City to sell parcels of north Omaha land at greatly reduced prices

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - The City of Omaha is looking to sell a lot of land at dirt cheap prices.

The land is in North Omaha, mostly north of Cuming Street and east of 30th Street.

“We would really love for a lot of them we can sell, to be sold to someone who is going to put them into a more productive use,” said Kellie Johnston-Dorsey, the City’s Assistant Director of Housing and Community Development.

A public hearing on the issue is scheduled for the Omaha City Council meeting on June 4th.

Johnston-Dorsey says the city will recommend selling more than 50 properties and recommend buyers.

“A lot of these applicants and proposed buyers have expressed interest in these lots for a couple of years now,” said Johnston-Dorsey. “We have buyers who are adjacent landowners or who have been gardening or who have plans to develop these lots.”

Johnston-Dorsey says when the city first acquired the properties, the plan was to put up affordable housing. However, since prices have gone up, the plan is no longer affordable for the city.

She says it is time to pass it off.

“We’re excited just to get them out of our hands, into the hands of someone who is going to develop them who’s going to maintain them, who’s going to build community and work with the community,” Johnston-Dorsey said.

Developer Terri Porter plans to buy two parcels for two dollars.

“I plan to build four units there for affordable housing,” said Porter. “The reason I want to do it is to solve, to help solve the crisis in Omaha and also to help the individuals I serve have a more stable home.”

Johnston-Dorsey says the city has a wide range of potential buyers including new and experienced developers. She notes that there are strings attached.

“So, if you’re getting one of these properties for a dollar, you have two years to start construction, you have four years to complete construction,” Johnston-Dorsey said. “We also indicate a minimum number of units that want to be built.”

Though the cost of the land is next to nothing, Johnston-Dorsey says the overall plan is priceless.

“I think the outcome of this will be some affordable housing units that are much needed in the community,” she said. “It’s exciting to see that we can play a small role in getting ownership transferred to someone who could do that and turn these lots into a home for somebody.”

The city has more than 150 more properties to sell and will be accepting applications to purchase. To find out more, click here.