Omaha Streetcar Discussion

[Doctor Fate]

Someone on the Nebraska Examiner FB page was claiming they knew people who lived within a three block radius of the streetcar who were going to be paying a "special property tax" and were complaining that the media wasn't reporting on this. Anyone heard this before?

[Garrett]

Someone on the Nebraska Examiner FB page was claiming they knew people who lived within a three block radius of the streetcar who were going to be paying a "special property tax" and were complaining that the media wasn't reporting on this. Anyone heard this before?

No one is going to be paying a separate extra secret tax. The project is being paid for using TIF, as has been widely discussed.

[Louie]

Someone on the Nebraska Examiner FB page was claiming they knew people who lived within a three block radius of the streetcar who were going to be paying a "special property tax" and were complaining that the media wasn't reporting on this. Anyone heard this before?

No one is going to be paying a separate extra secret tax. The project is being paid for using TIF, as has been widely discussed.

Lot of misinformation in that fb comment thread.

[Doctor Fate]

Someone on the Nebraska Examiner FB page was claiming they knew people who lived within a three block radius of the streetcar who were going to be paying a "special property tax" and were complaining that the media wasn't reporting on this. Anyone heard this before?

No one is going to be paying a separate extra secret tax. The project is being paid for using TIF, as has been widely discussed.

Lot of misinformation in that fb comment thread.

I called bullshit on it but this lady is adamant lol.

[Louie]

Someone on the Nebraska Examiner FB page was claiming they knew people who lived within a three block radius of the streetcar who were going to be paying a "special property tax" and were complaining that the media wasn't reporting on this. Anyone heard this before?

No one is going to be paying a separate extra secret tax. The project is being paid for using TIF, as has been widely discussed.

Lot of misinformation in that fb comment thread.

I called |expletive| on it but this lady is adamant lol.

The misinformed usually are. She probably just doesn't understand what a TIF is.

[almighty_tuna]

More in the news from State Sen Linehan thinking she somehow has state-level oversight on how Omaha spends its money. Can someone talk to the streetcar manager about this?

[bricknose]

'Nobody talked to us at all': State senators now meeting Omaha officials about streetcar project

A number of Linehan's streetcar bills have been referred to the unicameral's Urban Affairs Committee.

LB389 would restrict the use of tax-increment financing, a tool used to pay for the project. LB691 would require the city or owner of a fixed rail or streetcar system to pay project-related costs for utilities. LB693 would require an authority under the Community Development Law to pay project-related costs for utility work for a fixed rail or streetcar system.

"I love the idea of a streetcar," Linehan said. "It's how we're paying for it that concerns me."

Sounds to me like purposeful legislative poison. And why exactly should a state senator in Elkhorn be consulted about a project in Omaha’s urban core, anyway?

[Louie]

‘Nobody talked to us at all’

BECAUSE YOU HAVE NO SAY YOU IDIOT

[djc311]

'Nobody talked to us at all': State senators now meeting Omaha officials about streetcar project

A number of Linehan's streetcar bills have been referred to the unicameral's Urban Affairs Committee.

LB389 would restrict the use of tax-increment financing, a tool used to pay for the project. LB691 would require the city or owner of a fixed rail or streetcar system to pay project-related costs for utilities. LB693 would require an authority under the Community Development Law to pay project-related costs for utility work for a fixed rail or streetcar system.

"I love the idea of a streetcar," Linehan said. "It's how we're paying for it that concerns me."

Sounds to me like purposeful legislative poison. And why exactly should a state senator in Elkhorn be consulted about a project in Omaha’s urban core, anyway?

He/she/they shouldn’t have to be. They can go pound sand, too little, too late. This |expletive| has been in the media for what, at least 3 years?

Find something else to |expletive| about to act like you care about your “constituents”.

[Omaha Cowboy]

'Nobody talked to us at all': State senators now meeting Omaha officials about streetcar project

A number of Linehan's streetcar bills have been referred to the unicameral's Urban Affairs Committee.

LB389 would restrict the use of tax-increment financing, a tool used to pay for the project. LB691 would require the city or owner of a fixed rail or streetcar system to pay project-related costs for utilities. LB693 would require an authority under the Community Development Law to pay project-related costs for utility work for a fixed rail or streetcar system.

"I love the idea of a streetcar," Linehan said. "It's how we're paying for it that concerns me."

Sounds to me like purposeful legislative poison. And why exactly should a state senator in Elkhorn be consulted about a project in Omaha’s urban core, anyway?

