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Benson-Ames Alliance
Draft Redevelopment
Plan Unveiled
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Business Owners and Residents
Gather to See Draft Plan
Give us your thoughts using the feedback form at the end of this article!
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Eighty Benson-Ames residents and business owners met at Roncalli High School on Thursday, May 18 to review the first draft of the community’s master plan. The event represented a major step forward for the Benson-Ames Alliance and the public-private partnership supporting its efforts.
Dave Knopick, project consultant, delivered a presentation that highlighted the major elements of the plan and answered questions from participants. Knopick set forth a sweeping vision for the Benson-Ames area, and made the case for its adoption. This vision comprised several distinct parts:
Development
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The development framework maps economic and commercial centers according to their size and the extent to which they serve surrounding areas. From this, planners developed a system to identify commercial centers and suggest how they might be improved:
- Regional center – large-scale retailers, big office and institutional employers, higher density residential, car-oriented
- Community center – retail business, grocery stores, mid- to small-scale shopping centers, restaurants, medium to high density residential
- Neighborhood center – small-scale neighborhood support retail and service, schools, civic spaces
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| Mobility |
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The mobility framework classifies streets according to their importance in moving traffic through and within the area. Identifying key traffic corridors has important implications for the development framework as well as the specific areas targeted by the plan. The plan names five major types of roadways:
- Citywide - highways and major streets
- Area - arterials that connect commercial centers and major destinations within the community
- Local - streets connecting neighborhoods
- Neighborhood - residential streets
- Greenways - roads defined partly or wholly by natural features
In addition to the broader high level considerations, the first draft included analyses of development and redevelopment proposals for four distinct areas in the Alliance:
Downtown Benson
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For downtown Benson, the plan identifies seven major goals, including the maintenance of the area’s physical character, enhanced pedestrian and parking opportunities, and better vehicular circulation, among others. The plan calls for a more mixed-use ‘main street’ feel, with activity oriented at the street-level along Maple Street and setting institutional and higher-density residential uses off to the north. Planners proposed that the state highway designation be removed from Maple Street to allow for traffic redirection and a safer pedestrian experience.
Ames Corridor |
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The plan also envisions a revitalized Ames Avenue corridor. The redevelopment efforts would be concentrated at either the 60th and Ames intersection or at Baker’s Square a few blocks east. The plan’s authors are looking for public feedback on which should be the priority. The area’s viability would be greatly improved by focusing on a specific part of the Ames corridor as opposed to reinforcing the diffuse, commercial strip model. The goal is to create a neighborhood mixed-use center, providing housing and shopping opportunities while strengthening surrounding single-family neighborhoods. This includes greater housing density, including townhouses and condominiums, to encourage greater diversity of income and living arrangements in the area.
72nd & Military |
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At 72nd and Military, the plan calls for a vibrant mixed-use center to be developed between Cole Creek and 72nd Street, south of the current development adjoining Military Avenue. The development proposal will address flooding issues while emphasizing the natural features of Cole Creek, creating links to neighborhoods across the creek, and improving traffic flow around the 72nd and Military intersection. The center would include retail and townhouses, with parking located in shared lots off the street. The proposed trails running the course of Cole Creek would interface seamlessly with the new development, offering passers-by a pleasant respite.
Saddle Creek |
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Finally, the plan proposes a slightly modified Saddle Creek area defined by greater connectivity to surrounding neighborhoods and mixed-use formats. Several variants of housing, including rowhouses, townhomes, and multi-family complexes would surround an expanded and more pedestrian-friendly “main street” business strip. Public spaces and greenways adjacent to the Saddle Creek corridor offer opportunities for enhancements to the area’s walkability and recreational uses, as well as appeal for a newly varied housing format.
Next Steps
After reviewing the plan, participants were asked to fill out an evaluation form, recording their reactions and thoughts to the various elements presented. In the coming weeks, the planning team will analyze participants’ remarks and incorporate them into the final draft of the Benson-Ames plan.
The next public meeting of the Benson-Ames Alliance is scheduled for Thursday, August 24th. Please check the calendar on this website in the near future for meeting details. Until then, Alliance officials are available to neighborhood associations, church groups, or any other civic organizations who want to learn more about the Benson-Ames Alliance and the community plan. Please contact Ellen Fitzsimmons at 342-3458 or e-mail ellen@omahabydesign.org.
Tell us what you think
You can view the entire Benson Ames Alliance draft presentation here
or from the download center below.
Your input is important to Omaha by Design and the consultants who have crafted this draft plan. If you were unable to attend the meeting and would like to make comments, Click here for the Feedback Form
or below from the download center.
We welcome your comments!
Mail
Benson-Ames Feedback
Omaha by Design
302 South 36th Street, Suite 100
Omaha, Nebraska 68131
Fax
(402) 342-3582
Email
ellen@omahabydesign.org
Call
Ellen Fitzsimmons
(402) 342-3458
Thank you for you help!
Download Center
Benson-Ames Alliance master plan presentation
Presentation feedback and evaluation form
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