Daniel Regan Talks ‘Street Cred: 66,’ Activism
By EMILY RAMSEY
Managing Editor
MAKING A DIFFERENCE: TYPros’ 2016 Chair Daniel Regan is a fourth generation Tulsan with a passion for downtown Tulsa and community activism. Regan’s efforts this year as chair revolve around Street Cred: 66, to be held April 30, and its endorsement of multi-modal transportation, and engaging young voters.
Courtesy TYPros
Editor’s Note: Daniel Regan is one of Greater Tulsa Reporter’s “10 People to Watch in 2016,” as announced in its January 2016 issue. was the first news group in greater Tulsa to introduce “10 People to Watch,” which launched in January 2009.
Throughout the year, will publish a series of articles featuring each of its “10 People to Watch,” with next month’s article to feature Tulsa City Councilor G.T. Bynum.
Daniel Regan’s interest in affecting change takes many forms, whether discussing his current role as Tulsa’s Young Professionals’ 2016 board chair, his political activism, his seat on local boards of directors or his role as vice president of downtown Tulsa’s largest commercial property management company.
As this year’s ros chair, Regan, who joined ros in its infancy in 2005, is especially focused on its upcoming Street Cred event, Street Cred: 66, to be held April 30.
Street Cred is TYPros’ annual community redevelopment initiative, with past events taking place in the Pearl District, downtown Tulsa, 61st Street and Peoria Avenue, and along Southwest Boulevard.
This year, the event will focus on Route 66, which follows mostly along 11th Street through Tulsa, and will shine a light on Route 66 and the need for multi-modal options, says Regan.
Route 66 is the original transit corridor, and we want to promote its use by capitalizing on its current usage as well as using the road in new ways, Regan says.
These “new ways” refer to additional forms of transportation, namely, transit and bicycles.
Street Cred will highlight two of Tulsa’s transportation plans that are awaiting implementation: the east-west Bus Rapid Transit () line, which will receive funding if the economic development portion of the Vision Tulsa sales tax renewal package is approved on April 5, and the GO Plan, Tulsa’s regional bicycle-pedestrian master plan.
“We have these two plans already created,” he says. “This will show the potential of these plans, that we could adopt these plans now.”
ros will work with the City of Tulsa to close the two outermost lanes of 11th Street between Delaware and Peoria avenues for the week leading up to Street Cred in order “to show long term what it would look like with transit and bike lanes.”
ros is also encouraging people to use that road to bike to work during that week.
Street Cred will have a number of activities going on that day to engage the neighborhoods, businesses and organizations that are located in that area.
Regan’s other focus as ros chair lies in an interest of his that first began when he worked on his uncle’s campaign for lieutenant governor in 2006. That started Regan’s interest in politics as he saw the ability that every individual has to make an impact.
“I learned from that experience that when you participate and show an interest, you can affect change in a positive way,” he says.
Regan went on to serve as finance director for Dan Boren’s campaign for U.S. Congress from 2009-2011 and as finance director and deputy political director for Kathy Taylor’s campaign for Tulsa mayor in 2013.
Therefore, Regan, who has previously served as head of TYPros’ government relations crew, wishes to use his time as chair to encourage greater engagement of young voters under age 40.
“Unfortunately, a large part of my generation thinks that they can’t have an impact, and they are disillusioned,” says Regan.
By working with universities, area chambers of commerce and nonprofit organizations, however, Regan hopes to have a greater strategic impact on those who have, in the past, sat on the sidelines. Plus, there’s an additional benefit to engaging younger voters, he adds.
“When we engage the younger age group, it has a ripple effect on older voters, like their family members.”
Regan currently serves on the boards of Foundation for Tulsa Schools, Downtown Coordinating Council, VisitTulsa, Impact Tulsa and others. He is also a founding member and co-chair of the Great Raft Race, a past Tulsa event that was re-launched in summer 2015.
He became vice president of Kanbar Properties in 2014, his position allowing him to play a role in developing downtown Tulsa, another subject close to his heart, he notes.
Regan is a fourth generation Tulsan with a passion for cities’ urban cores. “I’ve always had a fascination with downtowns, so to be able to have some impact on downtown Tulsa is wonderful.”
And the timing, he admits, couldn’t be much better.
“I get to help shape the look and landscape of downtown Tulsa and at a time when the energy and vibrance of downtown Tulsa is coming back to life.”
Updated 03-28-2016
READER COMMENTS
About Post Author
