City Of Omaha: Downtown Branch Library

Press release from the City of Omaha:

February 1, 2022

Plans will begin immediately to design the new Omaha Public Library branch location in downtown Omaha.

The City Council approved the agreement to lease 1401 Jones, replacing the current W. Dale Clark library at 14th and Farnam. The library site is the future home of Mutual of Omaha’s corporate headquarters.

“This is a perfect opportunity for us to preserve a 112-year-old building I think we can do a world class building at 14th and Jones,” said Councilmember Don Rowe.

1401 Jones was the home of the David Cole Creamery until the 1940’s. It is currently owned by White Lotus Group.

“We are continuing our dedication to downtown Omaha, we have to look at the big picture,” said Councilmember Aimee Melton. “This is a prime opportunity for us to take something and put a new flavor on it.”

The Council also approved the agreement to lease the vacant Shopko store at 84th and Frederick for the library’s administrative offices, circulation, central distribution and some of the Omaha Public Library’s special collections for public access.

The ten-year lease at 1401 Jones includes an option to purchase the building, or opt out of the lease after five years. The annual lease cost is $465,000.

The estimated cost to design, renovate, and equip the building is $3 million, to be split evenly between the City and White Lotus Group. The 42,000 square foot building has three floors. The City will lease 30,000 square feet on two levels for walk-in library services.

The cost of the 10-year lease for the Shopko store is $405,000 annually plus an estimated $500,000 for remodeling.

The Omaha Public Library’s 2010 and 2017 Facilities Plans recommended a new branch location in downtown Omaha and a new central library.

“New development will continue to bring employees, residents, and new amenities downtown.” said Mayor Jean Stothert. “In its 2017 report, Himmel & Wilson recognized that public libraries are important for economic revitalization and community transformation. That’s what we will accomplish by implementing the recommendations of the facilities master plan.”

The lease agreements were previously approved by the Omaha Public Library Board of Trustees.

The new branch on Jones is expected to open later this year. The W. Dale Clark building will be demolished. Mutual of Omaha’s construction is scheduled to begin in early 2023.

"Thank you to the City Council members who supported the library lease agreements. Your vote is an important step that allows us to proceed on schedule with Mutual of Omaha’s plans to build its new corporate headquarters downtown," said Mayor Stothert.

This press release was produced by the City of Omaha. The views expressed here are the author’s own.