Crews have begun installing the steel structure that will support the Mutual of Omaha tower’s architectural crown. That means the region’s tallest building is getting closer to topping-out – the moment when the final piece of structural steel is welded into place. Lanoha Real Estate is developing the 677-foot-tall, 44-story tower on a city block bounded by 14th, 15th, Douglas and Farnam streets. Though it won’t be completed until the end of this year, it is already the tallest building in a multi-state region. It’s also one of the tallest office buildings currently under construction in the United States. Pickard Chilton is the lead architect, while JE Dunn is the general contractor. Multiple subcontractors are at work both inside and outside up and down the building’s many floors. While the skyscraper still has months to go before it opens, progress is clearly evident. The steel superstructure is complete for all the occupiable floors, and most of the exterior glass curtain wall is...

Omaha Mayor John Ewing issued a statement today regarding the Streetcar Impact Alliance, a group of business owners and residents affected by Streetcar construction and related utility construction: Today I met with representatives of the Streetcar Impact Alliance. I included members from my office, our Public Works and Law Departments and two members of the Omaha City Council: President Danny Begley and Member LaVonya Goodwin. Our goal is to collaborate with this group of businesses along our streetcar route and advance our shared interest in driving traffic through their doors. We had a frank, robust discussion about their challenges and needs. I hope we keep this discussion ongoing while also coming together as a city to reach their front doors. It is possible to get anywhere in Omaha. We want these businesses to survive, and we need the people of Omaha to patronize them. We appreciate how impactful construction can be. Certainly, this massive project - the biggest Omaha has...