The demolition of the OU Motel has been delayed following safety concerns and multiple failed property sales in the past year.
The motel’s demolition permit, obtained by the Daily, was issued Aug. 17. The Norman Transcript reported on Aug. 21 that the building was scheduled to be demolished Sept. 1. Jim Benson, the motel’s off-site property manager, told the Daily on Tuesday that demolition was pushed to mid-September for remediation, a process that removes contaminants from the building.
“The property’s greatest value is for redevelopment,” Benson said.
After over 75 years as an affordable housing complex, the OU Motel shut down in February 2025. Residents were evicted, and many said they struggled to find equally affordable options in Norman.
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Benson said the vacant building is a liability, prone to break-ins and other safety concerns. Within his 22 years as the building’s property manager, Benson managed staff and finances while the motel was operating.
The Daily made contact with one of the property’s owners on Monday, but was unable to conduct an interview by the time of publication. Benson noted he is a friend of the family who owns the motel, and he said they asked him to manage it.
“(The owners) just wanted to ensure that it was all done correctly,” Benson said. “So that essentially has been my job, trying to maintain it and trying to keep it on a break-even basis for all these years, and finally, it fell below that, probably two years ago. So it began to lose money and be costly to try and keep open. That's why it ultimately had to close.”
During last year’s closure, motel staff, who wished to remain anonymous at the time, told the Daily its owners wanted to sell the property for years, and faulted the owners for poor management and conditions.
“They wouldn't give us the sources and the funds to keep this place running, like they just didn't care,” one of the employees said. “There were so many corners cut. … They're a bunch of slum lords.”
In January 2025, the property sold to the Garrett Moore Company for $4 million. Founder and president Terry Moore told the Daily the company intended to build a luxury student living complex, including an infinity pool and lazy river. In October, Moore said they were unable to secure $65 million in funding, so the property was put back on the market. Moore did not respond to an interview request by the time of publication.
Benson said sales to Moore and at least three other companies fell through because national economic growth slowed. He said he’s confident the property will eventually sell because the location is so valuable. The Cleveland County Assessor’s website currently values the property at over $1.5 million.
This story was edited by Spencer Windholz and Audrey McClour. This story was copy edited by Kennedy Johnson, Kylie Caldwell and Larkin Bock.
