Olde Towne Bellevue redevelopment

[Uffda]

What I found interesting is this company wants to have not only it’s land but several adjacent lots to the south declared blighted and substandard so they could qualify for a TIF if they decide to. Looking at the houses on these lots, this looks like a quiet street With well kept lawns like I have seen in other established neighborhoods.
Also according to the article once declared blighted there is no way in state law to ‘un-blight’ it.

Also interesting that the Bellevue mayor had to cast the deciding vote. He and his partner sold the land, they had purchased in 2016, in March for $100k - nice profit. And 8 months later, he has to cast deciding vote.

Humorous comment be developer “This is a weed- and tree-infested area that can be changed into very nice condos,…” I guess I like trees as I never though of an area infested with trees.
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Mercury Property Management hopes to build 10 town houses on undeveloped land south of West 16th Avenue between Jefferson and Franklin Streets. The company sought a blighted designation for its own property and more than a dozen lots to the south — most of which have existing homes on them — in an effort to receive tax-increment financing, a tax incentive meant to spur redevelopment in areas deemed blighted.


https://omaha.com/news/local/govt-and-p ... op-story-1

[Omaha Cowboy]

It’s silliness and I smell a rat (along with all of those horrible blight-inducing trees )..

This TIF attempt reeks of a “greed-grab”…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[TheSeventhBrat]

What I found interesting is this company wants to have not only it’s land but several adjacent lots to the south declared blighted and substandard so they could qualify for a TIF if they decide to. Looking at the houses on these lots, this looks like a quiet street With well kept lawns like I have seen in other established neighborhoods.
Also according to the article once declared blighted there is no way in state law to ‘un-blight’ it.

Also interesting that the Bellevue mayor had to cast the deciding vote. He and his partner sold the land, they had purchased in 2016, in March for $100k - nice profit. And 8 months later, he has to cast deciding vote.

Humorous comment be developer “This is a weed- and tree-infested area that can be changed into very nice condos,…” I guess I like trees as I never though of an area infested with trees.
###################
Mercury Property Management hopes to build 10 town houses on undeveloped land south of West 16th Avenue between Jefferson and Franklin Streets. The company sought a blighted designation for its own property and more than a dozen lots to the south — most of which have existing homes on them — in an effort to receive tax-increment financing, a tax incentive meant to spur redevelopment in areas deemed blighted.


https://omaha.com/news/local/govt-and-p ... op-story-1

Bellevue is very much a small town, politically speaking.

[Vitruvius]

Look how much of Omaha is declared blighted and substandard. Shouldn't declarations such as this be put to a vote of the taxpayers?

[Athomsfere]

Look how much of Omaha is declared blighted and substandard. Shouldn't declarations such as this be put to a vote of the taxpayers?

No legend there, but in my book everything not purple is blighted...

And some of what is purple too.

Joking aside: So once developed how is blighted stricken from the designation?

[Dundeemaha]

The city council votes to remove the designation.

[Vitruvius]

Look how much of Omaha is declared blighted and substandard. Shouldn't declarations such as this be put to a vote of the taxpayers?

No legend there, but in my book everything not purple is blighted...

And some of what is purple too.

Joking aside: So once developed how is blighted stricken from the designation?

[Uffda]

The city council votes to remove the designation.

According to the article

“Bellevue City Attorney Bree Robbins said that as state law is currently written, the designation blighted and substandard does not go away after redevelopment.

“There is no avenue in the Nebraska statutes that un-blights something,” Robbins said. “That is something that we can certainly have conversations with our state legislator about.”

[Dundeemaha]

The city council votes to remove the designation.

According to the article

“Bellevue City Attorney Bree Robbins said that as state law is currently written, the designation blighted and substandard does not go away after redevelopment.

“There is no avenue in the Nebraska statutes that un-blights something,” Robbins said. “That is something that we can certainly have conversations with our state legislator about.”

I agree that redevelopment doesn't unblight something. Nothing automatically removes the designation.

