Finally, New Retail in UNP!

[ljbab728]

I don't understand how Norman or the metro for that matter can't support an A|X, Urban Outfitters, Crate & Barrel, and so on. I find the whole thing quite sad.

The problem isn't that Norman or the Metro can't support those retailers. The problem is that in the current economic climate it's extremely difficult to convince national retailers to take chances on new or unproven areas.

[Spartan]

Wow, I don't post often at all, but seriously? Comparing DICKS's Sporting Goods to Academy?? That's like comparing JC Penny and Nordstroms. From what I have seen DICK's is usually an anchor store in Life Style Centers and Urban Retail Centers that have retail but don't have the usual retail anchors of a Dillards, Macy's etc. UNP has turned into a joke, and they really shouldn't have BS'ed Norman about all this "high retail" crap. I think Norman knew it wasn't going to get "high retail" like Nordstroms, AX, Crate and Barrell, etc. But with hearing things like Dick's Sporting Goods I bet they had some nice expectations. I bet you can't find a DICK's in a retail center that doesn't have Bebe, Restoration Hardware, Urban Outfitters, Anthroplogie, and other nice retail surrounding it.

I am not from Norman but I was going to OU when all this was happening and while it obviously wasn't going to as urban as they made it sound, it did sound pretty cool for Norman considering all they have is that crappy Sooner Mall. Norman got dooped by these people and I have no idea what that area will ever look like. They should stop the TIF for this load of crap.

At least in Tulsa when they were building Tulsa HIlls they branded it for what it was. There was never any jazz about some fancy new retail center courting IKEA, Costco and Dicks sporting goods. Just another run of the mill shopping center for an area of town that needed run of the mill shopping.

I am not even from Norman or Oklahoma but, OU was my home and it makes me sick to think about what this was supposed to be and what it has turned out to be.

I agree with everything you just said. You said what needed to be said, especially for people who think Academy is just as good as Dick's. You talk about how Norman got duped by these people, and that's very true--but keep in mind that the OU Foundation is who is behind this. I am just at a complete lack of understanding how or why the OU Foundation, which is supposed to care about the Norman community, could do this. And the flack over Legacy Park is pretty funny too--of course the developers, who ALREADY got a TIF for infrastructure and for the hotel and the construction of the park, want to then "gift" the park to the city (which is paying for it in a roundabout way anyway) just so the City will do maintenance of the park, which of course, there will be a contract for that too.

Other developers should pay close attention to find out the secret of how to get the city to build a park in the middle of your lousy strip mall.

[cas]

I'm very dissapointed in both of these two stores. Dollar Tree...really? I also don't want to see a tire store or any other automotive repair/maintenance facility in the middle of this project. I can't imagine what might be next!

[acumpton]

Does anyone know when the Dollar Tree is projected to be opened?

[Jesseda]

its funny how moore wasnt even trying for upscale shopping, but the 19th street area has better store then the unp and moore wasnt even trying for that lol

[Mr T]

Nothing Mayor Rosenthal has done in Norman is funny or successful or money-making or sustainable. The only reason she won a second time is because Boren got out the minions at the last minute. Ezell was SO winning. A republican wealthy west-side lawyer was winning, in Norman, because she is so very bad. The Foundation was committed for 29 million and they needed out of the deal. Ezell would have made them pay. Boren made phone calls.

Right after she won the first time on the "green crunchy" platform she failed the Food Stamp Challenge and she thought it was funny. She spent 3 days worth of "food stamps" at the farmers' market on "delicious Stratford peaches - I couldn't resist!" Of course, at the time farmers markets did not accept food stamps, and actual poor people could not have purchased those delicious peaches.

She spent the last three days eating donated food intended for ACTUAL poor people at Food For Friends. Begin as you mean to go on - that is what she has done, for sure. But, she said it was a great experience!

Right after OU bagged out on the TIF money they spent millions renovating a castle in Italy so OU students would have a safe, American dorm experience. A - that is wrong. Foreign exchange is to see other people, not live in an ersatz American dorm. B - if you owe me 29 million dollars I do NOT want to hear that your left pocket is empty and the money in the right pocket is for your other expenditures. God did not make that law. Pay what you owe.

She had "no idea" that grant-writing was so "complicated" when the economy fell apart and they were giving away money for shovel-ready train plans. Haven't we been talking for 35 years about returning the Interurban? How could we not be ready? Never fear, she said it is a Good Thing, a wake-up call, so we will be ready next time. Next time what?? Next time the economy is so bad they are giving away money? Is that really to be desired?

Why do you think the "newspaper" dumped the forum and does not allow comments? Sure, it says "to add a comment click here" but it almost never gets posted. Look for yourself! Look at all of the articles about Sardis Lake and the two recent elections - look at anything - look for comments. Do you think no-one cares? Commenting is a waste of oxygen! The "editorials" are usually from out-of-town, yay Valdosta. If Andy ever does write it is about riding bicycles or about the good old days before air-conditioning.

