The fact that the developer said the center will draw people from Kansas City and Dallas should have been a red flag. Like Dallas and KC folks need to come to Norman to shop, even if upscale retailers did locate in UNP.


You could try reading the article which addresses the central argument of your issue with the poll.

All I'm saying is a poll with a answer from everyone in the city would likely look a lot different also apparently slightly over 500 people took part in the poll

All I'm saying is a poll with a answer from everyone in the city would likely look a lot different also apparently slightly over 500 people took part in the poll
So, I was about to launch into a rant about how this isn't how public opinion polling works, but it turns out this isn't a random sample which turns a lot of this discussion on its head. Trying to find complete data from the survey — which the Transcript didn't link to and I still haven't found — I stumbled upon this Reddit post (https://www.reddit.com/r/normanok/comments/1h0tadh/norman_entertainment_district_survey/) asking people to take part in the survey.

The final results might happen to wind up close to these numbers, but this is little more than a fun final project for the students involved, and the data is likely meaningless. It's shameful that the Transcript article didn't mention this at all, best I can tell, because a seemingly minor detail like this is crucial for understanding the data and why the real results might wind up looking quite a bit different from the survey. Another red flag: "The survey showed that more than 80 percent of the respondents are either somewhat or very familiar with the TIF proposal." It takes only one look at typical municipal election turnout to grasp that 80 percent is probably at least a bit high versus reality at this time.

However, ~500 people is plenty for a representative survey of Norman adults if the sample is random; that comes out to a respectable margin of error of about ±4%. You'll notice most national opinion polls (https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/polls/national/) don't survey more than a couple thousand people, because polling people (correctly) is expensive, and you start getting into diminishing returns on that investment pretty quickly with sample sizes north of 1,000, even for populations in the millions.

I've long wondered if the Chickasaw's may decide in the future to abandon Riverwind and build a new casino/hotel complex next to I-35 on the Canadian River. Something more like River Spirit in Tulsa but with better visibility and access for OKC metro visitors. Look no further than 270 miles south of Norman where Baylor has built its new arena on the Brazos next to I-35. A tribal-OU partnership would definitely be intriguing.

My understanding is that Riverwind is as far north as the Chickasaw can go on I-35, Newcastle Gaming is as far north as they can go on I-44, and WinStar is as far south as they can go on I-35.

The Canadian River is the tribal border

That's only 1 mile closer.

Managed to find the actual data from the survey: Google Sheets presentation with a bunch of pie charts (https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1vDmtUM3jujDRf8Pk2FOxqjPORSOcbsgYS8wchnHY1YQ/edit#slide=id.g36390294498037f3_0) and the spreadsheet of individual responses (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1lXytVgERG53QcgGVPyGP1CHRqNX5d24Wer_75zZ5Qa8/edit?gid=1288941734#gid=1288941734).

The survey was a Google Form which appears to have collected no personally identifiable information. That's probably for the best — many comments on the Reddit post were folks concerned that this information would be used by OU to market the TIF proposal to them — but it also means that there's no way to verify that respondents are Norman residents or registered voters. In fact, there's really no protection against someone responding multiple times. Google offers a Google Forms feature to require a user to log in with their Google account to submit their response, but someone can have any number of Google accounts. I have (or have access to) several!

Like I mentioned, this was a fun little final project for journalism students and it's cool to see, but...understand the red flags before taking these results seriously at all.

I have heard from a knowledgable source that if the proposal for UNP is rejected OU will not pursue another location for the forseeable future. Also the administration of OU was surprised at the level of opposition.

Good. I don't blame them. Why help Norman in any way? Norman hasn't had a mainstream concert since like, 2009, aside from a couple one-off charity events. Why give them another chance at getting a quality concert venue?

All I'm saying is a poll with a answer from everyone in the city would likely look a lot different also apparently slightly over 500 people took part in the poll

That wasn't remotely what you were saying, you were making up nonsense about how the poll was conducted that didn't remotely match the reality of it.

That wasn't remotely what you were saying, you were making up nonsense about how the poll was conducted that didn't remotely match the reality of it.

All I will say is even though I hope it passes it's probably not going to. Norman citizens probably do not deserve anything of the sorts anyway given how they continue to get rid of anything that would benefit the city when they get the chance. Like what's going to be there next Target the commuter rail?