He/she/they shouldn’t have to be. They can go pound sand, too little, too late. This |expletive| has been in the media for what, at least 3 years?

Find something else to |expletive| about to act like you care about your “constituents”.

Like I stated in an earlier post regarding this- completely soaked in ill-will..also pretending “to do something” for your constituents”? Laughable.. Hopefully people can see through this nonsense..

Its too little too late anyway…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[djc311]

I think it will be icing on the cake once the first hole is dug on the lot - the more I think about what she's trying to pull, the funnier it is to me.

Perhaps she was in a coma for the last 3 years? Or, a political forum retreat off the grid??? LOL

Since she covers Elkhorn maybe she should try and figure out that cluster-F of an intersection just north of Dodge and 204th (to turn into Menards). Every time you turn around they're dropping another business about 100' from the corner. That's all brand new development, how could they not plan accordingly when they made that mouse trap?

Must be the same traffic engineers that designed the intersection at L St Marketplace where you can turn into Target/Starbucks or Walmart/Home Depot. One of the worst. intersections. ever!

[Louie]

Must be the same traffic engineers that designed the intersection at L St Marketplace where you can turn into Target/Starbucks or Walmart/Home Depot. One of the worst. intersections. ever!

I'm pretty sure that intersection made a top ten list in the US for worst intersections.

[BRoss]

I'm pretty sure that intersection made a top ten list in the US for worst intersections.

It was 132nd and L that made that. They are talking about a no-named street where 126th should be. It can be really hard to get out from the parking lots.

that cluster-F of an intersection just north of Dodge and 204th (to turn into Menards)

They are going to be putting a roundabout in next year to help with that - http://keepomahamoving.com/projects/205 ... ffic-study

[Athomsfere]

I'm pretty sure that intersection made a top ten list in the US for worst intersections.

It was 132nd and L that made that. They are talking about a no-named street where 126th should be. It can be really hard to get out from the parking lots.

that cluster-F of an intersection just north of Dodge and 204th (to turn into Menards)

They are going to be putting a roundabout in next year to help with that - http://keepomahamoving.com/projects/205 ... ffic-study

Surely you mean 120th and L?

Not that 132 and L is much better. Seriously, who built this area?

[BRoss]

Surely you mean 120th and L?

Not that 132 and L is much better. Seriously, who built this area?

Nope, it was 132nd and L - https://usa.streetsblog.org/2013/02/05/ ... n-the-u-s/

[Athomsfere]

Surely you mean 120th and L?

Not that 132 and L is much better. Seriously, who built this area?

Nope, it was 132nd and L - https://usa.streetsblog.org/2013/02/05/ ... n-the-u-s/

Man, missed the mark slightly then. I mean, sure it's terrible but I'm gonna still say 1 mile east is much worse.

[BRoss]

Surely you mean 120th and L?

Not that 132 and L is much better. Seriously, who built this area?

Nope, it was 132nd and L - https://usa.streetsblog.org/2013/02/05/ ... n-the-u-s/

Man, missed the mark slightly then. I mean, sure it's terrible but I'm gonna still say 1 mile east is much worse.

If you think 120th & L is bad now, wait until this (page 53)

[Athomsfere]

Surely you mean 120th and L?

Not that 132 and L is much better. Seriously, who built this area?

Nope, it was 132nd and L - https://usa.streetsblog.org/2013/02/05/ ... n-the-u-s/

Man, missed the mark slightly then. I mean, sure it's terrible but I'm gonna still say 1 mile east is much worse.

If you think 120th & L is bad now, wait until this (page 53)

Ugh, yeah. Time to nuke it and start over.

[MetcalfeHarrison]

It will be interesting which team they end up selecting out of the two. I've spent some time looking at both and it seems like a "local" option vs a more experienced option. The whole thing that worries me about the job is total cost and going over the $306 million they have for all-in costs.

Usually you would expect the local option (Kiewit) to be a better value than the more national companies (Herzog/Ames), but Kiewit doesn't do much outside of the private and donated markets in Omaha. I would think Ames has done more low-bid work in the metro with I-480/I-29 project they're doing across the river right now. Kiewit is just such a large corporation it's hard to know what their pricing will be like.

Omaha really has one chance to get this right with how much the anti-streetcar people are going to latch on to every negative thing. The second things start coming in over budget that will be all you hear about from everyone that ever questioned the project. Herzog's experiences in KC right now with the second phase of their streetcar and in OKC where it was a low-bid project are really intriguing in my eyes.

