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Omaha council approves Lake Street grocery project after developers address parking and safety concerns
Summary
The council approved rezones, plats and agreements for a Lake Street grocery project tied to Heart Ministry Center and philanthropic partners after proponents highlighted food-access benefits and a remote property owner raised concerns about traffic, noise and parking; developers described internal loading and a large parking lot and estimated an October-November groundbreaking.
The Omaha City Council approved a set of ordinances, plats and resolutions authorizing a new Lake Street grocery project and related land-use changes aimed at creating an in-fill grocery and neighborhood anchor in the 24th and Lake corridor.
Council Member Goodwin (speaker 4) and other proponents said the project, developed with Heart Ministry Center and philanthropic support, will improve food access in a documented food desert, create jobs and catalyze further redevelopment along North 24th Street.
"This project is very unique and exciting, because we know that Heart Ministry Center has worked directly with the community to design something that reflects what residents actually ask for," said Zeke Rous (speaker 16), a policy fellow at Spark, during online testimony supporting the project.
Remote participant Ethel Mitchell Rock (speaker 17), who owns a historic property nearby, said she supports bringing a grocery store to the area but warned of traffic congestion, noise from rooftop equipment, delivery truck impacts and parking pressure for residents.
The development team (speaker 15) responded that the site includes a significant parking lot intended to serve the facility, that loading will be pulled off the street into an internal loading area, and that the team plans parallel parking and a crosswalk with a signal to improve pedestrian safety. The developer said they anticipate October-November groundbreaking pending due diligence, with heavy construction starting next spring.
Council discussion emphasized coordination with public works and neighborhood stakeholders, and members noted workforce development ties with the Heart Ministry Center. After questions and a motion, council approved the related items by roll call; the vote recorded 7 to 0 in favor.
Why it matters: The project aims to place a full-service grocery in a long-underserved area of North Omaha, a priority for community groups concerned with food access. Neighbors raised traffic and parking concerns that the developer said it would mitigate through design and off-street accommodations.
The council approved the development entitlements; additional community meetings were scheduled to refine site and traffic details.
