Mission: To support, preserve, create and enhance a clean, green, safe and active, competitive and thriving Downtown Omaha that attracts and retains businesses, employees, residents, and visitors.
The Omaha Downtown Improvement District Association (ODID) was established by City Ordinance 6874 in 2007. The ODID Board of Directors is comprised of volunteer elected representatives from the various constituencies within the District: businesses, residents, and property owners all have seats.
The vision of the Association is to create a more inviting and attractive Downtown region for residents, businesses, property owners, visitors, and investors by developing projects that reflect the needs and desires of the District. Improvement activities includes beautification and litter removal, economic development programs, safety and security enhancements, advocacy, and activation.
As the Association works to create a thriving Downtown community, each committee strives to develop, support, and maintain initiatives which advocate for diversity and inclusion, focus on positive growth within Downtown Omaha, and provide educational resources that support economic growth and equal opportunity.
To get more involved, sign up for our weekly newsletter to find out about events and news relating to Downtown Omaha!
BOARD
ODIDA LEADERSHIP: Current Board of Directors 2023-2023
BOARD OFFICERS
John Sova
President
Business Tenant
RDG Planning & Designs
Patty Bain
Vice President
Large Assessed Properties
Marriott Downtown at Capitol District
Arnold Reeves
Treasurer
Ward 4 Property Owner
Omaha Preforming Arts
Jeff Jorgensen
Secretary
Business Tenant - Tannenbaum
LARGE ASSESSED PROPERTIES REPRESENTATIVES
Patty Bain
Marriott Downtown at The Capitol District
Kristyna Engdahl
MECA
Yesenia Valenzuela
City of Omaha
Tim Malik
First National Bank
Jamie Peters
Union Pacific
PROPERTY OWNERS
Nicole Fox
Ward 1 Property Owner
Lee Myers
Ward 1 Property Owner
Joseph Giitter
Ward 2 Property Owner
Vera Mercer
Ward 2 Property Owner
Linda Hayek
Ward 3 Property Owner
Robert Opfel
Ward 3 Property Owner
Bob Ortmann
Ward 4 Property Owner
Arnold Reeves
Ward 4 Property Owner - Omaha Preforming Arts
BUSINESS TENANTS
Billy Coburn
Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate
Jeff Jorgensen
Tannenbaum
Christine Mackiewicz
Mercer Management
Adam Sitzmann
BVH Architecture
John Sova
RDG Planning & Designs
RESIDENTS
Tina Cherica
Bill Goodwin
Rosemary Keenan
Edwin Schroeder
Ann Stafford
Ex-Officio
Shannon Wiig
Visit Omaha
Mike Barrett
Old Market Association
Richard Callahan
Downtown Omaha Inc.
ODID Bylaws
ODID Board Meetings & Minutes
Board Meetings are on the last Tuesday of the month held at RDG Design 1302 Howard at 5:30 pm.
