A new building might bring new life to the north downtown area.
The city council will vote tomorrow on whether to give developers $300,000 dollars in TIF funding for an important project.
The $2 million dollar project will turn the vacant building in a mixed-use office space, which developers hope will house 7 to 8 businesses.
What was once the former Safety Service repair shop, will become a sprawling 14,000 square foot office space. It'll be known as "The Hub"
"All the renovation will be inside, the outside is going to remain the same. The big overhead doors will be become windows and the inside will be developed into separate spaces," said Duane Dowd, developer.
Construction is slated to begin this Spring.
It's part of a larger effort to revitalize the north part of downtown and attract small businesses, artists and start-ups to the community.
"Well, hopefully we'll continue just what's already going on down there which is revitalizing the whole neighborhood," said Dowd.
There's been a push for residential housing near 16th and Nicholas as well.
Neighbors like Omaha Neon Sign Company say commercializing the area is a positive.
"Any re-development effort brings new business, brings professional business into the area. It helps everybody instead of having all these empty buildings standing around which has been one of the noted things in this area for a while," said Tim Leininger, Omaha Sign Company.
Developers hope the place will be ready for tenants this Fall.