In the end, it'll probably be Kiewit with all the connections they have to local decision-makers and hopefully it all comes together. As long as it doesn't turn into the Green Line Extension project they worked on in Boston, they'll probably figure it out.

[Coyote]

Omaha streetcar plan in jeopardy under proposed legislation,
Omaha mayoral aide says
A tax-increment financing bill spurs lively discussion

LINCOLN — A bill before the Nebraska Legislature could kill Omaha’s modern-day streetcar, as it would curb future tax-increment financing revenue that city leaders are counting on to pay off the project.

That’s according to Steve Jensen, a City of Omaha economic development aide, who spoke Tuesday at a legislative committee hearing on the TIF-related bill introduced by State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn.

‘Red flag’

While Legislative Bill 389 does not specifically mention the planned $300 million-plus streetcar system, Linehan had it in mind when crafting the language. The bill would prohibit TIF from being used on a parcel twice within a 50-year period. Linehan told the Legislature’s Urban Affairs Committee that she isn’t necessarily opposed to the streetcar — she said she loves Omaha’s urban core — but believes TIF has become overused and helps finance some development ventures that would have happened even without the public subsidy. “I want to wave a red flag and ask some questions,” said the senator, who chairs the Legislature’s Revenue Committee. Though TIF is used statewide, Tuesday’s public hearing was dominated by testimony and concerns about Omaha. Generally with TIF projects, which require city approval, property tax revenue generated on new development is used for up to 20 years to cover eligible redevelopment costs instead of going to traditional recipients such as school districts. After the TIF loan schedule, the tax revenues on that more valuable property start flowing to the traditional recipients.

Bill conflicts with city, chamber vision

Jensen, who was among a few who spoke in opposition to LB 389, told lawmakers that he believed Omaha officials have used TIF as the economic development tool that state statute intended it to be.

… The Urban Affairs Committee took no action Tuesday on LB 389. …

[skip]

Would be devastating if this bill passes - hopefully some minds are changed and we are able to move forward with the streetcar and the development that comes along with it.

Truly can't see this bill passing - MoO tower could even be in jeopardy if the build is contingent with the streetcar

[djc311]

Omaha streetcar plan in jeopardy under proposed legislation,
Omaha mayoral aide says
A tax-increment financing bill spurs lively discussion

LINCOLN — A bill before the Nebraska Legislature could kill Omaha’s modern-day streetcar, as it would curb future tax-increment financing revenue that city leaders are counting on to pay off the project.

That’s according to Steve Jensen, a City of Omaha economic development aide, who spoke Tuesday at a legislative committee hearing on the TIF-related bill introduced by State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn.

‘Red flag’

While Legislative Bill 389 does not specifically mention the planned $300 million-plus streetcar system, Linehan had it in mind when crafting the language. The bill would prohibit TIF from being used on a parcel twice within a 50-year period. Linehan told the Legislature’s Urban Affairs Committee that she isn’t necessarily opposed to the streetcar — she said she loves Omaha’s urban core — but believes TIF has become overused and helps finance some development ventures that would have happened even without the public subsidy. “I want to wave a red flag and ask some questions,” said the senator, who chairs the Legislature’s Revenue Committee. Though TIF is used statewide, Tuesday’s public hearing was dominated by testimony and concerns about Omaha. Generally with TIF projects, which require city approval, property tax revenue generated on new development is used for up to 20 years to cover eligible redevelopment costs instead of going to traditional recipients such as school districts. After the TIF loan schedule, the tax revenues on that more valuable property start flowing to the traditional recipients.

Bill conflicts with city, chamber vision

Jensen, who was among a few who spoke in opposition to LB 389, told lawmakers that he believed Omaha officials have used TIF as the economic development tool that state statute intended it to be.

… The Urban Affairs Committee took no action Tuesday on LB 389. …

I'll say it before - it took 3+ years for this clown to figure this out and decide to propose these changes now???

Perhaps they should find something more useful to do with their time, instead of trying to be the person that destroys some of the downtown area's largest projects.

What a moron.

[djc311]

Watch out soccer fans - she's coming for you next!

[Athomsfere]

What's sad, and good:

The Nebraska Examiner is trying really hard to report just the facts of the meeting.

What's sad: The average EOmaha forum member seems to have a better grasp of how all of this works than the senator from Elkhorn.

She can't afford to live on the line? Where do you think that problem comes from? NIMBY twats that block development, that's where. Build the streetcar, build new apartments, let there be incremental development, and finally let time run it's course.

