Grow Omaha
Stories

University of Nebraska Medical Center leaders broke ground this week on a new, on-campus student housing facility, fulfilling a longstanding request from its biomedical graduate and health profession students. Construction work already has begun on the $66 million, 200,000 sq. ft. residence hall that will accommodate approximately 300 students on the eastern edge of the campus. Occupancy of the 6-story facility, planned for 39th & Dewey Avenue, is expected in August 2026.

The Omaha City Council approved a resolution to authorize the city to use construction-manager-at-risk delivery method for construction of the parking garages at the Crossroads redevelopment project. As highlighted previously, the city entered into an agreement with developers, including Salt Lake City-based Woodbury Corporation, to become part of the development team. As part of the agreement, the city will build and manage parking garages built within the site. The resolution application includes building plans for Phase One of Crossroads. Block B, which is adjacent to Cass Street on the north side of Crossroads, will have a 3-story, 881-stall parking garage and a mixed-used project, consisting of about 40,000 sq. ft. of ground-floor retail space, with five stories of 220 apartments built on top. Apartment units will include 10 micro studios, 55 studios, 20 micro (1-bedroom) units, 100 1-bedroom units and 35 2-bedroom units, ranging from 455 to 1,220 square feet. Block D is located...

NAI NP Dodge produces a report on Omaha’s commercial real estate market each quarter. Below are some highlights for Q3 of 2024. Omaha’s office, retail and industrial markets remain impressively strong. Office Market The 48.6 million sq. ft. Omaha office market ended the 3rd quarter of 2024 with a vacancy rate of 7.7 percent, which was up from last quarter. Absorption over the past 12 months was -277,000 sq. ft. Rental rates were up to $25.27. Approximately 1.2 million sq. ft. of office space is under construction at this time, a little less than last quarter. Retail Market More than 66 million sq. ft. of retail space was considered for this report, which is based on CoStar data. At this time, 273,000 sq. ft. of retail space is under construction, which is down from last quarter. Vacancy was 4.3 percent, down a little. Rental rates were $17.25 per square foot. The 12-month net absorption was 489,000 sq. ft. at the end of the quarter, up substantially from the previous period....

University of Nebraska Medical Center research continues to grow, with total research expenditures increasing by 8 percent to $217.7 million in fiscal year 2024, the largest total in UNMC’s history. “In the last two years, we’ve seen a big jump in research activity taking place,” said Ken Bayles, vice chancellor for research. “Clinical trials continue to be strong, and basic science research is expanding, bolstered by the Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (CoBRE) grant that Dr. Rebekah Gundry received. In addition, Department of Defense-funded research through NSRI continues to grow.” Bayles noted that research funding received from federal agencies reached a new record of $141 million. “Federal awards continue to be the strongest source of funding for our faculty. This indicator shows we’re heading in the right direction.” UNMC estimates that research funding brings about 30 jobs to Nebraska per $1 million in funding, meaning more than 5,000 jobs will be created in Nebraska...

The 712 Initiative and the Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce have announced the completion of The Row on First, a set of three newly constructed townhomes located at 99, 101 and 103 South 24th Street in Council Bluffs. This project not only offers modern, eco-friendly housing but also represents the culmination of a significant transformation of the once industrial West Broadway corridor. "The completion of The Row on First marks a proud moment for our community as it’s the first housing project along the new FIRST AVE corridor,” said Chris LaFerla, Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce director. “This project sets the tone for what’s possible in terms of smart growth and revitalization to support the continued development of Council Bluffs.” The vision behind The Row on First took root more than 20 years ago when The 712 Initiative, then known as PCDC, acquired Omaha Standard’s property on West Broadway. The project later expanded with the purchase of four additional...

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has named University of Nebraska Medical Center as one of 10 Regional Centers for Public Health Preparedness and Response across the nation. These regional centers will play an essential role over the next five years in advancing the uptake of evidence-based strategies and interventions across communities, enhancing their ability to prepare for and respond to public health threats, according to the CDC. UNMC will administer the center for U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Region Seven – Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri. The center will work with a coalition of regional partners, including the University of Iowa and the University of Iowa College of Public Health. Other collaborators will include health departments from across the four states, as well as various rural and tribal partners. The goal is to implement evidence-based practices in public health and emergency preparedness and response, especially in scenarios...