I have heard from a knowledgable source that if the proposal for UNP is rejected OU will not pursue another location for the forseeable future. Also the administration of OU was surprised at the level of opposition.

if the UNP arena is voted down (if it even goes to a vote which is very much in doubt) .. OU will look outside the city limits .. count on it ..

Just for the record, OU men's basketball just had another game at McCasland Field House on Saturday (12/7/24).

Just for the record, OU men's basketball just had another game at McCasland Field House on Saturday (12/7/24).

yes, against Alcorn state.

yes, against Alcorn state.

And it was horribly attended. Looked like there was about 1500. Outside of football and softball, it's embarrassing how bad the majority of our sports are attended. In that regard, we're not SEC ready. Having an off campus arena will also be laughed at by the SEC. OU has a long ways to go.

And it was horribly attended. Looked like there was about 1500. Outside of football and softball, it's embarrassing how bad the majority of our sports are attended. In that regard, we're not SEC ready. Having an off campus arena will also be laughed at by the SEC. OU has a long ways to go.

i mean OU women's Gymnastics averaged 8400 in attendance last season, and adjusted their setup as they hope for around 10,000 a meet this year. And you claim having the off campus arena will make it worse, when i can tell you clearly that most of my friends from college who used to be the crazy ones in the student section say they would attend way more games at UNP because it would be almost 20 minutes closer each way to their homes in Edmond... i am on the side that games will be more attended when we stop thinking it's students who go and realize that it's alum who mostly don't live in norman.

And it was horribly attended. Looked like there was about 1500. Outside of football and softball, it's embarrassing how bad the majority of our sports are attended. In that regard, we're not SEC ready. Having an off campus arena will also be laughed at by the SEC. OU has a long ways to go.

OU has terrible fans. I think it comes from the fact Norman hates OU. I don't get why, but Norman seems to loathe and despise the only thing keeping them relevant. Without OU, Norman would be less than Ada.

Just for the record, OU men's basketball just had another game at McCasland Field House on Saturday (12/7/24).

Wait.... all the students didn't show up since it was on campus? Shocking.

It is amazing how apathetic the Norman businesses and general population are in supporting anything OU. Most towns/cities that have a major university in it is rabidly supportive of it. But not so much in Norman. There seems to be a jealousy or resentment of the very thing that gives their community life and a list of opportunities and amenities that wouldn't remotely exist without the university's presence. I guess people fight what they can't control.

i mean OU women's Gymnastics averaged 8400 in attendance last season, and adjusted their setup as they hope for around 10,000 a meet this year. And you claim having the off campus arena will make it worse, when i can tell you clearly that most of my friends from college who used to be the crazy ones in the student section say they would attend way more games at UNP because it would be almost 20 minutes closer each way to their homes in Edmond... i am on the side that games will be more attended when we stop thinking it's students who go and realize that it's alum who mostly don't live in norman.

Agree. And the game at McCaslin was limited to students and some donors. Shows that even in the heart of campus students are not showing up.

I disagree that Norman hates OU. People, both townies and students, can only go to so many sporting events, regardless of what kind of sport it is. People like attending the football games because the university (typically) can field a good team and makes it fun. There is also a lot of history regarding OU football. OU has also been able to have successful gymnastics and softball programs. The successful programs attract money, which helps make those programs more successful. Its hard to blame big money donors for not wanting to invest in a sport that isn't great and is not well attended.

Sure, if OU could come up with a T. Boone Pickens type donor to build a new arena in the heart of campus, then basketball would probably be much more compelling, but everyone on this forum considers that a pipe-dream.

Oklahoma generally and the OKC metro specifically has a basketball team everyone roots for, so it isn't much of a mystery why OU basketball gets the short end of the stick.

I disagree that Norman hates OU. People, both townies and students, can only go to so many sporting events, regardless of what kind of sport it is. People like attending the football games because the university (typically) can field a good team and makes it fun. There is also a lot of history regarding OU football. OU has also been able to have successful gymnastics and softball programs. The successful programs attract money, which helps make those programs more successful. Its hard to blame big money donors for not wanting to invest in a sport that isn't great and is not well attended.

Sure, if OU could come up with a T. Boone Pickens type donor to build a new arena in the heart of campus, then basketball would probably be much more compelling, but everyone on this forum considers that a pipe-dream.

