They sell out games now. They aren't adding more seats, so I doubt that many people will be coming. They don't need to make this a Baymont Inn. They need to make this a top-notch flag. So until that happens, I think it is ok.

I guess you don't remember Nebraska and how many they traditionally brought to games. Look at any SEC game among the majors. They bring hundreds and sometimes thousands to the opposing teams field.

Yeah, I’d expect SEC schools will average 5-10K (or more) fans per game. They travel incredibly well as a conference. IIRC the opposing school is allotted something like 3K (maybe more) - which will nearly always sell out to SEC schools - and the rest will certainly be able to find tickets via StubHub, Ticketmaster etc.

I wonder how much we are really talking about? With Texas moving with us, we are still gonna lose 1/2 conference home game per year. And the SEC isn't going to go to more than 9 conference games, are they? Add in Missouri, Texas A&M and Arkansas as annual games, plus Vanderbilt, South Carolina, Kentucky and Mississippi State as occasionals. How many "big bump" games are we looking at?

I wonder how much we are really talking about? With Texas moving with us, we are still gonna lose 1/2 conference home game per year. And the SEC isn't going to go to more than 9 conference games, are they? Add in Missouri, Texas A&M and Arkansas as annual games, plus Vanderbilt, South Carolina, Kentucky and Mississippi State as occasionals. How many "big bump" games are we looking at?

all of the schools you listed (with the exception of Vandy) will sell out all of their visitor allotment .. each and every year .. no one in the big 12 is guaranteed to do that each year .. (including osu)

what would you like them to do?

Tear it down and sod/landscape the disturbed land. Would rather see grass and trees then this eyesore!

Tear it down and sod/landscape the disturbed land. Would rather see grass and trees then this eyesore!

the city doesn't own the building they can't "tear it down"

the city doesn't own the building they can't "tear it down"
condemn the building and seize it.

Tear it down and sod/landscape the disturbed land. Would rather see grass and trees then this eyesore!
As of today there was work being performed.
The property is owned by Delta Marriot.
The city won't be seizing anything from them.

As of today there was work being performed.
The property is owned by Delta Marriot.
The city won't be seizing anything from them.

I noticed workers Friday when driving by as well

So this eye sore is slowly getting cleaned up.

Do we know what hotel brand is going in?

When they were giving away rooms in the place it seemed like the rooms were very small, are they making the rooms bigger?

A couple of weeks ago I saw a hotel in Wichita Falls that looked like its twin. Any update on this? It is really dead in that area with the hotel and theater closed. 17910

A couple of weeks ago I saw a hotel in Wichita Falls that looked like its twin. Any update on this? It is really dead in that area with the hotel and theater closed. 17910

They worked on it a little while then slowed down again. The movie theatre is getting redone. They have been working on that a while. Changing it over to a theatre with the heated reclining seats and all that.

And nothing has been done for several months again. It seems as if the owner does just enough to make it look like there is some intent to make the structure usable. I think it's just a ploy to stall for time until some developer offers a huge sum for it.

That entire area certainly could be used for something that would be wildly successful. My vote would be for a Flix Brewhouse (selfish wish since i've moved from Edmond to Norman and really like the Flix at the Half.)

And nothing has been done for several months again. It seems as if the owner does just enough to make it look like there is some intent to make the structure usable. I think it's just a ploy to stall for time until some developer offers a huge sum for it.

That entire area certainly could be used for something that would be wildly successful. My vote would be for a Flix Brewhouse (selfish wish since i've moved from Edmond to Norman and really like the Flix at the Half.)

Absolutely my thoughts too. The only thing that kills it is the terrible road design in that area. I’m surprised the theater and or that hotel haven’t mysteriously burnt down yet. Been eye sores for years now and it would be fantastic if Flix came down this way

That theater is getting renovated, yes?

Absolutely my thoughts too. The only thing that kills it is the terrible road design in that area. I’m surprised the theater and or that hotel haven’t mysteriously burnt down yet. Been eye sores for years now and it would be fantastic if Flix came down this way

Fixing that weird frontage road issue with be ideal.....

That theater is getting renovated, yes?

Maybe but it isn't obvious from the outside when I've been in the area.

Fixing that weird frontage road issue with be ideal.....

Indeed.......that is a hot mess to be sure.

Maybe but it isn't obvious from the outside when I've been in the area.

Honestly, I'm not sure if this is still on the docket, but there are at least some project details on Construction Journal.

https://www.constructionjournal.com/projects/details/61293AAB6D2140E3BE5A8F4805601723.html

Turn it into a multi use development. That will fix it and make the area more attractive

Turn it into a multi use development. That will fix it and make the area more attractive

That's a really good idea. That entire corner (minus the waffle house) could be leveled and redeveloped into a pretty large development almost like what they are doing across from Penn Square mall.

Per Norman Development FB page
Ranchers Development Company, LLC, a Springfield, MO based Andy’s Frozen Custard franchisee, has purchased the former Rib Crib site near Robinson Street & I-35.
The company paid $800,000 for the 1 acre parcel located at 1131 Rambling Oaks Drive, just west of I-35 and south of Robinson Street. The purchase closed September 6, 2023.

