Omaha by Design Press Releases
July 09, 2008
OBD TO HOST PUBLIC FORUM ON ELECTRONIC BILLBOARDS JULY 29
June 11, 2008
OMAHA BY DESIGN, UNO ANNOUNCE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP
June 11, 2008
B-AA TO HOST OPEN HOUSE AT SCULPTOR’S BENSON STUDIO JUNE 14
May 21, 2008
OMAHA BY DESIGN AWARDS 2008 GREEN LEAF TO GALLUP
May 9, 2008
STREETSCAPE HANDBOOK TO BOLSTER OMAHA'S IMAGE, CONNECTIVITY
Feb 11, 2008
PUBLIC VIEWING OF MAPLE STREET DESIGN CHARRETTE RESULTS FEB. 19
Jan. 28, 2008
OMAHA PLANNING DIRECTOR HONORED WITH LAURELS AWARD
Jan. 23, 2008
PUBLIC INFORMATION SESSION FOR STREETSCAPE HANDBOOK FEB. 5
Dec. 12, 2007
NEW HOLIDAY CATALOGUE TO BENEFIT CITY, RESIDENTS
Oct. 18, 2007
FIRST NATIONAL BANK RECEIVES OMAHA BY DESIGN CIVIC LEAF
September 28, 2007
PLACE GAME FOR LONG SCHOOL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, OEDC OCT. 6
September 6, 2007
PLACE GAME FOR JOSLYN CASTLE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION SEPT. 20
August 16, 2007
OMAHA BY DESIGN AWARDS NEIGHBORHOOD LEAF TO OMAHA PASTOR
August 14, 2007
OMAHA CITY COUNCIL APPROVES GROUNDBREAKING ZONING CODE PACKAGE
June 21, 2007
DRAFT URBAN DESIGN ELEMENT IMPLEMENTATION PACKAGE READY FOR CONSIDERATION
May 22, 2007
OMAHA BY DESIGN’S 2006 ANNUAL REPORT AVAILABLE ONLINE
April 19, 2007
PLACE GAME FOR LEVI CARTER PARK APRIL 28
March 13, 2007
PLACE GAME WORKSHOP FOR 13TH STREET MARCH 31
January 4, 2007
COMMUNITY INFORMATION SESSION JAN. 16
July 09, 2008
OBD TO HOST PUBLIC FORUM ON ELECTRONIC BILLBOARDS JULY 29
OMAHA – Omaha by Design will host a public forum on electronic billboards Tuesday, July 29. The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held at the W.H. Thompson Alumni Center on the University of Nebraska at Omaha campus from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
The forum will serve two purposes, said Connie Spellman, director of Omaha by Design. The first is to provide the public with background information on the issues surrounding the use of electronic billboards. The second is to give local residents an opportunity to voice their opinions on the subject.
The issue of electronic billboards surfaced locally in April when Lamar Outdoor – part of one of the nation’s largest outdoor advertising corporations - erected five electronic billboards in Omaha in an apparent violation of the city’s zoning ordinance.
“In our opinion, it’s Wal-Mart all over again,” Spellman said, referring to 2002 when city council members balked at the proposed design plans for two new Wal-Mart stores in Omaha. When the company architect said Wal-Mart designs its stores to the minimum standards the community requires, city officials took action. They identified the need to establish a higher community standard of design and improve Omaha’s zoning and subdivision codes accordingly. The result was the creation of the Urban Design Element in 2004 and last August’s passage of a zoning code revisions package to implement the Urban Design Element.
“Omahans clearly expressed their desire for regulations that improve the appearance of Omaha and the connections between the city’s neighborhoods, commercial centers and civic districts,” said David Levy, an attorney with Baird Holm and a member of the Omaha by Design Advisory Committee. “And Wal-Mart proceeded with its new stores despite the tougher requirements, disproving the notion that appropriate regulation undermines economic development. Electronic billboards raise the same issues, but on a larger scale due to the potential for them to proliferate quickly throughout the city if not appropriately regulated.”
On June 3, the Omaha City council passed an amendment to the city’s zoning ordinance that clarifies the prohibition of electronic billboards. The amendment, effective through Dec. 31, 2008, will give the city planning department time to negotiate with the two billboard companies currently operating in Omaha regarding the potential use of electronic billboards in the city. Waitt Outdoor, the other company with a billboard presence in Omaha, has not erected any electronic billboards in the city to date.
“Omaha by Design is not opposed to the use of billboards in Omaha, electronic or otherwise,” Spellman said. “However, electronic billboards represent a significant new land use and therefore warrant careful study and appropriate regulation. We believe the public has a right to learn more about the issue before any change in policy is approved.”
