It appears Oklahoma’s basketball teams will have a new home after all.
The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled Tuesday the gist of the referendum petition that would’ve sent the use of the $1.2 billion Rock Creek Entertainment District tax increment financing district to a public vote was insufficient.
The project will now move forward as originally intended.
Oklahomans for Responsible Economic Development organized a referendum petition in 2024 and collected over 10,600 signatures.
The decision comes a little over a year and four months after the Norman City Council voted to approve the development in the University North Park area. The development is planned to include a new arena for OU’s men’s and women’s basketball teams and women’s gymnastics team, replacing the Lloyd Noble Center.
“Today marks a defining milestone for the City of Norman, the University of Oklahoma and our entire community,” the university said in a statement. “We move forward purposefully, guided by unlocking what’s next: a place where students, professionals and families can live, work and thrive.
“During this delay, we have worked diligently with the County Trust to ensure the development is shovel-ready, advancing a design-build RFP and readying the project for execution. The positive ruling from the Oklahoma Supreme Court allows us to continue this momentum.
“The development, which will become home to several OU athletics programs and community events, will foster an environment where our community can grow and reflects leadership grounded in vision, collaboration and common purpose. Together, we are shaping a stronger future for our university and the community we serve.”
The dissenting opinion, written by Chief Justice Dustin P. Rowe, states that the gist is not inaccurate, misleading or fraudulent and he “cannot accept that Proponents’ gist is so inadequate as to deprive the voters of their constitutional right to — vote up or down — on the Ordinance.”
“I would allow the Ordinance to go to a vote of the People. Accordingly, I respectfully dissent,” he continued.
OU officials and coaches have long pushed for the project, which was announced in Sept. 2023 during the Norman Economic Development Coalition’s annual State of the Economy breakfast. The Norman Planning Commission approved the project plan in June 2024, where outgoing athletic director Joe Castiglione, women’s basketball coach Jennie Baranczyk and women’s gymnastics coach K.J. Kindler spoke to the planning commission members in support of the plan.
In October 2024, OU president Joseph Harroz Jr., joined by Castiglione and the coaches, as well as former Norman Mayor Larry Heikkila, unveiled a sign at the site that read “The Future Home of the Rock Creek Entertainment District.”
“The planning and development of the Rock Creek Entertainment District is fully underway as we embark on a transformational opportunity for our community,” Castiglione said in a statement. “The future is brimming with possibilities for the city of Norman, Cleveland County and our university athletics programs and student-athletes.
“This district will grow our city and will present abundant opportunities for us to put on display the power of the essential partnerships necessary to make the power of the essential partnerships necessary to make this dream a reality. There’s no doubt that all who visit will come to appreciate what makes our community so special.”
Construction for the arena, which is expected to seat around 8,000, was originally thought to be completed by 2027-28, a timeline that will almost assuredly be pushed back.
Incoming OU athletic director Roger Denny commented on the plans during his introductory news conference last week.
“The thing I learned from that is, you’ve just got to keep plugging away at it and plugging away at it,” Denny said when asked about previous entertainment district projects he’d been involved with. “Every time it turns and you think the deal might be falling apart, or whatever it is.
“Big projects like that aren’t easy, and a lot of them fall apart just because of the fatigue that comes with them. The real work that goes into it is keeping the folks engaged as that fatigue sets in so no one ever loses sight of all the reasons on the front end we said that were so important. That’s what we’ll look to do. We’ll continue to plug away until we get that built.”
The plan didn’t come without its bumps in the road, but it appears it’s becoming reality.
“Today marks a pivotal milestone for Cleveland County, the City of Norman, the University of Oklahoma, and our broader community following the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s ruling on the Rock Creek Entertainment District TIF appeal,” Cleveland County commissioner Rod Cleveland said in a statement. “As County Commissioner, I am thrilled to see this project advance after more than 12 years of dedicated work on my part to bring it to fruition.
“This development represents smart, responsible growth that does not raise property taxes while delivering significant benefits to our community’s quality of life. OU Athletics stands as the largest economic driver for Cleveland County, and this project will further amplify its impact, drawing even more visitors, investment, and vitality to Norman.
“Sports and entertainment districts like this one have proven successful across the country, creating vibrant hubs where people eagerly visit, spend their time and money, and build lasting connections. In collaboration with the University and the County Trust, we’ve advanced key steps, including a design-build RFP, to ensure this initiative is poised for success.
“This district, set to host several OU Athletics programs and other great entertainment for the community, embodies a shared vision of progress, partnership, and purpose. This is for our community. Together, we’re forging a brighter future where families, students, and professionals can live, work, play, and thrive in a community that’s stronger than ever.”
Colton Sulley covers the Oklahoma Sooners for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Colton? He can be reached at [email protected] or on X/Twitter at @colton_sulley. Support Colton’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com
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