Imagine Norman Progress Report

Nearly 200 people attended at least one of three recent Projects Committee meetings and generated more than 200 ideas for the future of Norman and the Imagine Norman campaign.

            “It was such a positive experience to be involved with,” co-chair Lynn Palmerton said.  “Everyone seemed eager to participate, and were not only passionate about their own ideas but were very receptive to those ideas shared by others.  I hope we can continue to capitalize on the positive energy and cooperative spirit generated from these sessions and continue to move forward with this initiative.”

Ideas were wide ranging. From bricks and mortar projects to transportation issues, programs for children, teens and senior citizens, nationally recognized museums, beautification projects and many, many more.

            Some ideas were generated through necessity, like a storm water drainage system. Some out of the desire for a more informed community like the proposal for a blogsite to post all of the goings-on in the Norman area. Some were inspired by life experiences and business knowledge. All of the ideas were heart felt and meant to serve a better purpose for Norman’s future.   

            “I think the brainstorming sessions reinforced what I believe is the best thing about Norman – creative, thoughtful, passionate people who want their community to be the best it can be,” co-chair Andy Paden said. “I am eager to see what comes of all this!”

            Overall the three meetings were very productive, lively and well attended. There was a great diversity of ages and professions which helped create a varied list of ideas.

            The ideas are being typed up and compiled and will be posted on the Chamber’s website as soon as they are available. To date no other meetings have been scheduled. Keep an eye out for the next meeting time. Until then, keep talking Norman. Keep the buzz going and invite everyone you know to participate in this exciting venture.

Chamber Begins Norman “MAPS” Project

Impressed by the energy and enthusiasm of this year’s board retreat, the Norman Chamber of Commerce held the initial meeting to begin work on a proposed Norman “MAPS” project on June 5. Nearly 60 people attended.

Jim Adair chaired the meeting and challenged those present to do for Norman what the leaders of Oklahoma City have done for OKC.

“It is time for Norman to move forward and become an even more outstanding community,” Adair said. “This is a project that will take a great deal of planning and a lot of time to do it properly.”

Cal Hobson stressed the importance of “getting it right the first time.”

“Tulsa’s MAPS project failed the first time it was voted on because of a lack of preparation and a rush to get it to the polls,” Hobson said.

Several committees are being formed to address various aspects of the project.

The Vision Committee chaired by Richard McKown, met on Thursday, June 14 to determine the mission, vision and scope of the entire project and suggest a name for it. Members of this group will refer to information about the Oklahoma City MAPS and perhaps other similar projects to learn from their experience.

“Imagine Norman” was the general consensus produced from the first Vision Committee meeting. Imagine was listed as the top “power” word from a recent book titled Words that Work. The word imagine truly did get the imaginations of the committee churning at full-speed.

The Finance Committee chaired by Tom Sherman, will study various means of financing available for individual components of the project. This group will determine what the advantages, disadvantages and statutory requirements are for different financing methods.

The Project Committees will be three separate committees, functioning the same as each other, but small enough to be effective. Chairs are Diana Hartley, Andy Paden and Lynn Palmerton. These three committees will work separately but follow identical processes towards a common end. They will propose and study potential projects and determine their estimated costs. The results of deliberations of the three groups ultimately will be combined.

Three Project Committee meetings have been set to try and accommodate different schedules. They are Tuesday, July 10, 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 11, 12:00 p.m. and Thursday, July 12, 7:30 a.m. All three meetings will be held in Journey Church’s lobby, located at 3801 Journey Parkway. Each meeting is expected to last about an hour and a half, will cover the same topics and is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. Please share these dates and times with  anyone you know who might be interested.

Several projects and ways to fund these projects are already being talked about. According to one source in the initial meeting, a half-cent sales tax raises about $6.5 million a year in Norman.

You can sign up to serve on one or more of these forming committees by contacting Anna-Mary Suggs by e-mail at anna-mary.suggs@normanchamber.com.

Projects Committee Meetings

Andy Paden co-chairs a projects committee meeting

Ann Way, Karla Bonzie, Ty Hardiman, Bill Nations, Thad Balkman and James Tyree are hard at work generating ideas for Imagine Norman

Vision Committee's First Meeting

The Vision Committee gets to work on a name and a mission for "Imagine Norman."

Richard McKown chairs the Vision's

Committee's naming process.

Nearly 30 volunteers showed up to give their

thoughts on Norman's future.