OMAHA — The fundraising effort to pay for the Omaha Public Library system’s new central library has surpassed its $158 million goal.

Partner organizations describe the 96,000-square-foot facility under construction at the southwest corner of 72nd and Dodge Streets as a new “cultural and technological landmark.” 

They said in a news release that the amount raised represents one of the largest philanthropic commitments to a U.S. public library system in recent years. Estimates have put the project cost at as much as $150 million.

“We found wide support for this project because people believe in the power of libraries to positively change lives,” said Rachel Jacobson, president of Heritage Omaha, which led the fundraising campaign.

She added, “Libraries contribute to essential community infrastructure that gives people the tools they need and a place to come together to collaborate, innovate and learn.”

The project was launched by the Omaha Public Library, the City of Omaha and three nonprofits: Omaha Public Library Foundation, Heritage Omaha and Do Space.

The so-called Central Library is projected to open in 2026.

Heritage Omaha reports that the funding goal was achieved with boosts from 282 foundations, corporations and individuals. The City of Omaha also pledged $20 million.

An agreement reached earlier between the city and the nonprofit Community Information Trust, an arm of Heritage, calls for the city to continue to support the library system at or beyond its 2022 budget commitment.

The fundraising milestone was also celebrated during a beam-signing event that drew supporters including Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert. Those present were invited to sign a steel beam to commemorate their involvement in the project.

Kiewit Building Group, HDR and Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture are construction and design partners for the project, which they said is designed for all generations.

Details on design and construction as well as how to support the project can be found at OmahaCentralLibrary.org.

The library is being built across Dodge Street from the Crossroads shopping center site, which is also a construction site in early stages of renovation.

A development team for the “reimagined” Crossroads project just recently went back to the City of Omaha seeking to increase public incentives for the redevelopment, including a bump in tax-increment financing from $80 million to $105.5 million. The price tag for the overall Crossroads vision, which includes planned city parking structures, has increased to a projected nearly $862 million.

This story was published by Nebraska Examiner, an editorially independent newsroom providing a hard-hitting, daily flow of news. Read the original article: https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/fundraising-for-omahas-new-central-l...