The ruling allows work and financing preparations to continue on the $1.1 billion development built around a planned arena for University of Oklahoma sports.
NORMAN — A Cleveland County judge has rejected a bid to halt Norman’s planned Rock Creek Entertainment District, allowing work and financing preparations to continue on the development and its proposed University of Oklahoma arena.
District Judge Michael Tupper issued the rulings Tuesday after a hearing that lasted about four and a half hours, according to OU Daily, which covered the hearing.
OU Daily reported that Tupper granted dismissal motions filed by the city of Norman, the Norman Tax Increment Finance Authority, the Cleveland County Recreational and Entertainment Facilities Authority and UNP North LLC, a subsidiary of the OU Foundation.
Tupper also granted partial summary judgment against an allegation that Norman violated the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act and denied requests by Oklahomans for Responsible Economic Development for summary judgment and a preliminary injunction.
A written order had not been posted Wednesday to the Oklahoma State Courts Network docket, which continued to list the case as pending.
Arena anchors proposed development
The Rock Creek district is a planned 269-acre development near Interstate 35 and Rock Creek Road in north Norman. Its centerpiece would be an approximately 8,000-seat arena intended to host OU men’s and women’s basketball, women’s gymnastics, concerts, conventions and community events.
Plans also call for a hotel, restaurants, retail and office space, housing and public gathering areas. The developer has placed the proposed investment at approximately $1.1 billion, including about $800 million in private capital.
Norman’s project plan authorizes public development assistance with a present value of up to $230 million. That includes approximately $190 million toward the arena and parking garage and about $40 million for public infrastructure.
The tax increment financing districts would collect increased sales and property tax revenue generated within their boundaries. The districts would end when the project financing is repaid, $600 million in public assistance has been provided or 25 years have passed, whichever occurs first.
Project supporters held a ceremonial groundbreaking in May. The court’s refusal to issue an injunction means preparations for construction and bond financing can proceed while the plaintiffs consider their next step.
Opponents alleged five violations
ORED and a group of Norman and Cleveland County residents filed the lawsuit June 23 against the city and three entities involved in developing or financing the district.
Their petition alleged five causes of action.
The plaintiffs contended that the project plan failed to properly identify the county entertainment-facilities authority and disclose its role in constructing, owning and financing the arena. They also argued that the tax increment districts did not meet constitutional and statutory requirements intended to direct economic-development incentives toward areas where development would otherwise be difficult.
The lawsuit further challenged the work of the project’s statutory review committee and alleged that Norman violated the Open Meeting Act during a Sept. 3, 2024, public hearing by changing the rules governing public comments without advance notice.
The defendants disputed those allegations and asked Tupper to dismiss the claims.
ORED attorney Rob Norman said after Tuesday’s hearing that the plaintiffs were disappointed but believed the judge had fully considered their arguments. He said they would evaluate their appeal rights.
