Wednesday, April 30, 2025

Groundbreaking Ceremony!

 

Council President, BID, Neighborhood and Philanthropic Partners to Ground-Break on $5 million Revitalization Project

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday April 30, 2025


OMAHA, NE - City Council President Pete Festersen, Saddle Creek Business Improvement
District Chair Josh Hannum, Metcalfe-Harrison Neighborhood President Wil Meinen, and philanthropic partners wil break ground on the $5 million revitalization of the Saddle Creek Neighborhood Business District on Monday, May 5at 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.

Monday, May 5th at 10 a.m.
West of the Homy Inn, 1510 North Saddle Creek Rd.

"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 ni the long-term," said City Council President Pete Festersen. "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 project is the latest neighborhood business district renovation initiated by Festersen in his
city council district including Benson, Dundee, and Florence. Similar to previous projects, Festersen raised over $2.5 million in private funds to match public funds with the support of
 philanthropic partners including the Sherwood Foundation, the Peter Kiewit Foundation, the Mammel Foundation and the Lozier Foundation.

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 and decorative lighting and close to 100 parking stalls for small businesses. The entire stretch of North Saddle Creek Rd
from NW Radial Highway to "the Peanut" 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.

MEDIA CONTACT: Pete Festersen, (402) 444-5227, pete.festersen@cityofomaha.org


 

 

Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Stakeholder meeting, road closures and preconstruction video!

Yesterday property and business owners were invited to a stakeholder meeting to discuss property access and upcoming road construction. This preconstruction meeting presentation is available for anyone to look over at the Keep Omaha Moving website. Updates on progress of the construction will largely be available there.

For posterity, here is a driveby video of the before construction as well as a drone point of view. Feel free to slow down the video speed. 

What business to recall being along this stretch of North Saddlecreek? Leave your comments and memories on the YouTube page!

Friday, April 4, 2025

Meeting Update for April 4, 2025

Big changes are coming to Saddlecreek, and we’re excited to share the latest updates on our upcoming construction project!

  • Construction Details
    • Contractor: Vrana Construction
  • Engineering Firm: Benesch
  • Construction will begin shortly after a public stakeholder meeting, anticipated around Easter/Mother’s Day.
  • The entire project, including the alleyway, will be completed at the same time.
  • Target start: Late April
  • Estimated completion: October–November 2025
  • Groundbreaking Ceremony
  • We are planning for a loud and lively celebration to mark the beginning of construction! We did some brainstorming and are suggesting dates to the city/construction company. We want to close the street and make it an exciting community event.
  • More details to come!
  • Security & Safety
  • Omaha Police Department’s Real Time Operations Center may coordinate with local businesses to integrate security camera feeds for real-time monitoring and neighborhood safety.
  • Josh will provide updates from the next BID Chair meeting regarding police plans.
  • BID Business Highlights
  • Tasty Pizza: All plans approved—opening anticipated by year-end.
  • Homy: Plans underway for a new beer garden
  • Car Wash/Body Shop: Now for sale 
  • Retail/Residential Development Timeline:
  • Water main: September–October
  • Sewer: November–December
  • Building teardown: this July
  • Full development timeline: 26–30 months

Stay tuned for more updates as construction kicks off and our neighborhood begins its exciting transformation!