The Rock Creek Entertainment District is a proposed development in Norman, Oklahoma, that will create thousands of jobs, build over 1,000 residential units, and introduce a vibrant hub for retail, entertainment, and business. The project will be financed through a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district, reinvesting future tax revenues into the community.

No. The Rock Creek Entertainment District will not raise your taxes. It will be funded through a TIF district, which means a portion of future tax revenue generated by the new development will be used to pay for the project. This allows the city to invest in infrastructure and development without raising existing tax rates.

This project will bring significant economic and community benefits to Norman, including:

• Job Creation

  The district is expected to create over 4,600 jobs (direct, indirect, and induced).

• Infrastructure Improvements

  Roads, public transportation, and other city services will receive upgrades.

• A Community Hub

  The district will house a multi-purpose arena, retail, residential spaces, and public plazas, making it a vibrant center for Norman.

• Economic Growth

  Increased sales and property taxes generated from new businesses and residences will be reinvested in the local community.

A TIF District (Tax Increment Financing) is a public financing method that uses the future tax revenue generated by a development to fund the project itself. Instead of these future tax dollars going to the city's general fund, they will be reinvested into the district to pay for infrastructure and development costs. Once the TIF period ends, all tax revenue will return to the city’s general fund.

The Rock Creek Entertainment District will be funded through a combination of private and public investments. Private developers will lead the financing, while the public contribution will come from the tax revenues generated within the TIF district. Neither the City of Norman nor the Norman Tax Increment Finance Authority (NTIFA) will be financially liable if revenues fall short. The project is structured so that the financial risk falls on the developers.

The development team behind the Rock Creek District consists of industry-leading companies with extensive experience in large-scale projects. Feasibility studies and economic projections show that the district will generate significant economic activity, bringing jobs, businesses, and residents to Norman. While no development is without risk, this project has been carefully planned with the city’s long-term growth in mind.

The project is structured in a way that shifts the financial risk to the developers, not the City of Norman or its taxpayers. If tax revenues generated within the TIF district fall short, the developers will bear the cost, not the city. Conversely, if the district exceeds revenue expectations, the TIF obligations will be paid off sooner.

You can support the Rock Creek Entertainment District by sending a message to the Norman City Council urging them to vote YES on the project. Simply fill out the form on this page, and we’ll automatically generate a personalized message and send it to your city council representatives.

The Norman City Council is scheduled to vote on the Rock Creek Entertainment District during their upcoming meeting on Tuesday, September 17th. This is a critical time to show your support and ensure the project moves forward.

A Traffic Impact Analysis has already been conducted as part of the approval process, and city planners do not anticipate significant issues. Improvements to roads and public transportation are part of the project’s plan to accommodate increased traffic in the area. Additionally, the development will include upgrades to surrounding infrastructure, such as streets, utilities, and parking facilities.

As of now, the full ownership and operational details of the arena and other facilities are still being finalized. However, it is expected that the arena will be privately operated, with economic benefits accruing to both the city and the operator.

The University of Oklahoma has indicated that the Lloyd Noble Center will remain as a practice facility. No other specific plans have been announced, and any future changes would be decided by OU, the property owner.

Norman Public Schools may see increased enrollment as a result of the district’s job creation and new residential development. A detailed study by the TIF Review Committee has projected modest growth for the school district, which is well within the district’s capacity to manage.

While the project has strong backing from city officials and developers, your support is crucial to ensuring that the City Council votes in favor of the Rock Creek Entertainment District. Public support can make the difference in getting this transformative project approved, and we need your help to make sure Norman continues to grow and prosper.