Fiction: The District isn’t moving forward.
Fact: The project was approved by Norman Greenbelt Commission, Norman Parks Board, Norman Statutory TIF Review Committee, Norman City Planning Commission (Zoning Vote, Platting Vote, Project Plan Vote), Norman City Council, and is progressing as scheduled. The groundbreaking ceremony, attended by approximately 250 guests, was held on May 12, 2026.

Fiction: Voters never had a say.
Fact: The District followed procedures outlined in the local development act and received approval from voter elected officials of the Norman City Council after many public meetings and debate.

Fiction: TIF or Tax Increment Financing is uncommon and only used in unusual or extreme situations.
Fact: TIF is a proven and widely used financing tool for economic development. It leverages future tax growth within a defined area to fund infrastructure and improvements today. Importantly, it does not raise taxes – it uses new revenue created in the district by the development that does not currently exist.

Fiction: TIFs are rare.
Fact: TIFs are common across Oklahoma and the region. As of the most recent data, Oklahoma has more than 100 active TIFs, alongside approximately 380 in Missouri and nearly 800 in Texas.

Fiction: The Rock Creek TIF is permanent.
Fact: No. The TIF has a set lifespan of up to 25 years. It utilizes new revenue generated within the District to cover development costs. If the costs are repaid before 25 years, the tax revenue goes into traditional city/county buckets.

Fiction: New taxes are funding more than $1 Billion of this development.
Fact: Approximately 80% of the District is privately funded, with about 20% supported by the TIF. No taxes will be increased for Norman residents.

Fiction: OU is simply seeking a new, taxpayer-funded performance venue that it would use all of the time.
Fact: The performance venue will be used by OU approximately 24% of the time, with the remaining 76% dedicated to a diverse mix of programming, including concerts, trade shows, meetings, graduations, and other events.

Fiction: It’s just another retail development.
Fact: Rock Creek is a destination – combining entertainment, hospitality, dining, residential and event space to create year-round activity and regional draw.

Fiction: It only benefits developers.
Fact: This is a regional economic engine projected to generate $550 to $572 Million in economic impact, supporting local businesses, workers, and suppliers, and generating long-term tax revenue for the city.

Fiction: The jobs won’t be meaningful.
Fact: Rock Creek is expected to deliver more than 3,000 construction and permanent jobs across hospitality, retail, and operations.

Fiction: The benefits are too far off.
Fact: Economic impact begins immediately, with millions in construction spending, followed by sustained visitor-driven activity.

Fiction: It’s not for the local community.
Fact: This is a community-first destination designed for everyday use – events, dining, gathering spaces, and local business participation.

Fiction: Developments like this fail more often than they succeed.
Fact: Comparable destinations consistently show strong occupancy, high visitor traffic, and long-term revenue growth, which often triggers additional development nearby.