A coalition of South Tulsa homeowners associations and neighborhood councils has officially filed paperwork to secede from the City of Tulsa and form a new, independent municipality called “Tulsa Proper.” The proposed boundaries begin south of 71st Street and encompass major commercial corridors including Woodland Hills Mall and South Memorial.
Organizers of the movement say the effort stems from deep economic and cultural differences between South Tulsa and the rest of the city.
“Our tax dollars do the heavy lifting, but we’re constantly sidelined when it comes to city priorities,” said Olivia Cates, spokesperson for the Tulsa Proper Committee.
Supporters argue that South Tulsa’s thriving retail sectors and well-maintained neighborhoods carry the city’s financial weight.
“We carry Tulsa. Without us, the budget would collapse,” Cates added.
The group has also revealed ambitious plans to build a brand-new zoo, separate from Tulsa’s current one, which they say will feature “premium animals only” and none of the “boring Oklahoma wildlife.”
“We’re talking white tigers, pandas, and maybe even a dolphin or two if we figure out the water bill,” one organizer said.
While infrastructure concerns and political disagreements were cited, some residents were more candid.
“I’m just afraid we’ll start seeing a Morelos or Las Americas down here. The horror,” said one South Tulsa woman as she loaded flowers into her BMW outside Whole Foods.
Organizers claim the proposal is not political, but a practical response to what they perceive as years of neglect and creeping cultural shift.
“We’re not trying to be dramatic,” Cates said.
“We just believe Tulsa Proper should reflect the values of those who fund it.”
The proposed city would draft its own charter, collect taxes, and manage services like emergency response and zoning. County officials say the measure would face legal review and would likely require a public referendum — but nothing is impossible with enough prayer.
