The City of Norman is now on the prowl for experts and organizations with a knack for urban planning. After setting in motion their AIM Norman plan, the city has initiated a hunt for proposals - to revamp development codes that have been a generation in the making. Qualified candidates ought to hustle if they want to shape the future of Norman's urban landscape. Details on this ambitious solicit have been laid out for all to peruse over at Normanok.gov.
Hoping to tether their development principles more tightly to the AIM Norman plan, the city has made public the RFP with a deadline on August 25, for proposals including activities such as evaluating and auditing current development codes, updating the associated processes and maps, and even the conducting of a comprehensive Parking Study and Plan. The Planning Manager for the City of Norman, Lora Hoggatt, said in the request, "A major recommendation of the AIM Norman Comprehensive Land Use Plan was an update to the City's the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations."
The city is not operating in a vacuum; earlier in 2025, they secured funding via a Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing (PRO Housing) grant, specifically set aside for this kind of urban development refresh. The RFP, labeled 2526-5, essentially reflects the city's intentional shift towards a more cohesive planning strategy, one that's been two decades in the making. This strategy zeroes in on safeguarding natural resources while bracing for a significant population growth projected over the next two decades.
Those itching to toss their hat into the ring should keep their eye on the calendar - the City of Norman will only entertain questions until July 25, with responses promised by August 1. After digesting the proposals they receive, the City Council will select its preferred awardee in the Fall. Following the AIM Norman plan's approval, the city's pathway appears clear. "The approval of AIM Norman was an incredible milestone for the City of Norman and laid the foundation for staff to help shape the community that residents want to see, work, live and play in," Hoggatt after the approval told the plan's backers. With officials ready for a bustling response, the anticipation within the Norman municipal corridors is palpable.
