August 11, 2010
In this issue: Benson Business Improvement District plans clear planning board, international festival on S. 10th Street, walk with the mayor at Standing Bear Lake, EO Twitter fans growing, mark your calendar for the 2010 Green Homes Tour.
BID Plans Okayed
The Omaha Planning Board unanimously recommended approval of a Benson Business Improvement District (BID) request to expand its boundaries and update its assessment formula Aug. 4. The proposed Benson BID boundaries are similar to the boundaries of the new Tax Increment Financing District approved by the Omaha City Council in January 2010 to incentivize development in downtown Benson. The new assessment formula would fund the Benson BID’s proposed strategic work plan, which focuses on cleaning and maintenance, lighting and security, landscaping and signage. The planning board’s recommendation will be considered by the Omaha City Council later this summer. For more information on the group’s plans for downtown Benson, visit www.benson-ames.org and click on the Benson Business Improvement District link.
Summer International Festival
The Bancroft Street Market will host its second international festival Saturday, Aug. 14, from 11:00am to 4:00pm. The event will feature craftsmen, dancers and performers representing various countries and cultures. Crafts will be available for sale. The Bancroft Street Market is located at 2702 S. 10th St. in a remodeled grocery store that traces its origins to the late 1800s. It features outdoor murals painted by student artists from Omaha South High School. For more information about the market, visit www.bancroftstreetmarket.com.
Standing Bear Walk
Mark your calendar for the next Mayor’s Walk Saturday, Aug. 14, at Standing Bear Lake, 6404 N. 132nd St. Mayor Jim Suttle – in partnership with Live Well Omaha, Omaha by Design and the Omaha Marathon – is hosting a series of guided neighborhood walks throughout the city in 2010. Each walk features a guide with knowledge of the area. The guide for the Aug. 14 walk, which begins at 10:00am, is Ed Zendejas. Standing Bear Lake, also known as Dam Site 16, is named after Ponca leader Chief Standing Bear. Walkers should meet near the entrance shortly before 10:00am.
The remainder of the 2010 schedule is below.
Saturday, Sept. 18
Old Market Walk
10:00am
Guide: TBD
Saturday, Oct. 16
Zorinsky Lake
10:00am
Guide: Steve Oltmans
Saturday, Nov. 13
Elkhorn
10:00am
Guide: Barbi Hayes
For more information about the walks, call 402.444.5000 or visit www.cityofomaha.org/mayor.
2,000 Plus Fans
The Environment Omaha Twitter site has passed the 2,000 mark. As of Aug. 11, there are 2,016 people following the initiative, which is creating a new environmental vision for the city. Omaha by Design is the project manager for Environment Omaha. To follow Environment Omaha on Twitter, search for “EnvironmentO.”
Save the Date
The 2010 Green Homes Tour is set for Saturday, Oct. 2, from 9:00am to 1:00pm. The annual event is an opportunity for the public to learn how to green their living environments. A series of midtown Omaha homes will be showcased, each featuring a different theme. For the latest information, including how to become a vendor or a volunteer, visit http://go.unl.edu/oght2010.