Plans for ‘beautiful’ skyscraper in downtown Lincoln have some concerned

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A new development in the Haymarket is raising some concerns among local business owners.

Lincoln Bold developers aim to bring some luxury to the Haymarket area. 

“This 22-story building will be a beautiful glass building,” developer Steve Glenn said. “Perhaps the most beautiful building between Chicago and Denver.” 

The development will be built on the Melichar’s site at Ninth and P Streets, where right now there is a gas station. 

It will have 33 condos, 77 luxury apartments, four floors of commercial space and a private club. 

Developers say they are currently working with the city on the final elements of the development process. 

They hope to start construction by August. They say it could take two to three years to finish. 

“We are in discussions right now on filling all the space on the commercial sites, as well as in the coming months, we will start selling condo units,” Glenn said. 

But many business owners in the Haymarket area are expressing concerns about the project. 

“It’s going on one-eighth of a block, which means that all their staging area needs to go into the street, and that will severely hinder entry access to our businesses as well as parking,” said Matt Taylor, a local business owner. 

Haymarket business owners say they fear that the two to three years of construction will have a negative affect downtown’s economy.  

“I’m not against the Lincoln Bold project; I’m against the place where they’re trying to place it,” Taylor said. “I’m for the project, I love Lincoln, I want Lincoln to grow. However, where they’re placing it doesn’t make sense.”

A group called Save the Historic Haymarket has a petition online in opposition to the development plan.