Blocking a move like this only keeps the unaffordable housing a thing longer, and promises a darker future for transit and cars.

And if all of this is above your head, or paygrade: At least just stay in your lane.

[PotatoeEatsFish]

Nebraska desperately fighting progress in our only major city is fitting. I really wonder where we get so many brain dead idiots scared of any change. Do we get them all from Tekamah?

[Louie]

And I repeat myself, these types of things are why young people leave.

[Doctor Fate]

And I repeat myself, these types of things are why young people leave.

100%

[nebugeater]

Nebraska desperately fighting progress in our only major city is fitting. I really wonder where we get so many brain dead idiots scared of any change. Do we get them all from Tekamah?

With thoughts and comments like this, I wonder why there is no support from out state Nebraska?

[Louie]

And I repeat myself, these types of things are why young people leave.

100%

Was there similar opposition when SLC built theirs?

[almighty_tuna]

It's inconceivable anyone within 50mi of Omaha, much less one who claims to represent citizens in the area, does not know about the financing mechanisms of the streetcar project. TIF is a financing tool that has successfully done its job throughout the city.

This short-sighted bill is another example of the recent posturing and pandering to contend property taxes are the reason for population exodus. Can't have TIF b/c it diverts funds from traditional tax roll recipients and now b/c of the streetcar our schools are underfunded so property taxes must go up while the state funds donations to private schools.

As someone earlier in this thread pointed out, where are her objections to the multitude of expensive highway expansion projects in areas that have less population than many zip codes in Omaha. She can claim she loves downtown but her actions that will negatively affect development across the metro for decades speak volumes to the contrary.

[Louie]

This short-sighted bill is another example of the recent posturing and pandering to contend property taxes are the reason for population exodus. Can't have TIF b/c it diverts funds from traditional tax roll recipients and now b/c of the streetcar our schools are underfunded so property taxes must go up while the state funds donations to private schools.

Someone should spray paint her yard with this paragraph. Well said.

[Athomsfere]

It's inconceivable anyone within 50mi of Omaha, much less one who claims to represent citizens in the area, does not know about the financing mechanisms of the streetcar project...

Sadly, it's not anymore. It really seems that a big part of the GOP has latched on and normalized putting opinions, disinformation, and lies within the same realm of acceptability of actual information.

And I don't mean to get into politics. Its just you see things like this, or the bills for abortion bans, our stance on marijuana, etc. etc. and you just can't help but see these people have never actually tried to learn anything.

And it is causing the brain drain. As much as Omaha might want to be an enclave for a little more progressiveness. It's hard when the state is so, so terrible at everything.

[TitosBuritoBarn]

It's always great when elected officials don't understand the issues they are tasked with making decisions on. That said I think the mayor or the public engagement effort should have highlighted that this should be thought of as a starter line that will eventually serve the interests of Senators McKinney and Hunt.

[ita]

If Senator Linehan just wants some questions answered, then go ask all the people involved privately. This is political theater. She said it herself, and I apologize if I misquote, but she said she needs to do something to appease her constituents. That's all this is, "hey look guys, I am trying to stop this streetcar project you all keep complaining about."

[Doctor Fate]

And I repeat myself, these types of things are why young people leave.

100%

Was there similar opposition when SLC built theirs?

I'm not sure. I was still a kid in Nebraska when SLC built theirs lol and I didn't live here when they were doing all their expansions.

But a couple years ago, they were proposing an extension to one of the lines and there was some opposition. Generally, not to the line itself but to where it was positioned. Some wanted it solely one one side of the freeway and others wanted it to include a stop on the other side as well because there was a corporate HQ for Pluralsight that was being built.

[nebport5]

Someone should introduce legislation for a permanent Elkhorn wheel tax to make up the the years of freeloading.

[Louie]

Someone should introduce legislation for a permanent Elkhorn wheel tax to make up the the years of freeloading.

Now we're talking.

[omahahawk]

I don't know. I would like to think the streetcar project is too far along at this point with Mutual breaking ground and everything. However, got to admit state politics in Nebraska really do concern me here. After all, at the end of the day it really only took one person to bring down Jobbers Canyon.

[BRoss]

You can contact her and let her know your thoughts - https://nebraskalegislature.gov/senator ... istrict=39

[skip]

You can contact her and let her know your thoughts - https://nebraskalegislature.gov/senator ... istrict=39

Please do! Emailed her an hour ago. She needs to hear more of everyone's opinions on this forum. Obviously, she is only hearing complaints from the individuals who do not want the streetcar.