Tulsa officials halt extended metered parking in downtown

TULSA, Okla. (AP) – Tulsa officials have halted a proposal to extend metered parking in the downtown area.

The Tulsa World reports that Mayor G.T. Bynum told city councilors Wednesday that he believes Tulsa residents need to be confident in the existing parking system before it’s expanded.

The proposed ordinance change would’ve extended metered parking from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. It would also have added meters on downtown’s east side, created an option to pay through a phone app, improved signage and increased enforcement.

Councilors are expected to consider only implementing the app payment method and improving signage.

Tom Baker is executive director of the Downtown Coordinating Council. He says the city’s decision was in response to strong opposition to the proposal.