LOCAL
Kimberly Marsh, The Oklahoma Eagle
Duewan Triplett, who lived at Comanche Park before it was demolished in 2023, cuts the ribbon to open the new facility. Photo: Tim Landes/The Oklahoma Eagle
It’s been two years since residents were forced to move out of the crumbling Comanche Park apartments. As the first phase of redevelopment reaches completion, returning residents now have their choice of apartments in the Phoenix at 36N — the first housing complex finished as part of the Envision Comanche redevelopment in northern Tulsa.
Duewan Triplett lived at Comanche Park before it was demolished in 2023. He’s excited about moving into the new building with his four children and said this revitalized area of the city, in the Phoenix District, will create new opportunities for recreation and safer living.
“I want my kids to have every opportunity to thrive and become smart, productive individuals who stay out of trouble,” Triplett said in late August at the apartment’s opening ceremony. “I was especially inspired, excited to hear about the plans for nature trails, parks and other spaces for my kids to play where I feel they’re safe. That’s a big thing for me.”
The first of seven phases in the $210 million community symbolizes north Tulsa’s renewal, resilience and rebirth, community leaders said. Once finished, Envision Comanche will offer 545 apartments with retail and gathering spaces, a grocery store and an urban farm.
Impressed with the apartment design, Faith Alabie, 23, said she’s considering getting a place at Phoenix.
“I think it’s really affordable. It’s kind of like, almost, an adult dorm, or a really upscale, livable hotel,” Alabie said. “The community seems amazing. It feels really nice, homey and also safe.”
The entire Envision Comanche community is the largest investment in public housing in Tulsa’s history. It will include 271 units offered first to Comanche Park tenants, including 55 in Phoenix — about half of the building.
Another 274 are either classified as affordable, using low-income tax credits, or market rate. Funding for the development, which is owned and operated by Tulsa Housing Authority, came from a $50 million federal Choice Neighborhoods grant, local foundations and the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency.
