University Town Center

[bombermwc]

Pretty much Dillards, Old Navy and Chik-fil-a keep it open. Maybe victorias secret? Seems busy but I admittedly don't shop there.

So is the mall on its last leg? Obviously any store could pick up and move to any strip mall in Norman and be fine. But Dillards, unless they own their structure and would be willing to be open while the rest of the mall closed, then at least from what's being said here, it looks like its on life support.

It's been probably 12-13 years since I've been in that mall myself, so i have absolutely zero current context. university park barely existed the last time i went to the mall so oh how the world has changed. I'd like to say it would be sad if it closed, but honestly I do not know that many people would care that much would they? Norman is strong enough that someone could easily buy that land and build something new. It would be a good opportunity to fix that weird frontage road mess that does that stupid thing at the mall entrance too.

[bombermwc]

Pretty much Dillards, Old Navy and Chik-fil-a keep it open. Maybe victorias secret? Seems busy but I admittedly don't shop there.

So is the mall on its last leg? Obviously any store could pick up and move to any strip mall in Norman and be fine. But Dillards, unless they own their structure and would be willing to be open while the rest of the mall closed, then at least from what's being said here, it looks like its on life support.

It's been probably 12-13 years since I've been in that mall myself, so i have absolutely zero current context. university park barely existed the last time i went to the mall so oh how the world has changed. I'd like to say it would be sad if it closed, but honestly I do not know that many people would care that much would they? Norman is strong enough that someone could easily buy that land and build something new. It would be a good opportunity to fix that weird frontage road mess that does that stupid thing at the mall entrance too.

[FighttheGoodFight]

So is the mall on its last leg? Obviously any store could pick up and move to any strip mall in Norman and be fine. But Dillards, unless they own their structure and would be willing to be open while the rest of the mall closed, then at least from what's being said here, it looks like its on life support.

It's been probably 12-13 years since I've been in that mall myself, so i have absolutely zero current context. university park barely existed the last time i went to the mall so oh how the world has changed. I'd like to say it would be sad if it closed, but honestly I do not know that many people would care that much would they? Norman is strong enough that someone could easily buy that land and build something new. It would be a good opportunity to fix that weird frontage road mess that does that stupid thing at the mall entrance too.

Ya it is pretty barren in there. Nothing ever went back into Sears which is a large part of the mall. I'd assume it closes eventually and probably gets bulldozed. Pretty valuable land right there on the highway.

[Soonerman]

I wouldn't be surprised if Dillard's downgrades the Norman store to a Clearance Center in the future

[bombermwc]

Ya it is pretty barren in there. Nothing ever went back into Sears which is a large part of the mall. I'd assume it closes eventually and probably gets bulldozed. Pretty valuable land right there on the highway.

I know an arena that would love to be build here hahahahahahaha

[rcjunkie]

OU definately needs a new aena, however, it should be built by OU, paid for by OU and built on School property.

[BG918]

OU definately needs a new aena, however, it should be built by OU, paid for by OU and built on School property.

Poll the people of Norman and students at OU and I guarantee they would overwhelmingly agree with you

[bison34]

Poll the people of Norman and students at OU and I guarantee they would overwhelmingly agree with you

Poll the people of any city, and any college in said city, and they would agree. Same with OKC and a new arena. Ideally, the Thunder billionaire owners would have paid for it.

[Jersey Boss]

Poll the people of any city, and any college in said city, and they would agree. Same with OKC and a new arena. Ideally, the Thunder billionaire owners would have paid for it.

The December 2023 election in OKC refutes your post. Just sayin'

[bison34]

The December 2023 election in OKC refutes your post. Just sayin'

I'm saying that they would have preferred to not have had to vote at all, and had billionaires pay for it.

Most people I know voted yes, but only because they understood what losing the Thunder would truly do to this city.

[Rover]

Poll the people of any city, and any college in said city, and they would agree. Same with OKC and a new arena. Ideally, the Thunder billionaire owners would have paid for it.

Guessing you are conveniently forgetting all the Maps votes. Not everyone is cynical and paranoid of progress.

[bison34]

Guessing you are conveniently forgetting all the Maps votes. Not everyone is cynical and paranoid of progress.

I said that when it comes to a wealthy person spending their money or thr lay person spending theirs to fund an arena for a private tenant, the lay person would rather the billionaire spend their money. Most lay people won't be able to go to the arena a lot.

But they like progress, so they vote for it.

[Rover]

I said that when it comes to a wealthy person spending their money or thr lay person spending theirs to fund an arena for a private tenant, the lay person would rather the billionaire spend their money. Most lay people won't be able to go to the arena a lot.

But they like progress, so they vote for it.

Lay person has nothing to do with financial standing. What even are you saying?

[bison34]

Lay person has nothing to do with financial standing. What even are you saying?

I mean one who gains nothing from it. What do I gain financially from an arena? Nothing. What does Thunder ownership gain? Billions in the long run. What does OKC as a city gain? Thunder for 25 years and the notoriety from that, and an arena that gets awesome shows and tax revenue.

So the city and Thunder owners benefit. But Sally Sue on Mockingbird Lane gains nothing, hence why I said that, in an ideal world, people would prefer the wealthy benefactors pay for something.

No need to get antagonistic.

[Jeepnokc]

I mean one who gains nothing from it. What do I gain financially from an arena? Nothing. What does Thunder ownership gain? Billions in the long run. What does OKC as a city gain? Thunder for 25 years and the notoriety from that, and an arena that gets awesome shows and tax revenue.

So the city and Thunder owners benefit. But Sally Sue on Mockingbird Lane gains nothing, hence why I said that, in an ideal world, people would prefer the wealthy benefactors pay for something.

No need to get antagonistic.

You also have to consider the economic boost. I am not a basketball fan but I enjoy the benefit of having their fans hire me when they get in trouble at or after the game and need legal help. All the uber/limo drivers and local hotel/restaurants sure benefit from the boost on game nights. The people that have jobs at the arena benefit from having a paying job that generates income for them to spend at other businesses in the city. Having a vibrant downtown helps all the property owners downtown as it increases property value.