University North Park

[okcustu]

People will whine and complain about anything and everything, then try to justify it. Fizzy...sometimes it is best to just laugh at their pathetic behavior and move on.

Needless to say, the project has provided more jobs and a really nice hotel that Norman has really needed.

However some complaints are justified i thought this was really going to be something yet there is nothing unique to our market yet. I wll of coursehold off final judgement until much later but first imppressions are important. And to all the over eager defenders remember the developer is not paying please don't take made against the project personally.

[soonerliberal]

OUDaily.com | Norman sells new ‘lifestyles’

[oknacreous]

From the OU Daily article: "Officials are also working on plans for a luxury movie theater that will show lesser-known films on eight to 10 screens. “It’ll deal more with the artistic side and more independent films you might not see at theaters,” Nelson said. “There’s a huge demand for it.”"

Fantastic. I love the Magnolia in Dallas and would love to have a similar theater within a few minutes of the house. I hope people here will give it a chance so it will remain viable. Now if we could just get that Whole Foods...

[jbrown84]

From the OU Daily article: "Officials are also working on plans for a luxury movie theater that will show lesser-known films on eight to 10 screens. “It’ll deal more with the artistic side and more independent films you might not see at theaters,” Nelson said. “There’s a huge demand for it.”"

Sounds a lot like an Angelika. I think it would work better in a more central location, but I'll settle for Norman. I fear it wouldn't make it down there, though.

[oknacreous]

Sounds a lot like an Angelika. I think it would work better in a more central location, but I'll settle for Norman. I fear it wouldn't make it down there, though.

You're right, I'm thinking of Angelika and not Magnolia. Wires crossed in the brain.

I think a modest project, like a 4 to 6 screen theater (not getting too fancy with the "luxury" part) would have a following, at least until the Christianists get their panties in a wad when the place screens something they don't approve of.

[jbrown84]

Well the Anglelika in Mockingbird Station is not really very luxury. Not at all compared to the Warren. It's kind of modern and spartan in decor, the theatres are small, and the picture quality is nothing special. It's just that they show things you can't find anywhere else, except the Art Musuem in some cases. The Art Museum theatre, by comparison, is much nicer.

However, it's just a very niche audience on a lot of these films and even the one in Dallas isn't THAT crowded. I know Norman is an "artsy" place, but I think it would be much more likely to survive if it were downtown.

[BG918]

Well the Anglelika in Mockingbird Station is not really very luxury. Not at all compared to the Warren. It's kind of modern and spartan in decor, the theatres are small, and the picture quality is nothing special. It's just that they show things you can't find anywhere else, except the Art Musuem in some cases. The Art Museum theatre, by comparison, is much nicer.

However, it's just a very niche audience on a lot of these films and even the one in Dallas isn't THAT crowded. I know Norman is an "artsy" place, but I think it would be much more likely to survive if it were downtown.

I agree. This whole lifestyle center sounds great and I'm glad Norman will be getting some new stores but I can't stand the location. Main St. would be much better. The city says they are committed to downtown but when they let these kind of developments happen I wonder just how committed they really are. I have heard people say Norman is similar to Lawrence, Kansas but Lawrence would put these stores and theater downtown and not by the interstate.

I can only hope Urban Outfitters does not go in this development and rather goes to an actual urban location in Norman.

[veritas]

I have heard people say Norman is similar to Lawrence, Kansas but Lawrence would put these stores and theater downtown and not by the interstate.

I can only hope Urban Outfitters does not go in this development and rather goes to an actual urban location in Norman.

The 15 minute rule of real-estate dictates that it won't happen. The easy on, easy off access next to I-35 increases the number of roof tops available in the store 15 minute foot print.

The reason this area will continue to attract desirable shopping that might otherwise be located downtown is the sheer demographics available. I love downtown Norman as much as the next guy but it is what it is; hard to get to.

[BG918]

The 15 minute rule of real-estate dictates that it won't happen. The easy on, easy off access next to I-35 increases the number of roof tops available in the store 15 minute foot print.

The reason this area will continue to attract desirable shopping that might otherwise be located downtown is the sheer demographics available. I love downtown Norman as much as the next guy but it is what it is; hard to get to.

Hard to get to? Main, one of the four primary east-west corridors in Norman, runs from the westside straight into downtown and into east Norman. It takes less than 10 min. with traffic to get from I-35 to downtown.

