The $242.7 million package calls for improving Zink Dam and the construction of a new low-water dam at 103rd Street and Riverside Drive. KEVIN CANFIELD/The Frontier
The Arkansas River Infrastructure Task Force this morning unveiled its final proposal to build low-water dams and related amenities along the Arkansas River.
The $242.7 million package calls for improving Zink Dam and the construction of a new low-water dam at 103rd Street and Riverside Drive.
As proposed, the Zink Dam improvements would be completed in about four years, followed by work on the south Tulsa/Jenks dam.
The proposal also includes funding to preserve and enhance Turkey Mountain; do the design and engineering work for relocating the city’s maintenance and engineering buildings at 23rd Street and Jackson Avenue: and rehabilitation of the levee system.
The Task Force had also considered building new dams in Sand Springs and Bixby as well.
The proposal presented Thursday does not include funding to build those dams but does have funding for preliminary design work on the dams.
A key difference between the original dam proposals and the one presented Thursday is the addition of millions of dollars in trails.
The proposal also includes a $30 operating and maintenance endowment.
The Arkansas River projects are expected to be a key part of the Vision 2025 renewal package being put together by the City Council and mayor.
What has yet to be determined is how much of the proposal each community will be responsible for paying for.
In addition to Tulsa, Jenks, Tulsa County and the Creek Nation will be asked to pick up part of the cost.
The details of Tulsa’s Vision package are scheduled to be in place by Dec. 18 with a vote scheduled for April 5.
