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Omaha’s “front door” is getting a makeover. On April 21, Mayor Mike Fahey and Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce President David G. Brown, unveiled plans for the development of Omaha’s newest urban neighborhood.
The 80-block area, which is many visitors first glimpse of the city, is located along the Cuming Street/Abbott Drive corridor, between the Riverfront and Qwest Center Omaha and Creighton University’s expanded campus.
The plan is the result of an 18-month study, commissioned by the City of Omaha and the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, designed to establish a redevelopment plan for Omaha’s “front door.” The study looked at several scenarios for the area and crafted a strategy to move vision to reality.
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The proposal covers 80 blocks that are currently occupied by pawn shops, rooming houses, light industry, a vacant rail yard and shuttered factories. The area will be transformed into a lively, mixed-use, pedestrian-oriented urban neighborhood. Sixteenth Street will evolve into a major north-south walkable corridor, and Webster Street, between Creighton University and the Riverfront, will evolve into a major east-west pedestrian route. The intersection of these two corridors will be North Downtown’s major corner, the preferred location for an anchor such as a community ballpark, museum district or a multi-block residential project.
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The Omaha Royals and Creighton University expressed interest in joint use of a stadium. Saddle Creek Records, the Omaha-based, independent recording company is looking at the site for a live-music venue which would include a bar, a concert hall and business offices. Bluestone Development, builder of the SoMA townhouses south of the Old Market sees potential for 25 to 40 apartments on top of the Saddle Creek project. The Tip-Top Building at 16th and Cuming is already undergoing a $20 million renovation into loft apartments and an entertainment complex.
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Several distinct districts will grow within the area:
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Entertainment district: Includes the convention center and arena, extending west to 14th Street.
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Residential-retail district: Between 14
th
and 16
th
Streets, with multistory buildings and townhouses built to the sidewalks.
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Arts district: The warehouse area surrounding the Hot Shops Art Center at 13
th
and Nicholas Streets.
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Light industry district: Extends north of the arts district as far as Seward Street.
The plan has won praise from the Rev. John Schlegel, president of Creighton University, and City Councilman Frank Brown. The plan considers job-creation needs for north Omaha, and Brown said. "I'm pleased with that commitment."
Schlegel said the north downtown concept fits well with the $100 million that Creighton is spending on its campus east of 24th Street. "This will open up opportunities for our students for entertainment, housing and employment," Schlegel said.
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To bring the vision for North Downtown to reality, the plan establishes a comprehensive implementation strategy to initiate redevelopment that calls for a phased approach by the City of Omaha and private sector over the next five to ten years.
To view or download the entire study, click on the link below.
[North Downtown – Final Document.pdf]
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