In understand some of the reasoning but many other cities have made it a priority to draw people into the city and off the interstate. Downtown Norman will thrive with or without UNP but it sure would be nice to see some of the stores along a real Main and not the faux Main Street they're building in UNP. Just like Campus Corner is mostly local stores and restaurants so will downtown but unlike CC there aren't very many "anchors" to draw more local businesses which is where a few well-placed national stores and restaurants could help out.

[oneforone]

I agree. This whole lifestyle center sounds great and I'm glad Norman will be getting some new stores but I can't stand the location. Main St. would be much better. The city says they are committed to downtown but when they let these kind of developments happen I wonder just how committed they really are. I have heard people say Norman is similar to Lawrence, Kansas but Lawrence would put these stores and theater downtown and not by the interstate.

I can only hope Urban Outfitters does not go in this development and rather goes to an actual urban location in Norman.

I think every store should be in a congested downtown area where you have to park six blocks away to shop there.

[BG918]

I think every store should be in a congested downtown area where you have to park six blocks away to shop there.

You walk more going to a mall or shopping center than you would downtown where there is parking in front of the stores, or not far away, on the street or parking in lots behind. I wouldn't say downtown is congested, although we really need to bring back 2 way traffic on Main. Campus Corner has more issues with parking and really needs a garage. Plus walking is GOOD for you.

[veritas]

Hard to get to? Main, one of the four primary east-west corridors in Norman, runs from the westside straight into downtown and into east Norman. It takes less than 10 min. with traffic to get from I-35 to downtown.

In understand some of the reasoning but many other cities have made it a priority to draw people into the city and off the interstate. Downtown Norman will thrive with or without UNP but it sure would be nice to see some of the stores along a real Main and not the faux Main Street they're building in UNP. Just like Campus Corner is mostly local stores and restaurants so will downtown but unlike CC there aren't very many "anchors" to draw more local businesses which is where a few well-placed national stores and restaurants could help out.

Think of it this way. You're a retail site land hunter who has two options: Downtown Norman and UNP. One has 30,000 households within the "15 minute" footprint and one has 10,000 households. Which one are you going to go with? It's a simple math formula. Distance divided by rate = time or D/R=T. In this case, the faster the rate at which you can travel, the greater the distance you can live from the store.

It isn't that you can't physically get to downtown Norman. It's just that the distance you can travel within "15 minutes" of downtown is hampered by traffic/trains/two lane roads and the like. This is the reason the large retail draws will continue to stick close to the interstate.

As for your statement that it takes 10 minutes to get to downtown from I-35, do you live in Norman? You must either be traveling in the wee morning hours or sometime after 10 pm. I commute to where I work (about 1/2 a mile north of downtown) from the NE side of Norman. Its a total of about 2.5 miles with limited traffic and it still takes me 7-8 minutes. When I lived on the west side, it took me a minimum of 15 minutes. I LOATHED going to shop downtown and I lived well within the city limits. In fact, I would drive north on 36th street to Moore rather than try to cross Norman from West to downtown. That is why the UNP is and will continue to be the draw it is.

[BG918]

Think of it this way. You're a retail site land hunter who has two options: Downtown Norman and UNP. One has 30,000 households within the "15 minute" footprint and one has 10,000 households. Which one are you going to go with? It's a simple math formula. Distance divided by rate = time or D/R=T. In this case, the faster the rate at which you can travel, the greater the distance you can live from the store.

It isn't that you can't physically get to downtown Norman. It's just that the distance you can travel within "15 minutes" of downtown is hampered by traffic/trains/two lane roads and the like. This is the reason the large retail draws will continue to stick close to the interstate.

As for your statement that it takes 10 minutes to get to downtown from I-35, do you live in Norman? You must either be traveling in the wee morning hours or sometime after 10 pm. I commute to where I work (about 1/2 a mile north of downtown) from the NE side of Norman. Its a total of about 2.5 miles with limited traffic and it still takes me 7-8 minutes. When I lived on the west side, it took me a minimum of 15 minutes. I LOATHED going to shop downtown and I lived well within the city limits. In fact, I would drive north on 36th street to Moore rather than try to cross Norman from West to downtown. That is why the UNP is and will continue to be the draw it is.

And that is truly unfortunate. Downtown could be what ties the very different westside, eastside, and campus areas together in a CENTRAL location but not if everything is located along I-35. For me, by campus, it's a pain to get to the interstate. Also downtown stands to benefit once commuter rail is up and running and I wouldn't be surprised to see stores that initially located in UNP relocate. Downtown Norman will be the finest TOD in the Metro outside of downtown OKC. Just give it time (and make Main 2 way again).

