Grow Omaha
Projects

Construction on the Mid-American Energy Tower is now reaching the treetops. The 138-foot-tall recreation and observation tower is under development along the Missouri River just north of the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge. It’s part of the Rivers Edge area of Council Bluffs. The tower will have multiple platforms on different levels taking visitors above the trees to experience the expansive and unique river, woodland and city views. An adventure course will provide challenging outdoor activities, including an outdoor 50′ climbing wall, simulated caving experiences, and a roll-glide ride.

The tower will be built above the flood zone, at the levee system’s elevation, to allow opportunities for use when the Missouri River levels fluctuate. An elevated walkway from the levee provides access. The structure will be supported by piles driven to bedrock and designed for flood conditions, including the potential impacts from ice. Public seating and restroom facilities will be connected to the elevated walkway.

Photo by Brad Williams

Ashland Brewing Company is wrapping up construction on its new building on the southwest corner of U.S. Highway 6 and Nebraska Highway 66 in Ashland. The 10,600 sq. ft. brew pub will have four pickleball courts, a rooftop deck and outdoor seating around fire pits. The locally owned restaurant will be part of the 4.3-acre Whitetail development. Opening is scheduled for this summer.

Construction is now underway on the final piece of the $300 million Riverfront parks project that completely renovated Gene Leahy Mall, Heartland of America Park and Lewis & Clark Landing. It’s a set of pickleball courts just north of the Kiewit Luminarium. Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority, which runs the Riverfront parks, had to wait on permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers before construction could begin.

Photo by Brad Williams

The University of Nebraska Board of Regents approved the first Intermediate Design Report, or IDR, for the first phase of Project NExT known as Project Health. Project Health is the $2.19 billion healthcare facility planned for 7.5-acre site that was formally home of the Munroe-Meyer Institute. The new facility will provide modernized facilities and could potentially allow UNMC to accommodate around 200 more students per year. The IDR approves needed demolition and relocation of utilities, installation of storm water and drainage systems, excavation and reconstruction work for heavy building components, such as elevator shafts. – Isaiah Ang

The first “finished” part of Eppley Airfield’s $1 billion terminal remodel and expansion project is now complete in the south terminal on the lower level near the Delta and Frontier ticket counters. It’s a set of men’s and women’s restrooms. The new terminal will have nearly double the square footage as old one and will feature centralized security, more restaurants/shops and international arrivals capability. The new terminal will open in phases, but the final completion will take place in 2028.

Photo credit: Omaha Airport Authority

Wood framing has started on the second floor of the NOVA Apartments southeast of 12th & Nicholas Street in North Downtown. NOVA will be a 5-story building with street-level retail and 74 apartment units. The building will include 20,000 sq. ft. of street-level retail space for lease. The first floor has been framed with steel beams. Floors two through five will be wood framed. It’s one of several new buildings planned for the Millwork Commons district north of Charles Schwab Field.

The Omaha Airport Authority recently published this aerial photograph depicting construction progress at Eppley. Between the terminal modernization/expansion and the front drive canopy project, more than $1 billion in improvements are currently underway at what is the busiest airport in Nebraska and Iowa. The new terminal will have nearly double the square footage as old one and will feature centralized security, more restaurants/shops and international arrivals capability.

Photo credit: Omaha Airport Authority

Crews recently started installing exterior glass panels on the east side of the Mutual of Omaha headquarters building under construction at 14th & Farnam Street. Most of the 44-story building will be clad in a glass curtain wall. The building will be 677 feet tall with 800,000 sq. ft. of floor space. When it opens at the end of 2026, it will be the tallest building in the region including Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri and Kansas.

Photo by Brad Williams