Mr. Mayor:
Back in March I wrote about this property and the length of time this property is sitting idle wrapped in chain link fence.

I was sent a response from Jane Hudson discussing various permits and extensions.

Still it sits with no work being done.

My questions are - What is the current status of extensions and what are the dates compelling the owners to commence work?

What permits are pending and how much longer will all the required permits have before they expire?

Who are the owners of this property?

What has the city done since March to move this project along?

Exchange between myself and Norman Mayor


Larry Heikkila <Larry.Heikkila@normanok.gov>
Tue, Oct 24, 3:42 PM (3 days ago)
to me

City Staff has been working with the owner, their legal and our City Legal for an extended period. The time it takes for us to negotiate through the legal hoops is daunting, at best.



We are still working on this one, and we will continue to stay on top of it.

I wish the city government would address this and other properties that are eyesores. I also wish the mayor would address the questions posed instead of avoiding them.

I wish the city government would address this and other properties that are eyesores. I also wish the mayor would address the questions posed instead of avoiding them.

i mean come on Jersey, i think we can all agree that it's a bit far fetched to believe that the Mayor who ran on a platform that Norman needed to be more transparent, would answer questions and be transparent about it.

That property is such an incredible underuse of prime property. If the developer can't do it, sell it to someone who can!

Agreed. I bet we'll start to see some real movement on the property if the entertainment venue at UNP is approved.

Mr. Mayor:
Back in March I wrote about this property and the length of time this property is sitting idle wrapped in chain link fence.

I was sent a response from Jane Hudson discussing various permits and extensions.

Still it sits with no work being done.

My questions are - What is the current status of extensions and what are the dates compelling the owners to commence work?

What permits are pending and how much longer will all the required permits have before they expire?

Who are the owners of this property?

What has the city done since March to move this project along?

Exchange between myself and Norman Mayor


Larry Heikkila <Larry.Heikkila@normanok.gov>
Tue, Oct 24, 3:42 PM (3 days ago)
to me

City Staff has been working with the owner, their legal and our City Legal for an extended period. The time it takes for us to negotiate through the legal hoops is daunting, at best.



We are still working on this one, and we will continue to stay on top of it.

I wish the city government would address this and other properties that are eyesores. I also wish the mayor would address the questions posed instead of avoiding them.

I'm not sure what the city can do now days. If private property is secured, is not a risk to safety and doesn't have any public financial interest, I think the city is limited in what they can do. The state legislature made it harder for governments to compel action on a property.

I'm not sure what the city can do now days. If private property is secured, is not a risk to safety and doesn't have any public financial interest, I think the city is limited in what they can do. The state legislature made it harder for governments to compel action on a property.

None of that precludes Heikkila from answering any of the questions I posed. As pointed out the mayor ran on a platform of transparency and he isn't governing that way.

A new $1.5 million permit is listed on the City of Norman website: https://www.normanok.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2024-05/April%20Non%20Residential%20All%20Document1.pdf

^

Thank you for posting that.

Looks like it will become a Delta Hotel by Marriott:

https://delta-hotels.marriott.com/

^

Thank you for posting that.

Looks like it will become a Delta Hotel by Marriott:

https://delta-hotels.marriott.com/

As noted in post #29, a permit was issued for a remodel of Delta Norman in 2018. So I’m not exactly holding my breath. And it looks like the Delta project was announced in 2016! (Post #21)

Is 1.5v million even enough to get it back in shape?

Is 1.5v million even enough to get it back in shape?

Remember, building permits do not include furniture, fixtures, and equipment. For a hotel renovation, that is where most of the money is spent.

Remember, building permits do not include furniture, fixtures, and equipment. For a hotel renovation, that is where most of the money is spent.

Good to know! Thanks

As noted in post #29, a permit was issued for a remodel of Delta Norman in 2018. So I’m not exactly holding my breath. And it looks like the Delta project was announced in 2016! (Post #21)

And in other news, OU will join the SEC

And in other news, OU will join the SEC

Yep. Bet they were waiting until the move timing was finalized.

From an OU Daily article on the process for removing dangerous/decaying structures: “ Potential structures up for this removal process are 1000 Interstate Drive and 1800/1900 Ann Branden Blvd.” Isn’t that the address for the old HI hotel?

From an OU Daily article on the process for removing dangerous/decaying structures: “ Potential structures up for this removal process are 1000 Interstate Drive and 1800/1900 Ann Branden Blvd.” Isn’t that the address for the old HI hotel?

Yes, and the second address is the former Perfect Swing Family Fun Center.

Long overdue for both of those dumps.

Just checking in; did they ever find the flag?

:lol2:

So i must have missed something, but why are they being targeted for removal? Is there something being built here or just clearing land?

The Wichita Falls version of this hotel is being demolished.
https://www.texomashomepage.com/video/wichita-falls-hotel-expected-to-be-demolished-this-year/9931124/

If you watch the video, you can see that it looks just like Norman’s. Pretty sure they have/had the same ownership group.

^

Thank you for posting that.

Looks like it will become a Delta Hotel by Marriott:

https://delta-hotels.marriott.com/

When this project was announced it was going to be the FIRST Delta Hotel in USA. There are now 53 Deltas in the USA. What a delta!