Oklahoma generally and the OKC metro specifically has a basketball team everyone roots for, so it isn't much of a mystery why OU basketball gets the short end of the stick.

There are plenty of people in Norman who aren't Thunder game attenders that could support OU, and they just don't. They are just apathetic when it comes to supporting the main business generator in their town. They love the advantages and piggy backing off it, but don't make a huge effort to support or promote it. They've become spoiled.

And it was horribly attended. Looked like there was about 1500. Outside of football and softball, it's embarrassing how bad the majority of our sports are attended. In that regard, we're not SEC ready. Having an off campus arena will also be laughed at by the SEC. OU has a long ways to go.
It was the "student appreciation" game...the Saturday night before finals week. Awful choice on OU's part.

Good. I don't blame them. Why help Norman in any way? Norman hasn't had a mainstream concert since like, 2009, aside from a couple one-off charity events. Why give them another chance at getting a quality concert venue?


All I will say is even though I hope it passes it's probably not going to. Norman citizens probably do not deserve anything of the sorts anyway given how they continue to get rid of anything that would benefit the city when they get the chance. Like what's going to be there next Target the commuter rail?


OU has terrible fans. I think it comes from the fact Norman hates OU. I don't get why, but Norman seems to loathe and despise the only thing keeping them relevant. Without OU, Norman would be less than Ada.


Wait.... all the students didn't show up since it was on campus? Shocking.

It is amazing how apathetic the Norman businesses and general population are in supporting anything OU. Most towns/cities that have a major university in it is rabidly supportive of it. But not so much in Norman. There seems to be a jealousy or resentment of the very thing that gives their community life and a list of opportunities and amenities that wouldn't remotely exist without the university's presence. I guess people fight what they can't control.


There are plenty of people in Norman who aren't Thunder game attenders that could support OU, and they just don't. They are just apathetic when it comes to supporting the main business generator in their town. They love the advantages and piggy backing off it, but don't make a huge effort to support or promote it. They've become spoiled.

Coping by bashing Normanites because they dont want to bail out OU with a costly subsidized arena is quite hilarious to me. Maybe take the crimson shaded glasses off for a second and step back and wonder if Norman is really going to get $600 million returned in any way from a small college arena. Most rightly see that they wont, the promises are shaky, the costs are too high and why should they be responsible for OU's decades of inaction on Lloyd Noble or an on campus alternative.

Coping by bashing Normanites because they dont want to bail out OU with a costly subsidized arena is quite hilarious to me. Maybe take the crimson shaded glasses off for a second and step back and wonder if Norman is really going to get $600 million returned in any way from a small college arena. Most rightly see that they wont, the promises are shaky, the costs are too high and why should they be responsible for OU's decades of inaction on Lloyd Noble or an on campus alternative.

Not just from the arena, but the surrounding development, heck yes. Against, students flee Norman as soon as they can. Because there is nothing there. No concert venue, no cool districts or places to live right near them. So they flee Norman like it has a plague (I can argue that it does).

Norman has benefitted 100x over from OU, so it's time they give back.

Coping by bashing Normanites because they dont want to bail out OU with a costly subsidized arena is quite hilarious to me. Maybe take the crimson shaded glasses off for a second and step back and wonder if Norman is really going to get $600 million returned in any way from a small college arena. Most rightly see that they wont, the promises are shaky, the costs are too high and why should they be responsible for OU's decades of inaction on Lloyd Noble or an on campus alternative.

lol it is costing norman 0.00 dollars ..

lol it is costing norman 0.00 dollars ..

but but but... what about all that tax revenue that is already being generated by empty fields?

Coping by bashing Normanites because they dont want to bail out OU with a costly subsidized arena is quite hilarious to me. Maybe take the crimson shaded glasses off for a second and step back and wonder if Norman is really going to get $600 million returned in any way from a small college arena. Most rightly see that they wont, the promises are shaky, the costs are too high and why should they be responsible for OU's decades of inaction on Lloyd Noble or an on campus alternative.
Spin spin spin doesn't change the facts.

but but but... what about all that tax revenue that is already being generated by empty fields?