Parking for the forum will be available in the alumni center lot. For more information, contact Omaha by Design at 402.342.3458 or info@omahabydesign.org.
June 11, 2008
OMAHA BY DESIGN, UNO ANNOUNCE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP
OMAHA - Omaha by Design has a new strategic partner – the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO).
“This partnership will help infuse local academic expertise into projects that will result in the creation of a better Omaha,” said Connie Spellman, director of Omaha by Design.
Spellman and the staff of the organization will move to the UNO campus later this summer, taking up residence in the College of Public Affairs and Community Service’s School of Public Administration. The move will bolster the organization’s ability to collaborate with researchers from a variety of disciplines.
An initiative of the Omaha Community Foundation (OCF), Omaha by Design facilitates partnerships between the public and private sectors to execute projects that improve the quality of the natural and built environments throughout the metro. The OCF, which has provided Omaha by Design with office space and support services since 2001, will continue its support services role following the relocation, Spellman said.
“The OCF has allowed us to develop into an organization that has a strategic role in our city’s future,” she added. “Thanks to the support of Mike Leighton and his board and staff, we’ve been able to help the city’s leaders and general public understand how urban design and planning can improve the economic and social health of Omaha. We value our partnership with the foundation and are grateful for its continuing support.”
Rex Fisher, president of Qwest Nebraska and chair of the Omaha by Design Advisory Committee, views the partnership as an important step in securing the organization’s sustainability. Omaha by Design relies upon the support of corporate and family philanthropists for operating expenses as well as technical experts and other volunteers who contribute their resources to the organization. All projects rely upon fund raising as the primary method of support.
“The work of Omaha by Design is not yet complete,” Fisher said. “We now have two strategic partners, UNO and the OCF, to help us continue our mission of making our city the best Omaha it can be for our citizens, visitors to the city, and companies or families looking to make it their new home.”
UNO Chancellor John Christensen said the collaboration possibilities between Omaha by Design and the campus community are particularly attractive. “As a metropolitan institution, we need and want to be part of making our city a better place to live and work in,” he said. “This new relationship with Omaha by Design is exciting for our campus because of the organization’s innovative approach to both urban design and citizen engagement.”
For more information, contact Spellman at 402.342.3458 or connie@omahabydesign.org.
June 11, 2008
B-AA TO HOST OPEN HOUSE AT SCULPTOR’S BENSON STUDIO JUNE 14
OMAHA – The Benson-Ames Alliance will host an open house at the studio of sculptor Matthew Placzek Saturday, June 14, in conjunction with the Benson Summer Festival. Placzek’s studio, located in the heart of downtown Benson at 5916 Maple St., will be open from 10 to 11:30 a.m. All festival goers and art lovers are invited to attend.
The festival, previously known as Benson Days, acquired its new name to reflect the area’s growing artistic and entrepreneurial environment. Activities will occur from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. along Maple Street between 59th and 63rd streets.
“We wanted to host an event that reflected Benson’s growing arts and entertainment scene,” said Troy Arthur, president of the Benson Business Association and a member of the Benson-Ames Alliance Steering Council. “Matthew is a world-class sculptor, and the open house is an opportunity for people to view the place where his creativity takes form.”
For the past 20 years, Placzek’s fascination with sculptural composition has grown and evolved into an art form that is uniquely his own. He breathes life into blocks of wood and clay, meticulously recreating works of nature and the human form. In 2003, Placzek was commissioned to create “Labor,” the second largest labor monument in the country. In 2007, he unveiled “Illumina,” his largest work to date. Located prominently outside Qwest Center Omaha, the work vividly symbolizes the arts and humanities that take place within.
Placzek displays and sells his work in galleries across the country. Many of his works are included in corporate collections.
The Benson-Ames Alliance was formed in September 2005 to help 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. Omaha by Design serves as manager and administrator of the alliance.
For more information about the open house, contact Teresa Gleason at 402.342.3458 or teresa@omahabydesign.org. For more information about the Benson-Ames Alliance, visit www.benson-ames.org.
May 21, 2008
OMAHA BY DESIGN AWARDS 2008 GREEN LEAF TO GALLUP
The Gallup Organization is the recipient of Omaha by Design’s 2008 Green Leaf award.
The Green Leaf recognizes an individual, organization or business that has worked to preserve and enhance the metro area’s natural setting and public park system. Julie Curd, executive director of materials management at Gallup, accepted the award at the May 21 meeting of the Omaha by Design Advisory Committee.
