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No to UNP TIF Arena in Norman

219 Comments

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Teri Kimball
8 years ago

All the UNP TIF has done is cause restaurants and retail to bail from the mall, Ed Noble Parkway, etc. are we supposed to believe Uptown Thrift, GameStop, Office Depot, etc. are now “upscale”? Don’t be duped yet again!

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Ron Engel
8 years ago

No to government funded arenas

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robert ross
8 years ago

Good job stating the reasons to be against this proposal. I would add: As a restaurateur ( Interurban), not only will this cannibalize Ed Noble Parkway, Downtown, Campus Corner and Lindsey Street, it will cannibalize restaurants in the existing South Tiff, several of which are already struggling. "IF" the UNP Northpark development is as wonderful as presented by the OU Foundation, it will ( and should) develop organically, and then, the City of Norman, after ending the existing south TIFF inside of two years, would collect 100% of the tax revenue from the North AND South TIFF and balance our budget.

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Sunni Bailey-Koszarek
8 years ago

I an avidly against this.

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Anonymous
8 years ago

Spend $$$ on improving our water

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Pam McIntosh
8 years ago Featured

Public funds should not be used. In my opinion, the first TIF is a failed venture and cannibalized Ed Noble Parkway and other businesses. An arena in Norman will not pull from OKC and Edmond nor will jobs there or in surrounding restaurants, stores, etc. provide living wages or keep OU grads in Norman.

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Peggy Chambers
8 years ago Featured

I asked students in my classes at OU their opinions about a new proposed basket ball arena in UNP. The resounding reply was "WHY? What's wrong with Lloyd Noble?? What a waste of money!" My opinion and response: EXACTLY!

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Teresa Hobgood
8 years ago

We just don't need an arena, we need to preserve what we already have instead of adding on

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Becky Feldman-Standridge
8 years ago

- This TIF is unlikely to generate the promised tax dollars. Small changes in assumptions cause huge differences in outcomes – the current "studies" have unrealistic assumptions such as zero cannibalization, 100% occupancy etc. - Many other similar projects in other cities have required additional money to the tunes of hundreds of millions to keep them afloat. - Arenas are not proven net new revenue generators for communities. - The promised amount of extra funds for Norman Public Schools is by no means certain if property values elsewhere go down.

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Anonymous
8 years ago

We need to keep businesses in all parts of town. OU has a fine arena at Lloyd Noble. A new one is not necessary.

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Ryan Henry
8 years ago

Just NO. Especially considering storm run-off has still not been addressed.

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Dan
8 years ago

Mary Francis rocks, don't mess with her...

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Nancy Rimassa
8 years ago

This initiative would hurt our town not help the community. Let’s put our work into balancing our budget and dealing with infrastructure issues.

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Gary McClelland
8 years ago

NO!!

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Eileen Grzybowski
8 years ago

Amen. Grow what we already have!

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Judy Godwin
8 years ago Featured

Developers have only one tool for community development-to build new buildings. Community developers have many tools: strengthen neighborhoods, encourage and support local businesses, support and fund innovation, value education. Don’t support developers and let OU pay for its own arena.

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Carolyn Tharp
8 years ago

No public money for private development.

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WayneRiggs
8 years ago

No to UNP Tif!

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Anonymous
8 years ago

Norman needs to address budget shortfall and stormwater needs. Using taxpayer money for UNP TIF arena will make both worse. End the current TIF and pass a strong stormwater fee structure.

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Patrick Meirick
8 years ago

If the OU Foundation wants a new arena, it can pay for it. In this deal, the city assumes all the risk up front.