Downtown Omaha will look a lot different in future years. During a Wednesday news conference Mayor Jean Stothert outlined plans to build a new skyscraper that will be the new headquarters of Mutual of Omaha.
The W. Dale Clark city library will be moved to another location to make room for the new 40-50 story tower and a streetcar system that would connect downtown to midtown Omaha.
“We are inspired by the energy in downtown Omaha and recognize the importance of a vibrant urban core for the city’s future, Mutual of Omaha Chairman and CEO James Blackledge said in a news release. “The development of a downtown headquarters tower provides a rare opportunity to create an inspiring workplace for our associates while contributing to the vitality of downtown Omaha,” Blackledge says.
He says a key element of the company’s decision to pursue a downtown headquarters is the city’s commitment to a modern streetcar line. “A modern urban transportation system in the form of the planned streetcar line makes this project possible by providing convenient access to our planned headquarters tower and by allowing us to think creatively about many aspects of the project.”
The streetcar is expected to be built and in operation in 2026 and the new Mutual of Omaha headquarters is expected to be completed that same year.
(Photo: Mutual of Omaha)