The Gallup Organization was recognized for the creation of a native meadow on the front lawn of its riverfront campus. This 20-acre field - which once served as a haphazard dumping ground for gravel, asphalt and other construction debris – is now home to four species of native grasses, 22 species of wildflower and an abundance of wildlife. It has resulted in labor and water savings for the company, and has given the soil a chance to recapture the health of its prairie past.
In addition to being a point of pride for employees and a roadside interest for passersby, the native meadow is a learning laboratory for kids from Gallup’s on-site child care facility.
The Green Leaf is part of a trio of awards recognizing the goals of the city’s Urban Design Element, a planning tool that lays out a framework for changing the quality of development in Omaha while protecting and enhancing the city’s natural environment. Each is presented annually in addition to Omaha by Design’s Laurels Award, which honors an individual, organization or business for significant contributions to great public spaces in the City of Omaha.For more information, contact Connie Spellman, director of Omaha by Design, at connie@omahabydesign.org.
May 9, 2007
STREETSCAPE HANDBOOK TO BOLSTER OMAHA'S IMAGE, CONNECTIVITY
OMAHA - Streets are more than devices for moving cars from spot to spot. They’re public spaces, and their design says a lot about the image their city projects.
A new handbook sponsored by Omaha by Design seeks to improve the appearance of Omaha’s streets and create an environment that’s welcoming to pedestrians and cyclists as well as drivers and users of mass transit. The Omaha Streetscape Handbook is the work of a diverse task force of representatives from Omaha by Design, the city’s parks, planning and public works departments, the American Society of Landscape Architects, the American Institute of Architects, the American Society of Civil Engineers, the American Planning Association, the Omaha Public Power District and the Nebraska Department of Roads.
“We want to create an attractive and functional street environment in Omaha, and we also want to encourage cohesive design in highly visible public rights of way,” said Larry Jacobsen, chair of the Omaha Streetscape Handbook Task Force and a vice president with Schemmer Associates. “The handbook will serve as a guide for city project managers, developers and design professionals in working toward the achievement of these outcomes.”
The handbook evolved from a series of recommendations outlined in the city’s Urban Design Element, a planning tool created to improve the quality of the natural and built environments throughout the metro. It can be thought of as the public counterpart to the city’s zoning code revisions and additions passed in August 2007, which focus on private sector development and redevelopment, said Connie Spellman, director of Omaha by Design.
The handbook is based on the execution of six principles - implementing sustainable practices, developing complete streets, using cohesive design elements, promoting safety and security, coordinating maintenance with design and implementation, and protecting and enhancing historic character.
Sustainable design for streetscapes affects factors such as stormwater flow through the area, the materials used, and the consumption or renewal of energy and resources. Complete streets provide comfortable space for motorists, transit passengers, pedestrians and bicyclists. They also serve those with special needs, such as seniors, children and people with disabilities.
The use of cohesive design elements results in a unified relationship between pedestrian and building spaces; well-defined edges between pedestrian and vehicle domains; a logical use of trees, furniture, paving and planting; attractive and functionally appropriate street lighting; a consistent family of street furnishings; a hierarchy of spaces that helps define the streetscape’s use; the use of attractive and durable materials varied to reflect functional and aesthetic needs; and an appropriate use of scale for users who experience the environment. “Everything must have a purpose, relate the street to its surroundings, and satisfy both functional and aesthetic needs,” Jacobsen said.
Design for a safe and comfortable streetscape minimizes or manages pedestrian and vehicle conflicts, increases observability, encourages pedestrian and street activity, and indicates stewardship of the street environment. “Good streetscape design should promote good maintenance and discourage vandalism,” said Charlie Krajicek, city engineer with Omaha’s Department of Public Works.
The long-term maintenance of a quality streetscape should be part of its design. The involvement of neighborhoods in both the design and maintenance process can help stretch city resources, Krajicek said. For example, the public works department partnered with the University of Nebraska Medical Center to improve the streetscape along 42nd Street between Dodge and Leavenworth streets. The project included new curbs and sidewalks, the installation of shorter pedestrian-style street lights and traffic signals, and decreasing the traffic lanes from four to three. All combine to create a more pedestrian-friendly environment.
A streetscape maintenance program should also address graffiti prevention, irrigation, landscaping, lighting, sidewalks, street furniture, street sweeping, trash pick-up and tree trimming.
Finally, a good streetscape design understands the contribution of streetscape elements to the character of historic districts. Traditional streetscape elements should be retained or re-installed when appropriate. New materials should be consistent with the historic character and design patterns of special areas.
