Omaha by Design

10/12/2026

We're still thinking about this year's LAURELS AWARDS. Just a few weeks ago we celebrated our 25th anniversary alongside the people who are shaping our built environment in inspiring ways.

Congratulations to all of the honorees!

💫 Access & Mobility Award
Recipient: Heartland Bike Share Free Rides Program

💫 Environment & Open Space Award
Recipient: Polina Gardens Lauritzen Gardens

💫 Neighborhood Revitalization Award
Recipient: South Omaha Mural Project South Omaha Mural Project

💫 Urbanist Award
Recipient: Kelli Bello, Director of Development and Outreach at Joslyn Castle & Gardens

💫 The Laurels Award, Omaha by Design’s highest honor
Recipient: Omaha Public Library, Central Library

💫 The Spellman Civic Impact Award
Recipient: Marty Shukert

Special thanks to our sponsors: LB “Red” Thomas, Millwork Commons, HDR, Baird Holm LLP, Dundee Bank, RDG Planning & Design, Noddle Companies, AO*, Blair Freeman, Cordia, FNBO, Greenslate Development Partners, JEO Consulting Group, Lamp Rynearson, Lockwood Development, Morrissey Engineering, Union Omaha, BVH Architecture, Holland Basham Architects, Hoppe Development, Investors Realty Inc, LEO A DALY, Mike and Maggie McMeekin, Mulhalls, Oak Investment Real Estate, Olsson, Shamrock Development, Ted and Amee Zetzman, Thompson, Dreessen, & Dorner, Inc., Vireo, Bluestone Development, Park Omaha, and TODCO.

10/06/2026

Omaha City Council just passed a zoning change that cuts back parking requirements for new housing!

Last week, our policy analyst Zeke Rouse testified in support, sharing that a single required parking space can add up to $50,000 to the cost of a project. Those costs often get passed on to renters and buyers.

Developers can still build as much parking as they think a project needs. What changes is that they have more flexibility to build homes. That's good news for affordable housing, for emerging developers taking on small infill and smaller-lot projects, and for the community development work we do at Spark every day.

Read more: https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/zoning-change-would-require-less-parking-in-omaha-will-it-help-with-affordable-housing/

09/16/2026

The LAURELS AWARDS are next week! Join us on Thursday, September 24th at 11th & Jones, where we’ll transform the street for a one night only sunset block party commemorating 25 years of Omaha by Design.

Our signature awards show and annual fundraiser celebrates the people and projects shaping our metro in inspiring ways. We can't wait!

Reserve your tickets here: https://2026laurelsawards.eventbrite.com

08/31/2026

Announcing the 2026 LAURELS AWARDS Nominees!

Access & Mobility Award recognizes an individual, organization, or project that has worked to enhance the way we move around the city and how its neighborhoods connect to one another.
- Girard Trail Connection
- Heartland Bike Share Free Rides Program
- North Saddle Creek Streetscape Improvements
- Omaha Public Works Colored Pavement Policy

Environment & Open Space Award recognizes an individual, organization, or project that has worked to preserve or enhance the metro’s natural setting, park system, or open spaces.
- Boyd Park
- Heartwood Park
- Papillion City Park
- Polina Gardens

Neighborhood Revitalization Award recognizes an individual, organization or business that has worked to preserve or enhance a neighborhood within our region.
- MLK Square
- North Omaha Visitors Center
- OurStory Small Houses
- Sonny’s
- South Omaha Mural Project

Urbanist Award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to making our metro an even better place to live, work, and play.
- Keenya Barnes-Heyward
- Kelli Bello
- Nicole Ebat
- Mark McLaughlin
- Matt Schafer

The Laurels Award, Omaha by Design’s highest honor, recognizes an individual, organization, or project for significant contributions in furthering people-centered urban design and policy.

Recipients will be announced live at the LAURELS AWARDS on Thursday, September 24th. Tickets may be reserved at omahabydesign.org/laurels

08/28/2026

Celebrate people-centered urban design at the LAURELS AWARDS!
Join us on September 24th for Omaha by Design's signature awards show and annual fundraiser. Reserve your tickets at omahabydesign.org/laurels

The LAURELS AWARDS stand to recognize the people and projects shaping our built environment in inspiring ways.

08/21/2026

Join Omaha by Design in celebrating our 25th Anniversary at this year's LAURELS AWARDS!

The LAURELS AWARDS is our annual fundraiser and award show, honoring the people and projects shaping the built environment in inspiring ways. For 2026, we're taking the celebration into the street and transforming our block for a one-night only event!

Thursday, September 24th
6:00-9:00pm
11th & Jones St

Get your tickets today!

The LAURELS AWARDS celebrate the people and projects shaping our metro in inspiring ways. Omaha by Design’s signature awards show brings together civic leaders, city builders, and community visionaries annually.

08/21/2026

We're still thinking about how fun Open Omaha was this year! Thank you to everyone who came out to explore their city and discover something new.

If you attended Open Omaha and would like to share a fun story from the day or have feedback to make next year's event even better, fill out our attendee survey: https://bit.ly/4quPMs8

Special thanks to our sponsors and volunteers, without whom this event wouldn't be possible!

08/20/2026

Council Bluffs is also thinking about the future of their city and downtown. Anyone can participate in the public meetings or fill out the surveys!

Do you live here? Work here? Shop, eat, or hang out here? If so, we want to hear from you at the Elevate CB 2050 Downtown Workshop!

Join us on Tuesday, August 25 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the Council Bluffs Public Library, Meeting Room B.

For more information, or to take our Downtown Survey, visit https://bit.ly/3QcgWqi

08/20/2026

Omaha by Design is excited to welcome Kene Okigbo, PLA, ASLA as our new Executive Director!

Kene is a licensed landscape architect and comes to Omaha by Design from RDG Planning & Design, where he was a partner and landscape architect, with experience working across the Omaha community. His work has focused on urban design, parks and public spaces, higher education, healthcare and athletics, bringing him alongside public agencies, nonprofit organizations, community partners and residents to help shape projects and places across the city.
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Beyond his professional practice, Kene has held leadership roles with various community organizations, including Omaha by Design’s Advisory Council, where he has supported our organization for 4 years. He brings a multidisciplinary perspective grounded in design, relationship-building and a deep commitment to Omaha’s future.

Read more on our website: https://www.omahabydesign.org/people

08/04/2026

With more than 80 Heartland Bike Share stations and an all ebike fleet, biking between Open Omaha venues is a breeze.

Visit heartlandbikeshare.org for locations, app and pass details.

Download the BCycle app and use the promo code OPENOMA26 to purchase a Guest Pass for $1 (unlimited 60-min rides for 24 hours, overage fees apply for rides over 60-min). Redeem promo code by 8/8/2026.

Or, are you an Omaha Metro resident interested in riding Heartland Bike Share all year? Apply for the Free Rides Pass!