Sounds of construction will ring through the Blackstone District for the months to come as projects like The Blackstone Hotel and new condominiums continue.
These developments have garnered mixed reactions in the area. For business owners and employees, the excitement grows as foundations are established.
Co-owner of Coneflower Creamery, Brian Langbehn, said he’s optimistic about changes coming to the Farnam strip.
“Overall, it’s going to be really good for the neighborhood,” Langbehn said. “Blackstone, since we opened, has changed quite a bit. Even moreso now, with these new developments, I think we’re seeing a lot of momentum; a lot of businesses, a lot of people coming to the area.”
Workers in the district will profit from the influx of new residents and overall increased foot traffic, said Mitchell Davis, manager of Crescent Moon.
“I think it’s bringing a ton more people to the district, which is great for them, everyone in Blackstone that owns a business,” Davis said. “It’s going to create more jobs in this area. Hopefully people are spending more money, because I think it’s awesome for everyone who works here.”
Davis, who lives “20 yards away” from the newly built Blackstone Corner Apartments, said apart from business, he’s not a fan of the changing landscape.
“I’d rather not have [the apartments] there. I don’t think anybody in the neighborhood wants them there. Nobody asked anybody in the neighborhood if they wanted them there. I’d like to have affordable housing in the center of Omaha. My rent is increasing. I’m going to get pushed out eventually, I know that.”
Talia Smith, community organizer for Omaha Tenants United, has already been “priced out” of Blackstone. Smith said as a former Blackstone resident, the issue of property value increasing made it difficult to keep up with her rent.
“The building got bought, so improvements were being made, but everybody that lived there got kicked out so they could raise the rent and do those renovations,” Smith said. “That’s the housing situation in Omaha: either it’s low-quality and cheap but you have to deal with bedbugs and ceilings flooding all the time. Your other option is you have to pay unaffordable amounts if you want to stay in that neighborhood.”
While it seems “nobody” who lives in Blackstone appreciates the new real estate, not all residents are opposed to the changes in the area.
The introduction of new businesses and condo buildings has made Blackstone safer, and new additions to the area will only improve its appeal, said resident CJ Monahan.
“I think it’s a good thing going here for Blackstone, compared to a few years ago when it wasn’t considered the safest neighborhood,” Monahan said. “I think these [developments] are bringing new aspects to why people want to come down.”
Regardless of the new real estate’s appeal, some residents remain unimpressed.
“I’m not a fan,” Davis said. “They look great, but that’s not what I want for my neighborhood.”
