[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6506719,"mediaKeyId","5530970-a94b27bfc6138a4002761de308bdf247","parentId",5530970,"title","Council hears detailed plan for downtown \"Project O Street\" TIF extension, bond ordinance and CIP amendment","audioSeconds",1103,"startMs",996000,"endMs",2099000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5530970-a94b27bfc6138a4002761de308bdf247&start=996&end=2099","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5530970-a94b27bfc6138a4002761de308bdf247/thumbnail_996000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6506719/Lincoln/Lancaster-County/Nebraska/Council-hears-detailed-plan-for-downtown-Project-O-Street-TIF-extension-bond-ordinance-and-CIP-amendment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6506719-728e6d6d9a84fd4e1a5c9e2420f142ef/orig.mp4?Expires=1771113722&Signature=ay0aAl9AAj8FDUaoHXiW537Nw~PYtB70OCdGCV-~G3tlkBteudR1iNRoMsWSzrhthnzBjWdTQA0QIvL1uG3frXP5vQ1OMI-Ibop3h1--BJFLkH9Uu64cXcp3PIt8vZvtJ2tZSRWPvoGaHAfGVAGYqauMwLJRDfzdZQKf78SACWNAKx2rPpCyXPab24NUE1eW-bX017vwxVp2m2twvhCczB0-29ymPGe5V0xaka0WEnddvY03w76XIhBccgvAdHSWKf6KJc0IPtamTtN0mZrYGx2yH0hJl~ZhXT~pr2sciOOCvYHs2ZQWbzGtlJAOZeA0aj7BSfQgRebfz0eBMKhFhw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Lincoln, NE","date","2025-08-04T20:53:41.51Z","article","City staff presented a package of redevelopment items for the downtown \"Project O Street,\" including a redevelopment-plan amendment to extend tax increment financing (TIF) from 15 to 20 years, a bond ordinance that would allow up to $31.2 million in tax allocation bonds, and a related capital improvement program amendment that adds $29 million in TIF-funded capacity.

John Carlson, speaking for the mayor's office, told the council the items would allow the city to pull funding forward to complete a comprehensive set of improvements on O Street between Ninth and 20th (twenty-eighth) streets. \"We're gonna improve infrastructure with new water main, smoother streets, upgraded sidewalks, safer pedestrian crossings, streetscape improvements, enhanced lighting, landscaping, public amenities,\" Carlson said, describing the package as a way to deliver the work faster and reduce repeated disruptions to businesses and residents.

The plan would remove Constellation Studios from the current redevelopment area (it already has its own TIF project), extend the TIF period for the district from the 2035 end date to 2040, and update the plan's \"up to\" financing numbers to reflect the extended TIF availability. Carlson said the legislation authorizing 20‑year TIF periods for \"extremely blighted\" areas (state law change referenced in discussion) already makes the project eligible for the extended period and that the proposed bonds would be structured over the remaining 15 years (2025–2040) to match the financing horizon.

Carlson said the financing approach is intended to minimize repeated mobilizations and reduce construction inflation: \"We wanna use the TIF bonding to pull the money forward right now, go in, close down when it needs to get closed down, do the improvements, get finished, get back out.\" He also explained the CIP amendment would reflect $7.25 million in federal funding and other sources alongside the proposed bond financing.

Council members asked about the geographic footprint (one member said they were \"surprised that it goes to 28th and P Street\" and noted residential areas in parts of the boundary) and about business access and contractor security during construction. Carlson said access for foot traffic would \"constantly be maintained\" and described an outreach and engagement team and a single-call system to respond to questions. On security for contractor equipment, staff said they would work with contractors to ensure appropriate barricades and safeguards.

Todd Ogden, president and CEO of the Downtown Lincoln Association, testified in support of the package. \"This project's long, long, long overdue,\" Ogden said, adding that the association would lead outreach to downtown businesses during construction and help channel complaints to the city's project team. Ogden emphasized the need to combine underground water-main work with streetscape improvements so businesses would not face repeated disruptions.

