green streets master plan
City streets account for more land than all of Omaha’s parks, trails, schools, college campuses, public buildings and other public facilities combined. More than 2,000 miles of them pass through many different neighborhoods and types of land use.
Green Streets For Omaha defines a proposed Green Streets system for the city. It establishes design and landscape standards, addresses maintenance concepts and standards, and lays out a process to help identify priorities for implementation.
Sponsored by the City of Omaha and former Mayor Mike Fahey in conjunction with the Department of Parks, Recreation and Public Property, the plan is the work of a diverse task force comprised of representatives from the city’s public works and planning departments, Omaha by Design, the Omaha Public Power District, the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, Mulhall’s Nursery and the University of Nebraska at Omaha. RDG Planning and Design served as the project consultant.
The plan is divided into six chapters. The first identifies models and patterns for Green Streets, including local and national examples. The second examines the existing types of Omaha streets, including the city’s historic boulevard system, as well as their context. Subsequent chapters deal with retrofitting existing streets, installation and maintenance standards, and implementation and financing.
In addition to improving the city’s image and life for its residents, the plan, when implemented, will result in improved traffic safety, increased property values, increased pedestrian and bicycle access, better stormwater management and upgraded development.
For more information about Green Streets for Omaha, call 402.934.7055 or email info@omahabydesign.org.