Information: Proposed Entertainment District

View the Project Plan

 

View available minutes, agendas or more of past meetings through the "Meeting Group" search bar at https://norman-ok.municodemeetings.com/

 

 

UPDATE, 11/19/24: A Notice of Protest to the legal sufficiency and signature count of the referendum petition has been filed in the District Court of Cleveland County. A hearing is expected to be set in the near future, at which time more information will become available.

 

 

UPDATE, 11/6/24: The Office of the City Clerk has sent notification to petitioners that a valid number of signatures has been verified to move forward in the process of holding a citywide election. A legal notice is expected to be published 11/10/24.

 

 

UPDATE, 10/18/24: Petition-gatherers submitted 11 boxes of documentation to the Office of the City Clerk on 10/17/24, which will be reviewed as quickly as possible. Updates on this matter will continue to be posted to this webpage.

 

 

UPDATE, 9/24/24: Return correspondence from the Office of the City Attorney was filed on 9/23/24 and can be found here. 

 

 

UPDATE, 9/22/24: Referendum Petition No. 2425-1, regarding Ordinance O-2425-2 adopting the Rock Creek Entertainment District Project Plan, was filed on 9/20/24 in the Office of the City Clerk of the City of Norman. A copy has been forwarded to the City Attorney to determine if the ballot is legal form and in harmony with the law. Applicable documentation can be found through links below. The listed attorney for petition proponents is Robert E. Norman.

 

 

UPDATE, 9/18/24: All items up for vote at the 9/17/24 Special Norman City Council Meeting were approved. A video recording of the meeting can be viewed here. An overview presentation of the project plan and Economic Development Agreement, as presented by the City's outside counsel on 9/17/24, can be accessed here.

Relevant public information and updates regarding this initiative will be made available to the public at Normanok.gov or through public meetings.

 

 

UPDATE, 9/13/24: See agendas for public meetings involving Entertainment District project items below.

 

 

UPDATE, 9/12/24: The tentative final agreement regarding the proposed Rock Creek Entertainment District can be accessed here.

 

 

UPDATE, 9/11/24: A working document of consolidated questions and answers from the first public hearing can be accessed here.

 

 

UPDATE, 8/29/24: A Sales TIF District Analysis for the Entertainment District from HVS has been released and can be accessed here.

An economic development agreement is forthcoming and will be made available to the public once finalized.

 

 

UPDATE, 8/21/24: A Public Hearing Notice has been published regarding the project plan. A copy of the notice can be found here. Public meetings will be held in the City Council Chambers at Norman City Hall, 201 W. Gray St., Norman, OK 73069. The first public hearing will be at 6:30 PM on September 3, 2024, and will be for the purpose of providing information, including an analysis of potential positive or negative impacts, and answering questions regarding the proposed Project Plan and Increment Districts (view a video recording of the first public hearing here). The second public hearing will be held at 6:30 p.m. on September 17, 2024, and will be for the purpose of giving members of the public an opportunity to be heard prior to any vote on the proposed Project Plan and Increment Districts.An economic development agreement is forthcoming and will be made available to the public once finalized.

 

 

UPDATE, 7/22/24: The Development Oversight Committee for TIF District No. 2 met last week to further discuss project plans. During the meeting, it was communicated that traffic plans/impacts are still being worked through as the plan is solidified. It was further communicated by Finance staff at the meeting that economic development agreements regarding the project have not yet been reached.

 

 

UPDATE, 7/10/24: A lawsuit has been filed regarding Resolution R-2324-150, passed by the Norman City Council on 6/11/24. Linked documentation can be found below. Next steps are to be determined. As this matter is worked through, updates that can be disclosed will be made available through this webpage. 

 

                             *UPDATE, 7/11/24: A Temporary Restraining Order was granted on 7/11/24. There will be no election in August. View a Summary Order here. View a Supplementary Summary Order here.

                             *UPDATE, 7/29/24: Parties entered into an agreed Joint Dismissal, which was reviewed and signed in the District Court of Cleveland County on 7/29/24. A copy of the Joint Dismissal of Claims Without Prejudice can be found here.

