The Maple Street corridor, which is home to downtown Benson, is the site of the Benson-Ames Alliance’s first priority project.  Pictured above, the corridor was bustling with activity during the recent Benson Summer Festival.

Maple Street Corridor
Alliance's First
Priority Project

The Maple Street corridor in downtown Benson is known for its shops and small-town feel. It’s also quickly becoming Omaha’s next arts and entertainment destination.

This historic corridor, which begins at its intersection with Radial Highway and ends at its intersection with 63rd Street, is the focus of the Benson-Ames Alliance’s first priority project. The alliance, formed in September 2005 to plan for and implement the revitalization of the Benson-Ames area, is bound by Western Avenue on the south, Sorensen Parkway on the north, Saddle Creek Road/Fontenelle Boulevard on the east and 72^nd Street on the west.

Omaha by Design, in conjunction with the Benson-Ames Alliance Steering Council, is working with the Benson Business Association and the City of Omaha Departments of Planning and Public Works to plan streetscape improvements to the corridor. 

The partnership has issued a request for proposals to architectural firms for design coordination and the development of construction specifications for the project. The scope of work includes landscaping, pedestrian-scale street lights, signage, pavement and irrigation. Future opportunities may exist for modifications and improvements to Benson’s building stock, said Connie Spellman, director of Omaha by Design.

Partial funding for the project is made possible by Mayor Mike Fahey and the City of Omaha.

“Our intent is to create a consistent, attractive and unique appearance to our portion of Maple Street, which is Benson’s front door,” said Troy Arthur, president of the Benson Business Association and a member of the alliance’s Finance/Development Committee.

Entrepreneurial efforts on the part of individuals in recent months have begun to transform this stretch of street into an arts and entertainment enclave. “We intend to further this transformation by creating an inviting streetscape that gets people out of their cars and onto downtown Benson’s sidewalks where they can dine in style, take in a music performance from a local or touring band, or view an art show,” said Clarence Nichols, chair of the Benson-Ames Alliance Steering Council.

The project is tentatively set to begin in late July with a completion date of December 2007. The selected firm will host presentation meetings to update alliance stakeholders on the specifics and progress of the project, Spellman said.

The Benson-Ames Alliance Plan focuses on several important areas as case studies. In addition to downtown Benson, these areas are 72nd and Military, North Saddle Creek and Hamilton, and the Ames corridor from 50th to 60^th streets.

For more information about the Benson-Ames Alliance, visit the web at http://www.benson-ames.org. For more information about the Maple Street corridor project, contact Spellman at 402.342.3458 or connie@omahabydesign.org.

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