Cleveland County leaders approve Norman entertainment district plan

NORMAN, Okla. (KFOR) — Plans for the $1 billion Rock Creek Entertainment District in Norman are pushing on.

In September, the Norman City Council voted to move forward with an agreement that would see the project partly funded by two Tax Increment Finance Districts (TIFs). The first uses sales tax, the second is an ad valorem tax revenue. 

On Friday, the Cleveland County Recreational and Entertainment Facilities Authority held a special meeting where it also approved the plan. 

“This is the same agreement, and in that agreement with the City of Norman, there's certain deadlines that have to be met, and today's meeting was just keeping in compliance with those deadlines,” said Storme Jones, Cleveland County’s Director of Communications. 

The project would include a new arena for OU athletics, retail, housing, and office space near I-35 and Rock Creek Road.

Jones said with the authority’s approval on Friday, there is nothing stopping the project from moving forward. 

“There's no court orders or injunctions at this moment,” said Jones. “It’s really the county's responsibility to keep this going on the schedule."

The decision was met with backlash. 

"There was no indication the County Commission cared anything about what we have to say,”  Paul Arcaroli, a Norman resident. 

In February's election, the mayor and other key supporters of the project were voted out of office. Project opponents insist Norman voters should get the final say. 

"Just the cost of it is ridiculous. I think that the viability as a project for Norman, it makes no sense,” said Arcaroli. “I mean, there are so many other issues, there's so many other ways we can spend that kind of money." 

Cynthia Rogers, another Norman resident, told KFOR she believes the entertainment district is a “bad investment.” 

However, the trustees disagree. They’re seeking to move forward, despite the likelihood of more legal action. 

"They think if you're not growing, you're dying,” said Jones. “If you're not doing things that grow the tax base benefit, the quality of life, then you're not serving your citizens well."