By Andrew W. Griffin
The Norman Transcript

Although progress on the East Village mixed-use development at 12th Avenue SE and Lindsey Street has been somewhat delayed by steady spring rains, the project is still under construction and expected to be completed this summer.

The former HUD housing site on 7.8 acres is being transformed into a mixed-use project of residential and retail, including 96 condos and loft apartments, 43 town homes and 9,000 square feet of retail.

Developing the site is land owner Hunter Miller of Sooner Traditions, who is working with performer, and Norman resident, Toby Keith on the $20 million project, Hatfield said.

“Eighty percent of residential units have already been sold,” said Equity Realty’s Judy J. Hatfield, during a tour of the site as construction crews continued working around her. She also noted that the main condo building is four-stories high, making it one of the higher buildings on the city’s east side.

Hatfield says she believes the residential condos are perfect for empty-nesters, young professionals and graduate students attending nearby University of Oklahoma.

Hatfield said a number of businesses have been interested in moving into East Village’s retail space and two businesses, a stand-alone CVS Pharmacy directly on the corner of 12th and Lindsey and a Maggie Moo’s ice cream “treatery” franchise, are already committed to the project and will open soon.

Area residents Bob and Judy Rollins will operate the Maggie Moo’s treatery, similar to Cold Stone Creamery or Marble Slab, yet will be aimed at a younger crowd and will offer ice cream cakes and flavors of ice cream ranging from traditional vanilla to buttered popcorn-flavored ice cream.

“We will also be available to cater birthday parties,” said Bob Rollins.
Judy Rollins explained that she and her husband chose the new location for the Maggie Moo’s because of the growth potential on the city’s east side.

“It was a year ago that we began looking on the east side of Norman for a retail space,” she said. “We realized that the east side was in the midst of building up while the west side of town was pretty full.”

So, the Rollins’ found out about the East Village project and eagerly jumped on board. Judy Rollins said that she and her husband are encouraged by the increasing traffic passing by the East Village development and will promote their business by having a Maggie Moo cow character visit places around Norman in hopes that customers will come to East Village, curious about Maggie Moo’s and their cold and refreshing fare.

Weather permitting, Judy Rollins said, they hope to open the store by mid-July.
Hatfield pointed out that next to the Maggie Moo’s site will be an open area where tables and chairs can be set up for both customers and residents living in the condos and apartments at East Village. Landscaping also will be a top priority on the site, she said.

As for other retailers, Hatfield said other prospective tenants are reluctant to commit to purchasing retail space until after the site is completed and with the recent rains, it may be a while longer before it is completed.

Hatfield said the development on Norman’s east side is starting to surpass that of the city’s west side. She added that the city of Norman has been exceptionally helpful in getting the project going.

“I think it’s really, really, really exciting,” Hatfield said of the East Village development and the positive effects she sees it having on the east side economy.