Council finds Gold's Lot 3 redevelopment in conformance with Lincoln comprehensive plan

City planning staff told the Lincoln City Council on July 20 that the proposed Gold's Lot 3 redevelopment meets the city's comprehensive-plan requirements and design-review recommendations.

Halley Salem, urban development department, described the proposal as rebuilding a former four-story site into an 11-story apartment building with roughly 330 residential units, 5,000'10,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space and about 95 below-grade parking stalls. Salem said the planning commission (June 24) recommended the project for comprehensive plan conformance on a 5-0 vote.

Andrew Willis, attorney for the developer, detailed the project's scale and financing: the proposal is roughly a $90,000,000 development, Willis said, with approximately $13,500,000 in tax-increment financing and an additional estimated $8,700,000 to be captured in years 16'20 to help fund public improvements such as streetscape work on 11th, 10th, 0 and N Streets. Willis also said about 10% of units would be targeted affordable housing at 60% area median income.

Councilmembers asked about timing and neighborhood concerns. Councilman Beckias urged quicker progress to fill a long-standing hole at the site; Councilwoman Washington noted one written opposition focused on potential view impacts to a neighboring unit and asked staff to explain standards (staff said the project meets Capitol View corridor requirements and comprehensive-plan infill goals). The developer said it expects to return in August with requested changes and to present a redevelopment agreement to council for review in September.

The council voted to find the project in conformance with the comprehensive plan on a unanimous recorded vote.