially if they give access to the property through 17th Street to the parking garage," Stephanie said.

When and if the Cosmopolitan Apartments get final approval they would be open for tenants two years after breaking ground.

The next step is presenting the plan to the city council.

Wednesday, the planning commission only gave consent with the developer agreeing to look at other options when it comes to getting in and out of that internal parking garage.