7 For 7: Ideas For Omaha From Around The World
An East of 72nd’s Weekly Series Consisting Of 7 Ideas For Omaha Every 7 Days
- Airbnb Partnership To Provide Emergency Housing
Brief: The City of San Jose has partnered with Airbnb to provide free housing to people displaced following natural disasters with the creation of a pilot program called Host Corps. The program is similar to Airbnb’s Open Homes program which has sheltered 15,000 displaced individuals. This new program is Airbnb’s first effort to actively recruit hosts prior to a disaster striking.
How This Could Work For Omaha: If Omaha has a natural disaster such as a tornado like the one that struck in 1975 it would be good to have something like this in place. Additionally, the recent evacuation of the Yale Park Apartments underscores the importance of having such an emergency preparedness plan such as the Host Corps program.
2. Building Inclusion Into Construction Boom
Brief: On the heels of a 2017 study that found that the media African American household in Boston was just $8 as compared to $247,500 for the median white household, Boston is trying ensure a more equitable growth. The city is requiring all developers who submit requests for proposals for projects on city owned property to include a diversity and inclusion plan.
How This Could Work For Omaha: The developments in North Downtown that are encroaching on North Omaha have already brought with it concerns of gentrification and equitable growth. Omaha could follow Boston’s lead and require a similar diversity and inclusion plan from developers submitting RFP’s. Omaha could follow Boston’s lead and require plans “aimed at creating increased opportunities for people of color and women in the fields of construction, design, development, financing, operations and ownership.”
3. Parks and Bike Lanes Under Bridges
Brief: Miami is building a park system and bike trail underneath Miami’s metrorail. The park is a 10 mile stretch and will feature hundreds of acres of restored natural habitat, a bike trail and public art.
How This Could Work For Omaha: Omaha has the I-480 overpass bridge downtown that divides Downtown Omaha in two. Omaha could plan a park system underneath the overpass with various types of parks that could attract diverse walks of life to Omaha’s downtown.
4. Bike Parking In Front Of Fire Hydrants Stops Illegal Parking
Brief: The City of Philadelphia has begun placing bike parking in front of fire hydrants in hopes of reducing illegal parking near fire hydrants.
How This Could Work For Omaha: Omaha might not have a huge problem with parking in front of fire hydrants but this plan could build help promote biking. This idea also could solve the problem sidewalk clutter problem that is prevalent with dockless electric scooters if these corrals could be used for Lime or Bird scooter parking.
5. Trackless Train Offers Benefits Of Rail With Costs Similar To Bus
Brief: A new public transit option is born: oblong, self-driving train-like vehicles have been using sensor technology to follow markings painted on the streets of Zhuzhou, China.
How This Could Work For Omaha: Omaha could opt for the the trackless train instead of the proposed streetcar. The trackless train prevents the need for building costly tracks that would allow routes to span the entire city while simultaneously providing a sexy Omaha public transit option that can attract more riders.
6. Painted Parking Spots For Dockless Scooters
Brief: To meet public concerns about electric scooter parking, the city of Denver has begun painting parking stalls on streets and sidewalks.
How This Could Work For Omaha: Designating a docking area for dockless scooters will help adoption and public perception of dockless scooters in Omaha, provided dockless companies can get past city legal department hurdles.
7. Artists Relocation Incentive Program
Brief: In 2008 Chattanooga, TN arts nonprofit, ArtsMove offered a $15,000 home purchase incentive to attract out of state artists.
How This Could Work For Omaha: Omaha could stem some of its brain drain by creating a similar program which could retain artists and help them purchase homes. A program such as this could funnel out of state artists who are willing to relocate here and purchase homes into certain neighborhoods where their impact is needed the most.
