Grow Omaha
News Briefs

Brad Williams has released his August 2024 Grow Omaha Construction Update video. Some of the featured projects this month include the Hawks Pavilion at Joslyn, Mutual of Omaha tower, Boho Flats, a 9-story building in the Blackstone District and much more. See the video HERE.

The planned Levi Carter Sports Complex is on target for construction to begin early next year and open by the end of 2026. The $45 million complex will be located near Eppley Airfield and will have 10 basketball courts, four synthetic-turf soccer fields, a wrestling room, community room, computer lab, fitness center and classrooms. The City Council will vote on the construction management Request-for-Proposal later this month.

The City of Omaha Planning Department has officially launched its first public engagement opportunity, an opening survey. The survey is available HERE. The survey, which takes less than 10 minutes to complete, asks participants their perspective of Omaha now and in the future, as well as their preferred ways to engage in the comprehensive plan process. The survey closes August 26.

Rally House is planning to open its Westroads store August 23rd next to Von Maur. The Kansas City-based retailer specializes in local sports apparel for pro and collegiate teams and has three existing Omaha-area locations. – Grow Omaha staff

Woodhouse Auto Group plans to build two new dealerships at West Dodge Pointe. The Omaha Planning Board approved a major amendment to the West Dodge Pointe Mixed Use District Development Agreement allowing automotive sales on land southeast of Burt Street & Old Lincoln Highway across the street from Audi Omaha. The two new buildings total more than 45,000 sq. ft. and will have 113 parking stalls. The brands are Cadillac and Genesis. The latter is Hyundai’s premium line of automobiles. – Isaiah Ang

For a 12th straight month, Creighton University’s Rural Mainstreet Index fell below growth neutral, according to the August survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and/or energy. The region’s overall reading for August sank to 40.9 from 41.3 in July. It was the lowest reading since November of last year. The index ranges between 0 and 100, with a reading of 50.0 representing growth neutral.

MARCEL, a men’s formalwear store, plans to open in early September at Westroads Mall. The locally owned retailer will be located on the first floor between DSW and Journeys. The store’s tagline is “the flavor of elegance” and will offer “European style and couture.”

SHARE Omaha’s newly released Five Year Generosity Report highlights key trends in local volunteerism and giving. The report reveals that 67 percent of volunteers are female, nearly 80 percent are over age 45, and the value of a volunteer hour is $33.49. There’s a growing demand for group volunteer opportunities as more companies offer Volunteer Time Off in employee benefit packages. – Darcie Willie

The Bellevue City Council is considering a rezoning application submitted by the Bellevue Housing Authority for a vacant lot southeast of 9th & Childs Road. The authority plans to build a 7-plex, consisting of six 3-bedroom units and one 2-bedroom unit. The project is not being built with low income tax credits but will be affordable housing targeted for families who make up to 80 percent of the area’s median income. – Isaiah Ang

Three of the storm debris drop-off locations will remain open through Sunday August 18, weather permitting. Al Veys Field at 60th & Harrison Street, Hefflinger Park at 112th & Maple and Levi Carter Park will be open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Both Greenbriar Park in Elkhorn and the 156th & F Street sites are full and will not reopen. NOTE: The Levi Carter Park location won’t be open today, because last night’s rains made the area too wet.

The City of Bellevue will engage MCL Construction as construction manager at risk for its Bellevue Bay waterpark project. Bellevue approved a $4.5 million contract with MCL, which has previous experience managing construction of similar facilities including the Salvation Army Kroc Center in South Omaha and the recently opened Gretna Crossing YMCA and Outdoor Aquatic Center. The project could be completed by April 2027. – Isaiah Ang

Squishable has opened its first Nebraska or Iowa location inside Westroads Mall. The national-brand retailer sells toy merchandise meant to be squeezed and hugged. The company’s website says, “Over the last decade and a half, we have released millions of Squishables to their new homes in the wild.” The New York City-based retailer has 34 locations in 23 states.

Mead Lumber, an Omaha-based building materials company with 53 locations in nine states, is unifying its national brand under one name. As part of that effort, Thomae Lumber in Billings and Laurel, Montana, is changing its name to Mead Lumber effective this week. Mead acquired Thomae Lumber company in 2007.

Napoli’s, a new authentic Italian restaurant, is coming soon to Council Bluffs at 157 West Broadway in the former Lincoln’s Pub location. The restaurant will offer traditional family recipes, including seafood, chicken, and pasta, for lunch and dinner at reasonable prices. An opening date has yet to be announced. Napoli’s is not a franchise and is not affiliated with restaurants of the same name in Norfolk, Lincoln, or other Iowa locations. – Nicole Buntgen

The River’s Edge development continues to take steps toward the anticipated construction of the adventure tower and other amenities on the Council Bluff’s riverfront. Most recently, Southwest Iowa Nonprofit for Collective Impact and the City of Council Bluffs were awarded a $4.9 million Destination Iowa Grant for the project. Construction is on hold until issuance of a permit from the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. The city anticipates issuance of the permit by early September with construction following soon thereafter. – Isaiah Ang

The Pen & Dagger, a new indie bookstore in La Vista, will open soon in the La Vista City Centre at 7861 Main Street, according to Lee & Associates. The business will offer a range of new and classic books across popular genres, with a focus on science fiction, fantasy and literary fiction. Soft opening is planned for mid-October with a full opening later in the month.

Redline Athletics will open its first Nebraska or Iowa location November 4th in Gretna, according franchise owner David Michaelis. Redline offers speed, agility and strength training for 8-to-18-year-olds customized for every sport. The facility is located at 178th & Highway 370 and will have two batting cages plus a pitching machine. The Scottsdale, Arizona-based company has locations in 23 states. The closest exiting one is in Kansas City.

Chase Bank recently opened its seventh area location at 3010 North 90th Street near 90th & Maple. The Greater Omaha Chamber will hold a ribbon cutting on August 26th. Another Chase Bank branch is scheduled to open later this summer at the Gretna Landing development near 192nd & Highway 370. – Nicole Buntgen

NP Dodge Real Estate Agent Services has moved its office from 8701 West Dodge Road to 8601 West Dodge Road, Suite 120. NP Dodge Real Estate is the longest-running real estate company in the United States with more than 450 agents serving the Omaha metro area. – Grow Omaha staff

One Liberty Properties, Inc., of Great Neck, N.Y., has agreed to purchase a 236,324 sq. ft. warehouse building in Council Bluffs for $28.3 million, according to GlobeSt, a real estate media company. The building was constructed in 2023 and sits on 23 acres near the I-29/I-80 interchange just three miles from downtown Omaha. Features include concrete tilt walls, 32-foot clear-height ceilings and 27 dock doors.