By Carol L. Cole
The Norman Transcript

Several retailers have announced plans to locate in the new University North Park development, between Robinson Street and Tecumseh Road east of Interstate 35.
“These tenants are very consistent with what comes with a Super Target,” said Stanton Nelson, University Town Center LLC developer.

One of the new businesses locating in Phase 1B of University North Park will be a Pei Wei Asian Diner, owned by the same company as P.F. Chang’s China Bistro of Scottsdale, Ariz. Pei Wei was named a “Hot Concept” restaurant in 2003 by Restaurant News.

“With average annual sales per unit at $2.2 million, Pei Wei boasts a menu of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai and Vietnamese items; a striking, upscale decor; and a thriving take-out business,” according to the Restaurant News Web site.
Retailers going in just north of the new Super Target include Circuit City, a drive-through Starbucks, Office Depot, Petco, Rack Room Shoes, Dress Barn and Maurice’s, Nelson said.

Either a TJ Maxx or Marshall’s, which are owned by the same company, will locate in the area, Nelson said. He said the company had yet to decide which store it would choose for the area.

The stores are projected to be open in fall 2007.

There are two other restaurant concepts that are looking at outparcels in the area that’s developing.

“We are really excited about those two concepts,” Nelson said. “And obviously there is going to be a slew of small shops that are going to consist of 1,000 to 2,000 square feet, and that’s the dirt work being done now.”

The area across the Legacy Park portion of the development will be Phase 2. The phase is expected to open in spring of 2008, and will consist of 500,000 to 600,000 square feet of retail space.

“In essence, that will go a mile from Robinson to Rock Creek Road if there was an overpass,” Nelson said. “That will be fully developed in the next 14 to 16 months.”
“We are fairly far along on area two,” he said.

He said the traffic generated by the initial businesses will help the upcoming lifestyle center to be successful.

“As we build out the west side of 24th (Avenue NW), that’s going to bring the traffic we need to bring the quality of tenants that we are hoping for for the lifestyle center,” Nelson said. “As far as the lifestyle center, it’s continuing to progress and there is a lot of activity in terms of tenant interest.

He said he sees the lifestyle center area being built by mid- to late 2009.
Nelson is concerned about the $54.7 million University North Park Tax Increment Financing District No. 2, passed May 23, 2006, and the city council acting on the UNP TIF No. 2 Project Plan.

“Obviously we still have the opportunity with the John Q. Hammons deal, the hotel and conference center. He would like to get started as early as March,” Nelson said. “But unfortunately there is some uncertainty as far as the (University North Park Tax Increment Financing District No. 2). Because obviously he doesn’t want to start the hotel unless there is assurance from the city that the conference center will be built. … I’m afraid we could lose the John Q. Hammons conference center.”
He said the frustrating part is looking at the need for a conference center.

“And all the activity that will bring to Norman … I don’t understand why the conference center hasn’t been acted upon when it’s Mr. Hammons who is willing to participate in the cost up to $8 million of the total cost of the conference center,” Nelson said. “And hopefully, city council will see this as an opportunity in the next two to four weeks and we’ll be able to knock this out and get it passed.”