Omaha City Council Meeting – September 16, 2025

The Omaha City Council met on September 16, 2025, at 1:41 PM (adjourned at 3:58 PM) to consider a wide range of items, including a major amendment to the Urban Core Housing and Mobility Redevelopment Plan to allocate $490 million in TIF revenues for the streetcar, affordable housing, and protected bike lanes. The meeting opened with a recognition of Terrence "Bud" Crawford's historic boxing victory and a proclamation honoring Francisco "Paco" Fuentes. The council approved a resolution authorizing the plan amendment and heard extensive public testimony on a related contract with Front Porch Investments for $40 million in affordable housing funding.

Recognition & Proclamations

• Terrence "Bud" Crawford: Councilmember Goodwin recognized Crawford for becoming undisputed super middleweight champion on September 14, 2025, by unanimous decision against Canelo Álvarez. The council applauded his sportsmanship.
• Francisco "Paco" Fuentes: Councilmember Hugg read a proclamation honoring Fuentes for his lifelong commitment to South Omaha, including 21 years as director of the South Omaha Boys & Girls Club, military service, and mentoring youth.

Consent Calendar

• Items 14–18 (public hearings held September 9, 2025) were approved unanimously (6–0).
• Items 19–28 (public hearings held on September 16, 2025) were approved unanimously (6–0) after a brief proponent testimony on Item 26 (Omaha Housing Authority voucher renewal).

Public Comments & Testimony

Items 12 & 13 – Urban Core Plan Amendment & Front Porch Contract:

• Proponents (20+ speakers, including city officials, developers, and community leaders):
  • Jennifer Taylor (City Law) explained the amendment authorizes $490 million in TIF bonds for streetcar construction, affordable housing, and bike lanes. The $40 million for housing would be funded by a private placement bond subordinate to streetcar debt, with no taxpayer risk.
  • Steve Jensen (Deputy Chief of Staff for Economic Development) noted $1.4 billion in development already occurring in the corridor, with projections of $4 billion over 15 years, supporting up to $150 million in TIF bonds.
  • Jody Holston (Front Porch Investments) stated that Front Porch has deployed $35.5 million to 28 projects producing over 1,700 affordable units; 85% included deeply affordable units (30–60% AMI). The $40 million could support up to 1,900 homes in the urban core.
  • Multiple developers (Rob Woodling, Michael Moroni, Darren Smith, Jake Hoppe, Jindai Fraser, Cheryl Garst, Amanda Brewer, Jeff Speace, Matthew Kavanaugh, Justin Tyree, and others) testified that Front Porch’s gap financing is critical to making affordable housing feasible, and urged support for emerging and small developers.
  • Clarice Dombeck (Redress Movement) expressed support for the investment but urged that majority of units serve households at 50% AMI or below to prevent exclusion of Black families, noting the current 120% AMI cap ($136K for family of four) would price out many.
  • Cheryl Weston (emerging developer supporter) offered cautious support, stressing that meaningful inclusion of minority and emerging developers must occur.
  • Akeedra Hagens (Spark CODA program) shared her personal story of growing up in public housing and becoming a developer through technical assistance.
• Opponents:
  • Luis Jimenez opposed approving the contract before bond financing was finalized (expected November 2025) and raised concerns about concentrating poverty in the urban core and lack of citywide affordability tools.
  • Larry Store questioned transparency and alleged conflicts of interest among proponents.

Discussion Items

Items 12 & 13 – Urban Core Housing and Mobility Redevelopment Plan Amendment / Front Porch Contract:

• Councilmember Festerson led detailed questioning of Ms. Taylor and Jody Holston:
  • Confirmed the $40 million is from private placement bonds bought by a philanthropist, subordinate to streetcar debt; taxpayers bear no risk.
  • Front Porch will administer funds, targeting 30–60% AMI units, with 20-year affordability requirements (10 years for single-family).
  • The fund will recycle over time, potentially supporting up to 6,000 units in 20–30 years.
  • Applications will not return to council; city has representation on review committee.
  • Funds are restricted to the urban core redevelopment area (Cuming St. to Woolworth, 50th St. to river) but will expand citywide upon loan repayments.
• Councilmember Hugg questioned whether adjacent bike trail areas could be included; Ms. Taylor explained legal constraints under community development law.
• Councilmember Melton expressed initial concerns about spending future TIF revenue but was persuaded by the no-taxpayer-risk structure and the need to secure land now for affordable housing. Emphasized that the bond documents will return for council approval in November, providing a second check.
• Councilmember Goodwin highlighted the importance of small and emerging developers, noting that Front Porch’s fund is now open on an ongoing basis to support infill and missing-middle projects.
• Councilmember Rowe advocated for broader affordability action beyond this plan, referencing the Housing Affordability Plan (HAP) and a new task force on decent and affordable housing.

Other Items:

• Item 30 (Settlement for Catherine Belcastro Gonzalez – $500,000 plus $160,000 attorney fees) passed 5–1, with Councilmember Hugg voting no.
• Items 29, 31–35 were approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Item 6 (Class I liquor license for Revival House): Approved 6–0.
• Items 7 & 8 (PSP Acres preliminary/final plat): Approved 6–0.
• Items 9–11 (Cherry Creek rezoning, final plat, subdivision agreement): Approved 6–0.
• Item 12 (Resolution to approve Urban Core Housing and Mobility Redevelopment Plan Amendment): Approved 6–0. The amendment authorizes up to $490 million in TIF revenues for streetcar, affordable housing, and protected bike lanes, and specifically allocates $40 million for affordable housing contingent on bond approval.
• Item 13 (Ordinance to approve redevelopment contract with Front Porch Investments): No vote taken; council discussion indicated it will be voted on at the next meeting (September 23, 2025).
• Item 30: Settlement approved 5–1.
• All other consent and regular items (items 14–29, 31–35) were approved unanimously (6–0).