While driving by UNP yesterday, I noticed two new construction sites have broke ground. Both are on the east side of 24th, north of the Five Guys and Zio's locations. One of the sites had a sign out front showing the building, but it looked more like a small office development than retail. The other site was just scraped clean with the blue stormwater barriers up around it. Good to see some more development here.

The site immediately north of IBC, a wee bit north of five guys/zios, will be Valliance. Not a clue on the other at the moment.

Hotel

That's true. I guess Holiday Inn's are just a little more obvious to the eye for me than Marriott's are. I'm still waiting for a Drury Inn to enter into the OKC market.

Some years ago there was one off I-35 in OKC. I think it was between Grand and 44th, but it was a dump.

Some years ago there was one off I-35 in OKC. I think it was between Grand and 44th, but it was a dump.

Location, location, location. LOL

Some years ago there was one off I-35 in OKC. I think it was between Grand and 44th, but it was a dump.

My Bad, it was a DROVERS INN I was confusing with Drury. Apologies to the Drury Corporation.

Does anyone know what happened to the Jack in the Box that was planned for the area near IBC bank?

Moore probally stole it like they do every UNP development.

With 5guys in the same area, they probably decided against building there. Way too much competition.

Does anyone know what happened to the Jack in the Box that was planned for the area near IBC bank?

It may still be a go, but I don't know. There's still a fair sized lot between IBC & the Five Guys/Zio's mini stripmall.

Moore probally stole it like they do every UNP development.

Wow. When Moore is stealing your development, you have a serious problem.

I noticed there's a Pearle Vision between five guys and game stop. Anyone know if they're closing the one on 36th and Main or keeping both?

I noticed there's a Pearle Vision between five guys and game stop. Anyone know if they're closing the one on 36th and Main or keeping both?


Don't know. I'm by there a lot but I never saw the Pearle shop. Hmmm, maybe I oughta stop in.

Don't know. I'm by there a lot but I never saw the Pearle shop. Hmmm, maybe I oughta stop in.

lol, nice.

In today's transcript..

NORMAN — Sales tax generated by the University North Park tax increment finance district (TIF) topped $20 million between October 2006 and October 2011. More than $3.6 million in ad valorem tax was levied in 2010 and was payable in 2011.

Taxes collected in University North Park under the TIF designation serve as a financing tool for public improvements.

Of the $20 million-plus of sales tax collected, just more than $5.4 million was transferred to the city’s general fund. Some of the University North Park businesses relocated, and that money stays with the general fund, since it likely would have been generated without the TIF.

The remaining $15.4 million has funded more than $10 million in public projects so far.

Of the ad valorem taxes collected, a little more than $1.8 million goes to Norman Public Schools (61.46 percent), with much smaller percentages going to Cleveland County, Moore-Norman Vo-Tech, Norman Public Library, the city and the Health Department — entities that normally collect ad valorem millages — which agreed to take a decreased amount in the TIF district.

The remaining $1.8 million of ad valorem taxes collected pays for public improvements in University North Park.

Using TIF money to fund public improvements serves as an economic driver for the city by attracting business to University North Park, thus bringing in new sales tax and ad valorem tax dollars.

While the pace of development slowed during the recession following the initial frenzy during the first two years of the TIF, the economy is picking up and new development continues.

“There’s quite a bit of dirt flying in North Park,” Norman Finance Director Anthony Francisco said.

Near the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center, a new Holiday Inn Express has been platted and is expected to be coming soon. Packaged together, the two hotels can accommodate bigger functions than the Embassy Suites alone, officials have said.

That will allow Norman to compete for bigger conferences and other events.

Near Logan’s Roadhouse and Cheddars, a Mathis Brothers Lady Americana “high-end mattress store” is coming to the UNP, and Valliance Bank with a unique architectural design, is slated for the strip near 5 Guys Burgers and Fries, Francisco reported.

To the north, city officials are expecting a steak house and a Starbucks. On the east end, a large grocery store is anticipated.

“They’re in final negotiations on a Crest Food Store,” Francisco said. “With the exception of the Village Center, we’re getting filled up.”