Board meetings are hybrid with Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4029161796
View 2024 Board Meeting Minutes >>
View 2023 Board Meeting Minutes >>
Annual Audits & 990 Tax Filings
Financial Statements and Independent Auditor's Reports »
COMMITTEES
ODIDA Committees
All ODIDA Committees are open to the public to join. You do not have to be on the board. We invite anyone interested in improving Downtown Omaha to email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Activation Committee
Purpose Statement: To increase tourism, economic growth, and a sense of community in Downtown Omaha
Goals:
- Develop programs that increase tourism and activity in Downtown Omaha
- Work with Downtown Omaha businesses to identify strategies for increasing economic growth
- Support and promote new and existing Downtown Omaha attractions
Current Efforts: Downtown Ambassadors program, free informational webinars, weekly events newsletter and promotions
Meetings: Second Wednesday at 1 pm via zoom
Chair: Joseph Giitter
Active Members: Richard Callahan (DOI), Lee Myers, Billy Coburn, Shannon Wiig (Visit Omaha), Kristy Rojas (ParkOmaha), Ann Stafford
Pedestrian Amenities Committee
Purpose Statement: To create a clean, green, attractive, and inviting public environment in Downtown Omaha
Goals:
- Enhance the landscape and hardscape environment
- Improve and maintain connections within downtown
- Support the positive image and character of the downtown districts
- Provide a resource of information regarding urban landscaping with contracted arborist
Current Efforts: Tree/flower planting working with The Naturalist School, Clean Team, Alley revitalization project including trash consolidation
Meetings: Second Wednesday of the month at 12 pm via zoom
Chair: Adam Sitzmann
Active Members: Jeff Jorgensen, Cary Thomsen, Julia Berry, Jill Panzer (Old Market Association), Patty Bain, Katie Swanson with City Parks & Rec, & Staff
Safety & Security Committee
Purpose Statement: To foster a positive perception and reality of safety in Downtown Omaha
Goals:
- Prevent crime
- Coordinate security services
- Promote downtown as a safe environment
- Improve lighting
Current Efforts: Private security patrols – Lion’s Gate Security, Working relationship with Omaha Police Department, Crime Prevention Forums, Improve lighting with OPPD
Meeting: Second Tuesday of the month at 11 am in person
Chair: Tim Malik
Active Members: Arnold Reeves, Bill Goodwin, Tamara Dwyer (City Homeless Coordinator), The RiverFront Security, Lion’s Gate Security & Omaha Police Department
STAFF
The ODID staff includes the Clean & Green Team that maintains clean and beautiful public spaces; the Downtown Ambassadors who provide friendly assistance to visitors and residents; a privately contracted security team that operates in the evenings and on weekends; and an advocacy program that focuses on everything from working with residents to assisting businesses in day to day needs. The association is also involved in local events and activities produced for the public, and sponsors several regular activation programs such as outdoor exercise classes, art walks, and outdoor music concerts.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
402-916-1796
Holly Barrett
Executive Director
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Major City Projects & Economic Development
Christina Randall
Communications Director & Old Market Staff
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Events, public outreach, newsletter,
social media and website updates
Anything Old Market
Megan Neve
Team Supervisor & Gardener
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Mike Schon
Groundskeeper & Maintenance Tech
David Steele
Groundskeeper
Robert Opfel
Groundskeeper
Mark Christensen
Groundskeeper
Website Photo Credit
Sara Atkins with
ARSAR Photography
FOUNDATION
OMAHA DOWNTOWN IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT FOUNDATION
Mission: To support the current and expanding mission of the Omaha Downtown Improvement District Association.
The Omaha Downtown Improvement District Foundation was created in 2016 to help provide funding and support to the ODIDA board and committees. The Board of the ODIDA decided to create the foundation to provide an avenue to source funding for projects deemed suitable to improve Downtown Omaha. If you have any ideas or thoughts, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Awarded Grants
August 2024 - $6,000 Nebraska Arts Council for utulity box art wraps
Read More >>
July 2022 - $15,000 Community Greening Grant Program for replanting Downtown District
Read More >>
August 2019 - $12,500 Douglas County Visitors Improvement Fund for alley revitalization project
Read More >>
Foundation Board of Directors
BOARD OFFICERS
TBD
Foundation President
Holly Barrett
ODID Executive Director
Grant Writer
Katie LeDoux
Sunflower Administrative Solutions
www.sunfloweradministrativesolutions.com
202-277-6344
ODID Foundation Board Minutes
View ODID Foundation Board Meeting Minutes »
HISTORICAL IMPACT
Historical Impact 2007 - Present
Over 15 Years of Successful Service to Downtown Omaha
2020 to 2022 Hightlights of the ODIDA>>
2019 Highlights of the ODIDA>>
2018 Highlights of the ODIDA>>
Advocacy
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Business Support & Activation
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Communications
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Long-Term Strategizing
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Cleaning & Maintenance
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Safety & Security
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Landscaping
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Pedestrian Amenities
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