Resources
Greater Omaha’s Urban Core Strategic Plan
A strategic plan for the region’s urban core
to adapt, change and grow.
Greater Omaha Chamber Urban Core Commitee, March 2022
This long-range vision for Omaha connects communities while supporting neighborhoods in and surrounding the core. It looks to create jobs and provide living opportunities for all ages and incomes. It attracts visitors, inspires investment and enhances the quality of life for everyone in the region.
Click the link below to learn more from the Greater Omaha Chamber’s Urban Core committee.
Omaha is building a streetcar!
On January 26, 2022, Mayor Jean Stothert and the Greater Omaha Chamber took a huge step in bringing one of the ConnectGO priorities into reality by proposing to develop a streetcar as part of an urban core mobility system.
This is an important step for Greater Omaha, and there is plenty more to come!
ConnectGO heard from more than 8,000 people about their perspectives and priorities to build the ConnectGO Regional Transportation Strategy. Read how the streetcar fits into this plan.
Key Engagement Findings
Phase 1 collected feedback from more than 8,000 individuals across the region about transportation preferences. What emerged was a significant disconnect between how people currently move around versus what they would prefer.
Getting to Work Final Report
Verdis Group, June 2021
More than 4,000 Omahans who took part in the ConnectGO “Getting to Work” study said they want more choices in how they commute during the workweek. The new report also reveals that demand for working from home among people throughout the region is higher than ever before.
The report, produced in partnership with the Metropolitan Area Planning Agency, Verdis Group and the Greater Omaha Chamber, shares data on how employees got to work before the pandemic, during 2020 and how they would prefer to get to work in the future, if they had options including transit, bicycling, carpooling and walking. The study is based on surveys that targeted employees at more than 20 organizations in the metro.
The report’s overall results present a notable opportunity: Surveyed employers could shift 17% of pre-pandemic, drive-alone trips to active commuting and working from home, if they offered supportive programming. A major theme that emerged in the responses is employees’ desire for more choices in how they commute throughout the week.
ConnectGO in the News
Chamber eyes “big moves” to transform Omaha's urban core
Updated April 1, 2022
Omaha World Herald
Chamber’s urban core team nods to affordable housing needs as it urges ‘big’ landscape shifts
March 29, 2022
Nebraska Examiner
Grow Omaha interview with ConnectGO's Stephen Osberg
February 5, 2022
Grow Omaha | KFAB
Mutual, Stothert reveal plans for downtown skyscraper, streetcar system
January 26, 2022
Omaha World Herald
Chamber of Commerce calls for big transportation steps in Omaha area
July 18, 2021
Omaha World Herald
Metro holding online meetings to help guide transit plans
Updated May 1, 2021
Omaha World-Herald
ConnectGO Releases Survey Results, Goals, Principles
February 18, 2020
Chamber News
Chamber to millennials: How do you want to get around Omaha in the future?
August 16, 2019
Omaha World-Herald
ConnectGO Launches Transportation Survey Event at MAHA
August 15, 2019
Chamber News
ConnectGO is all about asking the right questions:
I’ve been hearing a lot about transportation in the news lately. Why do we need another transportation plan if so many people are already working on it?
- ConnectGO addresses how all current and future transportation efforts can connect to create an equitable, accessible, and modern regional transportation system. Together, we’re developing a coordinated strategy among existing transportation initiatives and developing an action plan to ensure we are addressing our larger community challenges.
- Our work to date shows that access to safe, affordable, and efficient transportation is a priority for residents, businesses and institutions across the region. However, some of us lack access to our existing transportation system because of their income, ability, age, or where they live. This prevents people from getting to and from good-paying jobs, school, recreation, and limits growth in our region. Lack of access equates to lack of opportunity.
What do you mean by “bold”?
We believe this transportation strategy must be transformative in order to be effective. If we don’t act now – and act boldly – our region’s competitive value diminishes.
It’s imperative that we keep talented people here — and attract new residents — if we are going to realize our future vision for regional success. Data shows that good access to a variety of transportation modes is attractive to the next generation.
How big is the ConnectGO footprint?
- The ConnectGO goals and principles were defined through input input from people in the urban, suburban, and rural communities that make up the Greater Omaha region – people like you.
- ConnectGO encompasses all forms of transportation, including how we maintain and preserve our roads and how we use land. Transportation makes a meaningful difference in people’s lives because it’s how we access education, employment and each other. While you may or may not see a significant change in your own transportation experience, our community will become stronger and more connected as a result of ConnectGO.
I don’t think ConnectGO is going to impact my area much, so why should I care?
- The ConnectGO goals and principles were defined through input input from people in the urban, suburban, and rural communities that make up the Greater Omaha region – people like you.
- ConnectGO encompasses all forms of transportation, including how we maintain and preserve our roads and how we use land. Transportation makes a meaningful difference in people’s lives because it’s how we access education, employment and each other. While you may or may not see a significant change in your own transportation experience, our community will become stronger and more connected as a result of ConnectGO.
I will always need to drive a car to get around. How will better regional transportation affect me?
Of course cars will remain a key mode of transportation. But having fewer of them on the roads — because we have more choices — means shorter, safer commutes for those who drive and, with less wear and tear on our roads, can help us better manage the costs of road repairs in the future.
It also means safer and more efficient movement of freight and can impact how neighborhoods grow and develop to provide access to school and jobs.
ConnectGO is a bold transportation strategy uniting the people and businesses of Greater Omaha around shared goals for our region. Focusing on equitable, accessible, and modern transportation to improve our quality of life and bolster our economic strength, ConnectGO will connect people, opportunities, and communities through an actionable transportation strategy for today and tomorrow. ConnectGO is an initiative of the Greater Omaha Chamber, Metro Smart Cities, and Metro Area Planning Agency (MAPA)
