City of North Omaha lots for sale at deeply discounted prices

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – The City of Omaha is looking to sell a lot of land at very low prices.

The land is in north Omaha, mostly north of Cuming Street and east of 30th Street.

“We would really like to see a lot of them that we can sell, be sold to someone who will put them to a more productive use,” said Kellie Johnston-Dorsey, the city’s assistant director of housing and community development.

A public hearing on the matter is scheduled for the June 4 Omaha City Council meeting.

Johnston-Dorsey says the city will recommend the sale of more than 50 properties and recommend buyers.

“Many of these applicants and proposed buyers have expressed interest in these lots for several years now,” Johnston-Dorsey said. “We have buyers who own adjacent land or have done gardening or have plans to develop these lots.”

Johnston-Dorsey says when the city first acquired the properties, the plan was to build affordable housing. However, since prices have gone up, the plan is no longer affordable for the city.

She says it’s time to pass it.

“We’re just excited to get them off our hands, into the hands of somebody who’s going to develop them, who’s going to maintain them, who’s going to build a community and work with the community,” Johnston-Dorsey said.

Developer Terri Porter plans to buy two parcels for two dollars.

“I plan to build four affordable housing units there,” Porter said. “The reason I want to do it is to solve, to help solve the crisis in Omaha and also to help the people that I serve have a more stable home.”

Johnston-Dorsey says the city has a wide range of potential buyers, including new and experienced developers. She notes that there are strings attached.

“So if you get one of these properties for one dollar, you have two years to start construction, you have four years to complete construction,” Johnston-Dorsey said. “We also indicate a minimum number of units that want to be built.”

Although the cost of the land is close to nothing, Johnston-Dorsey says the master plan is priceless.

“I think the result will be some affordable housing units that are very much needed in the community,” she said. “It’s exciting to see that we can play a small part in transferring ownership to someone who could do that and turn these lots into a home for someone.”

The city still has over 150 properties for sale and will accept purchase requests. To learn more, click here.

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