County seeks proposal for parking garage development in Downtown Norman

Aerial of the downtown Norman parking-lot parcel outlined in red, surrounded by downtown blocks beside the railroad.

Cleveland County is soliciting proposals from developers interested in creating a new parking garage and adjacent retail, office, housing, or hotel development in Downtown Norman.

The site covers 1.27 acres, bordered by Jones St. to the west, Peters St. to the east, Comanche St. to the south, and the back alleyway of the 100 block of Main Street to the north.

Aerial overview of the downtown Norman parking-lot parcel outlined in red, bounded by E. Main St, S. Peters Ave, and E. Comanche St near the Sooner Theater and Cleveland County Courthouse.

Positioned directly north of the Cleveland County Courthouse, the site provides close proximity to Downtown’s shops and restaurants, as well as the recently opened Norman Bus Transit Center.

Wider aerial of downtown Norman showing the parking-garage site outlined in red near the Sooner Theater, County Courthouse, Norman Transit Center, and City Municipal Complex.

A proposed Regional Transit Authority stop is located across the street at the Norman Depot. The RTA plans to connect riders to destinations including Oklahoma City, Edmond, and Tinker Air Force Base.

Map of proposed regional transit authority (RTA) routes across the Oklahoma City metro — potential corridors linking Norman, Moore, Oklahoma City, Midwest City, and Edmond.

Under the proposal, developers would be responsible for constructing and operating the facility through a 40-year ground lease from the County. Lease rates would be determined based on land value and project scope, with the County leasing parking spaces in the garage annually.

The parking garage is required to feature a minimum of 300 parking spaces and be equipped with electric vehicle charging capabilities. The structure must incorporate a “pedestrian-friendly design with appropriate lighting” and may accommodate additional development adjacent to or atop the garage.

Adjacent developments must include a minimum 75-room hotel, office and/or retail space, or multi-family housing.

Street-level view of the downtown site from the SW corner at Jones & Comanche — a surface parking lot full of cars with downtown buildings behind.

Architectural styles could align with the Cleveland County Courthouse, Cherokee Gothic architecture akin to buildings found at OU, or designs reminiscent of historic buildings in Downtown Norman.

Upon the lease’s expiration, ownership of the development would revert to the County. Developers would be granted a first right of refusal should the County opt to sell the property.

Street-level view of the site from the SE corner at Peters & Comanche — the surface parking lot and surrounding downtown blocks.

Evaluation criteria for proposals would consider the development team’s experience, financing, and ground lease terms, as well as design, development timeline, and potential for economic growth.

Proposals must be submitted by 10:00 a.m. on April 26, 2024.