 

 

UPDATE, 6/20/24: Access a Frequently-Asked-Questions document on the project here.

 

 

UPDATE, 6/18/24: The Development Oversight Committee for TIF District No. 2 held a meeting on 6/18/24 at City Hall. A copy of the presentation led by City of Norman Finance Director Anthony Francisco can be found here.

The committee voted up a motion to recommend approval of the PUD and rezoning requirements for the project plan; the committee voted down recommending the overall project plan as it currently stands for approval through the Norman City Council. General recommendations for the project plan were discussed by committee members during the meeting and included subject matter such as: Traffic improvements, parking agreements, financial arrangements, and specific revenue impact analysis/timelines. Items voted upon and matters discussed will be forwarded along to Norman City Council for consideration.

  • View the full recommendation letter, signed by the committee chairperson, here.

 

UPDATE, 6/13/24: Items pertaining to the Entertainment District were approved by the Norman Planning Commission at the 6/13/24 Planning Commission Meeting. Video of the meeting can be accessed here.

 

UPDATE, 6/12/24: An item calling for a Special Election to approve or reject the establishment of the Entertainment District was passed by Norman City Council at the 6/11/24 Regular Norman City Council Meeting. An item regarding a community survey regarding the Entertainment District was voted down. Video of the City Council meetings of 6/11/24 can be accessed here.

  • Election Day: 8/27/24
  • Voter Registration Deadline: 8/2/24
  • Absentee Ballot Request Deadline: 8/12/24
  • Early Voting Dates & Hours: 8/22/24 & 8/23/24 - 8 AM to 6 PM; 8/24/24 - 8 AM to 2 PM

Normanites can check their voter registration status, polling place and more at https://okvoterportal.okelections.us/.

The ballot proposition will read: "Shall the City Council approve the establishment of Increment District no. 4, a sales tax increment district (TIF 4), and Increment District no. 5, an ad valorem district (TIF 5), diverting one hundred percent (100%) of future tax revenues for a period of twenty-five (25) year period generating revenues for project costs and debt service totaling $600 million for purposes of developing an arena and associated infrastructure in the Rock Creek Entertainment District located on certain real property in the city east of Interstate 35 between Tecumseh road and Robinson street?"

Items pertaining to the Entertainment District will be presented to and voted upon by the Norman Planning Commission at the 6/13/24 Planning Commission Meeting. 

 

UPDATE, 6/11/24: Items #21 and #22 of the 6/11/24 Regular City Council Meeting pertain to the consideration of an election regarding the newly proposed district and a community survey regarding the newly proposed district, respectively.

 

UPDATE, 6/6/24: A press event, organized through the University of Oklahoma, was hosted on campus on 6/5/24 and served to give a general update on the plan. Access a copy of the event press release here.

 

UPDATE, 5/24/24: A University North Park Entertainment District Project Statutory Review Committee meeting was held 5/23/24 and the committee unanimously approved (voted for adoption) Item #3 on the agenda: "Consideration and possible adoption, rejection, and/or amendment of a resolution making statutory finds and a recommendation for the Rock Creek Entertainment District Project Plan and related increment districts to the Norman City Council." The plan is now expected to appear before the Norman Planning Commission in June 2024.

 

UPDATE, 5/17/24: A University North Park Entertainment District Project Statutory Review Committee meeting was held 5/16/24. Materials distributed or discussed included the following:

  • Meeting Packet, 5/16/24
    • GENERAL DESCRIPTION & Information of Project, as seen on page 9 of the 5/16/24 packet: 

      "The Rock Creek Entertainment District Project Plan is a project plan as defined under the Oklahoma Local Development Act, 62 O.S. § 850, et seq. (“Act”), and is referred to here as the “Project Plan.” The Project is being undertaken by the City of Norman, Oklahoma (“City”) to develop an area of town that has remained largely undeveloped. By developing the property with uses including office, retail, hotel, and residential, anchored by a multi-purpose arena and public plaza (“Project”), the City’s hope is to incentivize private investment in this area of the City, which abuts Interstate 35. The development will help achieve some of the City’s development objectives, improve the quality of life for its citizens, stimulate private investment, and enhance the tax base. The Project includes the development of a multipurpose arena to be used by the University Oklahoma basketball and gymnastics teams and as the venue for high school and other sports activities as well as concerts and other performances. The development also includes commercial and retail uses with restaurants and bars and a public festival plaza street, a public parking garage, as well as over 1000 residential units.

