Council OKs Saddle Creek business-district improvements after public comment; city and private funds to support project

The Omaha City Council approved improvements in the Saddle Creek business district after a public hearing that included neighborhood concerns about assessments and future development processes. Council members described the project as a multi-phase streetscape and infrastructure program for North Saddle Creek Road that will improve sidewalks, landscaping, lighting, bike lanes and parking for local businesses.

A public speaker, Larry Storrer of Lafayette Avenue, spoke at length about the Special Assessment process and expressed concern about the size and scope of assessments for property owners near Saddle Creek. Storrer asked for clearer public information about which property owners would be assessed and warned against what he characterized as the potential for future Tax Increment Financing (TIF) use to change assessment impacts.

In response, a council member summarized the Saddle Creek Business Improvement District’s program: the council member said the project would allow for about a $5 million construction program stretching from Northwest Broadway along North Saddle Creek Road to Metcalfe Park and The Peanut, with improvements expected to include sidewalks, bike lanes, decorative lighting and additional parking. The council member said about $3 million in philanthropic funds had been raised and an additional roughly $22 million in city transportation bonds and ARPA funds were allocated to support broader neighborhood improvements; the council member said only business owners in the immediate district who had agreed to participate in the Business Improvement District would be specially assessed for the BID work. The council member also noted multiple public engagement sessions have informed the project design and phasing.

After discussion the council advanced the BID-related items by vote; roll call reflected unanimous approval (7-0). The council member said staff would work with property owners and the BID to finalize phasing and assessed parcels and that construction was expected to begin in April and run through October under the stated schedule.

Next steps Council and staff indicated the next phase will focus on finalizing the exact assessment map and the construction phasing with property owners and the BID. Property owners within the BID who signed on to the district will receive assessment notices as part of the established BID and special-assessment processes.