Omaha has removed the blighted designation, the highest profile (only?) example I can remember is Old Mill after TD Ameritrade got their HQ built.

https://omaha.com/news/local/city-counc ... d4564.html

So either things things have changed and cities can't remove the designation, the Bellevue City Attorney interprets the law differently than Omaha, or he meant nothing automatically removes the designation instead of the more general sounding quote.

[skinzfan23]

Mercury Builders plans project in Bellevue's Olde Towne

The City of Bellevue is teasing that “big news” is coming to Olde Towne.

Phil Davidson, the city’s community relations coordinator, posted Sunday on Facebook that the city will hold a groundbreaking ceremony and announcement Thursday morning related to the former City Hall site in Olde Towne.

I don't expect any earth-shattering news but hopefully something decent.

[ita]

Mercury Builders plans project in Bellevue's Olde Towne

The City of Bellevue is teasing that “big news” is coming to Olde Towne.

Phil Davidson, the city’s community relations coordinator, posted Sunday on Facebook that the city will hold a groundbreaking ceremony and announcement Thursday morning related to the former City Hall site in Olde Towne.

I don't expect any earth-shattering news but hopefully something decent.

Bellevue officials announce plans to revitalize Olde Towne area

multistory building featuring luxury apartments and 18,000 square feet of retail space will rise in Bellevue's Olde Towne, paving the way for the revitalization of the city's core.

The new building will rise at the northeast corner of Mission Avenue and Washington Street. The site previously was home to Bellevue City Hall.

The four-story building, dubbed The Bridge Flats in the Frontier District, would feature 53 one- and two-bedroom luxury apartments on the upper levels, said Jeff Gehring, co-owner of Mercury Builders, which is behind the project. The main level would include 18,000 square feet for retail.

It also would feature a landscaped and furnished courtyard with an outdoor kitchen and grill station as well as space for such activities as yoga or bocce ball.

The plan calls for redeveloped façades for businesses on the south side of Mission Avenue. Officials said that would give the area a more uniform look.

[Garrett]

Bocce ball really is in everything now eh?

[TitosBuritoBarn]

Meh. It’ll bring some life downtown but it’s certainly not a visually interesting building.

[Coyote]

The Bridge Flats in the Frontier District

The City of Bellevue, Mercury Builders, its partners, city officials, dignitaries and honored guests broke ground for a new development in Olde Towne Bellevue today.

[ricko]

Bocce ball really is in everything now eh?

It’s the racquetball of the 2020’s. My condo association is supposed to build one outside the gym. The racquetball court in our gym hasn’t been used in the 10 year’s I’ve been here—-it’s full of resistance machines now. Nice thing is, at my age I’d probably find bocce ball more my speed.

[Brad]

Bocce ball really is in everything now eh?

It’s the racquetball of the 2020’s. My condo association is supposed to build one outside the gym. The racquetball court in our gym hasn’t been used in the 10 year’s I’ve been here—-it’s full of resistance machines now. Nice thing is, at my age I’d probably find bocce ball more my speed.

I thought Pickleball was the racquetball of the 2020's?

[Garrett]

Bocce ball really is in everything now eh?

It’s the racquetball of the 2020’s. My condo association is supposed to build one outside the gym. The racquetball court in our gym hasn’t been used in the 10 year’s I’ve been here—-it’s full of resistance machines now. Nice thing is, at my age I’d probably find bocce ball more my speed.

I thought Pickleball was the racquetball of the 2020's?

Pickleball is much harder to play drunk at a bar

[Coyote]

'It’s going to be a game changer':
After years of trying, Olde Towne Bellevue finally being revitalized

Olde Towne Bellevue has largely looked the same — old — for quite a while, with efforts to revitalize it constantly falling through. “That story’s been told so many times,” said Mayor Rusty Hike. 3 News Now reported on past efforts including in 2018 with then-candidate for mayor, Rusty Hike saying he wants to revitalize Olde Towne. Now it’s happening. “It’s going to be a game changer I think. Look a whole lot different,” said Hike.

