Great cities are collections of unique and geographically distinct neighborhoods. Districts like the Old Market, Dundee and Regency each have their own character and special features that play a key role in the growth of Omaha. Now, the Midtown Omaha district has embarked on a process to enhance and promote its own unique role in the fabric of the city.

Destination Midtown is an innovative partnership of neighborhood and business organizations, major businesses, educational institutions and Omaha city government who have joined together to create a compelling vision for Omaha's Midtown district, capitalizing on its rich history.

The project's goal is to create a vibrant destination, attracting more people to the area to live, raise families, shop, work and play.

Neighborhood organizations, area businesses and city government have begun
working together to create a vision for Midtown Omaha that will raise the
profile of the area and showcase its real potential. The people who live,
work and own businesses in the area are shaping this grassroots effort. The
project's Advisory Steering Committee includes representatives from all of
the major stakeholder groups in the area:

The project consultant is HDR, Inc.

In the first six months of the project, HDR has analyzed the current market, socio-political, regulatory, transportation and environmental conditions. SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis and visioning sessions have been held with multiple area groups and the general public.

SWOT Analysis Summary

Primary Strengths

• Old historic architecture
  Diversity of the community
• Strong neighborhood organizations
  and committed residents

Primary Weaknesses

• Absentee landlords
• Poor perception of the area by others
• Lack of code enforcement
• Drugs, alcohol, prostitution, crime

Primary Opportunities

• Tax incentives to promote redevelopment
  
• Renovation of rundown properties
  
• Create a pedestrian friendly environment

Primary Threats

• Increase in crime drugs,
  prostitution, gangs
• Unkempt rental properties
• Absentee landlords

The first design workshop based on the SWOT analysis was held August 25-28 at the Blackstone building. Over the course of the four day meeting the HDR design team began developing concepts that address area wide issues of parks, streets, open space and neighborhoods for the entire Destination Midtown area.

The second workshop scheduled for mid to late September will be a Neighborhood Expo and Symposium on code enforcement, crime, residential rehabilitation, neighborhood design and will include a discussion of resources available to neighborhoods. In mid to late November a design workshop will again be held for the core area of Dodge to Leavenworth, Saddle Creek to 24th Street to address issues derived from the first 2 workshops.

To find out more about Destination Midtown, visit their website at www.omahachamber.org/DestinationMidtown.