Design Notes
June 01, 2008
Vision for 10th, 13th Streets Unveiled
The City of Omaha and local residents have announced a new effort to preserve and enhance 10th and 13th streets with community-driven initiatives. The vision for the area, known as “Parkway 10,” was unveiled to the public June 2.
City planners will be meeting with local residents and businesses to create the regulatory framework for this initiative, which connects some of the city’s most significant attractions. The 10th Street Corridor between the Old Market and Henry Doorly Zoo has been designated as an Area of Civic Importance by the City of Omaha. The 13th Street Corridor serves as an important commercial corridor and transportation arterial for the area.
“I’ve been waiting a lifetime to see 10th Street realize its full potential,” said area resident Nancy Calinger.
Parkway 10 began to take shape in 2006 when – with the assistance of Omaha by Design and the blessing of the city’s planning department – local community leaders and neighbors formulated a plan to breathe new life into the area. “Each of us who has been involved in this redevelopment plan shares a vision that we believe to be quite unique for Omaha,” said My Boes, owner of the Burlington Station condominium project. “We truly are partners with the city in this initiative.”
The vision calls for the creation of an elegant boulevard with a towering tree canopy, inspiring green spaces and flower gardens, charming street lights, restored brickwork, fountains, original sculpture and pocket parks. A possible streetcar line would transport millions of annual visitors between Henry Doorly Zoo and the Old Market.
Also under consideration is the introduction of Omaha’s first public squares. These squares could host corridor events that embrace the neighborhood’s rich cultural diversity and celebrate the excitement of nearby major civic attractions. The resulting economic stimulus would allow for expansion and enhancement of the existing mixed-use nodes to revive this walking community.
“I’m thrilled with the vision we all have put together for our future,” said Jason Smith, vice president of the South Omaha Neighborhood Alliance. “We are proud to join with our city leadership in support of the future greatness that will develop from Parkway 10.”
Updates on the Parkway 10 initiative will be provided as new information becomes available.
KOB Launches Phase II of Highway Beautification Project
Keep Omaha Beautiful Inc. (KOB) officially launched phase II of its largest highway beautification project to date June 3 at Rockbrook Village.
KOB, which has operated in the city for 48 years, plans to plant colorful native grasses in large concentric circles on the northwest corner of the I-680/Center Street interchange. Phase I, located on the northwest corner of 72nd and Center streets, has been completed. In recent years, the organization also has worked to beautify the Abbott Drive medians and the medians at 90th and Dodge.
The cost of phase II is $159,510. Funding will be sought from corporate foundations and the Rockbrook business community. The shops of Rockbrook are located on the corner of 108th and Center streets near the interchange. KOB has already received funding from Waste Management of Nebraska and Beneficial Financial.
For more information, contact Cindy Smilley, executive director of Keep Omaha Beautiful, at 402.444.7774 or csmilley@ci.omaha.ne.us.
“Spirit of Nebraska’s Wilderness” Honored
Wildlife sculptor Kent Ullberg, First National Bank’s Bruce Lauritzen and the late Jim Reeves of JVR and Associates are the recipients of the Henry Hering Memorial Medal for Art and Architecture for “Spirit of Nebraska’s Wilderness.”
“Spirit of Nebraska’s Wilderness” is one of two downtown Omaha sculpture parks commissioned by First National Bank. The National Sculpture Society awards the Hering Medal as warranted for outstanding collaboration between architect, owner and sculptor in the distinguished use of sculpture in an architectural project. It is considered to be the most important award given for sculpture in architecture.
The medal was presented May 17 at a black tie dinner in New York City as part of the National Sculpture Society’s annual Sculpture Celebration Weekend.
Simply the Best
Omaha is one of the 10 Best Cities of 2008, according to the online edition of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance.
The publication selects locales that offer strong economies, abundant jobs, reasonable cost of living and fun things to do. Marc A. Wojno, senior associate editor with Kiplinger’s, visited Omaha this spring to conduct his research. The city checked in at No. 3 on the list. Click here to read Wojno’s report.
Among the “fun facts” compiled by the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce to support this ranking:
- More than $2 billion in new capital investment transformed the riverfront and downtown in less than a decade; and
- Mixed use urban development is popping up all over (citing Midtown Crossing at Turner Park and Aksarben Village).
The other cities in the 2008 top 10 are Houston, Raleigh, Boise, Colorado Springs, Austin, Fayetteville, Sacramento, Des Moines and Provo.