The city of Omaha plans to implement a Complete Streets program over the next five years.
The city council approved the Complete Streets policy unanimously at Tuesday’s meeting. Complete Streets focuses on the transportation needs of all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, freight vehicles, and those taking public transportation.
Julie Reilly, executive director of Omaha by Design, says a Complete Streets policy is good for economic development and attracting new residents.
"When you start to consider that these 18-to-34 year olds and these active baby boomers are all looking for places to live, if we can offer choices to them, they will be more likely to come to Omaha, more likely to stay here. So we will have increased recruitment and retention of employees in Omaha for all of our businesses, which is something we need."
Complete Streets is based on a set of principles. One is that streets should serve all users and modes of transportation. Another is that it’ll be incorporated in to all capital improvement projects. Reilly says the city is already trying to implement some Complete Streets policies.
More than 700 communities nationwide have Complete Streets programs.