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Center Mall redevelopment debate draws strong reactions at Omaha Planning Board
Neighbors challenge proposed redevelopment designation as developers defend early plans for aging property
OMAHA, Neb. —
A proposal tied to the future redevelopment of Omaha’s longtime Center Mall property sparked heated debate during Wednesday’s Omaha Planning Board meeting.
The discussion centered on whether the area near 42nd and Center Streets should receive Community Redevelopment Area, or CRA, designation, which could later make the site eligible for redevelopment tools like Tax Increment Financing, commonly known as TIF.
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Planning officials told the board the area qualifies under Nebraska law because of aging infrastructure, older buildings and economic factors within the study area.
But several neighbors pushed back, arguing the surrounding community is active and thriving and should not qualify as blighted.
RELATED COVERAGE: ‘We just want a seat at the table’: Businesses react to possible Center Mall updates
One opponent questioned the scope of the study used to justify the designation.
“They always include one mile out, two miles out and five miles out. Why don’t we take a look at all of that, to see how we could see what the criteria is to meet a CRA designation,” said Stephen Houston, a neighbor of the mall.
Another resident criticized the proposed redevelopment boundaries.
“When we’re looking at this map, it’s just evident that it’s like gerrymandering, that this was drawn specifically to benefit the developer and not the City of Omaha,” another opponent said.
Developers defended the proposal, saying the project remains in its early stages and no final redevelopment plans have been approved.
They also addressed concerns about current tenants inside Center Mall.
“We can’t just go in and evict tenants. We have no plan to do that,” a representative for the developer told the board.
The Planning Board ultimately voted to recommend approval of the CRA designation to Omaha City Council.
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