Vinton Silos, senior living project move forward with tax incentive

The Omaha City Council approved a redevelopment plan for what's been dubbed the Vinton Silos redevelopment project Tuesday, authorizing tax increment financing of up to $10.5 million that could be used to offset site preparation, engineering and other infrastructure costs.

The developer proposes demolishing a large, decommissioned grain elevator and some of the adjacent silos. The remaining silos and their foundations would serve as the base for four new apartment buildings of varying heights with 233 market-rate units, including some in a rowhome style design.

Councilman Ron Hug, whose district includes the defunct silos at 3417 Vinton St., said before the meeting that multiple previous attempts to redevelop the properties have faltered over funding. 

In the interim, the silos have been the subject of repeated complaints from neighbors over concerns about trespassing, vandalism and safety. In May 2024, firefighters rescued two juveniles, one of whom was hospitalized, from the structures. A man broke his leg while exploring the structures with others in 2017.  

"In my opinion, this is why TIF is created, to help these projects come to completion," Hug said. The current proposal would be an asset to the community.  

The South Omaha Trail, used by cyclists, runners and walkers, passes by the 120-foot silos. The bases of the silos there are painted with a series of colorful panels that, combined, form a mural.

Patrick Mason, a member of the development team, said equity has been raised and obtaining approval for the TIF was the last major item left to complete. The team plans to begin construction yet this year and finish in two to two and a half years, although pieces would open in phases. 

"We're fully committed," said Mason, director of business development for Dicon, a general contracting and construction management firm that will be doing the work.

Andrew Adams, a nearby resident, however, objected to awarding TIF when the developers don't plan to take down all of the silos. A row will remain along the south side of the property closest to the interstate.

"They'll be a daily reminder to Omaha, who chose to leave the job half done," he said.

But Mason said the costs of demolishing all of the silos would be prohibitive. The developers will secure the remaining structures. They also have been working with the Nebraska Department of Transportation, which eventually will take down more of the structures to fill in underneath the interstate bridge. The state has demolished some in the past.

Some neighbors earlier had raised concerns about the impact the project — and its future residents — would have on traffic in the area.

But Mason said the developers have spent a lot of time speaking with neighbors and have held four neighborhood meetings, including two within the last six weeks. The developers also have been conscious of introducing too much density when the size of the property would have allowed for more units. They also recognize the importance of the trail to the neighborhood.

"We really want to maximize the function of that trail," he said.

In other action, the council also approved a redevelopment plan authorizing TIF for another sizeable development expected to transform a different vacant structure that's past its prime. 

Developers of the proposed $36.5 million Novella Senior Living project would rehabilitate a roughly 32,000-square-foot vacant former nursing home at 4809 Redman Ave. to serve as a mixed-income independent living senior apartment complex. A three-story addition would expand it by nearly 108,000 square feet. Once completed, the complex would offer 160 apartments, with 136 affordable units and 24 market-rate apartments. The council authorized just more than $2.8 million in TIF.

The council had a shot at a redevelopment trifecta, but a developer requested that a third proposed housing project be laid over until later in July. 

Under that proposal, estimated at $56.5 million, two existing buildings at 2501 Center St. would be demolished and replaced with an apartment complex with 180 units, as well as 18 residential townhomes.

All units in the project would be affordable housing leased to income-qualified households. Under the plan, up to $3.6 million in TIF would offset some development costs.

Hug said the buildings were the original Kellogg's site, which more recently served as the Salvation Army Center.