      In 2006, the City approved a project plan and created an increment district for an area that includes the property where the Project is contemplated, as well as property immediately to the south (respectively, “Original UNP Project Plan” and “Original UNP Project” or “TIF No. 2”). The Original UNP Project resulted in a large retail development, one that generates more visits than any other retail center in central Oklahoma and $13,400,000 in estimated annual sales tax revenue. Certain components of the Original UNP Project were left unrealized. In 2018, the City explored an amendment to the Original UNP Project to provide public financial assistance towards an arena and entertainment district. That amendment did not move forward; the proposal was tabled. At that time, the City, by approval of Ordinance O-1920-24, also terminated the apportionment of new incremental tax revenues for TIF No. 2, which was created in the adoption of the Original UNP Project Plan and amended the authorized projects for which incremental tax revenues could be used.

      The opportunity for an arena and entertainment district has presented itself again, along with significant residential development. The City is positioned to pursue its development objectives, capitalize on the retail development immediately adjacent, and complete the development of the area through the approval and implementation of the Project. This Project Plan is a critical element in fostering public-private partnerships to make the Project happen and can be achieved by means of the financing tools available under the Act, including the establishment of an increment district. An increment district provides funding for public sector costs to stimulate the development and provide public improvements to the area. The Project will be financed from a combination of public and private sources.

      The Project Area is the area in which Project activities will take place and Project expenditures may be made and can be generally described as the area between Interstate 35 on the west, the western edge of the Westheimer Airport on the east, Tecumseh Road on the north, and just south of Rock Creek Road on the south."

  • 5/16/24 Review Committee Role Presentation

 

UPDATE, 5/14/24: A University North Park Entertainment District Project Statutory Review Committee Meeting was held 5/13/24. Additional materials were made available for review and discussion:

 

UPDATE, 5/9/24: The applicant has requested a continuance of items 6 & 7 of the 5/9/24 Norman Planning Commission Meeting to the 6/13/24 Planning Commission meeting.

 

UPDATE, 4/25/24: The University North Park Entertainment District Project Statutory Review Committee held a meeting on 4/25/24. An Entertainment District presentation given at the meeting can be reviewed here.

RELEVANT REPORTS

 

POSTED 4/5/24: A Special Meeting of the University North Park (UNP) Entertainment District Project Statutory Review Committee was held at 10:30 a.m. at City Hall on 4/5/24 as an immediate next step regarding a newly proposed Entertainment District in Norman. Ideas regarding this Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district were first unveiled at a major community event in September 2023 led collaboratively by Team Norman. In November 2023, Norman City Council approved Resolution 2324-89. See an overview presentation regarding implementing a TIF District as given at a City Council Conference here (beginning at :33).

The agenda on 4/5/24 included an item for three At-Large Members to the UNP Entertainment District Statutory Review Committee to be considered and approved. These members included: Shelley Cox, Chuck Thompson and Dr. Vytautas Ringus.

In weeks to come, it is expected that a detailed plan regarding the district will go back to the review committee and then to the UNP TIF Oversight Committee. With continued forward movement, the plan would go to the City of Norman Planning Commission, undergo two public hearings, and then be voted upon by Norman City Council. Interested parties can frequent the City of Norman Meeting Calendar at Normanok.gov to view applicable agendas as posted and follow movement on this matter.

Access information on City of Norman boards, committees and commissions by clicking here. Access general information about how TIF Districts work, as communicated by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, here.

View a 2018 sentiment survey regarding UNP TIF District creation, as provided from the Norman Economic Development Coalition by clicking here.

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