Lincoln City Council approves proposed hotel plan for 9th and O

Since late 2017, the lot where Knickerbockers used to stand at 9th and O streets has stood muddy and undeveloped.

However, the Lincoln City Council voted Monday on whether or not to fill the space.

The council voted 6-0 to approve a proposed amendment to the Lincoln Center Redevelopment Plan.  This plan includes a proposal to put a six-story hotel in the empty place.

It would have its own parking garage.

It’s a $31 million project. $28 million of it would be from private funding while $3 million of it would come from TIF funds.

Those for the hotel said the project could spur development in the South Haymarket area.

“If you ask yourself ‘what goes on in a downtown?’ you’d say ‘commercial opportunity and hotels and entertainment and anything that adds to the 24/7 feel that you want in a downtown,” said David Landis, the Director of Urban Development.  “This conforms with the Comprehensive Plan in our estimation.  We hope the council sees it the same way.”

Before developers can break ground, the council would also have to approve the project agreement between the city and HLI Development.  TIF funding would have to be authorized as well.

The mayor will get the final say on all approvals.