South Omaha businesses say little to no communication creates barriers during Plaza de la Raza construction

"I think there should have been like more communication or try to rearrange something beforehand," a South Omaha business owner said.

Read the full article on KETV 7

‘Don’t feel safe’: South Omaha businesses concerns over Plaza de la Raza construction

OMAHA, Neb. —

Plaza de la Raza construction is creating barriers in South Omaha.

Canopy South is heading construction at the plaza, which it says is meant to improve affordable housing and community development.

The project started around two weeks ago.

“I think there should have been like more communication or try to rearrange something beforehand,” said Jessica Enriquez, an employee at Twins Daycare Center.

A fence lines the construction around the entire Plaza de la Raza, blocking sidewalk access and even the bus stop.

Neighboring businesses and nonprofits said they had little notice ahead of the work, if at all.

“I have not received any official documentation like of any communication,” said Luis Marcos, co-founder of Comunidad Maya.

Marcos said the fence blocked access to their building at first, until construction workers pushed the fence into the parking lot, allowing a small space to walk through.

Enriquez said the daycare center she works for takes around 200 kids, and said they had one business day to figure out how parents could pick up their children.

“We’ve had parents leave the daycare because of the whole situation,” she said. “They just don’t feel safe having only four parking spots.”

When South Omaha’s city councilman Ron Hug was asked what the city is doing to alleviate the issue, he said, “I did look into it, and it was discovered that the contractor did not take out the required permit to shut the sidewalk down.”

In a statement to KETV, Canopy South’s Executive Director César García said:

“We understand the concerns regarding the construction fencing installed around the site for safety. Although the fencing was correctly permitted as originally installed, the City of Omaha requested adjustments to improve neighborhood access. Kiewit, the construction contractor, is completing those changes today, and we hope they help address the community’s concerns.”

Contractors did, in fact, pull the fence line back on 24th and N streets, but other sides remain the same.

“They have been told that they need to pull the barricades back to the property line and get them off the sidewalk,” Hug said.

KETV is actively looking for these permits to see if it allows the fence line to extend to the sidewalk as it was.

Councilmember Hug highlights how the developer is also creating a parking garage near 23rd and N streets, which he warns will also create some backup for the business district.