The public will be able to view the results of the Maple Street Design Charrette Tuesday, Feb. 19, at 5:30 p.m. at the Masonic Lodge #290, 5903 Maple St. All those interested in the future of Benson are welcome to attend.

Public Viewing of
Maple Street Design
Charrette Results Feb. 19

Editor’s Note: The Benson-Ames Alliance was formed in September 2005 to plan for and implement the revitalization of the Benson-Ames area. It is bordered by Western Avenue on the south, Sorensen Parkway on the north, Saddle Creek Road/Fontenelle Boulevard on the east and 72nd Street on the west. The Benson-Ames Alliance Steering Council has identified the Maple Street Corridor as its first priority area. For more information, visit www.benson-ames.org.

At an open forum held in Benson in early February, locals were asked to share their thoughts on what Maple Street should look and feel like in the future. On Feb. 18-19, these thoughts will be transformed into concept drawings at a design charrette sponsored by the Benson-Ames Alliance.

The event is the next step in the development of the Maple Street Corridor Project, a partnership of Omaha by Design, the Benson-Ames Alliance, the Benson Business Association, the Benson Neighborhood Association and the City of Omaha Departments of Planning and Public Works.

The project seeks to revitalize Maple Street from Northwest Radial Highway to 64th Street and also focuses on Military Avenue from Maple Street to Northwest Radial Highway. It has two components – a streetscape element that focuses on function and aesthetics, and a housing and retail market analysis that will be used to augment the entrepreneurial growth under way in downtown Benson.

The public will be able to view the results of the design charrette Tuesday, Feb. 19, at 5:30 p.m. at the Masonic Lodge #290, 5903 Maple St. RDG Planning and Design will present a series of concept drawings for initial feedback. Features such as public art, public space and the sustainability of design will factor into the concept drawings, said Troy Arthur, chair of the Benson-Ames Alliance’s Business Affairs Committee.

“We encourage everyone with an interest in Benson to attend the Feb. 19 evening presentation and participate in the process,” Arthur said. “Input from Benson businesses, residents and civic organizations is vital to the success of this project.”

For more information about the Maple Street Corridor Project, contact Arthur at troy.arthur@bankofthewest.com.