[veritas]

And that is truly unfortunate. Downtown could be what ties the very different westside, eastside, and campus areas together in a CENTRAL location but not if everything is located along I-35. For me, by campus, it's a pain to get to the interstate. Also downtown stands to benefit once commuter rail is up and running and I wouldn't be surprised to see stores that initially located in UNP relocate. Downtown Norman will be the finest TOD in the Metro outside of downtown OKC. Just give it time (and make Main 2 way again).

We shall see. Oh, and I couldn't agree with you more about making Main a 2 way street.

There are rumors floating that the interstate access roads on the east and west side of I-35 in and around the Robinson area are being pushed to be 1 way. I hope that these are just rumors with no substance to them

[okcustu]

Think of it this way. You're a retail site land hunter who has two options: Downtown Norman and UNP. One has 30,000 households within the "15 minute" footprint and one has 10,000 households. Which one are you going to go with? It's a simple math formula. Distance divided by rate = time or D/R=T. In this case, the faster the rate at which you can travel, the greater the distance you can live from the store.

It isn't that you can't physically get to downtown Norman. It's just that the distance you can travel within "15 minutes" of downtown is hampered by traffic/trains/two lane roads and the like. This is the reason the large retail draws will continue to stick close to the interstate.

As for your statement that it takes 10 minutes to get to downtown from I-35, do you live in Norman? You must either be traveling in the wee morning hours or sometime after 10 pm. I commute to where I work (about 1/2 a mile north of downtown) from the NE side of Norman. Its a total of about 2.5 miles with limited traffic and it still takes me 7-8 minutes. When I lived on the west side, it took me a minimum of 15 minutes. I LOATHED going to shop downtown and I lived well within the city limits. In fact, I would drive north on 36th street to Moore rather than try to cross Norman from West to downtown. That is why the UNP is and will continue to be the draw it is.

thats neat and all your fancy figuring but i thought the point was upscale/specialty shops which often tend to favor urban areas. norman needs to more like lawrence; this ugly cookie cutter shopping center filed with stores like ross and dress barn only lessens norman's college town feel.

[okcustu]

i think anyone who has been to both and is unbiased will admit mass st is much better than campus corner



when's the last time you saw this on campus corner?

Downtown Lawrence : The Heart of the City

[BG918]

i think anyone who has been to both and is unbiased will admit mass st is much better than campus corner



when's the last time you saw this on campus corner?

Downtown Lawrence : The Heart of the City

I agree. Although Campus Corner is close, and could be even better if University is developed and the "wall" of bars/restaurants/local shops is expanded north on Asp. You couldn't ask for a better location right next to OU. I wouldn't want any of whatever is going in at UNP in Campus Corner, but downtown, especially the rundown part near Main & Flood, could really use some of that retail and restaurant activity. Norman needs to think of itself as a unique college town first, booming OKC suburb second...

[okcustu]

amen campus corner has serious potential id like to see a medium to large bookstore (independent or chain) move in

[BFizzy]

when's the last time you saw this on campus corner?

Saturday.

[ouguy23]

Saturday.

lol! I concur.

[BG918]

amen campus corner has serious potential id like to see a medium to large bookstore (independent or chain) move in

That would be AWESOME. An independent would be nice, like Full Circle in OKC, but Border's/Barnes & Noble would be good too. In my plan for University that I did at OU I had a large 2 story bookstore/coffee shop located at the SW corner of University & White as part of a mixed-use development on the parking lot there that included other retail space along Univ. and a parking garage. I am hoping that once In The Raw opens it will draw more interest to the diamond in the rough that is University Blvd. thru Campus Corner.

[jbrown84]

It sounds like a big anchor is needed to draw retail and restaurants there. I'm not sure a book store is quite it, though.

[Pete]

I'd love to see development/re-development in Campus Corner of retail in the ground floor and apartments above; 2- to 4-story buildings.

It would be a fantastic place for student to live and bring all types of other possibilities.

[okyeah]

I doubt Campus Corner will ever get a bookstore in the future....not only does Norman have Barnes & Noble and Borders, but they also have Hastings. and the Hastings recently underwent major renovations...It would be cool if Hastings moved to campus corner, but it's already pretty close to campus, and the place is almost always busy with students from morning 'til night

[BG918]

I doubt Campus Corner will ever get a bookstore in the future....not only does Norman have Barnes & Noble and Borders, but they also have Hastings. and the Hastings recently underwent major renovations...It would be cool if Hastings moved to campus corner, but it's already pretty close to campus, and the place is almost always busy with students from morning 'til night

Exactly why another is needed, especially one many students can easily walk to or get to before/after classes.