The announcement and groundbreaking that occurred Thursday was for a 53-unit apartment complex, with plans to add on. But really the politicians and community members were celebrating the end of the era and the start of another one. While some will always call it Olde Towne, the area will now be called the Frontier District. “A lasting mark that’s going to go forward for generations. This should be a catalyst for the area. And create new investment, new development, bring new tenants in,” said Hike. Mission Avenue will also become more pedestrian friendly. It will be reduced to two lanes and diagonal parking will be added.

Hike mentioned he’d eventually like to see a grocery store, banks and eventually, a brewery in the area; amenities those living near Olde Towne just haven’t had. “There are a lot of residents that have been here for generations and they’re not served very well,” said Jeff Gehring. Congressman Mike Flood said the changes will be critical to bring in young people. “Young people want to work and play where they live. And they want development in the core of communities. It’s happening across the state and to have it happen here, where Nebraska started, is very exciting,” said Flood. Construction on the first phase of the project is set to start in October with street repair beginning around the same time.

[skinzfan23]

About what I expected. The building is nothing special, but I think the biggest change might come with the streetscape enhancements if done nicely. They are planning on changing from 3 to 2 lanes, add diagonal parking and landscaping with wider sidewalks.

[Athomsfere]

3 to 2 lanes is at least great!

Also, shouldn't we move this to the suburban forum?

[Coyote]

OLDE TOWNE REDEVELOPMENT TO BEGIN IN FALL



The saying “It’s been a long time coming” doesn’t seem to quite do it justice. Many residents in the community remember calls for Olde Towne revitalization for more than 20 years. The wait may soon be over. In a press conference on Thursday, Bellevue Mayor Rusty Hike, Bellevue Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Michelle Andahl, and Jeff Gehring with Mercury Builders announced the beginning of a series of developments for the Olde Towne area. Mercury Property Management, Inc. submitted plans to the Bellevue Planning Commission to build a 4-story building on Lots 1 and 3 of Civic Center Plaza. These two lots were the former home of City Hall. The specific area is on the north side of Mission Avenue between Washington and Jefferson Streets.

The official name of the development is The Bridge Flats and it will be part of a new Frontier District.

[Coyote]

6 News Exclusive: Updates on Bellevue’s Olde Towne redevelopment
Phase one of the new Frontier District is set to begin construction soon

BELLEVUE, Neb. (WOWT) - Back in August, officials broke ground on The Frontier District, a highly anticipated revitalization project in Bellevue. The first phase: The Bridge Flats.mSet to bring 53 luxury apartments and retail space for restaurants and shops. For the past few months, there hasn’t been any action on the land, but that’s about to change. “We should have a grading permit here in the next 2-3 business days and we would look to begin starting right after that,” said Jeff Gehring, one of the developers. The preliminary grading approval is expected to come Monday, according to the city administrator. Construction will follow.

“The grading process we feel can begin probably the latter part of next week through the following week.” All the construction plans are done and submitted to the city. Now they’re finalizing costs. ‘ It’s the final tabulation of all the costs. Just to make sure everything is in line. Just so we don’t have to make changes to the building itself down the line. But I think everything looks pretty good.” Starting with the apartments, the developer shared the anticipated timeline. “The apartments will be available probably 12 to 14 months from now, if we don’t have any issues with supply chain. Could be a little bit longer than that. At the same time, we’ll try to do the tenant finishes and get some of the retailers in there. Probably between 14 to 16 to 18 months.” That’s by the end of 2023 into early 2024. The plan is to also do a street reconstruction. 6 News was told that the city intends on doing that in parallel with the building development.

[skinzfan23]

Glad to see plans progressing

[Coyote]

Development to revitalize Olde Towne Bellevue still on the table despite setback

[skinzfan23]

That is disappointing. Don't understand why Bellevue can't get anything decent developed.

[ChadJK]

Is the Frontier District part of Olde Towne or is it the new name for Olde Towne?

[Coyote]

Open house this week for downtown Bellevue Mission Avenue revitalization project



On Thursday, Bellevue will host an open house to get feedback from the community about the Mission Avenue revitalization project. Mayor Rusty Hike said the project was created to bring downtown Bellevue back to what it once was. The area has been recoined the Frontier District and they are rebranding it as more pedestrian friendly and slowing the traffic down. The city wants suggestions from the community on what they want downtown to look like. They have already heard suggestions like making sure there is a bike lane and a place to park the bikes.