The handbook also includes an album of well-designed streetscapes in different urban environments, a chapter outlining the specific components of streetscapes - along with their performance standards and design considerations, and a chapter on the application of streetscape design to Omaha’s Areas of Civic Importance (ACI) as outlined in the Urban Design Element.
“I can’t say enough about the efforts of this volunteer task force,” Spellman said. “Our city will be a better place because of everyone’s willingness to bring a diverse set of perspectives to the table and reach consensus on the issues that will truly help move Omaha forward.”
On May 7, the Omaha Planning Board unanimously recommended approval of an amendment to the Urban Design Element of the city’s master plan that calls for implementing the handbook’s recommendations. The Omaha City Council will consider the planning board’s recommendation this summer.
Omaha by Design will sponsor quarterly reviews of the handbook to evaluate its progress and implementation, Spellman said. It is designed to be used in conjunction with a number of existing tools, including the city’s green streets master plan and guidelines established by the Public Art Commission.
The Omaha Streetscape Handbook was made possible by grants from the Gilbert M. and Martha H. Hitchcock Foundation and the Fund for Omaha. RDG Planning and Design served as the project consultant. For more information, contact Spellman at 402.342.3458 or connie@omahabydesign.org.
Feb 11, 2008
PUBLIC VIEWING OF MAPLE STREET DESIGN CHARRETTE RESULTS FEB. 19
OMAHA – 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 Street.
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.
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.
Jan. 28, 2008
OMAHA PLANNING DIRECTOR HONORED WITH LAURELS AWARD
OMAHA – Steve Jensen, director of planning for the City of Omaha, is the 2007 recipient of Omaha by Design’s Laurels Award. The award, Omaha by Design’s highest honor, is presented to an individual, organization or business that has made significant contributions to the creation of great public spaces in the metro.
Mayor Mike Fahey presented Jensen with the award Jan. 28 at Omaha by Design’s inaugural awards luncheon. “It is a pleasure to work with Steve, whether it’s on the Urban Design Element, the North Omaha Redevelopment Project or Midtown Crossing at Turner Park,” Fahey said. “He has the best interest of our community at heart and is well deserving of this honor.”
Jensen, a native of Council Bluffs, Iowa, joined the staff of the City of Omaha Planning Department in 1973. He served as interim director of the department upon the retirement of Bob Peters and was appointed director in June 2005.
The awards luncheon also recognized the 2007 recipients of Omaha by Design’s new trio of awards – the Green Leaf, Civic Leaf and Neighborhood Leaf.
The Green Leaf - which honors an individual, organization or business that has worked to preserve and enhance the metropolitan area’s natural setting and public park system – was awarded to the Douglas County Board of Commissioners. The board was selected for its visionary efforts in adopting a comprehensive development plan and zoning regulations that champion conservation design and low impact development.
The Civic Leaf – which honors an individual, organization or business that has worked to define and improve the metropolitan area’s civic places and public image – was awarded to First National Bank for its commission of two sculpture parks in downtown Omaha. It is one of the largest installments of bronze sculptures in the world.
The Neighborhood Leaf – which honors an individual, organization or business that has worked to preserve and enhance the metropolitan area’s residential neighborhoods – was awarded to Rev. Stephanie Ahlschwede, pastor of Dietz United Methodist Church. She was selected for her commitment to fostering systemic change that allows neighborhood residents to improve their lives, including the establishment of the BIG (Building Independence and Growth) Garden.
For more information about the Omaha by Design Awards Program, contact Connie Spellman, director of Omaha by Design, at 402.342.3458 or connie@omahabydesign.org.
Jan. 23, 2008
PUBLIC INFORMATION SESSION FOR STREETSCAPE HANDBOOK FEB. 5
OMAHA – Omaha by Design will host a public information session Tuesday, Feb. 5, to introduce Omahans to the city’s new Streetscape Handbook. The event will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, 1301 Harney St. All interested members of the community are invited to attend. Off-street parking is available after 5 p.m., and there is a parking lot west of the chamber for those who choose to park at their own expense.
The handbook is designed to coordinate the placement and design of street furnishings in the public right of way. Street furnishings include items such as street lights, benches, public art, landscaping, bike racks, bus shelters, waste bins and signage.
The publication is the work of a volunteer Streetscape Handbook Committee comprised of members of the design community and those responsible for the placement and design of street furnishings in the city. Omaha by Design served as the project manager, and RDG Planning and Design was the project consultant.
