By Staci Elder Hensley
The Journal Record
NORMAN – When the new millennium rolled around, Norman’s Campus Corner wasn’t exactly in a slump, but it certainly wasn’t booming either.
That’s a situation that has changed, thanks to a group of about 50 property and business owners. The Campus Corner Merchants Association has spearheaded an ongoing revitalization of this historic area, one that will be capped off when O’Connell’s Irish Pub, a fixture in Norman for 39 years, moves from the southeast corner of the University of Oklahoma campus to an anchor spot on Campus Corner in mid-September.
On the north side of the university campus, the corner today is home to everything from restaurants and cafes to yoga and nail salons, upscale boutiques, Sooner Bookstore, a yarn and craft store, and shops offering OU merchandise. Coming soon are a Starbucks coffeehouse, a Republic Bank branch, and several smaller businesses.
The association has spent the past several years making improvements to the area’s lighting, sidewalks and electricity. Many buildings have been rebuilt or extensively redone. Some 100 new parking spaces have been added, and in January additional work will begin on the area’s curbs and sidewalks. Installation of bicycle racks is planned, along with the addition of benches and new trash receptacles. The district’s bright red payphone booths, meanwhile, will get a makeover to turn them into ATMs.
The improvements have all come in the wake of Campus Corner being granted status as a Tax Increment Finance District by the Norman City Council, said H. Rainey Powell, property owner and former association president, who has played a major role in bringing about the improvements. Approved in 2001, the TIFF designation allowed city property and sales taxes to be accessed by the association for needed improvements. Since the vote, the district’s sales have more than doubled, from $369,000 in 2001 to nearly $800,000 in 2006. Vacancies have dramatically decreased, from close to 20,000 square feet in 2001 to just under 4,000 square feet today.
“We have had a major increase in foot traffic,” Powell said. “We also have started closing off the streets on OU football game days, and we host several events during the year.”
Among those are “Howl-a-ween,” when visitors dress up their dogs and bring them to Campus Corner, and carriage rides at Christmas.
“Obviously, with O’Connell’s moving over, we will pick up St. Patrick’s Day as well,” he said.
Jeff Stewart, longtime manager of O’Connell’s, said he expects the move to be positive. For starters, the new pub will be nearly double the size of the old one, going from its present 3,500 square feet to 6,000 square feet in the new Asp Avenue space. Television network ESPN often features the bar on OU game days.
“We hopefully will retain our icon status,” Stewart said.
The chances are good since the new O’Connell’s will maintain the exact same look and ambiance as the old one. It will also continue to host its renowned celebrations of St. Patrick’s Day, Mardi Gras and Cinco de Mayo, in collaboration with the Campus Corner association.
“I’m excited about our coming over there,” Stewart said. “The synergy is really good now; it’s like everyone is pulling together, and we want to make it a win-win fun move for everyone.”
The original O’Connell’s, on Lindsey Street, will remain open through the end of the year.
“Some people have had mixed reactions to the news of our move, but it’s just another challenge, and I like challenges,” Stewart said. “There’s so much movement in a positive direction for the corner, and we are glad to be part of it.”
