Tulsa, Okla. – The Downtown Tulsa Partnership (DTP) unveiled the next phase of its downtown revitalization plan on Tuesday, confirming that construction on the Center of the Universe will start on November 16. The $7 million project will provide structural upgrades and a newly designed public space for the beloved landmark.

Why the Center of the Universe matters

“Downtown’s progress is about more than individual projects; it’s about creating places where people want to live, work, visit and invest,” said Kristina Scott, president and CEO of DTP. “The Center of the Universe is an iconic part of Tulsa, and this next chapter represents what’s possible when public, private and philanthropic partners work together to invest in downtown’s future.”

Project details and expected impact

The renovation will address structural concerns, improve lighting, add landscaping and install new wayfinding signage – the first major update in two decades. DTP expects the enhancements to draw more visitors, support local businesses and reinforce downtown’s reputation as an economic engine for the city.

“Downtown is an economic engine for the city and it’s where our workforce comes to work. We have 5,000 residents; it is at the top of people’s visitors’ lists,” Scott added. “We want to make sure our visitors, our workers, and our residents all have a great experience downtown.”

Recent downtown achievements

At DTP’s 2026 annual meeting, the organization highlighted several accomplishments from the 2025‑2026 fiscal year:

• 44 % of surveyed residents reported an improvement in downtown safety, a 30 % increase over the prior year.
• Volunteer “Ambassador Team” crews collected more than 375,000 pounds of trash and removed over 3,200 graffiti incidents.
• The 918 Day Festival attracted over 2,500 attendees and featured 75 vendors.
• The Shop Downtown initiative generated over $80,000 in local spending, supporting more than 35 small businesses.
• Public‑art projects, lighting upgrades, landscaping and urban‑forestry efforts moved forward, and the first major wayfinding system update in twenty years was completed.
• By the end of 2025, downtown Tulsa had attracted nearly $760 million in active and pipeline investment, bringing total downtown investment since 2008 to more than $2.3 billion.
• The Cherokee Nation Business’s acquisition of the Williams Center Complex added a $42 million investment and the potential for over 800 new jobs.

Looking ahead

The Center of the Universe renovation is positioned as a catalyst for continued growth. By improving safety, aesthetics and accessibility, DTP hopes to sustain the momentum of recent investments and keep downtown Tulsa a vibrant hub for families, workers and tourists alike.

For more details on the Center of the Universe project and other downtown initiatives, visit the Downtown Tulsa Partnership website.

Original reporting: KTUL 8 (Sinclair) – local — read the source article.