University Town Center

[dankrutka]

I just wish OU could work with the City of Norman and local developers to create a mixed use entertainment district at the Lloyd Noble site instead of over by I-35. There's plenty of room there to develop housing, restaurants/retail, and a new arena. With soccer, tennis, softball, gymnastics, baseball, and basketball there, there would be a natural draw for events to the area, which could be enhanced by housing.

[Bill Robertson]

I just wish OU could work with the City of Norman and local developers to create a mixed use entertainment district at the Lloyd Noble site instead of over by I-35. There's plenty of room there to develop housing, restaurants/retail, and a new arena. With soccer, tennis, softball, gymnastics, baseball, and basketball there, there would be a natural draw for events to the area, which could be enhanced by housing.

With the new SB stadium being right there and other venues being pretty close I don't think this is a bad idea. I like where LNC is. They could build a new arena next to it. I can think of one place that's doing the same thing right now and another that most certainly will start later this year or early next. I think OU and Norman could build a new arena with entertainment nearby.,That would also be great for the FB fans that park at LNC. Or even play a couple BB seasons at the old field house for nostalgia and build a new arena where LNC sits now.

[bison34]

Then who is the new arena being built for? In UNP, it is built for fans closer to the city, and being paid for by private developers, with some city involvement and ownership. LNC doesn't get students in, due to its location. Why would building a new arena next door attract those students, all of a sudden? As such, it doesn't benefit anyone. Norman very likely won't help out if it is on OU's campus grounds.

[BG918]

I just wish OU could work with the City of Norman and local developers to create a mixed use entertainment district at the Lloyd Noble site instead of over by I-35. There's plenty of room there to develop housing, restaurants/retail, and a new arena. With soccer, tennis, softball, gymnastics, baseball, and basketball there, there would be a natural draw for events to the area, which could be enhanced by housing.

Brooks and Jenkins is where it should be located

[bison34]

Imagine thinking OU has the money to build this without private and public help. Lol

[Jersey Boss]

The State of Oklahoma has the money. Tax cuts, sueing the tribes, new lab in Stillwater, money to renovate an unoccupied Governor mansion, media junkets for OSDE, those are just the tip.

[Jersey Boss]

I just wish OU could work with the City of Norman and local developers to create a mixed use entertainment district at the Lloyd Noble site instead of over by I-35. There's plenty of room there to develop housing, restaurants/retail, and a new arena. With soccer, tennis, softball, gymnastics, baseball, and basketball there, there would be a natural draw for events to the area, which could be enhanced by housing.

Done.
https://www.oudaily.com/news/norman-...283ca5c71.html

[Bill Robertson]

Then who is the new arena being built for? In UNP, it is built for fans closer to the city, and being paid for by private developers, with some city involvement and ownership. LNC doesn't get students in, due to its location. Why would building a new arena next door attract those students, all of a sudden? As such, it doesn't benefit anyone. Norman very likely won't help out if it is on OU's campus grounds.

Students can't walk? When we go to football games we park by a restaurant on Main and walk to the stadium. And we're in our 60s.

[Bill Robertson]

Duplicate

[bison34]

Students can't walk? When we go to football games we park by a restaurant on Main and walk to the stadium. And we're in our 60s.

Students aren't walking to the games now.

[BG918]

Imagine thinking OU has the money to build this without private and public help. Lol

How many hundreds of millions of dollars has OU spent on the football stadium and upcoming football operations center? OU has the money.

[bison34]

How many hundreds of millions of dollars has OU spent on the football stadium and upcoming football operations center? OU has the money.

Fans care more about football, and considering OU football basically funds the rest of the AD, you put money in your cash cow, not the leeches living off it.

Plus, you can only put money towards what donors want you to. If they say "football only" (which, go figure, most do), the funds can't be used on basketball. You do know that it is criminal to misuse donated funds, right? I really hope you do. It is very important that you know that.

[Bill Robertson]

Students aren't walking to the games now.

We didn't in the 70s either. But we went. The location of LNC isn't the reason students don't go to games.

[CaptDave]

Or even play a couple BB seasons at the old field house for nostalgia and build a new arena where LNC sits now.

I know there are other sports housed in the field house, but I've wondered why (or if) this hasn't been considered. I know there are obvious reasons but it does sound like a pretty good idea. (If only some OU basketball fan won the $1 billion Powerball......)

I also think Brooks & Jenkins would be a great location for a new arena if the primary goal was to get students back in the seats. However it may be the reality is that the majority of attendees drive and therefore a huge parking lot is necessary. Even with the relatively nearby existing parking garages, more parking structures would likely be needed.

LNC isn't in that terrible a location honestly. UNC's Dean Smith arena is pretty far removed from the main campus area and it gets plenty of people in the seats. Of course comparing UNC and OU basketball really isn't fair though.

[Jersey Boss]

Clay Horning on X: "The #Sooners don't need a new arena, but they really want one paid for by somebody else. This doesn't help. ------------------- Holding no cards, OU prez Harroz should choose seriousness over empty threats, by @clayhorning https://t.co/OXnjuaik3A" / X
https://twitter.com/clayhorning/stat...7Ctwgr%5Etweet

Truth

[jedicurt]

the sooners don't need a new arena????

[BoulderSooner]

I know there are other sports housed in the field house, but I've wondered why (or if) this hasn't been considered. I know there are obvious reasons but it does sound like a pretty good idea. (If only some OU basketball fan won the $1 billion Powerball......)

I also think Brooks & Jenkins would be a great location for a new arena if the primary goal was to get students back in the seats. However it may be the reality is that the majority of attendees drive and therefore a huge parking lot is necessary. Even with the relatively nearby existing parking garages, more parking structures would likely be needed.

LNC isn't in that terrible a location honestly. UNC's Dean Smith arena is pretty far removed from the main campus area and it gets plenty of people in the seats. Of course comparing UNC and OU basketball really isn't fair though.

there are more season ticket holders then seats in the field house .. and they did a study on expanding it and it is not feasible ..

[BoulderSooner]

the sooners don't need a new arena????

horning is a clown

[Jersey Boss]

the sooners don't need a new arena????

The City of Norman doesn't need a new arena. Let it go to a vote of registered voters.

[BoulderSooner]

The City of Norman doesn't need a new arena.

it for sure does

[Jersey Boss]

it for sure does

Let the voters make that call. You don't live here

[OklahomaNick]

Lloyd Noble will be 50 years old next year. It is dark & drab and needs to be replaced.
Speaking from someone who lives in North OKC, I love the idea of a new arena being off I-35, and saving 10-15 minutes on that commute.
I think it would draw more people from all areas of OKC.

[BoulderSooner]

Let the voters make that call. You don't live here

that is the nice thing about our form of Gov .... those voters don't get a direct vote on it ..

[Jersey Boss]

that is the nice thing about our form of Gov .... those voters don't get a direct vote on it ..

Nice because you fear the result? City council has the option to put it to the voters. I know that option is neither precluded or required. As contenious an issue it is I expect council to put it to a vote.

[BoulderSooner]

Nice because you fear the result? City council has the option to put it to the voters. I know that option is neither precluded or required.

a new arena and entertainment district in south moore would be terrible for Norman