OMAHA, Nebraska - Omaha Performing Arts announced plans to expand its campus, pending funding, by constructing a Live Music Venue, which will be located from Dodge Street to Capitol Avenue between 11th and 12th streets.Months of study by the board and senior management identified a performing arts gap for groups who are currently by-passing Omaha because of the lack of a downtown music venue to accommodate their audiences.Fundraising is underway to cover the costs of the $109 million facility, with a goal of opening in early 2023.
“There are a number of up and coming bands, solo performers and artists who are not making a tour stop in Omaha because of the lack of a music venue to meet their unique needs,” said O-pa President Joan Squires. “We believe the Live Music Venue will significantly improve music opportunities available in Omaha, especially for the key audience demographic of 21 to 45 years old. This proposed O-pa campus expansion provides an excellent fit with the renovations underway along the Riverfront, and will further enhance Omaha’s downtown entryway."
Squires tells NewsRadio 1110 KFAB, "The new proposed Live Music Venue is an open, flexible space so there will be no fixed seats except for a few in the balcony. It allows patrons to stand and listen or we can use retractable risers. We can do all types of performances in there and it is really a space that doesn't exist in downtown Omaha. The venue should accommodate between 1,500 and 3,000 people.
“The Live Music Venue will strengthen Omaha’s image as a premier artist and entertainment center and make us even more attractive to young adults,” Mayor Jean Stothert said. “This is an exciting project that has the potential to generate significant economic activity and bring many thousands of music fans to downtown Omaha."
The project will be contingent upon successful fundraising which is in progress.After all funding is committed, construction will begin in the fall of 2020 and the Live Music Venue will open in early 2023.