Two public hearings will be held in September on the University North Park Entertainment District project plans and the proposed Incremental Financial District.
According to a public hearing notice posted on the city of Norman’s website, the meetings are scheduled to take place on Sept. 3 and Sept. 17 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.
At the first meeting, residents will be provided with a project analysis of any possible positive or negative impacts it may have on the entertainment district, while the second meeting will give Norman residents an opportunity to voice their opinions on the matter before a vote.
The $1 billion entertainment district, proposed for September 2023, would include construction of an arena to replace the Lloyd Noble Center, as well as the creation of a public plaza, hotel, retail and office space.
The district would be divided into two tax increment financing (TIF) districts. TIFs, a public financing tool designed to stimulate private investment to support redevelopment and community improvements, would serve as a financing vehicle for the entertainment district.
Ward 4 Councilwoman Helen Grant said the entertainment district is extremely unpopular in Ward 4, with many residents concerned about rising housing costs and potential job insecurity.
“Many of us have been vocal about not wanting this to become a rental housing community,” Grant said, “and we want to see the things we’ve been pushing for as a council — minimum wage jobs, affordable housing, workforce housing, homeownership opportunities — come to fruition.”
Construction phase of the proposed University North Park Entertainment District project.
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The entertainment district will feature more than 1,000 residential units, as well as commercial and retail space including restaurants, bars and parking. OU’s new basketball arena will also be a multi-purpose venue hosting other sporting activities, concerts and performances.
The Norman Planning Commission approved plans for the entertainment district in June. The Norman City Council then approved a special election to be held in August, but the election was tossed out in a lawsuit filed by former Norman mayors Bill Nations and Dick Reynolds.
The first TIF district would begin on May 1, 2025 and would be subject to sales or use taxes. The second TIF would begin on December 31, 2026 and would be subject to ad valorem taxes.
Grant said working with the entertainment district’s developer is a “process” and he hopes what’s outlined in the project plans is the same as the developer’s goals.
Grant said details regarding rentals, employment and housing would be discussed at the public meeting.
This story was edited by Ana Barboza, Anusha Fathepure, and Peggy Dodd. Andrew Paredes and Avery Avery proofread this story.
Ismael Lele covers affairs in the city of Norman with the goal of bringing greater transparency to organizations, city government, and the voices of the unrepresented. Ismael believes the more informed the people of Norman are, the better the chance the community will achieve its goals. He can be reached at ismael.m.lele-1@ou.edu and is a Norman native.