Meeting Summary for December 5, 2025

Here is a summary of items covered in today's meeting:

 

Construction Walk-Through

• City requested the BID provide a written list of issues instead.
• Members to send in all construction-related issues.
• BID can file a grievance if the City/Vrana does not cover damage.
• Landscaping delayed until spring. 
• Amenity Zones: All amenity zones except red remain incomplete. No additional trash cans installed; hoping to put off until landscaping phase.
• Some lights not functioning.
• Scheduled for BID members on Tuesday, Dec 16 at 1:30 PM. Meet at Sgt Peffers.

 

Parking Issue: Lack of parking on Janosek (east side of alley) due to removal in 99% plan set; none of us caught it during review.

 

Meeting Frequency: Will meet monthly until landscaping is completed and reassess then.

First Snowstorm Debrief:

• Waypoint/Forrest Green is pushing snow into parking stalls on Hamilton. Reaching out to change that. 
• City did not clean parking stalls as agreement states. 

2026-2027 Budget

• Total allocated so far: $28,850 of $34,000. 
• Still have to figure out landscaping but no one will bid out because not finished.
• Potential postponements: holiday lighting (only pay for storage, not install/removal) and kickoff (or seek sponsorships)
• Approved 6–0 to purchase 33 pole decorations to put on 2025-2026 budget and store them for this year since we didn’t have trash or landscaping expenses.

Closed Property Registration

• New process for closed/vacant properties.
• Allows police to enter without contacting owner first and act on trespassing/vandalism.
• Form must be filled out and mailed; information was forwarded to the group.

Meeting Summary from Friday, November 7, 2025

Our summary from our Friday, November 7th Meeting:

• Vrana is not going to be meeting the revised November finish date. We have yet to get a timeline. We also need to schedule a meeitng with City Planning once we know so we can do a walk through to double check that all construction is done.  
• Lack of parking on Janosek east side of alley - need to double check
• Asking area business what their snow removal plan is since everything is different with the constuction
• Discussed 2026 budget and remainder of 2025 budget: moving things around because we will need to pay for watering of plants since they were supposed to be established by end of 2025 but now will need to be watered for 2026.  Moving branding expenses (banners or holiday lighting) to 2025. Also eliminating website design from 2026 budget. 

Current Construction Video: Northwest end of Saddlecreek Closed!

Construction is mostly finished on the side streets, so that means it's time to tackle the real heart of the revitalization of the area. At the beginning of July, North Saddlecreek was closed at the west end by the peanut all the way to 49th. This is probably the most painful part of construction. 

Please remember to frequent those businesses that are on this part of N. Saddlecreek: they are still open, are accessible, and are ready to serve you! 

The Homy Inn is accessible by taking Seward St. or Charles St. east of N. Saddlecreek to 49th St. (follow the "Bar Open" signs). 

Sgt. Peffer's is accessible from Charles west of N. Saddlecreek. They are still doing "drive thru" but it's now more of a park-and-call. There is also additional parallel parking on the north side of Charles now.

Janosek's Florist is accessible via 49th St.  

The Auction Mill and Green Line Cafe are both accessible from Seward St. 

Global Foods and Innovative Roofing are accessible via a gravel alleyway that runs from 50th St between the Peanut and Charles St.  

 

 

 

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

 

 

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!