Information Open House April 21 

OMAHA - Omahans can learn more about plans to rehabilitate a portion of the city’s Cole Creek at an information open house set for Tuesday, April 21. The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held at Roncalli Catholic High School, 6401 Sorensen Parkway, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.

Cole Creek, part of the city’s local floodplain system, begins south of Sorensen Parkway and flows into the Little Papillion Creek near the intersection of 78th and Cass. The project, which runs from Sorensen Parkway to Hartman Avenue, seeks to stabilize the creek for flood and erosion control, improve its water quality and enhance it for educational and recreational use.

“Cole Creek can be a danger to life and property during flood events, but it’s also a great community asset,” said Connie Spellman, director of Omaha by Design. “One of the goals of the city’s Urban Design Element calls for transforming Cole Creek and other waterways like it into a public park and recreation system. This pilot project is the start of realizing that goal.”

The open house will include an overview of the construction phases and an information fair. Those who attend will be able to talk with the project team, tour the project site and learn more about ways for individuals and organizations to get involved. One of the goals is to develop a Cole Creek Adopt a Stream Team, Spellman said. Free giveaways will be available while supplies last.

The Cole Creek Project is a partnership of the City of Omaha Department of Public Works; the City of Omaha Department of Parks, Recreation and Public Property; Roncalli Catholic High School; Douglas County; Omaha by Design; the Benson-Ames Alliance; Big Muddy Workshop; Hayes Environmental L.L.C.; Lamp, Rynearson & Associates; and Olsson Associates. It is funded by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality and the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District.

“This is a unique opportunity to work collectively to improve water quality and evaluate innovative techniques for managing stormwater so we are able to mitigate the adverse impacts of urbanization on the natural environment,” said Nina Cudahy, Environmental Quality Control Manager with the City of Omaha Department of Public Works.

Those interested in keeping tabs on the project’s process can do so via www.colecreek.org by subscribing to the site’s blog. For more information, contact Omaha by Design at 402.554.4010 or info@omahabydesign.org.