Heritage Nebraska News Feed

Heritage Nebraska Continues Working to Save Industrial Arts Building

Default admin account — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 14:58:37 -0600

Even though the University of Nebraska Board of Regents voted Friday (January 22) to demolish or remove a number of lesser buildings on the old Nebraska State Fairgrounds, the Industrial Arts Building was not on the list. University officials say the fate of the 96,000 square foot building (1913) has not been determined, but a Request For Proposal for dealing with the building is in the works.

Heritage Nebraska asked the State Historic Preservation Office for a ruling on the use of federal funds on the University’s proposed Nebraska Innovation Campus to either restore or demolish the building or two others deemed historic. In a letter to Heritage Nebraska, State Historic Preservation Officer Mike Smith said the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation has deemed that any use of federal funds for the campus plan would be subject to Section 106 review and the University would be required to prove that it had done due diligence in determining the fate of the buildings.

In a subsequent letter to University officials and Regents, Schmidt asked that Heritage Nebraska be considered a participant in such deliberations and also forwarded a copy of Smith’s letter.

Heritage Nebraska has completed an independent feasibility study on the property and provided cost estimates for stabilizing the building ($250,000), rehabilitating the building to a usable shell ($5 million) or demolition ($1.5 million).

A planning team hired by the University had recommended removal of the building in favor of keeping and re-using the nearby 4-H Building. University officials say they can’t afford to do both buildings for the proposed innovation campus.

Heritage Nebraska Board Supports Building Code and Convention Center Changes

Default admin account — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 14:56:50 -0600

The Heritage Nebraska Board has gone on record in support of a legislative proposal that would allow Nebraska communities to adopt the International Existing Building Code. The measure, LB799, is sponsored by Omaha Sen. Robert Krist at the request of the State Historic Preservation Office. The Board, meeting in Lincoln on January 14, voted to support the measure with a letter to the Senator.

The Board also voiced support for changes to the Local Civic, Cultural and Convention Center Financing Act in two bills (LB779 and LB789) offered by Omaha Senators Steve Lathrop and Brad Ashford. The measure would increase the amount of funds available to smaller communities and would allow for the money to be used on restoring or renovating historic properties to be used for such centers.

Falls City Welcomed as Newest Main Street Community

Default admin account — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:56:01 -0600

Nebraska Lt. Governor Rick Sheehy and State Senator LaVon Heidemann unveiled the Heritage Nebraska Main Street Community sign that officially welcomed Falls City to the Heritage Nebraska Main Street program on January 15. The sign presentation at the Falls City Chamber of Commerce and Main Street office followed a walking tour of the downtown that included several business stops and tours of the Falls City Library and Grand Weaver Hotel. Heritage

Nebraska Main Street Director Elizabeth Chase welcomed the audience at a reception that followed the tour. Sheehy, who has paid an official visit to every Nebraska Main Street community, spoke about the benefits of the program and his favorite highlights of the various communities.

Heidemann, whose Legislative District 1 includes Falls City, talked about the importance of such a program in the current economy. He applauded the efforts of the state program to watch out for the economic revitalization of small towns.

Assisting is the sign unveiling were Chamber President Adam Morris and City Councilman Mike Moore. The two men are members of the planning team for bringing Main Street to the southeast Nebraska community.

Heritage Nebraska Announces Falls City as New Main Street Community

Default admin account — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 10:34:47 -0500

The Heritage Nebraska Board of Directors formally accepted Falls City as the newest Nebraska Main Street Community at their meeting on September 16, 2009 in Omaha.

A formal recognition ceremony in the community is slated for this fall and will be the final step in the Main Street community selection process for Falls City that began with an application workshop in February. An initial organizational orientation program will take place in January 2010 and a more intensive training for staff and volunteers will be scheduled in the spring.

“We are extremely honored to be chosen to participate in the Main Street program and look forward to working with the state coordinating staff and other Main Street communities,” said Becky Fischer, Manager of the Falls City Chamber of Commerce. “Our business owners downtown are excited to tap into the resources and assistance of the Main Street program as we preserve our hometown past with a vision for the future.”

Nebraska Main Street is a program of Heritage Nebraska in partnership with the National Trust for Historic Preservation and National Trust Main Street Center. The program’s purpose is to assist and support Nebraska communities in revitalizing their traditional commercial business districts through education and technical assistance.

In addition to Falls City, designated Main Street communities in Nebraska include: Alliance, Beatrice, Elkhorn, Fremont, Geneva, Grand Island, Kearney, Nebraska City, Plattsmouth, Sidney, Wayne, and York. Associate Program communities include: Ainsworth, Bassett, Hastings, Havelock (Lincoln), Lexington, and Minden.