The Tulsa City Council voted Monday to approve the creation of the Tulsa Web Development Center, a new nonprofit that will be headed by the city’s chief information officer, Chris Naughton.
The center will serve as the state’s hub for developing and maintaining the citys web design infrastructure, including its public-facing website and mobile applications.
The council also approved a $50 million bond to pay for the center’s construction.
The program will begin in the first quarter of 2018 and is expected to cost $1.1 million to $1,250 per year, said David Miller, the city of Tulsa’s executive director.
The nonprofit is being funded by a $1 million bond, as well as private funds and city contributions, Miller said.
The city is also seeking private financing to build a public plaza in the central business district, where businesses and nonprofits gather to discuss business and government issues, he said.
“This is a historic day,” Mayor Terry Stansbury said in a news release.
“This is going to change the way we do business and what we are able to do for our city.
This is not about the money; this is about the vision of what we want for Tulsa and our future.”
NaughTON, who was appointed to the council in June, said in his statement the new center will be dedicated to “providing a unified and comprehensive platform for the city to connect and engage with its community.”
He said the center will focus on four areas: the creation and maintenance of Tulsas public web design system, including public-domain design, website design, and mobile application design; community engagement and civic engagement; and technology and innovation.
It will also focus on the citywide redesign of Tulsa, he added.
The announcement was met with cheers from the crowd at City Hall.
“We love you Chris,” said Terri Domingo, a local resident.
“It’s going to be a very exciting day.
I’ve never been more proud of Tulsa.”
The city also approved $10 million in funding for a new business development fund for Tulsa’s local economy.
The fund is a mix of bonds, local property taxes and a $100 million general obligation bond, said Brian Houser, Tulsa’s chief financial officer.
“The city is looking to develop a unique way to support businesses that are doing well and those that are trying to do well in the city,” Housers said.
Tulsa’s public web has become increasingly popular with people looking for a better quality of life, said Kevin Linn, director of the city Department of Commerce.
He said he expects that to continue as more businesses open.
“We know that our web is going online,” Linn said.
“What we have to do is make sure it is a service that people want to have and want to use.
It has to be responsive and responsive to what they are doing.”