The city of Omaha is planning to invest $290 million in its downtown convention district along the city’s riverfront. The new development is set to connect the convention district, downtown Omaha and the riverfront.
“The plan to transform Omaha’s riverfront provides an open canvas for meeting organizers to really be creative when planning their events,” says Keith Backsen, Visit Omaha’s executive director. “The 90-acre project is a massive undertaking and will include many “wow” features that will make the area even more attractive for meetings, conventions and events 12 months out of the year.”
Features of the riverfront revitalization project include a substantial sprawling green space in the middle of downtown with a performance pavilion, botanical gardens, cascading waterfalls, park-side cafes, a sculpture garden, a water cove and a promenade that leads to cantilever overlooks suspended over the river. The enhancements continue with a boardwalk stretching along the river’s edge leading to Heartland of America Park Lake and continuing on to a brand new riverfront development that will include an urban beach, a one-of-a-kind children’s park, sports courts, a marina and home for a future Discovery Pavilion for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) activities. Construction is expected to begin in 2019 and the projected completion is 2022.
Founded in 1854, the city of Omaha has always been a dynamic, energetic city continually transforming itself. The Omaha riverfront and downtown area have experienced tremendous growth with more than two billion dollars in new development. A one-of-a-kind $22 million pedestrian bridge S-curves its way across the Missouri River, the signature, cable-stayed Bob Kerrey Bridge is one of the longest pedestrian bridge projects ever constructed, giving Omaha visitors a breathtaking view of the ever changing skyline. CenturyLink Center Omaha, the city’s convention center, and arena, attracts big name talent while providing a spacious technology-rich venue for conventions. The 346,000 sq. ft. facility is complimented by the two-million-dollar public art project, “Illumina.” Currently the 42nd largest city in the United States, the metropolitan area is home to more than 900,000 people who welcome visitors with open arms and authentic Midwestern hospitality. For more info, go to www.visitomaha.com
