Amid ongoing legal battles and community discontent, the Rock Creek entertainment district project in Norman, Oklahoma, persists on its trajectory of development. The Cleveland County Commissioners have given the green light to seek proposals for the construction of a new arena, which is central to the entertainment district plan. This decision comes in spite of a pending Supreme Court case over a contested Tax Increment Finance (TIF) district, according to KFOR.
David Floyd, the attorney representing the Cleveland County Recreational and Entertainment Facilities Authority, emphasized the necessity to adhere to the economic development agreement's guidelines, despite the ongoing judicial review. “The reason for that is that violent appeal of and by itself, does not undo the district court’s ruling,” Floyd told The Norman Transcript. The controversial project faces criticism for moving ahead without final approval while bypassing public comment during a special meeting.
The Supreme Court's decision could have significant implications for the project. If the court rules in favor of the petitioners, demanding the issue be brought before a public vote, the project could experience delays. Nevertheless, the commissioners are proceeding under the assumption that the current economic development contract remains in force. This means they are pursuing requests for proposals and quotes for designing and building the Rock Creek Arena Project, as detailed by Floyd in an interview given to KGOU.
Advocates for public involvement in the project's decision-making process, like Cynthia Rogers, a professor at the University of Oklahoma, voice their concerns over the lack of opportunity for community input. "They actually just approved a thing that doesn’t even exist yet. They haven’t even seen a draft of what they just approved,” Rogers said in an interview with The Norman Transcript. Communal discontent seems echoed by Paul Arcaroli of Oklahomans for Responsible Economic Development who criticized the board's decision to hold a special meeting without allowing for public commentary.
According to Floyd's statements to KGOU, deadlines are looming large for the project. If construction is to meet the January 2029 completion date stipulated in the economic development agreement, earth-moving must begin by 2027.
