UNMC employees and students, as well as the patients, families and visitors who live in downtown, midtown and the Blackstone District, may eventually have an easier way to get to the med center.
Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert on Wednesday announced plans for a streetcar line running between downtown Omaha and the UNMC and Nebraska Medical Center campus.
The proposed line not only would impact those who work and live in the downtown/midtown area, but also, by decongesting traffic and helping increase available parking, would have a positive impact across the region for visitors to Omaha’s downtown and midtown areas.
UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, MD, attended the mayor’s press conference.
"The ongoing development that we’re seeing around the med center will only accelerate with the addition of the streetcar route adjoining our campus," Dr. Gold said. "This is another important step in keeping UNMC and Nebraska Medicine attractive employers and in making the med center area one in which professionals and families will live, work and play for decades to come. This is particularly important as it will connect all of the facilities between the med center and the riverfront."
The streetcar, which would be free to all riders, is not projected to be in operation until 2026. According to a press release from the city, the streetcar will be built, operated and maintained without a property tax rate increase or sales tax increase.
According to the city, the streetcar will run on a three-mile route from Cass to Farnam streets on 10th Street, taking Farnam west to 42nd Street and returning to 10th Street on Harney.
At the same news conference, Mutual of Omaha and the mayor announced that the business would move its headquarters from its current location to downtown where the W. Dale Clark Library stands. The library is being relocated, and Mutual of Omaha's new 40-story tower would sit along the streetcar route.
Nebraska Medicine leases office space at the south Mutual of Omaha building at 33rd and Farnam streets, also known as East Campus Corporate Pavilion (ECCP).
"We're excited for the growth of our midtown neighbor and what this means for city development," said Cory Shaw, executive vice president-chief operating officer. "At this early stage, we do not know if Mutual's announcement will impact the office space we lease at ECCP."
This is awesome news! It will be an incredible boost for UNMC/Nebraska Medicine patients, families, faculty, staff and students and visitors, all of the businesses along the route, for our environment and for everyone living, working and visiting our city! Can't wait to see it come to fruition!