In addition, the Norman Economic Development Coalition has purchased around 30 acres and may purchase another 30 to 40 acres for an “airline-related business,” Francisco said.

Joy Hampton 366-3539 jhampton@ normantranscript.com

How long are they going to negotiate on that Crest. Is it taking so long becuase Moore is in the background offering them more and more Cash?

I wonder if the Steakhouse is going to be Texas Roadhouse?

How long are they going to negotiate on that Crest. Is it taking so long becuase Moore is in the background offering them more and more Cash?

It'll happen the same time the mystical Lowe's on Hwy 9 does. :-)

What is being built on the northwest side of target. Like close to i-35. I saw some dirt work going on in the area. Basically between Target and the Pei-Wei area.

What is being built on the northwest side of target. Like close to i-35. I saw some dirt work going on in the area. Basically between Target and the Pei-Wei area.

Probably another fast food place, nothing to get your hopes up about, I wouldn't be surprised if its Jack In The Box...

Moore probally stole it like they do every UNP development.

Wow... that is funny. If Norman was the best site then the retailer would build in Norman. Moore may just be the better choice! Maybe Moore is easier to work with?

It's going to be the Mathis Brothers store.

It's going to be the Mathis Brothers store.

Mathis Bros. is SE of Target.

The construction behind Target (i.e. NW of Target) is likely Discount Tire.

The dirtwork looked to be the right size for the long-rumored Discount Tire. That would be my guess..

I am crossing my fingers that it will be a discount tire.


I can't see how moore would be a better location the UNP al thing being equal. The movie theater would have been a much better fit at UNP.

I could see some companies thinking that it being an easier pull from OKC in Moore than Norman. I think Warren probably favored Moore over Norman based on that and also the fact that Norman would still have a theater a sort drive away. No question the Warren would have been a better fit at UNP and would have really helped to tie things together by bringing in a lot of foot traffic to help smaller stores to setup.

I am crossing my fingers that it will be a discount tire.


I can't see how moore would be a better location the UNP al thing being equal. The movie theater would have been a much better fit at UNP.

good one.

The dirtwork looked to be the right size for the long-rumored Discount Tire. That would be my guess..

This is most definitely the upscale development we've all been waiting for!

This is most definitely the upscale development we've all been waiting for!

It is obviously the developer not being held to the standard Norman voters expected. I've been to parts of the country that are deep in the recession still, yet they are building very successful lifestyle/community/village/whatever centers. I've been seeing where they are bulldozing classic malls for these type of developments.

I would say something that needs to be looked at is partnering with GGP and tear down Sooner Mall. Replace it with the village center at UNP and relocate all the vendors there. Then take the existing Sooner Mall plot and redevelop it with a mix office/hospitality development.

It is obviously the developer not being held to the standard Norman voters expected. I've been to parts of the country that are deep in the recession still, yet they are building very successful lifestyle/community/village/whatever centers. I've been seeing where they are bulldozing classic malls for these type of developments.

I would say something that needs to be looked at is partnering with GGP and tear down Sooner Mall. Replace it with the village center at UNP and relocate all the vendors there. Then take the existing Sooner Mall plot and redevelop it with a mix office/hospitality development.

Is the mall not currently profitable?

It is obviously the developer not being held to the standard Norman voters expected. I've been to parts of the country that are deep in the recession still, yet they are building very successful lifestyle/community/village/whatever centers. I've been seeing where they are bulldozing classic malls for these type of developments.

I would say something that needs to be looked at is partnering with GGP and tear down Sooner Mall. Replace it with the village center at UNP and relocate all the vendors there. Then take the existing Sooner Mall plot and redevelop it with a mix office/hospitality development.

Norman almost has no right to even think big like that after the multiple letdowns lately, with UNP obviously being the biggest. I don't trust this council to hold anyone to a development standard that you'd see outside of Oklahoma. Or outside of Central Oklahoma, even.

I still think it's too early to judge UNP, and the state of the economy explains part of the problem with that development. This is an interesting story from yesterday's Norman Transcript:

http://normantranscript.com/government-beat/x991868474/Eye-for-beauty

I wondered why that Academy building looked like a poor fit...sounds like they blew that approval...

