By John Ferak
WORLD-HERALD
http://www.omaha.com/article/20120410/N ... et-project
Former Omaha real estate agent and developer Kevin Irish, whose past problems with alcohol led to a jail sentence, plans to build a $2.3 million pet resort in Harrison Village Plaza in western Sarpy County.
The Sarpy County Board on Tuesday will be asked to approve a special use permit for Irish's Paw Spa Pet Resort, a 12,000-square-foot facility to be built on a vacant lot near Harrison and 168th Streets just west of the Runza restaurant.
Irish, 56, hopes to break ground before the end of the month and open in August.
Plans for the pet spa call for three indoor play areas, two grooming salons, and televisions — because, Irish said, dogs enjoy noise.
The building will have room for up to 105 dogs and 12 cats. The dog kennels will be generously sized — 6 feet tall, 4 feet wide and 8 feet deep — with skylights and an air-filtering system.
"This will be a unique village setting," said Irish, who plans to hire about 12 people.