TULSA, Okla. (AP) — Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett and City Councilor Jack Henderson broke ground on two statues — one of George Washington Carver and one of Booker T. Washington.
The ground-breaking was held Wednesday at noon on the northwest corner of Pine and Peoria.
The bronze, 7-foot sculptures are a donation from a local community development corporation and will be erected at the corner of two busy cross streets on the city's north side.
The area was once crowded with blight and abandoned storefronts but has recently caught the attention of civic and religious leaders who have pledged resources and attention to the district.
Bartlett announced early last month a pilot program involving church leaders that intends to encourage north Tulsa's youth to join positive summertime activities.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.