If your picture of Omaha is based on a visit from several years ago, parts of the city may look surprisingly different today. A new downtown skyscraper is nearing completion, streetcar construction is active through the urban core, Eppley Airfield is being rebuilt in phases, and a new Central Library has opened near one of Omaha’s busiest intersections.
These are more than eye-catching construction projects. Together, they affect how people travel, where they spend time, what certain commutes feel like, and how Omaha may grow over the next several years.
For someone considering a move, the important question is not whether every project is good or bad. It is much more practical: How could these changes affect daily life in Omaha?
This guide looks at the Omaha development projects new residents are most likely to notice, what is happening as of July 2026, and what each project may mean when you are choosing a neighborhood or learning your way around town.
Omaha Is Growing in Two Directions at Once
Omaha’s growth story can be confusing because two things are happening at the same time.
On the western side of the metro, residential neighborhoods, shopping areas, schools, and services continue to spread toward Elkhorn, Gretna, and other fast-growing areas. Meanwhile, central and downtown Omaha are receiving major investments in transportation, offices, public spaces, and civic facilities.
That means there is no single “new Omaha.” A household near 204th Street may experience the city’s growth through new subdivisions, road construction, and expanding retail. Someone living in Downtown Omaha, Midtown, or near Blackstone may experience it through street closures, denser development, and more options within a shorter distance.
This is one reason it helps to think about your normal routine before choosing where to live. A neighborhood can be a great fit without being close to every major project. What matters is whether it puts you near the places you will use regularly, including work, school, healthcare, shopping, family, and recreation.
The Omaha Streetcar Will Affect Driving Before It Changes Transit
The Omaha streetcar is one of the city’s most visible and debated projects. Its planned route connects parts of downtown, the Old Market, Midtown, Blackstone, and the area near the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
According to the official Omaha Streetcar website, utility relocations are scheduled from 2024 through 2027, mainline track construction is planned from 2026 through 2028, and the streetcar is expected to enter service in 2028. Testing and commissioning are also scheduled during 2027 and 2028.
For a new resident arriving in 2026, the immediate story is construction, not riding the streetcar. Work zones can affect lanes, parking meters, sidewalks, turns, and access to businesses along portions of the route. The exact impacts change as crews move from one section to another.
What this means if you live or work nearby
If your daily routine takes you along Farnam Street, Harney Street, or through the downtown and Midtown corridor, allow some flexibility. A route that works one week may be less convenient the next. Navigation apps can help, but the streetcar’s official construction update page is the better source for planned work by district.
Construction does not make these neighborhoods poor choices. It simply adds a temporary factor that renters, buyers, commuters, and business customers should understand. If you are considering a home close to the route, visit the block at more than one time of day. Check current access, parking, noise, and the route you would use for work or school.
What the finished line may change
Once service begins, the streetcar could make short trips along the corridor easier and connect several activity centers without requiring a separate drive and parking search. It will not make the entire Omaha metro car-free. Most households, especially those in West Omaha or the suburbs, will still find a vehicle useful.
The most realistic way to view the project is as a new option within one part of the city. It may be meaningful for people who live, work, study, or regularly spend time along the route, while having little effect on many cross-town trips.
If transportation is a major concern in your move, compare the route with our guide to Omaha commute times and parking.
Eppley Airfield Is Becoming a Much Larger Airport
Eppley Airfield is undergoing a major terminal expansion and modernization program. The Omaha Airport Authority’s Build OMA project page lists a total project budget of $950 million and an estimated completion date in 2028.
The terminal project is designed to create a unified concourse, centralize passenger screening, add gates, improve baggage handling, and update dining, retail, accessibility, and passenger spaces. The terminal will remain open throughout construction, with work completed in phases.
That long-term result is promising for a growing metro, but travelers need to plan for the airport that exists during construction.
What travelers should do in 2026
Build OMA’s spring 2026 construction update advises passengers to arrive at least two hours early, reserve parking in advance when possible, follow airport signs, and use the airport’s interactive map for directions through the changing terminal.
This advice matters even if longtime residents tell you Eppley has traditionally been quick and easy. Familiar shortcuts may not apply during a large, phased renovation. Concession locations, walking routes, entrances, and other details may change as work progresses.
Passenger pick-up and drop-off also deserve extra attention. Confirm the current meeting point before leaving home, especially when collecting a visitor who has never used the airport. A quick text about the correct level, door, or garage area can prevent a frustrating loop around the terminal.
What the expansion means when choosing a home
Living close to Eppley can be valuable for frequent travelers, airline employees, or households with regular out-of-town guests. However, most Omaha residents do not choose a neighborhood based only on airport distance. Eppley is northeast of downtown, and the drive from western parts of the metro is longer than the trip from Downtown, Midtown, North Omaha, or Council Bluffs.
Before making a housing decision, map the airport trip at the times you are most likely to fly. Then compare it with the commutes you will make every day. Saving 15 minutes on an occasional airport trip may be less important than being closer to work, family, or school.
For more arrival information, see our complete guide to Omaha’s airport.
The New Central Library Gives Omaha a Civic Hub in the Middle of the City
Omaha’s new Central Library officially opened on April 19, 2026, at 7205 Dodge Street. Its location near 72nd and Dodge places it closer to the geographic center of the city than the former downtown central library.
The Omaha Public Library location page lists the library as open seven days a week, with evening hours Monday through Thursday. Current hours and holiday closures can change, so confirm them before a special trip.
