An open letter regarding Urban Core Redevelopment and the Streetcar

To those living and working in the greater Omaha metropolitan area:

There has 应用程序ropriately been healthy debate surrounding the idea of the Omaha Streetcar Project. There are some genuine concerns fueled by the seemingly low adoption rate of our existing mass transit system and the perceived price tag.

考虑到这些问题, we believe this project is good for business and for the future of Omaha on multiple levels.

It’s important to take into consideration the development project as a whole. There is a huge investment corridor that corresponds to the streetcar route that would not h应用程序en without it – the tools in place to incentivize future development will drive more foot tra c and demand for storefronts and living spaces. These areas are currently poised for improvement and will contribute to the future growth of our metropolitan area in terms of tax revenue and outstanding experiences.

Omaha has a history of taking significant risks to drive future growth. 想象一下没有CHI健康中心的奥马哈, 查尔斯·施瓦布菲尔德, 或者吉恩·莱希购物中心(Gene Leahy Mall)的新RiverFront. 城市核心的振兴, 有轨电车是主要的司机, 这对城市来说真的是正确的决定吗, 它的人民和企业.

Hindsight shows that each of these past projects was in the best interest of Omaha. The 17,500-seat arena at the CHI Health Center is routinely sold out. Relocating the ballpark downtown spurred a wealth of new businesses in the north downtown area and continues to be a prime, 国家认可的场地. And the RiverFront development has created a safer, recreationally centered space in an urban setting with incredible event potential and attendance, 远高于之前的环境.

Big decisions demand robust debate and there is room for good citizens to be on both sides of issues. But sometimes, to move forward, a leap of faith and trust in the process is required. Many heads have come together over the years and there are reasons the streetcar hasn’t moved forward until now – because it’s clear the benefits far outweigh the costs.

考虑到这一点, we want to take this moment to publicly state our position on this historic investment opportunity in Omaha. We fully support Omaha’s investment in urban core redevelopment and the streetcar project.

我们相信这个问题的答案, “Where can urban core redevelopment and the streetcar take Omaha?是，去一些非常值得的地方.

奥马哈的商界是, 事实上, already seeing significant return on the city’s urban core revitalization plan. 从核心的一端到另一端, the economics of urban redevelopment planning are proving themselves as dirt moves on projects public and private. In addition to the transformational RiverFront development that spans three parks over 72 acres, 我们看到像Kiewit Luminarium这样的项目, SteelHouse奥马哈, 建筑商区, 木工共用, UNMC的下一个项目, The Mercantile and the Joslyn Art Museum addition.

所有这些项目, 谈完了生意, 慈善和政府都在谈判桌上, demonstrate what can h应用程序en when cities strategically invest in urban economics and underscore the great momentum building in Omaha for business owners and citizens alike.

The streetcar is a central element in this momentum and overall urban core strategy. 其5.5 miles of track will connect hubs of employment, 生活区和娱乐区, 从黑石和联合军区开始, 到市中心, 包括CHI中心, 查尔斯·施瓦布菲尔德 and other urban core amenities.

It adds to the walkability and accessibility of downtown businesses, 餐厅和娱乐场所.

进一步, it is vital that Omaha works to position itself with the “cool” factor in the downtown and urban areas, giving people from outside of the city just one more reason to consider making Omaha their place of choice to work and live. As we continue to encounter talent-recruitment and retention challenges, this is a real and tangible opportunity to grow that perception.

重要的是, this is an initial phase of the streetcar project, that can serve as foundational to future phases and an expansion of routes to other key areas of our city such as north and south Omaha. We are confident that a prudent planning process will inform this and future phases.

With any investment, it’s important to consider the risk. It’s rare to see everything go exactly to plan. 但从商业角度来看, we see how investment attracts more investment – both in development and usage. And big things don’t h应用程序en unless big changes are made.

We are just some of the business leaders and Omahans who publicly support both urban core development and the streetcar. 还有更多, and we encourage you to join us in voicing support and coming at this with a positive – while still realistic – perspective.

这是一个重要时刻. A moment that may very well define the future of our city. Let us take this time to stop and ask ourselves, what does a growing city look like? Let’s add to our laudable list of local treasures and take advantage of the opportunity before us. 让我们展望未来.

We urge Omaha’s business community and citizens to get behind urban core revitalization and the streetcar.

Let’s continue the work and never stop pushing to create bigger and better things for business and the people of our beloved city.

恭敬地提交,

安德里亚Macias
Cumbia

以斯帖Mejia
E创意

Elizebeth墨菲
Emspace + Lovgren

杰点头
头公司

南希Pridal
灯Rynearson

金正日Sellmeyer
Hot Shops艺术中心

保罗和安妮特·史密斯
保罗克. 史密斯的同事

卡门Tapio
北端电信服务有限责任公司

保罗西
卡森财富管理集团

Amee Zetzman
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