You ignore the loss of sales tax to Norman that the LNC currently provides

It does appear the Distict Court will not meet the Dec 11 deadline to get the issue on the Feb. 11 ballot

You ignore the loss of sales tax to Norman that the LNC currently provides

Roughly 35 home games. That's it. No concerts or events. Nothing else. Lol

Roughly 35 home games. That's it. No concerts or events. Nothing else. Lol

Mens Hoops, Women Hoops , Women Gymnastics. High School playoffs. The lack of concerts is the fault of the same individual who has done nothing for the last 2 decades to benefit basketball as far as playing facilities. It was old when Castiglione took the AD job. It is not the responsibility or obligation of Norman voters to cover the failure of the Athletic Dept to upgrade OU infrastructure.
Time for Hamm and Bennett to step up like T Bone did for State.

Not just from the arena, but the surrounding development, heck yes. Against, students flee Norman as soon as they can. Because there is nothing there. No concert venue, no cool districts or places to live right near them. So they flee Norman like it has a plague (I can argue that it does).

Norman has benefitted 100x over from OU, so it's time they give back.

As a Norman resident why should I pay to go watch sports that I don't care about just because they are in my home town? Why are you not also angry at the residents of the surrounding towns who do not come sell out all of the events?

As a Norman resident why should I pay to go watch sports that I don't care about just because they are in my home town? Why are you not also angry at the residents of the surrounding towns who do not come sell out all of the events?

Because, I get it. Getting to LNC from OKC is a chore.

I never said you had to go to games. I am also a Norman resident (northeast Norman, think Franklin and Sooner-ish). Getting to games at LNC sucks. Norman has a major brain drain problem, and being anti-growth like they are won't help.

As a Norman resident why should I pay to go watch sports that I don't care about just because they are in my home town? Why are you not also angry at the residents of the surrounding towns who do not come sell out all of the events?

Hometown pride maybe. Or maybe supporting the organization that pours millions upon millions into your economy. Or because they provide you with many cultural opportunities and entertaining events you wouldn't have near you without them being there. Because they elevate the status of yoour city by being there. Maybe its the national recognition and attention that comes to your little town because of its presence and the activities, making it easier to recruit progressive businesses. Maybe its the availability of intelligent labor with thousands of students willing to work in your businesses. Or maybe….

Or maybe the provincial citizens just think they are owed all the benefits without needing to give back.

Norman would get more tax money from me from a new arena. We go to numerous events at the LNC for women's gymnastics , women's and men's basketball. Usually we will stop at Braum's on the way out on Lindsey and grab a quick nibble for the car ride back home to Edmond, however if there were some walkable restaurants to choose from we would certainly stay, sit, eat, and spend more money bringing in more tax revenue to the city. Higher tabs equal more tax money.

You can say well you can drive to a restaurant and eat before you leave Norman. We could I suppose, but once we're in the car and fight with the lights and traffic out of LNC are, we're not stopping and getting out and all that stuff. It's drive thru for us.

I can't be the only one.

Mens Hoops, Women Hoops , Women Gymnastics. High School playoffs. The lack of concerts is the fault of the same individual who has done nothing for the last 2 decades to benefit basketball as far as playing facilities. It was old when Castiglione took the AD job. It is not the responsibility or obligation of Norman voters to cover the failure of the Athletic Dept to upgrade OU infrastructure.
Time for Hamm and Bennett to step up like T Bone did for State.

If OU is fine playing in the LNC and Norman residents are fine not having any concerts, why change? OU is a football school, not basketball. The Thunder only made it more extreme.

As a Norman resident why should I pay to go watch sports that I don't care about just because they are in my home town? Why are you not also angry at the residents of the surrounding towns who do not come sell out all of the events?

I mean you could make the same argument about the Thunder but OKC passed the arena vote by 71%.

As a Norman resident why should I pay to go watch sports that I don't care about just because they are in my home town? Why are you not also angry at the residents of the surrounding towns who do not come sell out all of the events?

Realizing that, without OU, Norman is Ada, Normanites should be on their hands and knees thanking OU.

Without OU there, people wouldn't care if an asteroid hit Norman. Like Alpha said, OKC is in a slightly similar situation, but overwhelmingly supported one of the main reasons they are relevant.

Norman would get more tax money from me from a new arena. We go to numerous events at the LNC for women's gymnastics , women's and men's basketball. Usually we will stop at Braum's on the way out on Lindsey and grab a quick nibble for the car ride back home to Edmond, however if there were some walkable restaurants to choose from we would certainly stay, sit, eat, and spend more money bringing in more tax revenue to the city. Higher tabs equal more tax money.

