Full closure of Boehmer Street in Lincoln’s music district expected to speed up the O Street Project

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – City officials announced updates to the O Street Project on Thursday, saying it’s going better than expected.

“This closure marks a major step forward as we elevate downtown,” said Lincoln Transportation and Utilities director Liz Elliot.

A prime reason for the progress is the full closure of 14th Street between N and P streets, which started on Monday and will last until Fall 2026.

The street, also known as Boehmer Street, is in the heart of Lincoln’s music district.

SEE ALSO: Lincoln’s newly named music district is home to much more than Zoo Fest

The plan is to keep all businesses on that street open during construction.

“Crews are currently installing and updating key infrastructure, which includes major street improvements like storm water and main replacements,” said Elliot.

LTU is also updating lighting in the area and fixing sidewalks. Regulars in the area say they’ve noticed how quickly crews are working.

Omar Attaie, the owner of Pita and Naan, says what he’s seen so far keeps him optimistic that the city will stay ahead of its timeline.

“We saw them in front of Jimmy John’s when I came into the restaurant one morning, and by afternoon they were already laying out and pouring the new concrete and flattening it out, so yeah, we’ve been impressed by what we’ve seen so far,” said Attaie.

Lali Sage also works in the downtown area and said that although some of the closed sidewalks create extra walking, she worries about what it means for driving in the area.

“Traffic is very chaotic,” Sage said. “It’s sometimes very hard to turn from one lane to (points to) that way!”

However, she has faith the city will get it all done.

“I want to trust the government, right now it’s a little chaotic, but I am hoping that they are done by the fall of this year because if that’s going to happen, it will help everyone,” said Sage.

Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird says the area will have a brief reopening in July to celebrate Zoo Fest, and prior to that, there will be a block party on April 30th with live music.