The presentation and public testimony focused on scope, financing, business access and outreach; city staff and bond counsel were present to answer technical questions. At the time of the transcript excerpt, the council had not taken a final recorded vote on the redevelopment plan amendment, bond ordinance or CIP amendment; staff indicated they were available for questions and for further public testimony.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lincoln City Council Meeting August 4, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City staff presented a package of redevelopment items for the downtown \"Project O Street,\" including a redevelopment-plan amendment to extend tax increment financing (TIF) from 15 to 20 years, a bond ordinance that would allow up to $31.2 million in tax allocation bonds, and a related capital improvement program amendment that adds $29 million in TIF-funded capacity.","taxTitle","Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska","taxId",2562,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6506714,"Council approves reappointments, engineering supplements, liquor permits, air-quality work plan, pregnancy test grant and a zoning change",283,286000,2158,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5530970-a94b27bfc6138a4002761de308bdf247&start=286&end=2","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5530970-a94b27bfc6138a4002761de308bdf247/thumbnail_286000.jpg","/articles/6506714/Lincoln/Lancaster-County/Nebraska/Council-approves-reappointments-engineering-supplements-liquor-permits-air-quality-work-plan-pregnancy-test-grant-and-a-zoning-change","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6506714-6615c94b8bc74a330ab77272f7a33fcd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771113722&Signature=Hj~Oii9Y3r2YSy0lQDKYuWGe8WwQ5uJCqK-xqkk1sZyVy~hcAodpdT8lAgjyDMYVUEOqtn3KM9FwCeleCDNDyp~OjXh5J-ZB7upc3YdbP0aau69WqubP6q~2TyWtrSpeXl71vnoK45x0ssBwnVCQ0OTv4SEjIPC6k0dnkPUVJkIik5qUQBWtqWtqkBMKKI7f6S7s3qpGhmAgd-mSaTaKwB00887YiJQqtPkA0aEmoCpfpweRwip1zRY8USjWaNsE2FpXf0m8MqXQbOkh2C0j7P~mC1ELqsuRmnvHXw947KOwf~BTxsPpQEaJeUshxuQzJwRGTfWFD7vnOHjIqX2dcA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lincoln City Council approved a slate of routine and public-hearing items on Aug. 4, including reappointments to advisory boards, engineering contract supplements, three special-designated liquor licenses, an air-quality monitoring work plan and a small grant to provide pregnancy test kits through public health vending machines. The council also approved a zoning change for Glen Oaks Plaza.

Key votes at the meeting (as recorded in the transcript):

- Consent agenda reappointments (Item 1a): The council reappointed Cindy Ryman Yost, Lorenzo Ball Jr. and Christy Joy to the Lincoln‑Lancaster County Planning Commission for terms to expire Aug. 24, 2031. Roll call recorded Bowers, Washington, Job, Beckius and Carlson voting \"yes\" and Duden voting \"no.\" Motion carried 5–1.

- Consent agenda appointment (Item 1b): The council reappointed Don Schroeder to the Electrical Advisory Appeals and Examining Board for a term to expire Aug. 15, 2028. Roll call recorded all responding members indicating \"yes.\" Motion recorded in the transcript as carried (tally in-roll call indicates unanimous yes responses).

- Professional services supplements (Items 1c and 1d): The council approved professional services agreement supplements with Schumer Associates Inc. for preliminary engineering services on the Waterford Trail (supplement No. 2) and for the Rock Island Trail / Streets to Bosales Trail (supplement No. 1). Roll calls for those items were recorded as unanimous (6–0).

- Special-designated liquor licenses (Items 4a–4c): The council approved three special-designated licenses covering outdoor and indoor areas at Haymarket/201 North Seventh and Eighth Street locations for dates in September–November 2025 and an Aug. 16, 2025 event. Motion carried 6–0.

- Air quality program (Item 5a): The council accepted the air quality program Section 103 work plan for PM2.5 activities covering April 1, 2025–March 31, 2027. Gary Bergstrom, Air Quality Program Supervisor for Lincoln‑Lancaster County Health Department, presented the agreement with the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy to pass through federal funds for fine‑particulate monitoring. Motion carried 6–0.

- Community Health Endowment grant (Item 5b): The council approved a contract with the Community Health Endowment of Lincoln for $15,000 (paid as $5,000 per year across three years, effective July 1, 2025–June 30, 2028) to provide home pregnancy test kits and related resources through vending machines, pharmacies and community partners. Carrie Kernan, health director, said the funds will buy test kits and that the health department is conducting an RFP to select a vendor. Motion carried 6–0.

- Change of zone (Item 7a): The council approved Change of Zone 07018b (application of Hampton Enterprises Inc.) to amend the Glen Oaks Plaza planned unit development to increase commercial floor area by 78,977 square feet (to a total of 258,000 square feet) and add 100 dwelling units at South 80th and Glen Oaks Drive. Motion carried 6–0.

Items on other parts of the agenda — including the downtown redevelopment plan amendment, bond ordinance and related CIP amendment for Project O Street — were presented and discussed but did not have a recorded final council vote in the provided transcript excerpt.

Details and clarifications: the air‑quality work plan is a two‑year pass‑through agreement with the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy for PM2.5 monitoring; the Community Health Endowment contribution is $15,000 total ($5,000 per year for three years) to support vending‑machine distribution of pregnancy test kits and linkage resources; professional services supplements were for preliminary engineering services with Schumer Associates Inc. for Waterford Trail and Rock Island Trail projects. Where roll-call specifics were provided, they are reported above; if a vote tally in the clerk's summary appeared inconsistent with an in-roll response, the article reports the roll-call responses as recorded in the meeting transcript.","The Lincoln City Council approved a slate of routine and public‑hearing items Aug. 4, including reappointments, engineering contract supplements, three special‑designated liquor licenses, an air‑quality work plan and a $15,000 grant to provide pregnancy test kits through public health vending machines.","actionData","errors"]

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Council hears detailed plan for downtown "Project O Street" TIF extension, bond ordinance and CIP amendment

Council approves reappointments, engineering supplements, liquor permits, air-quality work plan, pregnancy test grant and a zoning change