What's Happening in Your Town: A Monday Update
If you're living in or around Omaha, here's some essential information to kickstart your week.
Progress Update on Local School Construction
Two local schools under construction, one at Stone Pointe and the other at Iron Bluff, have reached significant milestones. The first board meeting since these achievements is set to take place this week. The community had previously expressed concerns over the safety of these schools, which started welcoming students back in August.
After discussions with city authorities, the schools have released preliminary schedules for the remaining work: seven tasks are pending at Iron Bluff and eight at Stone Pointe. The city's mayor has reassured residents that the schools are safe for students despite ongoing construction. A representative from the school district stated last week that they are generally in line with the set deadlines.
By last week, the installation of fire panels and landscaping at both schools was expected to be completed. At Stone Pointe, work is also in progress on the art room and library.
Efforts to Address Downtown Sinkhole Begin
Repair work is set to commence on a sinkhole that has been untouched since the beginning of the year. The sinkhole, located downtown, was created when a garbage truck fell through the alleyway between two streets. It has since been cordoned off from the east side.
Last month, the mayor revealed that there had been disagreements between the city and the building owners over who should be responsible for the repair costs. Nevertheless, the repairs can no longer be delayed. A portion of 16th Street will be closed for up to four weeks, and the alley will also be entirely shut down. During this time, crews will coordinate with building owners to manage waste disposal and parking needs.
The sinkhole's situation had been a contentious issue in the mayor's race earlier this year. The repair work is expected to take most of the remaining year.
Upcoming Road Closures in Metro Area
Starting this week, several projects will affect travel in and around the city. Subject to weather conditions, 72nd at F streets will be closed from 8 a.m. Monday until 5 p.m. Tuesday for railroad track repairs.
Southbound motorists exiting I-80 at 72nd St will be redirected westbound at F St. to southbound 84th St. Traffic on N 72nd St will be detoured to westbound L St, then to northbound 84 St to access I-80.
Furthermore, Farnam Street at 10th Street and 10th Street southbound will also close this week for utility work, which is expected to last a month. The following week, 10th Street northbound will close for intersection work.
South Omaha House Fire Caused by Accident
A house fire that occurred in South Omaha over the weekend was determined to be accidental. The fire department responded to a call near 21st and Arbor streets late in the evening. The fire was quickly extinguished, and nobody was in the house at the time. There were no reported injuries.
The cause was identified as a work light that was placed too close to combustible materials, resulting in an estimated $18,500 in damages.
Local Volleyball Team Continues Winning Streak
The top-ranked local volleyball team secured another victory after a triumphant match against California on Sunday. More than 8,500 fans watched the home team dominate the game, ending the challenge with a commendable record.
The team showcased exceptional skill, with a .419 hit rate and limiting their opponents to just .088. They also had a significant lead in kills and posted nine blocks and six aces. The team has two more games coming up this weekend at their home court.
New Pedestrian Bridge to Open Soon
A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for the North Downtown RiverFront Pedestrian Bridge, also known as the Baby Bob, this week. The 1,100-foot-long bridge links the Bob Kerry Pedestrian Bridge to downtown, opening at 10th Street. The $7.5 million project began a few years ago, with the aim of reducing travel distance for pedestrians.
The city's mayor will be among the guest speakers at the event.