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: 2020-2021 Board of Directors

BOARD OFFICERS

Dan Emanuel
President
Ward 3 Property Owner

John Sova
Vice President
Business Tenant
RDG Planning & Designs

Arnold Reeves
Treasurer
Ward 4 Property Owner
Omaha Preforming Arts

Matthew Bosch
Secretary
Large Assessed Properties - Union Pacific

LARGE ASSESSED PROPERTIES REPRESENTATIVES

Tim Malik
First National Bank

Kristyna Engdahl
MECA

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

Kaixi Zhang
Ward 3 Property Owner

Bob Ortmann
Ward 4 Property Owner

BUSINESS TENANTS

Jeff Jorgensen
Tannenbaum

Christine Mackiewicz
Mercer Management

Patty Bain
Marriott Downtown at Capitol District

Adam Sitzmann
BVH Architecture

RESIDENTS

Bill Goodwin

Sam Giustra

Julia Berry

Graham Archer

Ex-Officio

Deb Ward
Visit Omaha

Chip Allen
Old Market Association

Richard Callahan
Downtown Omaha Inc.

ODID Board Meetings & Minutes

Board Meetings are on the last Tuesday of the month held at 1620 Dodge Street, 16th Floor at 5:30 pm.
Due to the pandemic - Board meetings have been moved to vitural on Zoom. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4029161796

View 2021 Board Meeting Minutes >>

View 2020 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

Meetings: First Tuesday of the month at Noon
Chair: Kaixi Zhang
Active Members: Michele Hayes with Visit Omaha, Vanicsa Czarnick, Cary Thomsen

If you have ideas or thoughts, you can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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
Chair: Jeff Jorgensen
Active Members: Bill Goodwin, John Sova, Adam Sitzmann, Graham Archer, Patty Bain, Katie Swanson with City Parks & Rec

If you have ideas or thoughts, you can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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 12 pm
Chair: Tim Malik
Active Members: Arnold Reeves, Matt Bosch, Lion’s Gate Security & Omaha Police Department

If you have ideas or thoughts, you can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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
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Events, public outreach, newsletter,
social media and website updates
Anything Old Market

Jake Rynes
Maintenance Supervisor
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Landscape and street cleaning

Colin Wynn
Gardener

Mike Schon
Groundskeeper

Mark Christensen
Clean Team

Alan Nogg
Ambassador Supervisor

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..