You can say well you can drive to a restaurant and eat before you leave Norman. We could I suppose, but once we're in the car and fight with the lights and traffic out of LNC are, we're not stopping and getting out and all that stuff. It's drive thru for us.

I can't be the only one.

Economic development is the best argument and the arena is the carrot to bring in the businesses. Most of your customers are probably coming from Moore and south Oklahoma City.

I don't blame Norman voters though for rolling their eyes when people make emotional arguments about not supporting the school or not showing 'pride'. Heck, I think half of the OU staff would roll their eyes at some the arguments being made. Like, when did OU basketball become the heart of OU? Would they make the same passionate argument if we were talking about funding a state of the art research facility? College students are pretty much always going to leave, they never came to the town with the intention of staying. This new development even if built is certainly not going to move the needle in getting students to stay in Norman when their is a 1 + billion dollar arena district and stadium district going to be built up the interstate in OKC. It will generate some local business though.

Realizing that, without OU, Norman is Ada, Normanites should be on their hands and knees thanking OU.

Without OU there, people wouldn't care if an asteroid hit Norman. Like Alpha said, OKC is in a slightly similar situation, but overwhelmingly supported one of the main reasons they are relevant.

The Ada comparison is wild nonsense. Without OU Norman is still a large suburb in the OKC metro with a population of over 120k people, that is night and day from Ada out in the middle of nowhere with barely 16k. That kind of hyperbole doesn't help the argument that Norman should approve this TIF when the vote happens.

I mean you could make the same argument about the Thunder but OKC passed the arena vote by 71%.

And the owners of the Thunder put a product on the floor people will support. Joe C and OU, not so much.

The Ada comparison is wild nonsense. Without OU Norman is still a large suburb in the OKC metro with a population of over 120k people, that is night and day from Ada out in the middle of nowhere with barely 16k. That kind of hyperbole doesn't help the argument that Norman should approve this TIF when the vote happens.

But again, if OU moved, there would be a large amount of people who wouldn't live there. 1,000s of professors and other college employees would live in OKC, not Norman. And if OU had never located in Norman, then they wouldnt have 120k. Then what would they do?

Yes, they'd be bigger than, Ada, but in terms of importance, they would be the same.

The Ada comparison is wild nonsense. Without OU Norman is still a large suburb in the OKC metro with a population of over 120k people, that is night and day from Ada out in the middle of nowhere with barely 16k. That kind of hyperbole doesn't help the argument that Norman should approve this TIF when the vote happens.

lol with out OU it would not be over 120k ...

it would be smaller then moore

lol with out OU it would not be over 120k ...

it would be smaller then moore

But still nowhere near the size of Ada, I am glad you agree.

But again, if OU moved, there would be a large amount of people who wouldn't live there. 1,000s of professors and other college employees would live in OKC, not Norman. And if OU had never located in Norman, then they wouldnt have 120k. Then what would they do?

Yes, they'd be bigger than, Ada, but in terms of importance, they would be the same.

Norman would still be a suburb in the OKC Metro which would make them more important that Ada by far. Just accept that it was a bad comparison.

...OU is a football school, not basketball. ....

Don't look now but both Sooner basketball teams are highly ranked. Women #10, Men #13. Football not ranked at all. Maybe OU is a basketball school and all the bandwagon fans just need a decent place to watch it in that is easy to access, filled with amenities, and is surrounded by real life activity and life. What a novel concept.

Don't look now but both Sooner basketball teams are highly ranked. Women #10, Men #13. Football not ranked at all. Maybe OU is a basketball school and all the bandwagon fans just need a decent place to watch it in that is easy to access, filled with amenities, and is surrounded by real life activity and life. What a novel concept.

That would be great if it became both a football and basketball school (to go with the softball and gymnastics, but they don't make money).

When I went to OU, the men where sold out all the time (Sampson had players like Ryan Minor and Nate Edrmann). However, excluding employees and family, I may have been the only other person attending the women's games (pre Coale, but still had some good players). Both teams just under 5,000 fans per game so far this season despite both being ranked (men at #13 women at #10).

Norman would still be a suburb in the OKC Metro which would make them more important that Ada by far. Just accept that it was a bad comparison.

Should have compared it with Guthrie...

