Joseph Harroz | Guest Column
Sep 1, 2024
Later this month, our city faces one of the most important decisions in our history. The Norman City Council’s consideration of the new entertainment district is an inflection point that will determine the direction of Norman’s future for decades to come.
Much has already been touted about the infrastructure, new jobs, new housing, and entertainment options this project will bring to Norman. But developing a new entertainment district isn’t just a decision about urban planning – it’s an existential moment for our city’s future. This is our opportunity to define who we are and what we aspire to become. Do we seize this moment and choose the path of investment, growth, and improved quality of life? Or do we remain complacent and atrophy, watching as other cities leap ahead?
The story of Norman has always been one of ambition, courage, and an unyielding pursuit of the limitless possibilities before us. The history of our city and the University of Oklahoma are closely intertwined. The seeds of our prosperity that were planted in the late 1800s have grown our community into Oklahoma’s third-largest city that’s home to the state’s public flagship research university. From my seat at OU, we know that the university thrives when the City of Norman thrives — and vice versa. That’s why the broad community support for the entertainment district runs so deep; we rise (and fall) together.
We’ve watched other cities invest in themselves — and then be richly rewarded. We don’t have to look far: Just over three decades ago, Oklahoma City launched the ultimate quality of life initiative – MAPS – ushering in a modern renaissance for our capital city. Cities across America have successfully implemented the same finance model as the entertainment district — where tax increments serve as a powerful tool to spur economic development and revitalization. These specialized districts are very common. In 2024 alone, there are 109 TIFs active in Oklahoma, 384 in Missouri, and 794 in Texas. You may recognize some of these projects: In Oklahoma City; Core to Shore, Project 180, Bricktown. Downtown Tulsa’s renewal. The Jenks Riverwalk. The Moore Warren Theatre. Edmond’s I-35 Corridor. The dawn of these initiatives and the growth these cities have enjoyed are no coincidence.
The entertainment district is our opportunity to define Norman’s next chapter, and what makes this endeavor so promising is that many of the essential elements for success are already in place. We’re in the heart of the Sun Belt, where massive numbers of Americans are migrating. In many of today’s fastest-growing cities like Austin and Nashville, research universities anchor their economies and play a vital role as engines of learning, innovation, and workforce development. At OU, we’ve made stunning progress in our position as a top-tier public research university – shattering records in research, fundraising, and incoming classes, and realizing many monumental advancements that are uplifting Oklahoma as a more prosperous place for all. As OU embarks on our inaugural year in the Southeastern Conference, the economic ripple effects will resonate throughout Norman and across our state, driven by an influx of visiting fans, increased research output, and greater visibility for both OU and the Sooner State.
Norman should aspire to emulate the vibrant live-work-play lifestyle we see in these enterprising cities. This concept creates prosperous urban hubs and fosters a strong sense of community, attracting new businesses and new residents – and incentivizing that talent to stay there for the long haul.
That’s why the entertainment district is essential to Norman’s future. Our city is at a crossroads, and now is the time to invest in a vision for our city that’s bold, dynamic, and forward-thinking, ensuring a legacy of prosperity and vitality for generations to come.