What you see and what is real are two different things in Norman. I think it is starting to catch up with the mayor. I hoist my beer at her in the evening when she drives by - she is Not Happy. Too bad "we" just reelected the mayor, and by default, David Boren. He isn't happy just ruling his small pond, he has to rule the City and the "newspaper."

Don't get me started on the party houses and all the new police and the new library, because I will tell you, and I talk a lot about local politics. (smiley face!)

[Superhyper]

I get the general sense that they dumped the forums and restrict the comments because the people using both are crass impolite people. Look at newsok.com's comments. It's like finding the sewer gutter of humanity. Only youtube surpasses it regularly.

[progressiveboy]

Well sad news for Norman. Bummer. It looks like Texas wins again! It appears that UNP will not be building that office building for Petco in UNP. It is rather sad that Oklahoma continually loses out to Texas. I guess Oklahoma likes it that way. (Sarcasm)



http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/ne...er-dallas.html

[Mr T]

Well, I have nothing to say. I'm one of the crass, impolite sewer-people (cleverly disguised as a long-time Norman resident.) God forbid we sewer-people should dare to discuss local politics. We exist to pay taxes and shut our mouths, right? I thought it was interesting that right after the superhyper post the comments button disappeared.

[G.Walker]

Well sad news for Norman. Bummer. It looks like Texas wins again! It appears that UNP will not be building that office building for Petco in UNP. It is rather sad that Oklahoma continually loses out to Texas. I guess Oklahoma likes it that way. (Sarcasm)



http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/ne...er-dallas.html

I am not surprised, if City of Norman had Class A office space available (like they were supposed to) then we could have secured it. But thanks to bad management of city funds, and the city not being consistent, we lose. Hopefully the city can learn from this.

[Easy180]

Well sad news for Norman. Bummer. It looks like Texas wins again! It appears that UNP will not be building that office building for Petco in UNP. It is rather sad that Oklahoma continually loses out to Texas. I guess Oklahoma likes it that way. (Sarcasm)

http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/ne...er-dallas.html

What a crushing loss

[G.Walker]

If Norman wasn't being stagnant on building University North Park Corporate Center, if it had of been built, we would have had a better chance. After reading another article, these were CORPORATE jobs, not customer service. Article stated that salaries would be averaging $57,000/yr what a loss to not only Norman, but the state of Oklahoma.

[goldbug]

Dollar Tree is open now...has been for a while.

[G.Walker]

Was in UNP doing some Christmas shopping and noticed new construction between Target and Kohls, its a free standing building, looks like a restaurant, but too small for a casual dining place, maybe a fast food place like Jack In The Box, anybody know what it could be? I know they mentioned building another Jack In The Box on westside of town?

[ChargerAg]

where is the discount tire supposed to be? could that be it?

[G.Walker]

It's too small for discount tire...

[blangtang]

Last I read was a Zio's and a video game store were lined up

[OUman]

^You wouldn't happen to be talking about GameStop right? There already is one in Sooner Mall.

[kevinpate]

Was in UNP doing some Christmas shopping and noticed new construction between Target and Kohls, its a free standing building, looks like a restaurant, but too small for a casual dining place, maybe a fast food place like Jack In The Box, anybody know what it could be? I know they mentioned building another Jack In The Box on westside of town?

I thought the JitB was supposed to go in on the east side of the road, across(ish) from Target. I could be mistaken though.

[progressiveboy]

I thought the JitB was supposed to go in on the east side of the road, across(ish) from Target. I could be mistaken though.

I heard it was going to be a Panda Express????

[j7m7l7]

http://normantranscript.com/headline...ity-North-Park

Looks like a combo of many of the stores/restaurants mentioned

[kevinpate]

Highlights, for those who don't tend to click links:

New 20,000 sf strip mall on east side of 24th in UNP.
Seven business slots, of which six have leases signed.
These include Zio's, Game Stop, a family photography shop, and three others not named in the article.

Also in UNP, ground has already been broken on a Panda Express.

Sales tax revenue over past 4 years has been about 14.5M. Ad valorm is about 1.5M annually, with 1/2 going to the TIF

[Soonerman]

I wonder if they are ever going to get that Lifestyle Center built?

[ChargerAg]

that panda express doesn't make any sense. Why would they build it right next to Pei Wei?

[dismayed]

I found it interesting that the article says they have generated about $14.5 million in tax revenues since 2006, but then goes on to say the city still owes the OU Foundation $14.5 million, presumably for the land. So that would mean what, an 8-year break even on the land if all funds went into paying off that debt, which they probably won't, so what let's say half and go with 15 years maybe? Yes UNP is adding to the quality of life, but I am not sure that it can be called a money-maker for the city.