Pine & Mingo Business Owners Seek Answers from City Council Over Construction Impact
By Burt Mummolo
Thu, October 22, 2026
Pine & Mingo business owners have watched their sales plummet by as much as 75% due to nearby road construction over the past five weeks.
"You know, I built it like a baby, now they want to try to destroy it," said Tony Alkhouri, owner of Christy's BBQ. His experience is echoed by Timothy Kok from Batman's.
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) has made minor adjustments, such as installing business access signs and allowing two-way traffic in front of the businesses, but these changes have had little impact.
"You still can’t get in from state highway 11, you can’t get in from 169," Kok explained.
Business owners have been frustrated by the lack of substantive changes or responses from officials. Alkhouri and Kok recently appeared before the Tulsa city council to voice their concerns.
Kok presented specific questions to the council, such as:
- Why wasn’t communication established between the city and state regarding potential traffic disruptions?
- Why couldn’t the project sequence be adjusted to maintain access from both state highway 11 and highway 169?
- What financial assistance is available for businesses experiencing losses?
They have also submitted open records requests for more information. In the meantime, Alkhouri and Kok plan to continue advocating for a solution, with Alkhouri expressing concern that his business may close if conditions don’t improve.
"Councilors we’re not asking you to stop the projects, we’re asking you to help us find a better way," Kok concluded.