A major effort to revamp a stretch of North Saddle Creek Road officially kicks off Monday morning.
Omaha City Council president Pete Festersen, Saddle Creek Business Improvement District chair Josh Hannum, Metcalfe-Harrison Neighborhood president Will Meinen, and philanthropic partners will break ground on the $5 million revitalization of the Saddle Creek Neighborhood Business District on Monday, May 5, at 10 a.m.
Attendees will toast the project with champagne-on-tap from the Homy Inn and commence construction with partners Olsson, Benesch, and Vrana Construction.
The project will increase walkability and pedestrian safety by widening sidewalks, adding a 10-foot pedestrian/bike path on the northside, and improving a dangerous five-way intersection. It will also improve aesthetics and security by adding new landscaping, decorative lighting and close to 100 parking stalls for small businesses.
“Reinvesting in our neighborhood business districts is a proven model that attracts small businesses, makes neighborhoods safer and more walkable, and ensures they will be successful in the long-term,” Festersen said. “I’m thankful for this public-private partnership and excited to see this collaborative process with local businesses and the surrounding residents come to fruition.”
The entire stretch of North Saddle Creek Road from NW Radial Highway to “the Peanut” (a roundabout) at 50th Street will also be resurfaced as will some alleyways. Access will be maintained to all businesses during construction with project completion in November.
Ahead of Monday’s groundbreaking, the area has already experienced several recent successes.
“We’ve now had Green Line Coffee and Tasty Pizza announce new businesses, joining some of the neighborhood staples such as the Homy Inn, Sgt. Peffer’s, and Janousek Florist,” Festersen said. “And a $40 million, mixed-use project is still working its way through the city process to the east on the currently vacant Wolfson car lot.”
