Howdy, Omaha — it’s Jeremy.
The unmistakable smell of Auntie Anne’s pretzels floods your nostrils. Teenage cackling fills your ears. The bright yellow bag in your hand came from a store entirely dedicated to Legos.
Yes, we’re at the mall for this week’s newsletter. And not just any mall — we’re at an outlet mall, the beating heart of suburban commerce.
This one’s called Nebraska Crossing, and it’s the only mall I’ve ever seen with its own water tower.
But owner Rod Yates imagined it could be more than a mall when he championed a successful legislative push in 2023 that created a new state program meant to spur transformational development by slashing sales taxes for a few designated “good life districts.”
Next to the Gretna shopping hub, Yates envisioned Olympic training facilities, PGA tournament championship golf, luxury residences, resorts and a youth sports academy. His application for a good life district won approval from the state.
A few big problems arose: He didn’t own most of the land, and the City of Gretna rejected his terms for carrying out the ambitious plan. Meanwhile, the program Yates helped design has resulted in a sales tax cut for Nebraska Crossing, ace reporter and Gretna native Sara Gentzler writes in our main story.
Lawmakers say it’s not what they intended, and Yates is looking elsewhere to save his dream for Nebraska Crossing.
You can read Sara’s story here (or click on the photo above).
— Jeremy Turley, Flatwater Free Press
Star chef revamps Sakura Bana
Sometimes, a restaurant that has been around for years and years falls totally off your radar, then, for whatever reason, pops back on it.
That’s what happened to me with Sakura Bana, a mainstay of family sushi dining in Omaha since 1986. When Chef David Utterback, owner of Yoshitomo and Koji, took it over earlier this year, I wondered what he might have planned, and returned twice in December to check it out.
It turns out he had quite a lot planned, including improving the sushi options, skinnying down the menu, and more. Read it in my review this week, of the rebooted Sakura Bana.
Sarah Baker Hansen is an award-winning writer who has covered Omaha’s food scene for more than a decade. She posts restaurant reviews and food news on her blog, sarahbakerhansen.com.
Happy New Year Omaha.
Whether you’re looking to laugh, dive into zines or make an impact in your neighborhood, we’ve got something happening this month for you.
LMAOmaha Standup Showcase
Don’t miss LMAOmaha, the ultimate stand-up comedy showcase lighting up Bar 39 in Omaha’s Blackstone District every first Thursday. Stick around after the laughs for live music.
– When: Jan. 16, 7 p.m.
– Where: 3916 Farnam St., Omaha
Alt Pub Omaha Zine Fair
Dive into the vibrant world of DIY publishing at Alternative Publishing Omaha’s 2nd Zine Fair. Discover and support local zinesters, comic creators, poets and small press enthusiasts in this one-of-a-kind artist market at the Union for Contemporary Art.
– When: Jan. 25, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
– Where: 2423 N. 24th St., Omaha
Grant Writing Workshop
The Omaha Neighborhood Grant is NOW OPEN! Apply by March 1 for up to $5,000 to fund resident-led projects that build leadership, grow community capacity, and make a lasting impact. Need help? Join One Omaha’s Grant Writing Workshop on Jan. 21 to strengthen your application.
– When: Jan. 21, 6-8 p.m.
– Where: Zoom (registration in link)
Cathedral Flower Festival
St. Cecilia’s Cathedral will be stocked with colorful bouquets for the 40th annual Cathedral Flower Festival. Warm up with a walk around the impressive church with music every hour as you take in vibrant colors you won’t find around Omaha until spring.
– When: Jan. 24, 7-9 p.m. Jan. 25, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Jan. 26, noon-5 p.m.
– Where: 701 N. 40th St.
18th Annual State of North Omaha: Transformation 2030 Summit
Be part of the change at the State of North Omaha: Transformation 2030 Summit at the Swanson Conference Center. Dive into key topics like entrepreneurship, housing and education while collaborating with local leaders. Don’t miss this free opportunity to celebrate progress, tackle challenges and create lasting impact.
– When: Jan. 25, 8:15 a.m.-1 p.m.
– Where: 5730 N. 30th St., Building 22, Omaha
— Xavier Jackson is an Omaha-based entrepreneur who connects creatives and forges more opportunities for them through his organization Local Art Plug.
Earlier this month, the Omaha Public Schools Board of Education drew criticism from several students who alleged the district hasn’t followed through on its environmental stewardship plan. The Central High students urged the board to hire a sustainability coordinator.
Read the full meeting minutes here.
If you’re looking for a civics-centric side hustle, consider becoming a Documenter! Documenters are trained and paid to attend public meetings and record what they see and hear. Our efforts put more eyeballs on government officials and build a more robust public record.
Create your profile here, and checkout our website to read summaries of public meetings that are produced as a result of the Documenters’ hard work!
Documenters are making a real change in their community. We would love to have you join us!
— Leah Wambui Keinama, Nebraska Journalism Trust
Stargazing is a favorite past time of mine, but this Saturday, I’m going planet-gazing at the Branched Oak Observatory. Four planets — Venus, Saturn, Jupiter and Mars — will all be visible to the naked eye. Uranus and Neptune can be seen through telescopes out at the observatory. Get a hot chocolate, bundle up and come enjoy the parade of the planets for free between 7-11 p.m.
— Han McClelland Wagoner, Nebraska Journalism Trust
A Reuters investigation found Berkshire Hathaway runs some of the country’s dirtiest coal-fired power plants, including an Iowa plant 10 miles from Omaha. The company’s energy division, run by Warren Buffett’s chosen successor Greg Abel, has fought pollution controls for years, reporters Tim McLaughlin and Joshua Schneyer found.
The Nebraska Legislature will — again — debate a winner-take-all electoral college approach, taking aim at the “blue dot” in Omaha. The district has voted for Democratic presidential candidates even as success eludes the party’s down-ballot candidates.
Omaha saw fewer homicides last year than any other since 1990. Police told Dan Crisler at The World-Herald that investments in community relationships and law enforcement are helping. (You may need a subscription to read this story)
Tenants of a downtown highrise are dealing with rats, bed bugs and sewage backups, according to WOWT. The city says it’s working with the landlord, who’s had similar problems with other properties.
Omaha has had one of its least snowy winters, according to Channel 3 Meteorologist Joseph Meyer. He explained a few reasons why.
Cups Cafe, a coffee shop and launchpad for food entrepreneurs, reopened in Florence last week after a pandemic-induced closure in 2020, our sister publication Silicon Prairie News reported. The venture comes from nonprofit No More Empty Pots.
Mayor Jean Stothert wants to extend deferred retirement options for Omaha’s top police and fire leaders, WOWT reports. Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer would retire next year if the system is not adjusted, though he told KETV he would like to continue working on issues with juvenile offenders.
Omaha Metro is workshopping a new “micro transit” option to help fill gaps left by the existing bus system. The new approach would work like a rideshare app. See Metro’s site for community meetings tonight and this weekend.
The field vying for North Omaha’s city council seat grew to three as political consultant Mike Lee kicked off his campaign last weekend, KETV reported. Councilwoman Juanita Johnson’s challengers also include community organizer LaVonya Goodwin, who announced her candidacy in November.
The Flatwater Free Press is published by the Nebraska Journalism Trust, a 501(c)(3) public charity