Yeah the Academy looks terrible, almost as bad as AMC Crossroads. The nicer parts of the development like the Target are respectable but nothing special. I don't understand why the OKC metro never seems to be able to get its act together when it comes to making things that don't look cheap. There's something wrong when you have to hope and pray that a new development here will look at least as good as the average outlet mall in Texas. Tulsa always seems to do a decent job... Why is that? What arc standards do they have that we don't?

Questor, you must not be looking at all of the average developments in Texas or Tulsa. There is crap everywhere. OKC does not have that market cornered.

We don't see much in the way of neighborhood association youthful artistic expression in Norman like one readily finds in other parts of the metro. However, if some association wanted to use AS as an advertising canvas, I don't know that it would up the ugly factor by much at all.

I was hoping that someone might have some facts on why developments in Dallas often look so much nicer. For example I know for a fact that the landscaping requirements for developments there are something on the order of triple what is required in OKC... that's not my opinion that landscaping looks denser there, that's a hard fact. So I wonder if there might be similar ordinances having to do with minimum standards on facades and things like that and how they compare to Norman and UNP. Does anyone know?

I was hoping that someone might have some facts on why developments in Dallas often look so much nicer. For example I know for a fact that the landscaping requirements for developments there are something on the order of triple what is required in OKC... that's not my opinion that landscaping looks denser there, that's a hard fact. So I wonder if there might be similar ordinances having to do with minimum standards on facades and things like that and how they compare to Norman and UNP. Does anyone know? As far as why Dallas developments look much nicer, could be the citizens and the municipality demand it! OKC has always lagged in this department. I believe it's also due to developers in OKC tend to go cheap and just do not want to spend the extra $$ for aesthetics and quality development. OKC is my hometown, however, I always thought of it as kinda dirty anyway. I just do not think that "most" OKC residents care enough to demand it or that they feel it is important. I hope the more forward thinking inhabitants step up to the plate?

After a lot of Googling I just realized that University North Park doesn't have its own web page. Closest I've come is some lame developer's website. Come on Oklahoma, get with the times.

Any idea what is being built to the NW of Target?

Discount Tire is the rumor.

What is being built next to (East of) Logan's Roadhouse? Steel structure is already up.

What is being built next to (East of) Logan's Roadhouse? Steel structure is already up.

Mathis Bros. (or someone else) is putting in a Mattress type store there.

Mathis Bros. (or someone else) is putting in a Mattress type store there.
Ah, okay. Heard that was going in, just didn't catch where. Thanks.

Silly place for a matt shack in my opinion. I think another casual dining or fast foodie shack would be a better fit right there. But, I don't get to decide such things.

Yep, seems out of place. And it will be a Mathis Bros mattress store after looking it up. Apparently the land cost them $1.1 million.

Things like the Mathis Brothers mattress store will bring people to Norman from smaller communities like Purcell, Blanchard, Lexington, and Pauls Valley. I wish they had put more stores like this in the middle of the development but the Mathis Bros store is a major anchor.

... the Mathis Bros store is a major anchor.

My oh my. I suppose UNP has completely jumped the shark if folks start to see it as group of shops near where the mathis family sell mattresses. Wasn't target being a major anchor humbling enough?

I don't have strong feelings for or against the Mathis Bros. store, but the location is awful. It's too large for that space, and it blocks the other restaurants. Clearly, a restaurant should have gone there to complement Logan's and Cheddar's. I don't know why they allowed it there.

In a recent Transcript article, they mentioned that Chuy’s and Ted’s Cafe Escondido were denied locations in UNP because "marketing and architectural models desired by those companies did not match with the North Park project." I'd really like to know what they mean by that because it seems like having those restaurants there would be a better than the Mathis Brother's store. It's hard to believe their architectural models were less appropriate than Logan's (which is fine, but it certainly doesn't look like it was custom built for UNP).

The oversight board for UNP is worthless anyway. They sold out years ago and haven't really done anything to keep things on task...especially with the developer who is holding the land hostage for the new park.

