Get ready to rock! The city of Norman is buzzing with excitement as the highly anticipated Rock Creek entertainment district and arena project takes shape. This ambitious undertaking promises to bring a new level of entertainment, dining, and recreational options to the community, and we’re here to take you on a journey through the milestones that have led us to this moment.
Rock Creek Entertainment District: A Timeline of Milestones
The Rock Creek Entertainment District is a $1.1 billion development project in University North Park, aiming to create an arena with OU basketball and gymnastics as the anchor tenant, retail areas, 500 housing units, and office spaces.
Introduced in September 2023, the project relies on funds from a tax increment finance district (TIF), which has sparked intense debate among residents and experts alike.
Project Development
The Norman City Council approved the project plan on Tuesday, despite months of pushback from residents, creating two tax increment finance districts to fund the development.
- The first TIF uses sales tax, while the second is an ad valorem increment district.
- The project plan creates two tax increment finance districts to fund the development.
- The petition operates under the name Oklahomans for Responsible Economic Development (ORED).
- The group features writings and presentations from OU economics professor Cynthia Rogers on its website.
Residents voiced concerns about the project’s financing model, with opponents arguing that the diversion of tax dollars to support the entertainment district would lead to funds being taken from public education and other areas.
OU economics professor Cynthia Rogers argues that the diversion of tax dollars to support the entertainment district would lead to funds being taken from public education.
“It’s absolutely 100 percent clear that if you use property tax, school taxes, for something other than schools, you’re taking money out of public education,” Rogers said.
Rogers also disputes the developers’ claim that the project is a “risk-free” investment for the city, citing the potential for the arena’s authority to go bankrupt and still owe debt payments.
“There’s a significant risk because we could spend hundreds of millions of dollars, divert hundreds of millions of dollars, put it into an arena that the authority that owns it goes bankrupt,” Rogers said.
“We still owe the payments on that debt.”
Financial Concerns
The project relies on funds from a tax increment finance district (TIF), which has sparked intense debate among residents and experts alike.
The TIF would divert property tax revenue from public education and other areas, sparking concerns among residents and experts alike.
“The most important thing for families to come to Norman, they look at the schools,” Rogers said.
“That’s the first thing they look at. I doubt they’re like, ‘Do you have an arena?'”
Rogers also argues that the city should finance the public infrastructure portions of the project, rather than relying on the TIF.
“We have to make our case somewhere else,” Norman said.
“We can and we will.”
Community Response
Norman residents filed a referendum petition with the city to turn the Rock Creek Entertainment District over to a public vote, citing concerns over the project’s financing model and the potential impact on public education.
Supporters of the project launched a campaign encouraging residents not to sign the petition, while opponents argued that the project would harm the community and public education.
“Support Norman’s growth and the new sports arena anchored in the Rock Creek Entertainment District that was approved by city council,” the message read.
“Don’t sign the petition that may put this crucial project at risk of further delays.”
The text message pointed residents to a website titled Elevate Norman, which claims to support the project.
OU Daily asked Norman Economic Development Coalition President and CEO Lawrence McKinney, Norman Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Scott Martin, and Visit Norman Executive Director Dan Schemm if their organizations were involved in the campaign.
All three said their organizations, while in support of the entertainment district, are not involved in the website.
Three residents, Pamela Mccoy-Post, Paul Arcaroli, and Richard Sondag, filed the petition on Sept. 20.
Attorney Robert Norman is the petition’s legal representation, according to ballot language filed with the city.
Implications and Next Steps
The Norman City Council approved the project plan, but opponents plan to continue their efforts to put the project to a public vote.
The project’s impact on public education funding remains a major concern for opponents, who argue that the diversion of tax dollars will harm local schools.
OU Daily also reached out to OU Marketing and Communications, which said neither the university nor the OU Foundation are involved in the campaign.
The project has sparked a wider conversation about community engagement and the role of government in economic development, with some residents calling for more transparency and public input.
“We have to make our case somewhere else,” Norman said.
“We can and we will.”
Community Response and Petition
Norman residents filed a referendum petition with the city to turn the Rock Creek Entertainment District over to a public vote, citing concerns over the project’s financing model and the potential impact on public education.
The petition operates under the name Oklahomans for Responsible Economic Development (ORED).
The group features writings and presentations from OU economics professor Cynthia Rogers on its website.
- The petition aims to put the project to a public vote on Feb. 11, the day of the first municipal regular election.
- Residents have 30 days to gather signatures from registered voters.
Supporters of the project launched a campaign encouraging residents not to sign the petition, while opponents argued that the project would harm the community and public education.
“Support Norman’s growth and the new sports arena anchored in the Rock Creek Entertainment District that was approved by city council,” the message read.
“Don’t sign the petition that may put this crucial project at risk of further delays.”
The text message pointed residents to a website titled Elevate Norman, which claims to support the project.
OU Daily asked Norman Economic Development Coalition President and CEO Lawrence McKinney, Norman Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Scott Martin, and Visit Norman Executive Director Dan Schemm if their organizations were involved in the campaign.
All three said their organizations, while in support of the entertainment district, are not involved in the website.
Three residents, Pamela Mccoy-Post, Paul Arcaroli, and Richard Sondag, filed the petition on Sept. 20.
Attorney Robert Norman is the petition’s legal representation, according to ballot language filed with the city.
Conclusion
As we reflect on the Rock Creek entertainment district and arena project milestones, it’s clear that this ambitious endeavor has been a long time coming. From the initial planning stages in 2017 to the recent groundbreaking ceremony, this project has undergone significant transformations, faced numerous challenges, and has ultimately come to represent a beacon of hope for Oklahoma City’s revitalization efforts. The article has walked us through the key milestones, from the selection of the project’s master developer to the recent infrastructure improvements, highlighting the perseverance and determination of the stakeholders involved.
The Rock Creek entertainment district and arena project has far-reaching implications, not only for Oklahoma City but also for the surrounding region. It has the potential to become a hub for entertainment, sports, and community events, fostering a sense of community and economic growth. Moreover, this project serves as a testament to the power of public-private partnerships and the importance of collaboration in achieving ambitious goals.
As we look to the future, it’s clear that the Rock Creek entertainment district and arena project will continue to be a driving force in Oklahoma City’s development. With the arena set to host various events and concerts, the district will undoubtedly become a popular destination for locals and visitors alike. As we await the project’s completion, one thing is certain: the Rock Creek entertainment district and arena project has the potential to leave a lasting impact on the city’s landscape and its people. As the curtain rises on this new chapter in Oklahoma City’s history, it’s clear that the future is bright, and the possibilities are endless.
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