The Omaha Performing Arts nonprofit says it will no longer seek land from the city to use for future expansion, but will continue with a property sale that will allow HDR, Inc. to move its headquarters downtown.
OPA President Joan Squires and Board of Directors member D. David Slosburg announced the decision Monday afternoon.
The Omaha City Council recently heard public comment on a proposal that would allow the OPA to expand and HDR, Inc. to build a headquarters downtown. They were expected to vote on the issue at their meeting next week.
The decision means the city of Omaha will no longer need to acquire the three nearby properties to the east.
"We looked at all of it in a whole because we feel like an organization that listens to the community. We really wanted to step back and separate our timing from HDR’s immediate need to come downtown so that we could look at the long range. And certainly this divisiveness has not been productive for any of us so we’re really going to take the time and look at our needs over the next months and years,” Squires explained.
OPA sold the 50,000 sq. ft. parking lot at 12th & Dodge St. to HDR for $3 million.
Kristine Gerber, the Executive Director for Restoration Exchange Omaha says they're thrilled by the decision and it's a preservation win for everyone.
“This was something that really did divide the community and it really was hurting their brand because people really believe that these buildings should be saved, and we were showing through our architectural plans being developed that they easily could be saved," Gerber explained.
OPA still owns the green space between the Holland Center and the 3 buildings in question.
Omaha mayor Jean Stothert said she was shocked by the news.
"I was surprised but I do support the decision that they made," said Stothert.
Stothert said now HDR can come downtown without the 10-million dollar deal, "It all can be achieved without us having spend the money on purchasing those buildings to make the transaction happen".
Previous coverage on KMTV:
Public weighs in on 11th and Douglas buildings at city council meeting
