Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Affordable Housing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves Florence Boulevard TIF for rehab of vacant building amid calls for more neighborhood outreach
Summary
The City Council approved TIF assistance of up to $241,850 for a 12-unit rehabilitation at 2214 Florence Boulevard despite council members asking the developer to increase community engagement and commit to property security and resident outreach.
The Omaha City Council approved a tax-increment financing redevelopment project plan of up to $241,850 for a rehabilitation of a long-vacant historic row-home at 2214 Florence Boulevard in North Omaha. The developer, Brian Nix of Pine Grove Investment LLC, plans to rehabilitate the structure to create 12 two-bedroom apartment units and said the property will be committed to low-income housing for 20 years through a partnership with Front Porch Investments.
City planning staff described the building as a dilapidated structure on the city’s demolition list that will be fully rehabilitated under the project. Don Seaton of City Planning said the total investment is about $1.3 million and that the project meets TIF criteria. Nix said he had reached out to community players and neighbors but had not held a formal community meeting; several council members asked that the developer increase direct outreach and suggested hand-delivered flyers or a neighborhood meeting.
Council members also asked about property security at the vacant building; the developer said a property manager regularly secures the site and that a property manager and construction staff check it. Council Member Hugg asked for a more proactive daily check and the developer agreed. Council Member Johnson said she would feel more comfortable if the developer scheduled a meeting with her and committed to ongoing community conversations; Nix agreed to meet and to improve outreach.
Votes and procedure: After discussion, a motion to accept the TIF plan and related agreement passed 7-0.
Why it matters: The project converts a long-abandoned building into committed affordable housing units with a 20-year affordability commitment, and council members used the hearing to press for stronger community engagement to ensure neighborhood buy-in and protect the property during rehabilitation.
