Quarterly News & Updates

Summer|2026

Downtown's Best Spots to Beat the Heat (Yes, Even Your Dog)

The RiverFront was built for summer. Here's your route to cool off, block by block.

Cascade Fountain, Gene Leahy Mall — Tiered pools and ground jets built for running through. Bring a towel and a change of clothes.

Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, Lewis & Clark Landing — Interactive sprays rise from a circular plaza right at the foot of the bridge, with the Missouri River as your backdrop.

Discovery Playground, Lewis & Clark Landing — A fully fenced playground with rocket climbers, ziplines, and its own seasonal water-play area with levers and pumps kids operate themselves. It placed fifth in USA Today's 2026 10Best Readers' poll for playgrounds this spring. On-site restrooms, and the urban beach is right next door.

Gene Leahy Mall Dog Park — Don't leave the dog behind. Both the small- and large-dog sections have a push-button water bowl, so no one goes thirsty.

A couple of things to know before you go: pavers near the fountains can get slippery, and water shoes aren't a bad idea.

345 new plants are taking root Downtown

ODIDA has invested $8,000 in new plantings across the district — about 345 plant units mixing long-term perennials, native-style grasses, shrubs, and pollinator-supporting plants, including milkweed, coneflower, yarrow, catmint, hyssop, aster, allium, Little Bluestem, Switch Grass, Grama, sumac, sweetspire, and chokeberry. Most of the order leans toward plants built to return year after year, part of a more sustainable approach to keeping Downtown attractive and walkable.

Register your security cameras with the City

Connect Omaha is mapping security cameras Downtown to help investigators find video evidence faster when incidents happen nearby. Registration takes under a minute, is voluntary, and doesn't give police live access to your footage.

Save the date: Downtown Alley Alive returns Friday, October 2

Mark your calendars — Downtown Alley Alive is back Friday, October 2, and this one's extra special: it doubles as ODIDA's 20th anniversary celebration. Location TBD, more details to come.

ODIDA expands its team

ODIDA is growing its team to keep pace with Downtown's momentum. Christina Randall has been promoted to Operations & Communications Director after nearly a decade with the organization, and Julie Bessmer has joined as Marketing & Communications Coordinator, bringing a graphic design background and a Downtown resident's perspective to the role.

Cleanup Day is back July 26

One hour, big impact. ODIDA's Downtown Cleanup Days happen the 4th Sunday of the month, April through September — July 26 is the next one. Meet at 13th & Howard at 9am; we'll wrap by 10. Supplies are provided, no experience or registration needed, and all ages are welcome.

Details

Stay Connected & Get Involved

Board Meetings: Last Tuesday of each month at 5:30 PM. View Meeting Schedule & Minutes

Weekly Newsletter: Get Downtown updates and timely reminders in your inbox. Sign Up for Email Updates

Events Calendar: See what is happening Downtown this season. See What’s Coming Up

Art in Downtown: Explore First Friday and current exhibitions. See Exhibitions

Join a Committee: Help shape the future of Downtown by supporting initiatives. Check out the next meeting

Omaha Downtown Improvement District

PO Box 8404

Omaha, NE 68102

402-916-1796