Norman City Council approved 8-1 the Rock Creek Entertainment District phasing plan in a special meeting Tuesday.

Ward 5 Councilmember Michael Nash voted against it.

The phasing plan was originally on council’s April 22 agenda, but was postponed in a 5-4 vote due to the ongoing referendum petition case. 

Phasing plan

The phasing plan, which is included on Tuesday’s agenda, outlines the Rock Creek Entertainment District construction timeline and investment amounts of each component of the project. According to a staff report, the total cost of the project is around $622 million, though costs may vary by up to 15%.

Part 1, or “Anchor Project,” would include:

• Infrastructure and portions of the mixed-used project: Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2032. 

• Multipurpose performance venue and sports arena: Nov. 1, 2026-Dec. 31, 2029. 

Part 2, or “Mixed Use Project,” would include:

• Public and private utility and stormwater infrastructures: Jan. 1- Dec. 31, 2032. 

• Outdoor community plaza: July 1, 2027-June 30, 2029. 

• A 140,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space: July 1, 2027-June 30, 2029. 

• A 150-room hotel: Jan. 1, 2031-Dec. 31, 2032. 

Part 2 projects that are subject to market demand include:

• Up to 180,000 square feet of office space: Jan. 1, 2031-Dec. 31, 2032. 

• About 500 multifamily housing units: July 1, 2027-Dec. 31, 2032.

• Up to 177 medium density and/or multifamily housing units: Jan. 1, 2031-Dec. 31, 2032.

Live updates

4:07 p.m.

The phasing plan was approved in a 8-1 vote, with Ward 5 Councilmember Michael Nash voting against it.

The meeting is adjourned.

3:30 p.m.

Ward 3 Councilmember Bree Montoya, who has voted against the formation of the statuatory committee and the Rock Creek Entertainment District project, said she doesn’t like the position council is at and just because she would vote to approve the project, doesn’t mean she’s in favor of it.

“I understand the desire and the passion to not do anything until the (Oklahoma) Supreme Court rules, …” Montoya said. “I don’t like where I’m at right now. I don’t like that we’re in this position, but just because I vote in favor of this item … does not mean I agree to this.”

Ward 7 Councilmember and Mayor-elect Stephen Tyler Holman showed his disapproval toward the project and said it has brought animosity among Norman residents.

Holman believes Norman residents should’ve voted on the project during the summer when council made approved a special election and on the fall after the petition was collected.

Holman asked for clarification on whether people who do not live in the entertainment district area or shop in the area will be impacted by the creation of a tax increment financing district. 

“I have heard over and over again that if you don’t own property there, you don’t shop there, then your taxes are not going to go to the entertainment district, but that is not correct,” Holman said. “It is projected to have a negative impact on the city’s general fund from the very first year that it’s built. If that happens, the city will have to make up that revenue somewhere.”

3:19 p.m.

Ward 4 Councilmember Helen Grant asked City Attorney Rick Knighton what the potential outcomes are if Cleveland County Judge Jeff Virgin’s ruling is affirmed or the voters approve the TIF ordinance.

“If you approve the motion as amended, you would satisfy the provisions in the Economic Development Administration that requires a tax increment ability to approve or disapprove the phasing plan and,” Knighton said. “Under those circumstances, I don’t believe that you are facing any additional financial risk.” 

Knighton said if the ruling was overruled, the project would go to a public vote. Since the ruling still stands, the project still goes in motion.

Grant said many council members seeked legal counsel on what would happen if it rejected or postponed the phasing plan. 

2:50 p.m.

During public comment, Rob Norman, the attorney who represents the appeal against Virgin’s ruling, said city council is subject to the jurisdiction of the Oklahoma Supreme Court.

“Right now you are part of that pending litigation, whether named or not,” Norman said. “You have a fiduciary duty to do what (Ward 4) council member (Helen) Grant just moved for you to do, and wait until this referendum petition process is over.”

2:45 p.m.

Council moved to the Rock Creek Entertainment District phasing plan. Ward 4 Councilmember Helen Grant proposed an amendment to reflect the current legal procedures against the project.

Council approved the amendment in a 8-1 vote. Ward 1 Councilmember Austin Ball voted against the amendment.

2:40 p.m.

Norman Budget Manager Kim Coffman said Norman produces 5 billion gallons annually between the water treatment plant, wells and purchases from Oklahoma City. The water treatment plant produces roughly 3.5 billion gallons of water each year, wells produce 1.5 billion and about 300-500 million gallons are purchased annually from Oklahoma City.

2:37 p.m.

Norman Budget Manager Kim Coffman said the projected ending fund balance in the sanitation fund for the fiscal year ending for 2026 is $4.8 million.

2:31 p.m.

Norman Budget Manager Kim Coffman said Norman collects 110,000 tons of residential and commercial waste. Norman also collects 40,000 tons each year of yard waste and compost at the yard waste and compost facility.

Coffman compared Norman’s waste disposal services rates to 17 other cities. Norman’s rate is $17.50 each month including recycling. Four cities had rates lower than Norman, including Moore at $11.75 (without recycling), Edmond at $16.93 (with recycling), Enid at $16 (without recycling) and Newcastle at $14.46 (without recycling). 

2:15 p.m.

Norman Budget Manager Kim Coffman gave a presentation of the proposed fiscal year 2026 enterprise funds budget.

Coffman said enterprise funds are distinct from the city’s general fund in both purpose and structure.

“While the general fund is primarily supported by tax revenues and is used to provide services to the public at large, enterprise funds operate more like businesses,” Coffman said. “Because of this business structure, the city council approaches decisions related to the enterprise funds with a different mindset.”

2 p.m.

Mayor Larry Heikkila announced city council will limit public comment to 30 minutes. Council will hear the 2026 enterprise funds budget.