Dundee residents voice affordable housing concerns as vote on Saddle Creek development nears

On Tuesday, Dundee residents again spoke against an $103 million development that would bring 223 market-rate apartments and retail space to a lot off of Saddle Creek. It does not include affordable housing, but the council says it's working on a proposal to encourage TIF-backed developers to include it.

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Dundee residents voice affordable housing, TIF concerns as vote on Saddle Creek development nears

OMAHA, Neb. —

The Omaha City Council heard more opposition Tuesday to a $103 million development near Saddle Creek that would bring 223 market-rate apartments and nearly 68,000 square feet of retail space.

If the tax increment financing agreement is approved next week, the development would be built in the lot northeast of 46th and California streets.

“I think Dundee is a special place due to the diversity,” Nick Koehler of Dundee said, including socioeconomic diversity. Residents say that could change with the development.

“It bothers me because the area says that these are the people who currently live here. These are the people who’ve been holding it down,” Councilmember LaVonya Goodwin said.

Councilmembers acknowledged the need for housing but expressed dissatisfaction with the absence of affordable units in the proposal.

The council is working on a proposal to encourage developers to include affordable housing in TIF-backed projects, said Councilmember Pete Festersen, who represents the area.

“Let’s wait until that draft resolution comes from the planning department and start issuing TIFs in a conditional way because of developers,” said Anthony Rogers-Wright of Omaha. “When they come into our city and do business, they should be giving something back.”

“We’re watching the formation of that policy very closely, and we’re going to continue to push on that,” Festersen said.

Residents also expressed concerns about the businesses that would be displaced by the development.

Developer Mitch Hohlen of Woodsonia told the council no tenants would be forced out immediately.

“We’re not kicking any tenants out, so various components of this development will move forward at different stages,” Hohlen said.

Hohlen said that the strip mall on the west side of the lot would remain untouched until at least 2031, when the longest lease expires. The strip mall closer to Saddle Creek could come down earlier, with the longest lease expiring in 2028.

“There are a number of existing businesses we would like to see stay as part of this project,” Hohlen said.

Hohlen and Festersen also confirmed that Family Fare grocery store is set to leave the area regardless of the development. “I’d like to see grocery as part of this project. I can’t commit to it. There is an 85,000-square-foot grocery store directly south of this,” Hohlen said.

Family Fare’s parent company, SpartanNash, did not respond to a request for comment on Tuesday.

The council is scheduled to vote on the project next week. If approved, the development would receive up to about $9 million in TIF support.

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