Norman City Council approves $1.2B Rock Creek Entertainment District, boosting local economy

Photo courtesy: © Normanok.gov

A new $1.2 billion development is coming to Norman’s University North Park area. Norman City Council voted Wednesday to approve the Rock Creek Entertainment District – located at Rock Creek Road and 24th Avenue NW – which will replace the Lloyd Noble Center with a new arena for the University of Oklahoma’s men’s and women’s basketball teams and women’s gymnastics team. 

VeloCity covered the development in September 2023, with OU President Joseph Harroz, Jr. Sharing, “This new district will be the perfect complement to Campus Corner and historic Downtown Norman. These enhancements will elevate our community's unique entertainment options and improve the quality of life for residents of Norman and the broader region.” 

The Norman Economic Development Coalition (NEDC) announced the project details one year ago, and now the vision is coming to life. According to the NEDC, the entertainment district will not only include the new arena, but it will also feature retail shops, restaurants, bars, offices, a hotel and housing for thousands. 

The arena will be designed to host concerts, shows, OU basketball games and gymnastics competitions, along with a wide array of other performance opportunities. Adjacent to the arena will be an outdoor plaza to coincide with the additional attractions of the entertainment district. 

The development resulted from a partnership between the NEDC, OU, the City of Norman, Cleveland County, the Norman Chamber, VisitNorman and the Norman business community, in which the design considered the enhancement of the quality of life within the city. 

Also showing strong support for the development are OU Athletic Director Joe Castiglione, men’s basketball coach Porter Moser, women’s basketball coach Jennie Baranczyk and women’s gymnastics coach K.J. Kindler. 

Castiglione spoke of the approval of the development with the The Oklahoman, stating, “This was indeed a vote for a transformative opportunity for the City of Norman and Cleveland County.” 

“We’re endlessly thankful for the opportunity to have an environment where we can put Sooner Magic on full display, showing our state and region all Oklahoma has to offer,” Castiglione said. “The district and arena will do wonders for our ability to compete and win. Our sincere thanks go to Mayor Heikkila and the rest of the Norman City Council for leading us to a brighter future.” 

The NEDC shared that nearly 80% of the project will be covered by private investment, while the remaining 20% will come from public sources – therefore, none of the funds will come from city or county general funds.