This is useful for newcomers because a library can be one of the easiest places to begin building a routine. You can get a card, attend programs, use research resources, reserve meeting space, find activities for children and teens, and learn about other parts of the community without needing to buy anything.
The Central Library also includes dedicated resources for genealogy and local history. For someone who has just moved to Omaha, that may sound like a niche feature, but it is a good way to understand how the city developed, why neighborhoods have distinct identities, and how Omaha’s past continues to shape the metro.
Why the location matters
The 72nd and Dodge area is not a quiet neighborhood crossroads. It is one of the city’s major commercial and traffic corridors. The library is accessible from many parts of Omaha, but busy periods can make the surrounding streets feel different from a small branch library in a residential area.
You do not need to use Central for every library visit. Omaha Public Library operates branches across the city, and your closest branch may be more convenient for quick pickups or weekly visits. Think of Central as a larger destination for programs, specialized collections, meetings, and longer visits.
The Mutual of Omaha Tower Is Reshaping Downtown’s Skyline
The most noticeable change to Omaha’s skyline is the new Mutual of Omaha headquarters at 14th and Farnam Streets, beside the Gene Leahy Mall.
In a June 2026 project update, Mutual of Omaha reported that the building will be 677 feet tall with 44 floors and approximately 800,000 square feet. The company says the project remains scheduled for completion in 2026.
For most residents, the tower itself will not change a daily routine. Its larger importance comes from where it is located and what it represents. A major Omaha employer is moving its headquarters into the downtown core beside a heavily used public park and within the developing streetcar corridor.
That combination may bring more weekday activity to nearby streets, restaurants, services, and parking facilities. It also reinforces the difference between downtown living and suburban living. Downtown residents trade larger yards and quieter streets for closer access to offices, events, parks, dining, and entertainment.
If you are thinking about living nearby, do not evaluate the area only during a relaxed weekend afternoon. Visit on a weekday morning, during the evening commute, and when a major event is happening at the CHI Health Center or Charles Schwab Field. That gives you a more realistic picture of traffic, parking, noise, and pedestrian activity.
What These Projects Mean for Your Neighborhood Search
Major developments can make a neighborhood sound exciting, but they should not replace the basics of a good housing decision. A project announcement is not a guarantee that a particular property will increase in value, that every nearby business will thrive, or that your commute will improve.
Instead, use these projects as context while asking practical questions.
How long will you live there?
A renter signing a one-year lease may care more about current construction than a buyer planning to stay for ten years. The short-term inconvenience and long-term benefit can look very different depending on your timeline.
Will you use the project?
Being near the streetcar corridor may be appealing if you work at UNMC or downtown. It may matter much less if your job, school, and family are all in West Omaha. The Central Library may become part of your weekly routine, or your neighborhood branch may serve you better.
What is the normal trip, not the special trip?
People often focus on trips to the airport, downtown events, or the zoo when comparing neighborhoods. Those destinations matter, but your grocery run, commute, daycare drop-off, medical appointments, and visits with family will happen more often.
What is happening on the exact block?
Citywide project maps are helpful, but conditions can vary from block to block. One apartment may face active construction while another building two streets away feels relatively calm. Walk the area, listen, check parking restrictions, and try your likely route before committing.
Our Omaha neighborhood guides can help you compare the broader character of different areas. If you are deciding between an older central neighborhood and a newer suburban area, also read our guide to suburb versus city living in Omaha.
How to Keep Up With Omaha Construction Without Following Every Headline
You do not need to become a local development expert to avoid surprises. A few reliable sources can help you check the projects most likely to affect you.
- Streetcar corridor: Use the official construction update page for district-specific information.
- Air travel: Check Build OMA updates and the current Eppley terminal map before a flight.
- Library visits: Confirm hours, programs, and services on the Central Library page.
- Driving: Use live navigation for road closures, but also check official project pages when traveling through a long-term work zone.
It is also worth asking a landlord, property manager, real estate agent, or nearby resident about known construction around a specific address. Ask a direct question: “Are there any active or announced projects that affect access, parking, noise, or traffic on this block?”
Frequently Asked Questions About Omaha Development
When is the Omaha streetcar expected to open?
The official project schedule lists streetcar service beginning in 2028. Construction and testing will continue in phases before then, so drivers and pedestrians should check current district updates.
When will the Eppley Airfield expansion be finished?
The Omaha Airport Authority estimates completion of the Terminal Modernization Program in 2028. The airport remains open while the work is completed in phases.
Is Omaha’s new Central Library open?
Yes. Central Library opened on April 19, 2026, at 7205 Dodge Street. Check the official library page for current hours, events, and services.
Where is the new Mutual of Omaha tower?
The new headquarters is at 14th and Farnam Streets in Downtown Omaha, next to the Gene Leahy Mall. Mutual of Omaha says the 44-story tower is scheduled for completion in 2026.
Should a future project determine where I live?
Usually not by itself. Consider how the location works for your current routine first. Treat a future project as one factor alongside housing cost, commute, schools, taxes, services, parking, and the amount of construction you are willing to tolerate.
The Bottom Line
Omaha is still a manageable, practical city, but it is not standing still. The streetcar, airport modernization, Central Library, and new downtown tower show several versions of Omaha’s future taking shape at once.
For newcomers, the best approach is simple. Pay attention to projects that touch your actual routine, verify the latest construction information, and choose a neighborhood based on how you will live today as well as what may improve tomorrow.
That balance will help you enjoy Omaha’s growth without letting a crane, rendering, or construction detour make the decision for you.