“A well-designed street stresses form as well as function – it meets the needs of all users and fits within the context of its location,” said Connie Spellman, director of Omaha by Design. “Our city will be a better place because of this committee’s efforts.”
For more information, contact Spellman at 402.342.3458 or connie@omahabydesign.org.
Dec. 12, 2007
NEW HOLIDAY CATALOGUE TO BENEFIT CITY, RESIDENTS
OMAHA – The holiday season is here, and catalogues filled with gift-giving ideas are making their way to metro area mailboxes.
This year, two Omaha organizations have joined forces to introduce a new catalogue to the local market, one whose items will lead to the creation of a better city. Omaha by Design and the Omaha Community Foundation have published the inaugural Omaha Catalogue of Urban Design Philanthropy, a compendium of strategic giving opportunities that focus on the city’s natural and built environments.
“In the field of giving, the philanthropy catalogue concept is relatively new,” said Connie Spellman, director of Omaha by Design. “We’ve taken this innovation a step further by focusing our catalogue on urban design – a first in the United States.”
The Omaha Catalogue’s 22 projects fall under three categories – Green Omaha, Civic Omaha and Neighborhood Omaha. Each category corresponds to a component of the Urban Design Element, a planning tool approved by the Omaha City Council and incorporated into the City of Omaha’s Master Plan in December 2004. Green Omaha seeks to preserve and enhance the city’s natural setting and public park system, Civic Omaha seeks to define and improve the city’s civic places and public image, and Neighborhood Omaha seeks to preserve and enhance the diversity of the city’s residential neighborhoods.
Projects for the Omaha Catalogue were selected based upon their ability to bring the goals of the Urban Design Element to life, Spellman said. They range from establishing a parks and landscape conservancy to renovating Gene Leahy Mall to supporting a garden project focused on nutrition and preventive health education.
“We hope the Omaha Catalogue will inspire philanthropists interested in our city to make gifts they may not have otherwise known possible,” said Sara Boyd, vice president of the Omaha Community Foundation.
The Omaha Catalogue of Urban Design Philanthropy was made possible by grants from the Fund for Omaha, the Millard Foundation, the Omaha Community Foundation, the Parker Family Foundation and the Qwest Foundation.
For more information, contact Spellman or Boyd at 402.342.3458.
Oct. 18, 2007
FIRST NATIONAL BANK RECEIVES OMAHA BY DESIGN CIVIC LEAF
OMAHA – A wagon train filled with determined pioneer families is winding its way along a Midwestern creek bed. It happens upon a herd of grazing bison, whose sudden movement flushes a flock of geese from atop the nearby water.
This story of early Nebraska - captured in bronze by artists Blair Buswell, Edward Fraughton and Kent Ullberg – is now part of downtown Omaha’s civic identity. The work, commissioned by First National Bank, is one of the largest installments of bronze sculptures in the world.
The bank is the inaugural recipient of Omaha by Design’s Civic Leaf. The award honors an individual, organization or business that has worked to define and improve the metropolitan area’s civic places and public image. Brenda Dooley, president, First National Buildings, accepted the award on behalf of First National Bank at the Oct. 17 meeting of the Omaha by Design Advisory Committee.
In 2000, the bank designated two parcels of green space – one at 14th and Capitol and another at 16th and Dodge – as the future site of two sculpture parks, Spirit of Nebraska’s Wilderness and Pioneer Courage.
Today, Spirit of Nebraska’s Wilderness consists of a freestanding mature bull bison, a bison cow, a calf and 58 Canada geese. Upon completion, Pioneer Courage will consist of 29 bronze sculptures of early pioneers with their covered wagons.
Linking the two sculpture parks are five bison - four adults and one calf - all designed by Ullberg in his Loveland, Colo., studio. One of the adults, a bison cow, appears to be running through the parking structure on the northwest corner of 15th and Dodge. It was delivered last summer in three separate pieces: the head portion, which weighed 350 pounds; the midsection, which tipped the scale at 240 pounds; and the legs and tail, 25 pounds.
The sculptures exist much as they would have in real life over 100 years ago before downtown Omaha was developed, Dooley said. Each sculpture is 1.25 times life size.
“The image of a city is reflected in its physical environment, and public art is an integral component of this environment,” said Connie Spellman, director of Omaha by Design. “Omahans are indebted to First National Bank for its leadership in this important civic arena.”
The Civic Leaf is the third of a new trio of awards that emphasizes the goals of the city’s Urban Design Element, a planning tool that lays out a framework for changing the quality of development in Omaha while protecting and enhancing the city’s natural environment. Each will be presented annually in addition to Omaha by Design’s Laurels Award, which honors an individual, organization or business for significant contributions to great public spaces in the City of Omaha.
