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Council backs 85‑unit Leavenworth apartment project with TIF; vote splits 6‑1 amid neighborhood concerns
Summary
The council approved tax‑increment financing for an 85‑unit market‑rate apartment building at 3552 Leavenworth Street by a 6‑1 vote after residents raised concerns about zoning, parking and the effect on rents.
The Omaha City Council approved a tax‑increment financing plan for the 3552 Leavenworth Apartments, a proposed five‑story, 85‑unit market‑rate project, with a recorded vote of 6 to 1.
Don Seaton of the City Planning Department told the council the site contains two empty buildings and that the proposed development would be a new five‑story building with 85 market‑rate units. He said the project’s total investment is about $25 million and that the TIF request is $2,900,541. Seaton added that the project is located within the city’s urban core housing and mobility plan area and that some TIF revenues would contribute to streetcar construction.
Developer Ryan Spellman said the project had recently received rezoning approval and that construction plans and bids were in place. Spellman said demolition and construction were anticipated to start in the spring and that he expected to begin work in the coming months.
Neighborhood speakers raised concerns about zoning changes, parking, traffic and the area’s character. Larry Storer questioned how properties in the neighborhood became vacant and said new development and rezoning were changing the character of nearby residential streets. Cheryl Weston opposed the project in part because she said it would contribute to rising rents and argued that some TIF uses should better support affordability.
Councilmembers discussed neighborhood outreach, parking options and timeline. Councilmember Begley noted communication with neighborhood representatives and asked about landscaping and pedestrian connections; the developer said they had addressed landscaping and sidewalks in outreach.
After discussion, the council approved the TIF support by roll call, 6 to 1. The council recorded the vote and authorized the redevelopment plan to proceed subject to normal permitting and financing steps.
