There has been a bump in the road when it comes to Project “O” Street, which would make significant upgrades from 9th to 16th streets. Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird and LTU officials announced Thursday that the City will not move forward with the current solicitation for the project after the initial process led to confusion among bidders.
The City says the search for a Project “O” Street contractor conducted in late 2025 resulted in the disqualification of three of four submissions for failing to meet required format instructions. It was determined that continuing under the original process would prevent a fair comparison of bidders and could undermine public confidence.
So, the City will move forward with a new, clearer process. “‘O’ Street is a major arterial in Lincoln that serves tens of thousands of motorists per day, supports a thriving business district and offers a vital pedestrian passageway on Husker football game days,” Gaylor Baird says. Hiring a contractor who can get this job done right is essential for both ‘O’ Street businesses and the residents who travel it every day.”
Instead of a traditional bid process, the City will issue a Request for Proposals plus cost. This approach allows the City to evaluate both qualifications and price, including experience on similar projects, key personnel, project scheduling, subcontractors, and public engagement strategies. This will provide an expanded picture of how each contractor would deliver the project and manage impacts to businesses, residents, and travelers.
“Whether we’re considering work like Project “O” Street that will shape downtown for decades or a small contract, we have a responsibility to get the process right,” says Liz Elliott, Lincoln Transportation and Utilities Director. “The City is committed to a purchasing system that is clear and built to produce the best possible outcome for residents and businesses.”
The project will replace aging water mains, repair and resurface streets and sidewalks, and install public amenities along both “O” Street and the 14th Street Music District, now known as “Boehmer Street”.
