About

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 April 2025 to March 2026

BOARD OFFICERS

John Sova
President
Business Tenant
RDG Planning & Designs

Joe Giitter
Vice President
Ward 2 Property Owner

Arnold Reeves
Treasurer
Ward 4 Property Owner
Omaha Preforming Arts

Jeff Jorgensen
Secretary
Business Tenant - Tannenbaum

LARGE ASSESSED PROPERTIES REPRESENTATIVES

MECA

Tim Malik
FNBO

Union Pacific

City of Omaha

Kevin Walsh
Marriott Downtown at The Capitol District

PROPERTY OWNERS

Nicole Fox
Ward 1 Property Owner

Laura Buddenberg
Ward 1 Property Owner

Joseph Giitter
Ward 2 Property Owner

Ryne Bessmer
Ward 2 Property Owner

Mechan Abrahamsen
Ward 3 Property Owner

Robert Opfel
Ward 3 Property Owner

Chris Russell
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

Adam Sitzmann
BVH Architecture

John Sova
RDG Planning & Designs

Open Seat

RESIDENTS

Tina Cherica

Bill Goodwin

Joseph Harris II

Ann Stafford

John Thomas

Ex-Officio

Shannon Wiig
Visit Omaha

Christine Hughey
Old Market Association

Richard Callahan
Downtown Omaha Inc.

ODID Bylaws

ODIDA Bylaws updated 4-2023

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 2025 Board Meeting Minutes >>

View 2024 Board Meeting Minutes >>

Annual Audits & 990 Tax Filings

Financial Statements and Independent Auditor's Reports »

Form 990s »

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 Wednesday of the month at 11 am via Zoom
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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 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..