For more information about the new awards, contact Spellman at connie@omahabydesign.org.
September 28, 2007
PLACE GAME FOR LONG SCHOOL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, OEDC OCT. 6
OMAHA – The Long School Neighborhood Association and the Omaha Economic Development Corporation are teaming up with Omaha by Design to host a Place Game workshop Saturday, Oct. 6. Registration for the event will begin at 8:45 a.m. at the Omaha Economic Development Corporation, 2221 N. 24th St. The two-hour workshop will begin promptly at 9 a.m., and refreshments will be provided.
The LSNA is bordered by Hamilton Street on the south, Lake Street on the north, 27th Street on the west and 24th Street on the east. The workshop will focus on several neighborhood areas, including the site of the former Fair Deal Café at 2118 N. 24th St. During the 1960s, the Fair Deal Café was a popular gathering spot for community activists.
During the workshop, trained Omaha by Design facilitators will lead small groups through the neighborhood, asking them to take note of what they see, hear and feel. The groups will then convene for a brainstorming session to identify opportunities for improving the area.
For more information on how to schedule a Place Game Workshop for your neighborhood or organization, contact Teresa Gleason at 402.342.3458 or teresa@omahabydesign.org.
For more information about the Omaha Economic Development Corporation, visit www.omahaeconomic.com.
September 6, 2007
PLACE GAME FOR JOSLYN CASTLE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION SEPT. 20
OMAHA – The Joslyn Castle Neighborhood Association (JCNA) is teaming up with Omaha by Design to host a Place Game workshop Thursday, Sept. 20. Registration for the event will begin at 6:15 p.m. at The Cornerstone Mansion, 140 N. 39th St. The two-hour workshop will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m.
Running from Dodge to Cuming and from 38th to Saddle Creek, the JCNA is home to some of Nebraska’s most treasured architectural landmarks, including its namesake, Joslyn Castle, and St. Cecilia Cathedral.
During the Sept. 20 workshop, trained Omaha by Design facilitators will lead small groups through the neighborhood, asking them to take note of what they see, hear and feel. The groups will then convene for a brainstorming session to identify opportunities for improving the area.
For more information on how to schedule a Place Game Workshop for your neighborhood or organization, contact Teresa Gleason at 402.342.3458 or teresa@omahabydesign.org.
For more information about the JCNA, visit www.joslyn-castle.org.
August 16, 2007
OMAHA BY DESIGN AWARDS NEIGHBORHOOD LEAF TO OMAHA PASTOR
OMAHA – Rev. Stephanie Ahlschwede is the inaugural recipient of Omaha by Design’s new Neighborhood Leaf award.
The Neighborhood Leaf recognizes an individual, organization or business that has worked to preserve and enhance the metropolitan area’s residential neighborhoods. Ahlschwede, pastor of Dietz United Methodist Church at 1423 S. 10th St., was selected for her commitment to fostering systemic change that allows neighborhood residents to improve their lives. She was honored at the Aug. 15 meeting of the Omaha by Design Advisory Committee.
Among her many neighborhood projects:·
- The BIG (Building Independence and Growth) Garden Project, which manages 15 community garden sites throughout east Omaha and Bellevue;
- The Leavenworth Health Project, which brings health screenings and educational activities to local residents in partnership with the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Mobile Nursing Unit; and
- The Blue Flamingo, a thrift store on Omaha’s South 10th Street that began as a clothing closet at Dietz United Methodist Church. The store – which also serves as the site of a free monthly series featuring live music, readings and art demonstrations – features a line of fair trade products.
“Omaha by Design takes great pride in recognizing Rev. Ahlschwede for her commitment to improving Omaha’s neighborhoods,” said Rex Fisher, president of Qwest Nebraska and chair of the Omaha by Design Advisory Committee. “Her actions set a wonderful example for others to follow.”
The Neighborhood Leaf is the second of a new trio of awards that emphasizes the goals of the city’s Urban Design Element, a planning tool that lays out a framework for changing the quality of development in Omaha while protecting and enhancing the city’s natural environment. Each will be presented annually in addition to Omaha by Design’s Laurels Award, which honors an individual, organization or business for significant contributions to great public spaces in the City of Omaha.
For more information about the new awards, contact Connie Spellman, director of Omaha by Design, at connie@omahabydesign.org.
August 14, 2007
OMAHA CITY COUNCIL APPROVES GROUNDBREAKING ZONING CODE PACKAGE
OMAHA – Omaha is the first city of its size to develop and implement a comprehensive urban design plan.
