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 undertaken in generations – is undergoing its heaviest construction yet. Major utility work is underway at Turner Boulevard and east of it through downtown, while mainline work has begun. A big shipment of steel rail is expected on Thursday. Most of the real estate along this 3.1-mile route is experiencing some sort of streetcar route work. It will start to improve later this year.
Meanwhile, we will work hard to lessen impacts, improve communication and work with our businesses. We’re thankful to the Alliance for organizing and presenting their concerns. Our team is looking forward to meeting again in two weeks.
