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Public hearing held on Brando townhomes TIF; opponents cite transparency, InCommon clarifies phases
Summary
The Omaha City Council heard public comment Thursday on a proposed TIF redevelopment agreement for seven Brando townhomes on Park Avenue; the nonprofit developer said the work is part of a three‑phase site, while opponents criticized transparency in TIF approvals.
The City of Omaha held a public hearing Thursday on a proposed tax‑increment financing (TIF) redevelopment agreement for the Brando townhomes project along Park Avenue.
Don Seaton of City Planning introduced the item and said staff was available to answer council questions. Cheryl Garst, housing director for InCommon Housing Development Corporation, answered council questions and described the project. Garst said the site is complex and consists of three phases; she said a 51‑unit affordable housing phase and a separate 63‑unit phase associated with other funding are already underway, and the seven townhomes that are the subject of the TIF item are part of that broader project.
Several members of the public spoke. Larry Storer of 5015 Lafayette Avenue opposed the ordinance as he said most TIF projects lack transparency; he said construction at the site was already visible and questioned whether public hearings offered meaningful opportunity to stop projects once construction began. Storer also raised concerns about potential conflicts involving developers, real estate companies and the council.
Cheryl Garst and City Planning staff responded to questions about timing and relationships. Garst said InCommon is a nonprofit developer with salary caps and asserted there is no connection between InCommon and the private Lund entities mentioned by a speaker; City Planning staff noted earlier project plan approvals and that two phases had previously been approved, which is why some construction had begun.
The transcript records the public hearing and statements by proponents and opponents; no final council vote on the redevelopment agreement appears in the meeting record.
