In Progress
Bringing Life to a Historic Site
Located on E. 8th Street and S. Rockford Avenue, the Laura Dester site – once home to the Tulsa Boys Home – faced years of uncertainty following its acquisition by the City of Tulsa to support long-term stormwater facility planning in the Pearl District. Following multiple failed development proposals, PartnerTulsa, along with the Tulsa Development Authority, partnered with Amenome, LLC. and developer Kevin Rice to breathe life back into a site that will anchor one of the largest developments in the Pearl District.
Fast Facts
Laura Dester Redevelopment
Upon completion, the $14 million development will include 72 apartment units in the five existing buildings, as well as a new, three-story, 18,000-square-foot retail/office building and 10-15 townhomes.
Project Overview
A historic redevelopment of the former site of the Tulsa Boys Home will yield 72 affordable apartment units.
The Stories That Inspire Us
August 7, 2026
Alex Rodriguez’s Journey Fueled by Drones, Design and Innovation
For Alex Rodriguez, a passion for drones, technology and engineering has shaped his journey from his high school’s drone team to PartnerTulsa. Through his experience with drones and his interest in design and development, he…
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August 7, 2026
Building a Future Through STEM and Innovation with Tristan Anderson
Driven by his passion for robotics, drones and STEM, Tristan Anderson is building a future focused on innovation and impact. During his time as a PartnerTulsa STEM intern, he connected his interests in technology and…
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July 9, 2026
Meet the Intern: Sheena’s Journey to PartnerTulsa
From Taiwan to Tulsa, Sheena’s summer internship has been a journey of discovery. We caught up with her to talk about her background, what she’s learned at PartnerTulsa and why Tulsa continues to surprise and…
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