The Omaha City Council voted 7-0 Aug. 14 to approve a groundbreaking package of zoning code revisions and additions that will bring life and weight to the city’s Urban Design Element, a planning tool designed to improve the quality of development in Omaha while protecting and enhancing the city’s natural environment.
“This package will truly shape the look and feel of all parts of our city,” said Mayor Mike Fahey. “No longer will Omaha be subject to someone else’s design standards. These visionary measures will positively impact Omaha’s livability, the visual impression Omaha creates and the sense of community that residents and visitors alike will enjoy in the years ahead.”
The Urban Design Element’s 73 recommendations center on three components: Green Omaha, which seeks to preserve and enhance the city’s natural setting and public park system; Civic Omaha, which seeks to define and improve the city’s civic places and public image; and Neighborhood Omaha, which seeks to preserve and enhance the diverse character of the city’s residential neighborhoods.
Since the creation of the Element, Omaha by Design – a local nonprofit dedicated to changing the face of Omaha through the use of urban design principles and citizen engagement - has focused on implementing its recommendations. The highest priority has been giving these recommendations legal authority by amending the city’s existing zoning and subdivision codes and adding new municipal code provisions.
A volunteer Technical Advisory Group comprised of development and design professionals as well as others representing civic interests helped write the code revisions and additions in conjunction with the city’s planning staff, city officials, Omaha by Design and the project’s nationally renowned urban design consultants.
Omaha Planning Director Steve Jensen said the package will result in long-term improvements to Omaha’s streetscapes, signage, landscaping, building design, pedestrian networks and public spaces, as well as the connections between the city’s neighborhoods, commercial centers and civic districts.
“This package captures the vision Omahans have for the future of their city,” said Connie Spellman, director of Omaha by Design. “We’ve never been interested in remaking Omaha in another city’s likeness. We’re interested in being Omaha – the best Omaha we can be. The passage of this package will help make that happen.”
Spellman also cited the donors for their financial support of the project. “These businesses, organizations and individuals truly believe in doing what it takes to make Omaha a better place,” she noted. “We thank them for their generosity and commitment.”
To review the complete package of revisions and additions, visit the web at www.omahabydesign.org. For more information, contact Spellman at 402.342.3458 or connie@omahabydesign.org.
June 21, 2007
DRAFT URBAN DESIGN ELEMENT IMPLEMENTATION PACKAGE READY FOR CITY CONSIDERATION
OMAHA – Representatives from the development community joined Mayor Mike Fahey and others June 21 for the official unveiling of a groundbreaking package of zoning code revisions and additions that has positioned Omaha to become the first city of its size to develop and implement a comprehensive urban design plan. The event was held at 9 a.m. at the First National Bank Tower Winter Garden.
The package, based on the Urban Design Element’s 73 recommendations, will be considered by the city’s governing bodies this summer. The Element lays out a framework for changing the quality of development in Omaha while protecting and enhancing the city’s natural environment.
For the past 18 months, a Technical Advisory Group (TAG) has worked with the City of Omaha Planning Department, city officials, Omaha by Design and the project’s nationally renowned urban design consultants to draft the code revisions and additions. The TAG is comprised of members of the development and design communities, as well as others representing civic interests.
"I'd like to thank the TAG and our City Planning Department for their extraordinary efforts in developing an implementation package for the Urban Design Element that makes sense for our city, our development community, and - most importantly - our residents," said Mayor Mike Fahey. "Many cities have vision, but few have the fortitude to do what it takes to turn that vision into reality. Once approved by the Planning Board and City Council, I anticipate these changes to guide the growth and development of our city for generations to come, with the quality of development that Omaha deserves.”
TAG member John Fullenkamp, Fullenkamp, Doyle & Jobeun, said the proposed package will provide the development community with a fair and consistent process for addressing new development and redevelopment projects. He also noted the collaborative nature of the TAG. “As a working group, we employed debate, experimentation and creativity to come up with solutions for complex issues, and we have agreed to remain in place for 12 months to resolve any unforeseen issues that arise from the changes.”
The Omaha Planning Board will consider the package at a special meeting set for Wednesday, June 27. It will begin at 1:30 p.m. in the Legislative Chamber of the City/County Building, 1819 Farnam St. “When the private and public sectors work together, we start turning the Omaha by Design vision into reality,” said John Lund, president/CEO of The Lund Company and a member of the Omaha by Design Advisory Committee. “This urban design plan helps lead Omaha in a positive direction of growth and encourages developers to build projects in a more responsible way for our community. Omaha by Design has drafted a blueprint for a prosperous and desirable future for Omaha, and we all must do our part to help bring out its full potential.”
