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Council approves Lake Street grocery project after traffic and parking concerns
Summary
The City Council approved a package of items clearing the way for a Lake Street grocery store and related rezoning/plats. Proponents — including community groups and the developer — touted food-access and jobs; nearby property owners raised traffic, parking and safety concerns. Developers said they plan an on-site parking lot, internal loading and community engagement meetings.
The Omaha City Council voted to approve a set of ordinances and resolutions that clear the way for a Lake Street grocery store and related rezoning and plat approvals in the North 24th and Lake corridor.
Proponents including Sparks and the Hart Ministry Center described the project as a community asset that will provide fresh food access and job opportunities. "This project is very unique and exciting," Zeke Rous of Spark told the council, urging approval and noting continuing community vision meetings.
Neighbor Ethel Mitchell Rock, who owns the historic Broomfield Roadhouse at 2502 Lake Street, said she supported bringing a grocery store but raised concerns about traffic congestion, noise, delivery trucks, crime and parking. "I'm concerned about traffic congestion and safety... parking concerns," she said, asking the council to consider those effects on nearby residents and the 113-year-old building.
Council Member Lavanya Goodwin acknowledged the concerns and said the development team has been working with stakeholders and public safety partners. She urged the council and community to continue engagement: "There is concerted coordination for the revitalization and redevelopment of the North 24th Street area," Goodwin said, adding that the project team described plans to pull loading off the street, provide an on-site parking lot and add parallel parking and a crosswalk signal for pedestrian safety.
Developers said they expect to break ground in October or November pending due diligence, with heavy construction next spring. The council approved the related ordinances and resolutions by recorded roll calls; the items passed with unanimous votes where tallies were recorded 7-0.
Why it matters: The project is positioned as a catalytic investment in a documented food desert while also drawing scrutiny from immediate neighbors about traffic, parking and public-safety impacts. The developer and partners committed to further community engagement and traffic mitigation measures.
