OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — In her tenth State of the City address, Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert said the city is "on track."
The wide-ranging speech lasted just under a half hour.
"We are on track to make Omaha an even safer city," she said. "On the right track to open new venues for education, entertainment and recreation all connected by a modern streetcar. On track to open a state-of-the-art central library. On track with our long-term strategy of improving our aging streets."
She started on public safety, including police and fire. She said Omaha has a steadily declining crime rate while many cities are seeing the opposite. More than 30 cities plan to come to Omaha to learn.
Omaha hasn't had a homicide in the first 80 days of 2023, she said, prompting the address' first round of applause.
But she said the recruiting trend for law enforcement is worrying. She says the city will negotiate with the police union to offer higher wages to Omaha police officers.
On the planned streetcar, she mentioned an analysis shows the economic impact to be far beyond her expectations. She emphasized only businesses along the corridor served by the streetcar will pay for the project.
"Only those who benefit from the streetcar will pay for the streetcar," she said.
3 News Now asked what benefits a streetcar will provide that ORBT and the city's bus routes do not. She said an HDR study shows development around streetcar routes.
"I can tell you about a billion dollars worth of development that is occurring," Stothert said, referring to the planned Mutual of Omaha tower and work on the company's midtown site. "The reason that comes is because it's permanent. You do not see a massive amount of development around a bus route. Because, tomorrow, we could change that bus route. We're looking at a totally mobility system."
Excess funds will be used to invest in affordable housing, she said.
She said she hopes to continue to lower the city's property tax rate with help from "economic activity and a broader tax rate."
In a post-speech media meeting, 3 News Now asked Stothert about potholes.
During the speech, she touted the "long-term solution" of street improvement projects made possible by a voter-approved bond.
We asked if the city might consider returning to contractors to help fill in potholes during the winter months. Assistant Public Works Director Austin Rowser told us last month he'd like to see those contractors in those peak months.
Stothert said there's difficulty in contractors getting and moving asphalt from the plant the city uses.
She also said she hasn't decided on if she might run for a fourth term in 2025.
Watch the full address here or on our Facebook page.
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