City of Lincoln encourages community to support businesses during Project O Street

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Several city representatives are encouraging the community of Lincoln to support downtown businesses during Project O Street.

“This generational investment will enhance quality of life and grow economic opportunity for the people of Lincoln far into the future,” Mayor Gaylor Baird said. “As the City of Lincoln makes this major investment to strengthen our downtown, we are calling on our community members to invest in the downtown businesses that strengthen our economy, enrich our quality of life, and make Lincoln a wonderful place to live, work, play, and shop.”

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

Work on O Street began in early April, with the latest closure being on 14th Street between N and P streets for the Boehmer Street Music District improvements.

Crews will make street improvements, upgrade stormwater and water mains and install sidewalks, new lighting, brick pavers, tree grates and more.

The Lincoln Transportation and Utilities Director, Liz Elliott, said that, when possible, full closures will be used to expedite construction.

“We’re getting in, doing the work, and getting out. This (14th Street full closure) is just one way we are actively reducing the overall construction timeline for the project,” Elliott said. “These improvements will create a safer, more welcoming, and more durable streetscape for everyone who spends time downtown.”

Elliott said that during the project, full access to all the business will be maintained. She also said that signs will be posted to guide pedestrians around the construction safely.

Additional efforts by the city to support the affected businesses include:

• Free 1-hour parking vouchers that businesses can provide to customers using city parking garages
• Brochures and maps to help customers, residents and visitors find parking and visit local businesses
• Promotions such as billboards, street signs, coasters, banners and sidewalk stickers to help remind customers to buy local
• Allowance of additional signs in front of businesses and booths in Tower Square to help businesses advertise

In addition to continued virtual and in-person open houses, Elliott invited businesses and residents to weekly “Coffee with a Contractor” events at 9 a.m. Wednesdays, at the Music Box.

These events will provide downtown businesses, employees and residents with updates on how improvements may affect their week.

Current information on street closures is available at lincoln.ne.gov/closures or through the Waze mobile app.

For additional information about the O Street project or the open house event, visit ProjectOStreet.com.

To coincide with the music district improvements, the city will hold the Project NO Street Block Party on April 30 from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

The free concert will host local bands AM/FM and the Church of the Blues, featuring The Voice competitors Jadyn Cree Olesen and Josh Hoyer, respectively.