Lockwood Development is considering a plan to transform Omaha’s first mall, raising concerns among nearby residents.
The proposed project would feature a mix of market-rate and affordable housing units.
OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Lockwood Development is exploring plans to redevelop the Center Mall into 500 apartment units along with office space, according to Omaha City Council President Danny Begley.
Constructed in 1955, the Center Mall was Omaha’s first shopping mall and one of the earliest multilevel malls in the United States.
The proposed redevelopment would include both market-rate and affordable housing. In a letter to nearby residents, city officials noted that the developer would require tax increment financing for the project to move forward financially.
Early stages of discussion
Begley said the proposal remains in its early phases. The city must first evaluate the site to determine whether it qualifies for tax increment financing.
“When I campaigned in ’21 and ’25, many people in the neighborhood would ask, ‘Are they ever going to do anything at the Center Mall?’” Begley said.
The mall continues to operate with existing businesses and employees.
Neighborhood concerns
Mary Graff, a longtime resident, recalled when the mall was a busy retail hub.
“There was a Brandeis on the bottom level, there was a Skaggs grocery store, there was Lollipop Lane, the little girls clothing store. I can’t even tell you all the stores that were there,” Graff said. “I shopped there a lot as a young adult, and I worked in the mall at the Center Bank at the time too.”
Graff and her neighbors, who have lived across from the mall for decades, expressed concern about adding more apartments to an area they believe already has many multifamily units.
“Most of these apartments that I see built today are not affordable housing, and that is not something we need,” Graff said. “Don’t see why we need more apartments in this city.”
Thomas Adams, another resident, questioned whether apartments are suitable for the site.
“There’s apartments everywhere. These people in the neighborhood complain about it. They don’t do nothing,” Adams said.
Housing need
Begley emphasized the growing demand for housing in Omaha and across the county, noting that the city is actively working to address the shortage.
“It’s something that the city, through our housing and affordable action plan, has worked on for years. It’s hard to do it overnight,” Begley said. “But projects like this, these are the ways you do it. You get more housing on the market, and when they commit to have some of these affordable, that’s a great need that we have.”
Begley added that he is engaging with residents and tenants to ensure their voices are heard.
“I wanted to be as transparent as I could and let as many people know, besides the neighborhoods with emails and communications, the media broadcast this so everybody knows about the meeting on May 21,” Begley said.
A public meeting with Omaha city officials and the developer to discuss the future of the Center Mall is scheduled for Thursday, May 21, at 5:30 p.m. at the Field Club Ballroom.
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