What What...Omaha Is Getting a Year-Round Public Market Downtown
Omaha has another big downtown project in the works, and this one, inbe a genuinely fun addition to the city.
Work is beginning on a year-round indoor public market at 8th and Farnam Streets, overlooking Heartland of America Park and just east of the Brickline building....INTERESTINGLY The RiverFront project is planned as a nonprofit, curated public market.
The market is expected to be three stories and about 52,000 square feet, with a projected opening sometime in 2028.
Heritage Omaha is leading the project and working with Project for Public Spaces, an organization that helps communities create public places people actually use and enjoy. Funding has already been secured through philanthropic supporters, so this is more than an idea being tossed around.
The plan is to fill the market with local businesses selling fresh food, prepared meals, specialty foods and locally made goods. Think farmers, bakers, makers, artisans and food entrepreneurs all gathered under one roof—and unlike a seasonal farmers market, this one will be open throughout the year.
We all know that here in Nebraska outdoor-market weather can go from delightful to dreadful in a minute.
Thousands of metro-area residents participated through public meetings and online surveys. Current and aspiring vendors, including farmers, artisans and food-business owners, were also asked for input.
Heritage Omaha President Tina Cherica said the market will build on the success of Omaha’s RiverFront Parks, which already draw nearly 3 million visitors each year.
The RiverFront has completely changed the feel of this part of downtown. I have lived here since November of 2005 and WOW "we have come a long way baby!" Remember that phrase, "fly over city?" I think for not much longer!
Of Course, We Have to Talk About Parking
Anytime Omaha announces something new downtown, the first question is, "WHERE WILL WE PARK AND HOW MUCH DO I HAVE TO PAY?"
There is a public parking garage near 9th and Farnam, along with other garages, surface lots and metered parking throughout the RiverFront and Old Market area. Downtown is also served by buses and ride-share services.
Still, anyone who has driven downtown during a concert, festival or busy weekend knows that technically having parking and easily finding parking are two very different things.
Omaha’s streetcar is also expected to be operating by the time the market opens. In theory, that could allow people to park elsewhere along the route and ride into the RiverFront area.. AGAIN WHERE IN THE HELL ARE WE PARKING? AND HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?
Specific parking arrangements for the public market have not been fully announced, so yah I guess "build it and it they will come..."
Interested? Wnat to be a vendor? Sign up for updates at omahariverfrontmarket.org.
I am excited AND I would still like a clear parking plan before I start promising everyone a stress-free Saturday downtown.
Angela Peters | The Home Girl
Keeping It Real Estate in Omaha & Southwest Iowa
402-215-1529
thehomegirlne.com