GreenSlate Development announced today that it will build a $45 million, 5-story building on the site of the former WOWT-TV building at 35th & Farnam Street along the future streetcar line.
Plans call for a multi-family building with 180 apartment units. Floor plans will include studio, one- and two-bedroom units with monthly rents ranging from $1,200 to $2,800 per month. Amenities will include a resort-style pool, grilling areas, fire pits, dog-wash station and a dog park.
The project will necessitate the demolition of the old WOWT building. The television station left that building when it moved next door into the 15-story Blackstone Plaza building next door.
“We are very excited to continue to build on the 10-plus-year momentum of the Blackstone District with this new project,” said GreenSlate principal Jay Lund. “Repopulating Omaha’s urban core with density is what creates walkability and placemaking that make our city unique and special. These projects also help us attract and retain a young workforce, so Omaha can continue to grow and thrive.”
GreenSlate is developing the building in collaboration with John Lund, founder of The Lund Company of Omaha. GreenSlate has been responsible for sparking the original redevelopment of the Blackstone District a decade ago. The developer will apply for $5 million in Tax Increment Financing. The application is expected to go before the Omaha Planning Board in April.
“This community is right on the streetcar route and yet another example of the remarkable development that can be tied directly to the streetcar,” said Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert. “Blackstone’s success and growth will continue to accelerate when the streetcar is running. It will bring new residents and businesses to the area through high-value development, just as we expected.”
Jay Lund said the project would likely be half the size without the streetcar, because he would have to build more parking stalls. The building will have 180 apartments but only needs 90 indoor parking stalls.
“The streetcar reduces the amount of parking throughout the urban core and creates opportunities for new development on parking lots that are seldom used,” said Steve Jensen, an Omaha Streetcar Authority board member. “If we can replace parking lots with development, we get new jobs, new housing and new business. That’s the benefit of the streetcar.”
Demolition of the existing WOWT building is scheduled to begin this spring with completion expected by spring 2027.
GreenSlate’s developments in the Blackstone District include 37 West Farnam, Cottonwood Hotel, Catalyst OMA (on UNMC’s new EDGE District), The Traveler, Colonial Hotel and multiple other residential buildings.
Photo above: John Lund of The Lund Company and Jay Lund of GreenSlate Development in front of a rendering of their planned $45 million Blackstone District apartment building