The project is expected to be completed within the next year and a half. The open house is Thursday April 6th between 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm at the Bellevue Volunteer Fire Hall at 2108 Franklin Street.

[Athomsfere]

Didn't we move this to Suburban Omaha once before?

[Louie]

Didn't we move this to Suburban Omaha once before?

I thought so, too. Since it's literally a suburb.

[SpecificPacific]

Anyone heard any movement on this one? Seems like Bellevue has been more focused on prematurely announcing developments than getting things done.

Still waiting on this development, news on the Casino/Horsetrack, and an indoor water park. Meanwhile development along Fort Crook continues to detoriate

[skinzfan23]

Anyone heard any movement on this one? Seems like Bellevue has been more focused on prematurely announcing developments than getting things done.

Still waiting on this development, news on the Casino/Horsetrack, and an indoor water park. Meanwhile development along Fort Crook continues to detoriate

I say this all the time but Bellevue seriously lacks any great development. Other than having Twin Creek Cinema, nothing else really stands out at all. All of the other cities in the metro have something. Papillion has revitalized downtown, Shadow Lake, and Papillion Landing. La vista has city centre. Gretna has the outlets. Ralston has the arena, horseman’s park and soon to be casino. Even CB has the casinos, bass pro.

For a city of 65,000, Bellevue is severely lacking. Not to mention they have no central community space whatsoever. Not sure how developable the land is between 25th st and Hwy 75 just north of 370, but that seems like an ideal place for something like the water park.

[BRoss]

Not sure how developable the land is between 25th st and Hwy 75 just north of 370, but that seems like an ideal place for something like the water park.

The creeks in that area complicate things. They'd definitely have to build a bridge over Mud Creek to access most of the area.

[Brad]

Not sure how developable the land is between 25th st and Hwy 75 just north of 370, but that seems like an ideal place for something like the water park.

The creeks in that area complicate things. They'd definitely have to build a bridge over Mud Creek to access most of the area.

Most of that land is in the “Flood Way”, which you can’t build in at all. The part that’s left is in the “Flood Plain” which you can only fill 25% of. All said and done, you end up with next to nothing for buildings which makes the infrastructure really expensive.

[ChadJK]

I must have missed Downtown Coffee Shop closing in Olde Towne Bellevue. That place was definitely a fixture in Olde Towne. They were there almost 40 years. I knew a lot of people that loved the place. I ate there a few times over the years and it was always just okay for me (average diner fare at best), but I could never convince anyone else of that. It was always on a pedestal. It looks like they closed up 10/1/2022.

Downtown Coffee Shop
119 W Mission Ave
Bellevue, NE 68005
(402) 292-7100
http://downtowncoffeeshopbellevue.com/

[ita]

Per last week's Grow Omaha Newsletter:

https://growomaha.com/weekly-market-rep ... r-14-2023/

Mercury Builders will begin construction soon on The Bridge Flats, a $12.3 million, 4-story, mixed-use building at 210 West Mission Avenue in Olde Towne Bellevue. It’s part of an overall project known as The Frontier District, which is intended to transform Bellevue’s downtown area into a thriving commercial and entertainment destination.

Bellevue city officials and Mercury Builders broke ground last month on the new building as well as The Frontier District, an urban development area with a name reflective of Bellevue’s status as the “First City of Nebraska.” Bellevue is the state’s oldest city as well as the third largest.

The Bridge Flats will have 53 luxury residential units with 18,000 sq. ft. of first-floor condominium space for retail and business tenants located along the north side of Mission Avenue between Washington and Jefferson Streets. Construction is scheduled for completion in September 2024.
...
Thomas said the building will help fill a retail void in Bellevue.

“The Olde Towne area retail consistently remains 100 percent leased, and this additional retail will serve as a great launching pad for businesses that want to start or expand into Bellevue,” Thomas said.