Site Selected for New Southwest Omaha Public Library

(March 7, 2024)

The City of Omaha is taking the first step toward construction of a long-needed new library branch in southwest Omaha.

The Omaha City Council and the Omaha Public Library Board of Trustees will consider a purchase agreement to buy property located near 204^th and F in the Iron Bluff subdivision. The purchase price for the approximately four-acre site is $1.8 million, which will be paid from the Advanced Acquisition Fund. The southwest branch will be the 14^th Omaha Public Library location.

The Omaha Public Library's 2017 Facilities Master Plan produced by Himmel & Wilson recommended the addition of a new branch in southwest Omaha to provide library services to the growing population in southwest Omaha and reduce crowding at Millard Library, OPL's busiest branch.

"This is an opportunity to expand our excellent public library system, to be accessible and convenient for library patrons," said Mayor Jean Stothert.

The southwest branch is included in the 2024-2029 Capital Improvement Plan; the cost is estimated at $15 million, a schedule for design and construction has not been determined.

The purchase will be on the City Council agenda for first reading March 12. The Library Board of Trustees will consider the purchase at its March meeting.