Names are all the game these days.
And Stanton Nelson has dozens of them dancing in his head, as the developer of the University Town Center LLC portion of University North Park addition west of Interstate-35 between Robinson Street and Tecumseh Road.

Rumors are rampant about some of the new-to-the-area retailers and restaurants that are reportedly going to bring their business to Norman.

And although Nelson isn’t quite ready to divulge the names of businesses going into the second phase of University North Park just north of the new Super Target, he does provide a few hints about the goings on.

Construction on the 150,000 to 200,000-square-foot second retail section north of Super Target is planned to start in February or early March. Stores and restaurants in that phase are planned for opening in fall 2008.

Right now, the area is staked out on piles of northwest Norman red dirt. Lots of dirt moving is evident, with preparations for construction in high gear.

“What’s happening out there right now is a lot of the infrastructure to get that piece of it to the next step. Your sewer and water and those types of things,” Nelson said.
Much, but not all, of the commercial space in the new area is already spoken for.

“There will be some small shop opportunities for the user that requires 2,500 to 3,000 feet, but it’s going to consist of four to six junior anchors that range in size from 25,000 to 50,000 feet and then there will be obviously smaller shops that fit in between that,” he said.

The development group probably won’t be starting construction on future phases if there aren’t locked down commitments from businesses.

“We are not going to speculate except on the shops that are less than, say, 15,000 feet,” he said. “So if we are doing something around 200,000 feet — the majority of that — 75 to 80 percent of it is already spoken for. So when we break ground and begin to build this all at once, you are going to see tenants that are in place today, but my commitment to them is I just can’t release the names.”

The successful Oct. 8 opening of the Super Target bodes well for the area, he said.
Norman’s Super Target has reportedly been among Target Corporation’s top revenue generating locations in the nation.

“It’s been very positive,” Nelson said of Super Target’s opening. “And there is no doubt that retailers are talking to other retailers. So I just know it has a positive effect on the entire development.”

That has created a national buzz for the area.
“I think Target in general has that type of buzz right now. Everybody wants to be associated with the Targets and the Super Targets of the world. I don’t think it’s just here,” Nelson said.

The unique design of Norman’s Super Target provides a strong indication of what the next shopping and entertainment areas will look like. Other stores will have similar architectural elements, with Little Diversified Architectural Consultants designing the next phase.

The goal is to maintain architectural consistency throughout the development.
“So that tells a lot about the importance of our committee we have in place here that tries to uphold the design and the architecture of the entire development,” Nelson said.

The University North Park Architectural Review Committee consists of Norman architects Rick McKinney, Mike Moorman and Bob Goins.

And as far as those names and all the rumors floating around?
Privately Nelson might tell you that you have good sources, if you ask about one of those rumors of upcoming deliciousness. But on the record — not until his retailers are ready.

“We’re close,” is all he’ll say about it. “Really close.”
We’ll keep you posted.