But its moot because Norman doesnt exist without OU and OU doesnt exist without Norman.

Sure OU could have been founded in a different spot but a town is still going to pop up around to support the university. Its a symbiotic relationship which is probably more in Normans favor now with the growth of OKC and less of a reliance on OU.

I mean you could make the same argument about the Thunder but OKC passed the arena vote by 71%.

Because a new downtown OKC arena and its main tenant the Thunder matter more by a factor of 50. There is no comparison between the two arenas. One will have immensely more patrons, way bigger economic impact, and of course a better product on the court. Personally speaking, I didnt love the okc arena proposal and also wouldnt love the norman arena deal either if I lived there.

I'll make a prediction. When Norman voters kill this arena TIF, within a year you will see those arena adjacent apartments announced anyways. It already makes too much sense to have apartments at UNP and announcing them as part of the arena development was only to help boost the TIF package.

And the owners of the Thunder put a product on the floor people will support. Joe C and OU, not so much.

LOL, you know they’re one of a handful of undefeated teams in the country right now, right? They’ve been mediocre, no doubt but they actually appear to be a decent team this year.

But again, if OU moved, there would be a large amount of people who wouldn't live there. 1,000s of professors and other college employees would live in OKC, not Norman. And if OU had never located in Norman, then they wouldnt have 120k. Then what would they do?

Yes, they'd be bigger than, Ada, but in terms of importance, they would be the same.

Without OU, Norman would be more like Yukon. Maybe a small Edmond but it also benefits from hosting a university.

OU being in Norman makes the city and there’s little to no argument against that. It would just be a run of the mill suburb without it.

I can't be in the minority here, college basketball is terrible to watch. When you have the Thunder down the road why would you watch college bball?

LOL, you know they’re one of a handful of undefeated teams in the country right now, right? They’ve been mediocre, no doubt but they actually appear to be a decent team this year.

I have been around long enough to know that pre-conference record is not indicative of success come January. A ton of nose dives in the last decade will bear that out.

Without OU, Norman would be more like Yukon. Maybe a small Edmond but it also benefits from hosting a university.

OU being in Norman makes the city and there’s little to no argument against that. It would just be a run of the mill suburb without it.

That's a fair way to put it!

Should have compared it with Guthrie...

But its moot because Norman doesnt exist without OU and OU doesnt exist without Norman.


OU would exist. OU doesn't need Norman as much as Norman needs them. Had OU been placed in Yukon or Del City it would have still been a large state university. OSU does fine in a fairly remote small Oklahoma town. OU would have too. But, just like OSU makes Stillwater a much stronger town, OU makes Norman disproportionally stronger.

But its moot because Norman doesnt exist without OU and OU doesnt exist without Norman.



Truth. The point is moot.

But its moot because Norman doesnt exist without OU and OU doesnt exist without Norman.


OU has been around LONGER then the city of Norman ...it existed without Norman .... the city of Norman has NEVER existed without OU

so back to the fact that this won't actually cost the city anything, except concession sales tax on some 40 events... what are the other problems people have with this? oh that's right, they think if we cause it to fail, all of these developments will still just magically happen, even though they haven't for the past 2 decades

OU has been around LONGER then the city of Norman ...it existed without Norman .... the city of Norman has NEVER existed without OU
Lol, No, it HASN'T.
Norman incorporated 5.13.1891
First classes held at O.U., Sept.1892

so back to the fact that this won't actually cost the city anything, except concession sales tax on some 40 events... what are the other problems people have with this? oh that's right, they think if we cause it to fail, all of these developments will still just magically happen, even though they haven't for the past 2 decades

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the city the guarantor on the bond payments? So if the TIF doesn't bring in enough money to pay the bonds the city has to pick it up. I think the original proposal didn't spell out who would actually own the arena but the city would be responsible for the maintenance, staff, utilities and what not?

Lol, No, it HASN'T.
Norman incorporated 5.13.1891
First classes held at O.U., Sept.1892
So you claim OU was created because Norman incorporated.

This whole argument has officially gotten childish.

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the city the guarantor on the bond payments? So if the TIF doesn't bring in enough money to pay the bonds the city has to pick it up. I think the original proposal didn't spell out who would actually own the arena but the city would be responsible for the maintenance, staff, utilities and what not?

I believe OU was going to lease the venue from the city.