Norman residents submit petition signatures for public vote on entertainment district

NORMAN, Okla. (KFOR) — Community members in Norman joined forces to sign thousands of petitions to force a city-wide vote on a pricey project.

Paul Arcaroli is one of the founders of Oklahomans for Responsible Economic Development.

“I saw this as an opportunity to actually have this community come together,” Arcaroli said.

Arcaroli’s mission is to give Norman residents the final say on the new arena and entertainment district that’s already been approved by Norman City Council, with the support of the University of Oklahoma.

Organizers say they received over 11,000 signatures, which is well over the legal requirement.

Marguerite Larson notarized hundreds of signed petitions.

“I was the final step to make sure that these petitions were turned in properly,” Larson said.

Larson also says she encourages the community to pay attention to what’s going on in the city.

Councilmember Stephen Tyler Holman was present at the petition drop-off.

“I’m always supportive of the right to initiate a citizen petition to overturn something the government disapproves or to approve something the government won’t even take up or maybe even denied,” said Holman.

The petitions will be reviewed by the Norman City Clerk with the goal of getting the projection on the ballot next February.

Many community members told News 4, the goal is not to go against the city but to work with them.

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