City Awarded Grant for South Haymarket Park Development
Published on March 02, 2023
Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird and Parks and Recreation Director Maggie Stuckey-Ross today thanked the Nebraska Department of Economic Development for a $2.1 million grant to help develop the proposed South Haymarket Park.
Mayor Gaylor Baird said the $2,125,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds will have a transformational impact on multiple Qualified Census Tracts (QCTs) in downtown Lincoln and will help build a stronger local economy.
“South Haymarket Park will be a new, high-amenity urban park that serves as a catalyst for redevelopment near a former industrial site and for Lincoln’s overall economic renewal,” Mayor Gaylor Baird said. “Even in its early stages, the park is already stimulating and supporting private investment nearby. Just two months ago, we announced a new mixed-use development featuring both residential and commercial opportunities on the block adjacent to the park site.”
Stuckey-Ross said the South Haymarket Park project is the culmination of years of planning and community feedback that recommended development of a new downtown park near Seventh and “N” streets. Design features include outdoor recreation opportunities, space for public gatherings and events, and open green space in a former industrial area.
“South Haymarket Park will be a destination in this community for residents and visitors alike. We can’t wait to welcome Lincoln to this new space and watch it come to life,” Stuckey-Ross said.
The Parks Department is working with a consultant and community partners to develop a conceptual Master Plan and cost estimate for the park. The Master Plan is expected to be ready in spring 2023. A capital campaign led by the Lincoln Parks Foundation will follow.
In January, the City’s Urban Development Department announced EADO LLC of Lincoln as the developer for the 1.54-acre redevelopment site at the northeast corner of the proposed park. EADO, LLC, is a partnership between Speedway Properties and Nelnet, Inc.
The developers propose a mixed-use, five-story building with a total proposed investment of about $47.5 million. In addition to office and commercial space, the 161,200 square-foot building would include affordable and market rate apartments. The proposal includes an option to increase the amount of housing in the building if a major office tenant is not secured.
For more information on South Haymarket Park, visit lincoln.ne.gov/southhaymarketpark.