Construction equipment covers part of Omaha, Nebraska‘s historic 16th Street this summer. The latest phase of the 16th Street revitalization project is happening between Harney and Howard streets, adding parking, planters, new trees, and updates to the street and sidewalks.
The 16th Street revitalization started on a stretch of 16th between Dodge and Douglas. Another portion was completed on a half bock from Harney to the alley on 16th. This summer’s focus is the block in front of the Orpheum Theater. Phase three will focus on a portion from Douglas across Farnam.
Holly Barrett with the Downtown Improvement District sits on the committee for this project. Barrett and Metro Transit both say they worked together on one important piece — pedestrian traffic. Metro Transit made major changes to routes in spring of 2015. One of those changes moved many bus routes off 16th Street.
“We’re really just looking to change the pedestrian environment in this whole corridor coming all the way from Dodge all the way down in to the beginning of Old Market,” Barrett said, “We’re looking to really revitalize this entire street. Return it to kind of what it was many years ago.”