North Omaha Village Zone. Housing & Revitalization

North Omaha Village Zone…
Connecting a Rich History with a Sustainable, Thriving Future

A comprehensive, collaborative development initiative developed in partnership with the Empowerment Network, Omaha Economic Development Corporation, Nebraska Investment Finance Authority, Family Housing Advisory Services, Holy Name Housing, City of Omaha and North Omaha Residents and Stakeholders.


It’s Time to DREAM Again.

VISION:

A Connected, Healthy, Sustainable and Thriving Community


PURPOSE:

    • Develop An Inclusive, Comprehensive Vision (25+ Year Vision)
    • A Mixed-Income Neighborhood
    • An Implementation Plan with Financial Resources
    • A Catalyst to Future Development in North Omaha

NORTH OMAHA VILLAGE ZONE REVITALIZATION PLAN:

The North Omaha Village Zone Revitalization Plan was developed by the community and approved 7-0 by Omaha City Council in 2011.  Over 800 residents and stakeholders, youth and adults, participated in the development of the plan.

Since that time large scale public/private partnerships have formed and hundreds of millions of dollars have been invested in the rebirth of North Omaha.  On an annual basis, the Empowerment Network hosts community meetings to provide updates on the plan, gather community feedback and identify priorities.

Link to 2020 Update on the Village Zone Plan:
https://www.ketv.com/article/leaders-north-omaha-village-revitalization-meeting-nebraska/30482075

Link to 10 Year Special Report by the Omaha World-Herald:
https://www.omaha.com/news/local/10-years-after-activists-charted-a-new-path-for-north-omaha-the-problem-plagued-community/article_082c184c-76e9-11e7-b1c9-43d9d2000074.html

The Village Zone physical development supports the Empowerment and Transformation Plan and focuses on four key nodes.  Development at each of the nodes is led by a collection of different community organizations.

16th/24th and Cuming – The vision is to create a front door and gateway to North Omaha by building on the tremendous progress in North Downtown. It recommends creating a sports and entertainment themed space complete with mixed-used buildings and housing. The plan anticipates that most of this development will be market-driven.

24th and Lake/N. 24th Street – Building on its rich history, the vision recommends the creation of an arts, culture, and entertainment district in the 24th Street and 24th and Lake area. The district will include civic and cultural attractions, restaurants, retail, mixed-used buildings, and mixed-income, mixed-type housing.

30th and Lake/Parker – The focus of this area is the creation of an urban village that builds on core assets like Salem Baptist Church, Charles Drew Health Center, Miami Heights, the Urban League, and the 20+ acres of open land now available with the demolition of the Pleasant View Housing Project. Plans for the area include senior housing, mixed-income and mixed-type housing, neighborhood services, and an intergenerational community center.

Malcolm X/Adams Park – The vision calls for the creation of a regional recreational attraction and international destination center by expanding the building on the work of the Malcolm X Foundation and City of Omaha Parks Department plans for Adams Park.

The fifth area identified was the 30th and Sorenson area.  Metropolitan Community College and the White Lotus Corporation have led the major developments in that area.

The North Omaha Village Zone participants and supporters include neighborhood residents, neighborhood associations, elected officials, community organizations, educational institutions, businesses, churches and faith-based institutions, and other stakeholders. Omaha Economic Development Corporation, Nebraska Investment Finance Authority, and philanthropic partners provided the financial investment for the development of the action plan.

Key partners include the City of Omaha, a collaborative group of elected officials, Omaha Housing Authority, North Omaha Development Project, Schemmer Associates, and H3 Studio. The Alliance Building Communities group includes Omaha Economic Development Corporation, Holy Name Housing, Family Housing Advisory Services, and philanthropic partners. The implementation plan will require financial investments from many different revenue streams including community, public, and private from local, state, and national sources. Most importantly, the success of the plan will be based on community support and engagement. Now is the time to Unite & Transform the community.


BACKGROUND AND PASSAGE OF THE PLAN:

“Today is a new day for North Omaha and the City of Omaha,” said Willie Barney, President and Facilitator of the Empowerment Network. “Now is the time to unite and transform Omaha!”

The Omaha City Council unanimously approved a 30 year vision for the rebuilding of key areas of North Omaha. The vision of the plan is to connect the rich history and legacy of North Omaha to a thriving, sustainable future. Over 25 residents, community leaders, elected officials, neighborhood association leaders, pastors and ministers, and others attended the city council public hearing to show their support. A dozen of the supporters stood and presented the case for North Omaha.

A number of the City Councilman took the opportunity to congratulate the participants on a history making accomplishment. Several made specific comments about the plan being driven by community-based, bottom-up involvement and engagement.

“This is history making legislation,” said Ben Gray, District II City Councilman.

Councilman Franklin Thompson quoted from a World-Herald editorial in support of the plan, “every Omahan has an interest in seeing North Omaha prosper.” And, he also reminded the attendees of a quote attributed to Shirley Franklin, former mayor of Atlanta, “in order for the city to win, North Omaha has to win.”

I’m excited to see that the arts is included as a vital economic aspect in the plan. – Deb Bunting of the Nebraska Arts Council.

Charles Drew is happy to support this plan. We have made a four million dollar investment in our recent expansion right in the middle of this zone. We are still here and ready to continue serving the community. – Dr. Richard Brown – CEO of Charles Drew Health Center

The Village Zone vision and action plan identifies iconic and transformational projects that will be catalysts to the revitalization of North Omaha. We will build on the incredible assets of North Omaha and complement the surrounding development in Downtown, North Downtown, Midtown Crossing, Creighton University campus, and the Metropolitan Community College master plan. The purpose is to accelerate the transformation of North Omaha into a great place to live, raise a family, do business, worship, and play.

VILLAGE ZONE PLAN APPROVED 7 to 0 by OMAHA PLANNING BOARD

The 30 year vision seeks to connect the rich history of North Omaha with a thriving, sustainable future!

With the financial support of Alliance Building Communities, Nebraska Investment Finance Authority, and philanthropic partners, the Empowerment Network facilitated a community-based process to build consensus on a comprehensive 30 year vision for North Omaha. The Village Zone Plan represents over two years of intense work and has engaged hundreds of residents, stakeholders, elected officials, City of Omaha staff, economic development specialists, business leaders, and potential financial supporters. The process which consisted of community visioning and feedback sessions, focus groups, advisory and executive team meetings, and one-on-one discussions with stakeholders. Experienced urban design and architectural consultants, H3 Studio and Schemmer Associates were contracted to help develop the plan.

The Village Zone vision and action plan identifies iconic and transformational projects that will be catalysts to the revitalization of North Omaha. We will build on the incredible assets of North Omaha and complement the surrounding development in Downtown, North Downtown, Midtown Crossing, Creighton University campus, and the Metropolitan Community College master plan. The purpose is to accelerate the transformation of North Omaha into a great place to live, raise a family, do business, worship, and play.

The vision is to connect the rich history of North Omaha to a thriving and sustainable future. The Village Zone plan builds on the work and previous North Omaha studies, City of Omaha master plan, North Omaha Development Project, and Empowerment Network Village Strategy.

The Village Zone Revitalization Plan represents comprehensive and coordinated physical development that will create the environment and expand on the existing rebuilding efforts that have been launched by community partners. The Empowerment Network’s holistic 7 Step Empowerment Plan encompasses the following areas: employment and entrepreneurship; education and youth development; housing, neighborhood development, and transportation; faith and hope; health and healthy families; violence prevention and intervention; and, a thriving cultural arts community.