Omaha Streetcar Authority to hire interim director

The Omaha Streetcar Authority authorized a decision Tuesday that can permit for the hiring of a marketing consultant to function interim director of the authority. 

The authority will hire Rick Gustafson, a strategic adviser, utilizing cash from the Greater Omaha Chamber by the Omaha Development Foundation. Streetcar Authority members didn’t specify how a lot Gustafson, who didn’t attend Tuesday’s assembly, will probably be paid for his providers.

Gustafson was beforehand a associate of Shiels Obletz Johnsen, a undertaking administration consultancy based mostly in Portland, Oregon, and Seattle. He has expertise main streetcar operations in Portland and has consulted on streetcar tasks in a number of cities, in accordance to the agency’s web site.

“I feel Mr. Gustafson is greater than certified to assist us get began,” mentioned Bob Stubbe, Omaha Public Works director and vp of the authority. “He’s had expertise with streetcar tasks in a number of communities. He’s additionally conscious of the extra necessities associated to establishing the governing authorities.”

The authority additionally authorized a redevelopment settlement Tuesday that outlines the function of town and authority in making a streetcar system. The Omaha City Council is scheduled to vote on the doc subsequent week — the final step wanted to finalize the settlement. 

As introduced by Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert in January, the streetcar is proposed to function alongside a 3-mile route utilizing 5.5 observe miles. The line is deliberate to journey alongside Farnam and Harney Streets from tenth Street to forty second Street and alongside tenth Street between Harney and Cass Streets. 

The price of constructing and launching the system is estimated at $225 million, however as a result of federal tips name for a 35% contingency in case of surprising prices, town would wish to elevate $306 million. 

The metropolis plans to situation particular income bonds and personal placement bonds to pay for the system’s development. The consumers of these bonds will probably be repaid utilizing cash generated by a tax-increment financing (TIF) district that can run alongside the streetcar route. 

The Streetcar Authority was created this spring to oversee the design, development and eventual operation of the streetcar.

The board is made up of seven members: three appointed by the mayor and authorized by the City Council, three appointed by Metro Transit’s CEO and one group member appointed by the Greater Omaha Chamber.

Jay Noddle, of native growth firm Noddle Co., was chosen as president and Stubbe was chosen as vp. Other members embody Steve Curtiss, metropolis finance director; David Fanslau, metropolis planning director; Lauren Cencic, CEO of Metro; Edith Simpson, Metro authorized director; and William Clingman, Metro finance director.