OU, Norman and county officials broke ground Tuesday at the future site of the Rock Creek Entertainment District in University North Park.
Opening the ceremony, Norman Chamber of Commerce President Scott Martin introduced speakers representing the university, city, county and state.
Martin said the ceremony marked the first of many future celebrations to come at the site.
“Today is more than a groundbreaking,” Martin said. “This is the beginning of a legacy: a legacy where memories will be made, businesses will grow, families will gather and our community will come together.”
Danny Lovell, CEO of The Rainier Companies — which was announced as the district’s master developer on April 14 — thanked the community and project partners.
“This day is especially meaningful to me and to our entire firm. I spent years driving these roads, coming to these games and spending time in this community,” Lovell said. “There’s a deep sense of pride in helping create something that will have a lasting impact on a place that’s meant so much to me and my family.”
Lovell said developments like the Rock Creek Entertainment District don’t happen overnight and take years of planning.
“Rock Creek Entertainment District represents a generational opportunity to shape a destination that brings people together, supports economic vitality and reflects the spirit and momentum of this growing community,” Lovell said.
Lovell said the district is the result of the partnership between Cleveland County, the city, OU and Rainier Companies.
“When you see this level of cooperation across private sectors, public sectors, across local government and with the state’s flagship university, it speaks to the confidence everyone has in Norman’s future,” Lovell said. “We are committed to delivering a district that this community and generations can be proud of.”
Lovell said he’s excited about events to be held at the district’s planned arena with OU athletics. The arena would replace OU’s current arena Lloyd Noble Center, which first opened in 1975. OU basketball and women’s gymnastics will serve as the anchor tenants for the new arena.
Lovell said construction will begin May 19.
OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. thanked investors, university leaders, past city leaders and city council, and said the entertainment district’s establishment was a team effort.
“This wouldn’t have happened without everyone that’s here, not without the private sector, not without the city council and their critical vote on this,” Harroz said. “It is a collective team moment.”
Harroz said despite doubts about whether the development would come to fruition, he is celebrating the beginning of the development.
“Being able to lead collectively as a community is hard, …” Harroz said. “All of the hard work, all of the years poured into this, all of the doubt on whether or not we would move forward was won out.”
Cleveland County Commissioner Rod Cleveland thanked elected officials he said championed the entertainment district, including former Mayor Larry Heikkila. Under Heikkila’s leadership as mayor, Norman City Council passed the entertainment district in a 5-4 vote.
“We are deeply grateful for the strong partnership between Cleveland County, University of Oklahoma, OU Foundation, Guy Patton, Rainier Development, city council members Scott Dixon, Josh Dean Wolfe, Matt Peacock, former Councilman Austin Ball, Mayor Heikkila,” Cleveland said, “the leaders who stood up for the future and believed what was possible.”
Cleveland said the development will create jobs at “no cost” to the public. He said through the TIF district, revenue generated by the entertainment district will cover costs.
“This project will transform not just the city but the entire county, creating hundreds of jobs and new opportunities, all at no cost to the general public,” Cleveland said.
Cleveland said the development is funded 80% by private capital and 20% through TIF revenue.
“When you eat, shop and enjoy the events here, your tax dollars stay here and help build it,” Cleveland said.
Ward 8 Councilmember Scott Dixon, whose ward will include the entertainment district, said during the ceremony that challenges leading up to the groundbreaking represent the Norman community’s care for its future.
“This hasn’t been a simple journey. There have been questions, conversations and even a legal challenge along the way, but that process reflects something more important, a community that cares deeply about its future,” Dixon said. “As we stand today, as we get together, we’re moving forward with clarity and a purpose.”
Dixon said the entertainment district is an opportunity for local businesses to grow, families to connect and Norman to continue evolving.
Following the event, Dixon told OU Daily he is “joyful” to see the project beginning and he believes it will economically benefit the city.
“It’s just gonna continue the economic engine that Ward 8 is,” Dixon said. “I see this is going to be vibrant, not just for Ward 8, but for the entire city of Norman. It’s gonna be wonderful.”
Dixon said he understands why some Norman residents are against the development, but he hopes the community can work together to create the best project possible.
He said there is still work to be done to ensure the project is executed in the best way possible, stating city leaders will hold developers accountable throughout the build.
“We’re not done, we’re gonna have to hold the developers’ feet to the fire and make sure that they do what they said they’re gonna do,” Dixon said. “It’s not over yet, I mean, there’s still a lot of oversight to be had to make sure this comes off as we envision it being.”
Steven Bratcher, Oklahoma Department of Commerce regional development specialist, presented a certificate of congratulations to the project partners on behalf of the Department of Commerce and Gov. Kevin Stitt.
“We love that you’re doing big things, because we know big things in a community will lead to big things in a region, which leads to big things for the state of Oklahoma,” Bratcher said.
Lovell said the district is expected to create more than 3,000 jobs. Lovell said Rainier is committed to philanthropy and community engagement, and presented a $2,500 check to Thunderbird Clubhouse, a nonprofit organization that supports adults in recovery from mental illness, and a $2,500 check to Bridges of Oklahoma, a nonprofit organization that supports high school students in family crisis or housing instability.
Mayor Stephen Tyler Holman and other sitting council members did not attend the ceremony. OU Daily reached out to Holman for a comment, but did not receive a response by the time of publication.
OU Daily also reached out to Councilmember Helen Grant for comment. The Daily did not receive a response by the time of publication.
This story was edited by Audrey McClour, Anusha Fathepure and Macey Thaxton.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.oudaily.com ’
