Skip to main content

Retrofitting Suburbia

By May 11, 2026Main Street RI

From Strip Mall to Gathering Place: Tulsa’s Global District and the Future of Main Street Revitalization

June 4, 2026 at 12PM

Featuring: Alejandro Garcia, Executive Director of the Tulsa Global District

FREE TO REGISTER
Across the United States, many of the commercial corridors where communities gather don’t look anything like a traditional, historic Main Street district. They’re strip malls, parking-lot-fronted corridors, and auto-oriented strips built for a different era. How do we bring the Main Street approach to places that weren’t designed with walkability, community gathering, or historic character in mind? What does “retrofitting suburbia” look like in practice, and what tools, strategies, and partnerships make it possible? Using the Tulsa Global District as a case study, we’ll explore how Main Street programs can meet communities where they are, promoting people-centered revitalization around the cultural life and economic activity that already exists.

The Tulsa Global District is a Main Street America program in the heart of East Tulsa, Oklahoma, the most multicultural area of the city. Founded in 2020, the organization works to support and amplify local businesses, celebrate cultural heritage, and host community events that reflect the district’s rich international identity. Leading the organization is Executive Director Alejandro Garcia, who brings a background in marketing and entrepreneurship to the role. Originally from Puebla, Mexico, Alejandro joined the Global District as Small Business Specialist in 2023 before stepping into the executive director position. He holds an MBA with a graduate certificate in entrepreneurship from Oklahoma State University and has coached dozens of small businesses on branding and market growth.

Tags:

Next Post
Close Menu