Omaha by Design—Benson-Ames Alliance News

Research
The links below contain information such as an inventory of housing conditions, demographic and economic studies and a survey of residents in the area.

• UNO - Benson Ames Alliance Profile (PDF)
A property scan that profiling housing safety and environmental conditions.

• UNO - Benson Ames Alliance Block Data (PDF)
2000 Census information detail showing age, race and housing characteristics .

• UNO - Benson Ames Area Business Map (PDF)
A map of business located in the area.

• UNO - Benson Ames Business Summary By Industry (PDF)
A summary of businesses by type.

• UNO – Benson Ames Residents Survey Results (PDF)
Results of a telephone survey of Alliance residents conducted by UNO in November December 4, 2005.

• Benson Ames Alliance Brochure

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News

Ames corridor redevelopment effort's plan unveiled
From the Omaha World Herald

BENSON-Ames ALLIANCE Community Input Meetings
Press Release From Omaha By Design (PDF File)

Exit Evaluation Analysis February Input Sessions
Press Release From The Benson Alliance (PDF File)

Bring Back Benson
(download PDF file)
From B2B

Benson-Ames Alliance Funders
Omaha by Design is grateful to the Benson Alliance Sponsors, Donors and Supporters for their generosity and commitment to the project.

Project Sponsors
Alegent Health Community Benefit Trust
City of Omaha
Nebraska Investment Finance Authority

Project Donors
Commercial Federal Bank
Great Western Bank
Sorensen Park Plaza

Neighborhood Supporters
Benson Neighborhood Association
Benson Presbyterian Church
Benson True Value Hardware
Blue Pomegranate Studio
Catholic Charities
Edward Jones
Greg Bourne Clock and Watch Repair
Haney Shoe Store, Inc.
Leo’s Diner
Metropolitan Building & Loan Association
N-R Partnership
Petals by Janet Floral & Gift
Pizza Shoppe & Pub
Placzek Studios
St. James Manor
Tip Top Thrift Shop
To Maternity and Beyond
Triangle Body Shop

Benson-Ames Alliance
Community Advisory Committee

Honorary Chair Bill Henry Swim Coach Benson High and Gallagher Pool	Co-Chairs Steve Jensen, Co-Chair Director,Omaha Planning Department Del Weber, Omaha by Design Chancellor Emeritus, UNO

Committee Members
Ron Abdouch Executive Director Neighborhood Center for Greater Omaha	George Achola Development Specialist Omaha Housing Authority
Andrea Anderson-Lucas Program Coordinator North Omaha Weed and Seed	Greg Bourne President Benson Business Association Greg Bourne Clock & Watch Repair
Eric Butler VP and General Manager Union Pacific	Christian Christensen Bluestone Development
Roger Christianson Economic Development Manager OPPD	Elizabeth Cunard Consultant Omaha Economic Development Corporation
Lisa Dale Principal Benson High School	Robert Faulkner Owner Midwest Customs
Jill Fenner Director, Fair Housing Center of NE Family Housing Advisory Services	Rev. Cole Fowler Senior Pastor St. Paul Methodist Church
John Furstenberg President Omaha Home for Boys	Jack Guinn Treasurer Hartman Ave Neighborhood Association
Ryan Hahn President Country Club Community Council	Larry Jobeun Partner Fullenkamp, Doyle & Jobeun
Chris Rodgers Commissioner Douglas County Board	Sr. Marilyn Ross Director Holy Name Housing Development Corp
Ted Simpson Director of Community Development Nebraska Investment Finance Authority	Jim Suttle City Council Member
Susan Thornton Manager Benson Public Library	Joe Watson Benson Neighborhood Association

Consultant Team and Resource Personnel
Dave Knopick, AICP Vice President Gould Evans Associates, LC	Bob Peters President Robert Peters Company
Connie Spellman Director, Omaha by Design	Ellen Fitzsimmons Program Manager, Omaha by Design
Bob Griffin, PE Ehrhart Griffin and Associates 3552 Farnam Street	Robert Blair Director, Urban Studies University of Nebraska at Omaha
David Drozd Center for Public Affairs Research University of Nebraska at Omaha	Steve Scarpello Acting Parks and Recreation Director
David Thomas Community Development Manager Planning Department	Janet Wetovick-Bily Owner Petals by Janet
Charles Krajicek City Engineer Omaha Public Works	Lynn Meyer Planning Department
Jim Anderson Planning Department	James Thele Planning Department

The planning process will involve a series of public meetings aimed at developing a comprehensive list of issues facing the community as well as an outline for action. Using this information, a team of professional urban planners and consultants will prepare design concepts, which will be then be made available for public ratification. Once this is accomplished, a set of recommendations on projects requiring public and private funding will be submitted to the city while strategies are developed to implement initiatives.

The Benson-Ames Alliance is directed by a Community Advisory Committee (CAC), comprised of area neighborhood and business leaders, urban planners, scholars, and city officials. Omaha by Design serves as the project manager for the Alliance. Once the plan is submitted to the Planning Board and City Council, the CAC, Omaha by Design and the Neighborhood Center for Greater Omaha will assist community leaders in forming a permanent governance committee. This volunteer group will assume responsibility for directing and administering the Benson-Ames Alliance.

The Benson-Ames Alliance is also serving as a model for future Alliance initiatives to be implemented throughout the city. Our success – both as residents of Benson and the city of Omaha – depends on your active participation!

Benson-Ames
Alliance Goals
The Benson-Ames Alliance is the first of 15 community Alliances planned throughout the city designed to help make Omaha more vibrant, connected and distinctive. It is a unique partnership that brings together public and private, commercial and residential, non-profit and for-profit organizations and institutions.

The mission of the Benson-Ames Alliance is to involve the community in developing a “master plan” for the revitalization of the area. Area residents and business people have expressed concern about poor code enforcement, unsafe roadways, and vacant commercial space. In addition a strong set of design standards are needed to sustain momentum and to give the area a distinct identity.

Committee Members