Omaha Children’s Museum is planning to build a new museum in downtown Omaha at 8th & Douglas Street, along the north side of Heartland of America Park at The RiverFront. The Children’s Museum will continue to operate at its current location at 20th & Howard Street during the fundraising for and construction of the new building, with the goal of transitioning to its new home in late 2027. Omaha Children’s Museum has a nearly 50-year legacy of nurturing growth and development in children across the Omaha community - much of it from a building that was originally a car dealership. The development of a new museum would be in partnership with project champions Susan and Mike Lebens and Heritage Omaha, a nonprofit committed to developing impactful philanthropic projects designed to enrich the Omaha community. The goal is to create a dynamic, purpose-built children’s museum full of fun spaces inspired by children and their caregivers, shaped by best practices in early child...

More than 240 civic leaders, city builders and community visionaries gathered in the Builders District last week to celebrate the nominees and recipients of the 2024 Laurels Awards. Omaha by Design’s signature event recognizes the people and projects shaping our metro in inspiring ways. Noddle Companies hosted the event in its new 4-story hybrid timber office building at 1501 Mike Fahey Street. Nominations were submitted and recipients voted upon by Omaha by Design’s Advisory Council: Access & Mobility Award • Nominees: Baby Bob Bridge, ConnectOmaha Active Mobility Plan, Platte River Bridge Trail, Vision Zero Omaha• Recipient: Baby Bob Bridge Environment & Open Space Award • Nominees: Eric Williams, La Vista Central Park & Astro Amphitheater, Skate Ribbon at Heartland of America Park, Verdis Group• Recipient: Skate Ribbon at Heartland of America Park Neighborhood Revitalization Award • Nominees: Baldwin Court Affordable Housing, Castle & Cathedral Creative District,...

By Darcie Dingman Willie Omaha is known for its great restaurants, but what you may not know is that many of them (far beyond the few mentioned here) have a strong commitment to philanthropy. Many local spots are blending business with community support, giving customers the chance to give back with every meal. At Lyle’s Pizzeria, you can order their rotating Charity Pie option, where $1 from each pizza sold goes to a selected nonprofit. This October, their signature Potato Pesto pizza is supporting Carole’s House of Hope. Meanwhile, Ooh de Lally is addressing a different community need. Partnering with Metro Community College as an extension of their Culinary Arts and Re-entry Assistance Programs, the restaurant supports individuals impacted by the justice system. This nonprofit restaurant creates opportunities in the food service industry, they know the power of food and service can promote real change in people. Table Grace Café, also a nonprofit, is a donation-based establishment...

The City of Council Bluffs is growing its privately funded mural program along the FIRST AVE trail. This project, administered by the City of Council Bluffs with financial support from the Iowa West Foundation, is transforming the FIRST AVE corridor into a place of artistic expression. The FIRST AVE trail already features a series of five murals. Local artists, Danny Reyes, Betni Kalk, Weston Thomson and Ilaamen Pelshaw completed five murals earlier this year. Locations include the trail-facing walls at 29 South 21st Street, 3415 West Broadway, 15 South 20th Street, the Cochran Park-facing wall at 2200 2nd Avenue, and the Council Bluffs Public Library Cochran Park Kiosk. Two new murals are currently underway. Local artists Oria Simonini is working on the trail-facing wall of Grass Wagon at 110 South 29th Street, and Jenna Jaffery is working on the trail-facing fence at 20 South 15th Street behind Creative Auto Solutions. Additionally, seven new mini-murals are being added to utility...

By Darcie Dingman Willie On October 16, 2024, Nebraska Children and Families Foundation (NCFF) will host Changemakers, a virtual event designed to inspire Nebraska’s business leaders, community advocates, and service providers to invest in family-centered prevention strategies. This year’s event emphasizes the direct impact of family well-being on workforce productivity and community vitality. For nearly a decade, Changemakers has raised awareness about NCFF's work in partnership with 23 community collaboratives across Nebraska. These collaboratives address challenges such as economic mobility, workforce readiness, and unequal access to education—particularly in rural communities. NCFF supports initiatives that offer coaching, financial literacy training, and childcare resources to parents and youth, helping them overcome obstacles that hinder economic success. "Imagine a workplace where employees aren’t late due to transportation issues, or where no one misses work because they...

A 30-acre district that seeks to cultivate collaboration, innovation and economic development just west of the University of Nebraska Medical Center has a new name – EDGE District. “EDGE District will become a dynamic hub for health-focused scientific discovery, entrepreneurship and commercialization, some of the key items needed to ensure the state of Nebraska remains competitive on the national stage,” said H. Dele Davies, interim chancellor at UNMC. “Not only that, the district will also become a premier destination within the city — a place where individuals want to work, live and experience vibrant entertainment. In essence, EDGE will not only elevate the university's role as a leader in innovation and research but also strengthen the city's economic vitality and enhance the state's reputation as a center of excellence and opportunity.” UNMC owns much of the property of the triangle-shaped district, which is bordered roughly by Saddle Creek Road on the east; 48th Street on the...