Bridge on Rock Creek Road offers Norman traffic relief

The shopping area now has dozens of retailers, eateries and a major hotel and conference center. It's at Robinson Street and 24th Ave NW, just east of I-35.

And while there have been struggles along the way, city officials say long-term plans to build a large city park and additional shopping area remain on course.

Shawn O'Leary, the city's director of public works, said the long-delayed Legacy Park project is currently in the bidding process.

He said the director of the city's Parks and Recreation department is expected to recommend the city council award the contract “to the lowest and best bidder.”

“Construction of the project is expected to take 14 months from the notice to proceed,” O'Leary said.

O'Leary said the city is also moving forward with plans to build a second, more upscale shopping area on the east side.

The “Village Center” will be “a spectacular, pedestrian-friendly, high-scale shopping district,” if tenants start coming forward to develop the eastern portion of University North Park, he said.

“The infrastructure is also well under way with the recent completion of the new intersection at 24th Avenue NW and Legacy Park Drive,” O'Leary said. “I anticipate that the first tenant in the Village Center may come forward soon, if the economy continues to improve.”