Approval of the Rock Creek Entertainment District plan has cleared a path for Norman’s upcoming development project in University North Park, a retail area in north Norman. Legal hurdles and a billion dollar project funded by two tax increment financing, or TIF, districts has sparked debate on whether the district will boost or dismantle Norman’s economy.
The district, initially proposed in 2017 and approved by Norman City Council in 2024, has undergone several reimaginings while retaining key features. It will include a new arena with OU athletics as an anchor tenant and a surrounding entertainment zone, as well as adjacent hospitality and residential zones — all of which will reside along 24th Avenue NW.
The entertainment and retail zone is expected to host concerts, shows, rodeos and community events, according to a 2024 feasibility study.
The district has been championed by Team Norman, a coalition of private sector, city and university leaders. Supporters include OU President Joseph Harroz Jr., Norman Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Scott Martin, Visit Norman President and CEO Dan Schemm and the Cleveland County Economic Development Coalition President and CEO Lawrence McKinney.
Some Norman residents are wary of the city’s plan to finance the district, which includes TIFs that will funnel taxpayer dollars into the district until one of three outcomes: TIF districts generate $600 million in total, the $230 million infrastructure cost is paid off with interest, or 25 years elapse.
Oklahomans for Responsible Economic Development, also known as ORED, formed a referendum petition in September 2024 to allow Norman residents to vote on the funding plan proposed for the district. It amassed 11,602 signatures in 30 days.
In November 2024, ORED opponents claimed it did not properly outline the TIF conditions. On Feb. 3, the Oklahoma Supreme Court deemed the petition insufficient, allowing the project to continue.
The district will be built according to a phasing plan approved by the Norman City Council in an 8-1 vote in May 2025. The phasing plan is outlined as follows: an “Anchor Project” phase for the arena and parking garage, and separate “Mixed Use Project” phases for the retail, office and residential zones. The project is expected to begin in November and span until the end of 2032.
In total, the project is expected to cost $622 million, with a 15% margin of error.
The full timeline of the Rock Creek Entertainment District is available online.
This story was edited by Madisson Cameron and Anusha Fathepure. Andrew Higgins and Sophie Hemker copy edited this story.
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‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.oudaily.com ’
