OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — With new businesses, renovation plans and collaborations; the vision for north Omaha's 24th Street corridor is coming to life.
This past summer there was a big push to revitalize the area, and business owners say they are seeing some improvements.
Sacred Heart Ministries rolled out their new food pantry, Grown Folks Private Club is now an option for social life and world boxing champ Terence Crawford opened his new apparel shop.
All of this is welcomed change after years of revitalization planning, according to Director of Culxr House Marcey Yates.
"Conversation is really cool, but when you see things opening and developing that makes me smile because that means we have action," Yates said. "It's been a lot of talking for years."
Yates has created a space for artists and musicians at Culxr House.
He has been in north Omaha for the last year, but just moved his business onto N. 24th Street.
His goal is to bring back music and entertainment to the historic area.
"Giving them (youth in Omaha) outlets, resources and platforms to be self-sufficient, sustainable as an artist and an entrepreneur."
Yates believes there is still work to be done when it come to revitalizing north Omaha.
He offers a hub for creatives, but says this is just one piece to the puzzle.
LaVonya Goodwin, a board member on N. 24th Street's Business Improvement District, agrees.
She adds, in order for this area to boom, it takes a few different things. Goodwin says housing, transportation and zoning are a few examples.
"We are seeing them emerge," Goodwin said. "I think now the question becomes how fast can it happen? I think it's important that we plan strategically, so it happens right."
She adds, along with new business, Goodwin's Spencer Street Barbershop and Carnation Ballroom will be renovated in 2020. Again, another effort to bring life back to N. 24th Street.
Both Goodwin and Yates are excited about the changes happening.
They hope their vision of a vibrant community can slowly be restored.
"If we can revitalize this, not only are we going to uplift a major thoroughfare in Omaha, but we are also going to preserve the culture, preserve the jazz history, preserve the civil rights history and really elevate this community to the national level really where it belongs," Goodwin said.
She added N. 24th Street just received board appointments for it's Business Improvement District.
According to Goodwin, this means north Omaha can assess a tax to raise money for infrastructure improvements.
