Lincoln and Lancaster County officials are asking residents to weigh in on how the community should grow and move over the next 25 years.
The Plan Forward 2050 initiative—a joint effort between the Lincoln-Lancaster County Planning Department, the Lincoln Metropolitan Planning Organization, and Lincoln Transportation and Utilities—will guide long-term decisions on housing, land use, sustainability, and transportation as the county’s population grows by an estimated 100,000 residents by mid-century.
An open house is set for Thursday, October 23, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Culler Middle School, 5201 Vine Street. A virtual version of the event is also available at lincoln.ne.gov/planforward through the end of October.
Paul Barnes, manager of long-range planning, said the open house is part of a coordinated update to several city planning documents.
“We’re putting together plans that will guide future investment and development in our community,” Barnes said. “That includes everything from neighborhood growth and redevelopment to parks, economic development, and transportation priorities.”
Barnes said long-range planning starts with population projections—roughly 40,000 new residents per decade—to estimate housing and infrastructure needs.
“We track approved projects and housing units to make sure we’re providing enough supply for future growth,” he said. “Right now we have roughly 15 to 20 years of approved development ready to meet that demand.”
Lincoln Transportation and Utilities spokeswoman Erika Hill said the city’s Lincoln on the Move program will have a presence at the open house to gather feedback on future street and infrastructure projects.
“We want people to engage with us, to offer ideas, and tell us their vision for how they want Lincoln to look,” Hill said. “That means everything from bike lanes to neighborhood streets and the overall quality of life they imagine.”
Barnes encouraged residents to attend, noting that feedback from the public directly influences city plans.
“There’s really no bad feedback,” he said. “The best insights come from people who live and work here. They help us understand things we might not have thought of before.”
Participants who complete all the interactive activities during the open house will be entered into a raffle for a downtown Lincoln gift card.