Image Source: Cindy Gonzalez
Key Takeaways
- A $90 million state grant is being used to develop a business park in North Omaha, with a potential youth sports facility as one of the possible uses
- The development team is considering three sites for the business park, including a 41-acre tract near 16th and Locust Streets that could be home to a sports complex
- The sports complex would complement a nearby $45 million sports facility being built by the City of Omaha, and could create jobs and generate income for the North Omaha area
- The development team is seeking community input on the project and plans to make purchases by mid-February
- The project aims to create a shovel-ready industrial business park that will drive economic growth and job creation in North Omaha
Introduction to the Project
A youth sports facility has emerged as a potential use for a North Omaha business park site, which is being developed with the help of a $90 million state grant. The facility, described as an indoor-outdoor multipurpose complex for "soft turf" sports such as football, soccer, softball, and baseball, could be built at the Enterprise Park near 16th and Locust Streets. This site, which contains about 41 developable acres, is one of three sites being considered by the development team working with the Omaha Inland Port Authority. As Michael Maroney, of the Omaha Economic Development Corp., noted, "We got good feedback. We wanted to keep an open mind." The development team is seeking to acquire all three sites, but nothing is final, and not all might be purchased.
Community Input and Feedback
A community meeting was held to discuss the locations and get input on what uses the community prefers at each site. The meeting, which was attended by about 75 people, provided an opportunity for the development team to gather feedback and insights from the community. George Achola, part of the development team, said that the location of the sports complex seems ideal, as it would complement another rising nearby, the $45 million Levi Carter Park Activity and Sports Complex. Achola noted that the two facilities would mesh nicely, with the new facility focusing on "soft turf" sports and the existing facility focusing on volleyball and basketball games played on hard courts. As Achola said, "What North Omaha needs is an economic driver — something that allows people to spend money within the community. That will create jobs."
Possible Uses for the Sites
The development team has outlined possible uses for the three sites. A 13-acre site centered by a new 150,000-square-foot warehouse and 148-stall surface parking area at 5906 Abbott Drive could be leased to commercial tenants, with possible operations including a food hall, offices, and event center. A roughly eight-acre site near 6720 N. 16th St. could be used for housing manufacturing, trucking, and warehousing or other light industrial uses. The site envisioned as space for the sports complex would also contain an area for commercial businesses to settle. As Achola noted, "A whole economic system grew up around that and those are jobs," referring to new youth sports facilities in places like Kearney.
Challenges and Opportunities
The site near 16th and Locust Streets has previously been downplayed due to environmental cleanup costs, as it was previously used as a dumping area. However, Achola believes that the value of the area is undeniable, given its proximity to the airport, a lake, downtown Omaha, and perhaps a professional soccer stadium. As he said, "This is going to be one of the few opportunities you have to clean something up and make it an economic driver. We’re going to reap the long-term economic benefits of bringing to life a valuable piece of dirt." The development team is moving forward with the project, with purchases expected to be made by mid-February.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The development of the business park in North Omaha is a significant project that aims to drive economic growth and job creation in the area. The potential youth sports facility is an exciting aspect of the project, and the development team is seeking to work with the community to bring it to life. As Maroney noted, the community is getting excited for what is to come, and the development team is committed to keeping an open mind and considering all options. With the project moving forward, the community can expect to see significant developments in the coming months, including the acquisition of the sites and the start of construction on the business park.
Youth sports facility arises as a use for North Omaha business park project