Steve Jensen, director of planning for the City of Omaha, said many of the proposed revisions and additions have been informally put into practice by the planning staff for the past eight years, one of the longest and strongest commercial growth periods in the city’s history.
The Omaha City Council will consider the Omaha Planning Board’s recommendation at council meetings later this summer.
“We want more than a great downtown,” said Connie Spellman, director of Omaha by Design. “We want a great city that values the intrinsic characteristics of its many sectors. The passage of this package will help make this possible.”
The entire package of revisions and additions is available on the Omaha by Design web site at www.omahabydesign.org.
For more information, contact Spellman at 402.342.3458 or connie@omahabydesign.org.
May 22, 2007
OMAHA BY DESIGN’S 2006 ANNUAL REPORT AVAILABLE ONLINE
OMAHA – Omaha by Design’s 2006 annual report is now available on the web at www.omahabydesign.org. To download a PDF version, click on the “news” tab at the top of the home page.
Omaha by Design, a privately funded nonprofit organization, is dedicated to changing the physical face of Omaha through the use of urban design principles and citizen engagement. Projects and activities center on three components: Green Omaha, which seeks to preserve and enhance the city’s natural setting and public park system; Civic Omaha, which seeks to define and improve the city’s civic places and public image; and Neighborhood Omaha, which seeks to preserve and enhance the city’s residential neighborhoods.
These three components comprise the Urban Design Element of Omaha’s master plan, which establishes the city’s long-range policies, goals and standards as a guide for its physical development. Omaha by Design is also expanding its efforts into the greening of the metropolitan area with a new focus on sustainable development practices.
The report charts the organization’s Green Omaha, Civic Omaha and Neighborhood Omaha progress in 2006. It also highlights the organization’s national media coverage in 2006. Two major publications, Metropolis Magazine and the Harvard Design Magazine, published features on Omaha by Design’s efforts to better the quality of urban design in Omaha.
“Our success as an organization would not be possible without the support of our many donors, volunteers and public partners,” said Connie Spellman, director of Omaha by Design. “For example, the completion of the Benson-Ames Alliance plan in 2006 was the result of a public/private partnership that relied heavily on citizen input.” The plan, which sets forth a new framework of principles for future development and redevelopment projects in the Benson-Ames Alliance area, is available on the web at www.benson-ames.org.
For more information about Omaha by Design, contact Spellman at 402.342.3458 or connie@omahabydesign.org.
April 19, 2007
PLACE GAME FOR LEVI CARTER PARK APRIL 28
OMAHA – The Carter Lake Preservation Society is teaming up with Omaha by Design to host a Place Game workshop for Levi Carter Park Saturday, April 28. The event will begin at 10 a.m. at the Parkway Church of God, 1212 East Browne Street. The church is located north of the boat ramp in Levi Carter Park on Levi Carter Boulevard.
“We want to create a vision of how we can make Levi Carter Park a better place to play,” said Jeanne Eibes, president of the Carter Lake Preservation Society.
The park is home to Carter Lake, an old oxbow lake formed when the Missouri River changed course in 1877. Today, this urban body of water is shared by two cities, two counties and two states. The City of Carter Lake, Iowa, lies completely within the concave portion of the lake, and the City of Omaha and Levi Carter Park surround the lake on its convex side. It provides opportunities for water-skiing, fishing and boating.
The 519.5-acre Levi Carter Park features two baseball fields, two football fields and two basketball courts. Other amenities include paths, picnic areas, shelters, restrooms, a pavilion, fishing dock areas, a boat ramp and open space.
During the workshop, trained Omaha by Design facilitators will lead small groups through Levi Carter Park, asking them to take note of what they see, hear and feel. The groups will then convene for a brainstorming session to identify opportunities for improving the area. Lunch will be provided.
For more information on how to schedule a Place Game Workshop for your neighborhood or organization, contact Teresa Gleason at 402.342.3458 or teresa@omahabydesign.org.
For more information about the Carter Lake Preservation Society, visit www.carterlakepreservation.org.
January 4, 2007
PLACE GAME WORKSHOP FOR 13TH STREET MARCH 31
OMAHA – The Deer Park and Old Market South/Dahlman Neighborhood Associations are building a new vision for Omaha’s 13th Street. To help move this vision forward, Omaha by Design will conduct a Place Game Workshop for the northern portion of 13th Street Saturday, March 31.
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