I see your point...

I have heard that Mathis Brothers wanted the specific property that they purchased because it was directly across the street from Mattress Firm. I would have preferred that a restaurant go on that property but that obviously did not happen. Mathis Brothers has a picture of their completed building on sign on the construction site and from the picture the building looks very nice.

As for Crest, an individual asked Crest on their Facebook page when they would be opening a store in Norman (this was a mid-January post). Someone from Crest replied the Spring of 2013. Based on revised UNP plats going through the city of Norman committee process, it appears the Crest store will be directly behind the strip plaza with the Zios in it.

I have also heard from a manager at Homeland (in Norman) that Sunflower Farmers Market has leased the old Hobby Lobby space on Main St. (confirming a previous post on the issue)

I have also heard from a manager at Homeland (in Norman) that Sunflower Farmers Market has leased the old Hobby Lobby space on Main St. (confirming a previous post on the issue)

As I said in previous post, nothing is official yet. We were Sunflower about two hours ago and an assistant manager said he'd heard nothing about when or where in Norman. I think Sunflower will eventually open in Norman and the old Hobby Lobby space would be ideal but all I've heard so far seem's to be wishful thinking.

If Mathis truly wanted to play pharm shoppe line of sight with the discount mattress folk across the way, I wish they had crossed the street and bought up the space between Matt Firm and IBC. I absolutely agree with you it would have been a better play overall to plop another food shoppe there by Cheddar's and Logan's. Of course, were I king for a day, both the mattress houses would have ended up to the west by the tire house or somewhere else they weren't front and center. Oh well.

Norman planning is horrible. I'm surprised they haven't approved yet another car lot for the lot adjacent to IBC.

I just got back from a Norman Chamber meeting in which the current state of UNP was discussed...

First of all, just south of Embassy Suites is going to be a large Holiday Inn Express, and Embassy Suites is thrilled about this because they have had issues lately with people complain that there isn't nearly enough hotel rooms for all attendees of conferences there

Secondly, just north of Rock Creek on the East side of 24th will be an office park that is scheduled to start ground work soon.

Crest is coming and they think it should break ground before the end of the fiscal year (June 30th), it will be behind Zio's and 5 guys burgers.
a second strip mall is going to be built just north of Vallance bank, and the known tenents for it are Select Comfort (cause we need 3 mattress stores in this area), GNC, and Weight Watchers.

The park is still coming, this issue right now is trying to work out a deal for the City to get the land between Wing Stop and Academy, once the land is owned by the city, they think construction on it will go rather quickly. It will have a pond and a 250 seat amphitheater.

The I35 frontage road is going to be connected on the south side to Robinson where the current light is for the on ramp on the east side (the on and off ramps will be moved to the frontage road in a project that is supposed to start in March and last no longer than 150 days (haha, yeah right). and then the frontage road will be extended all the way up past rock creek and then eventually connect back up with 24th just before Tecumseh rd

Oh well, at least they'll be doing something.

The office park and the HI Express were known, but yeah, it's good to see these moving forward.
Crest, another grocery store in a sea of food stores. But at least it is a different one and not branch X of what Norman already has. Game on long-timers! Another matt store and another supplement hut in town ... oh be still my heart.

The park .. will believe it when I see frisbees fly and couples stroll. Still a skeptic I guess.

The new exit stuff .. would like to see drawings because at first blush I'm not yet a fan.

Oh, for those who don't know .. the folks at IBC are some of the nicest folk in Norman. If you're hunting a bank, drop by and say hiya to them.

the frontage road will do wonders for traffic in that area

the frontage road will do wonders for traffic in that area

true, just wish they could do something on the W. side of this location. (Robinson and W. interstate drive)

The new exit stuff .. would like to see drawings because at first blush I'm not yet a fan.



Ramp and Frontage road plans (http://www.okladot.state.ok.us/contracts/a2012/plans1201/085_1901_ACSTP-114A(184),STP-114C(292)_2402904,05/c%20sht030.pdf)

Anybody think something like a World Market would work at UNP?