2024 was a busy year for all of us in west Omaha and Gretna. Together we’re counting down the most impactful stories in our communities from this year.
Let’s start with what is plain to see: West Omaha and Gretna are growing fast. From a professional volleyball facility to plans for another massive shopping and entertainment district, this town is expanding.
The professional volleyball facility will be over 60,000 square feet and will feature 10 courts, locker rooms, a pro shop, and development and strength training rooms.
“To have something like this accessible to our athletes and our residents, I think it’s just a really neat amenity for our community,” said Gretna Mayor Mike Evans.
But not every place is growing. This abandoned hotel has been vacant for years now, but in 2024, after KMTV aired a series of reports, the city of Omaha began taking action.
Officials sent numerous violations to the hotel’s out-of-state owners for broken windows, overgrown weeds, and graffiti.
“This is one of the more frustrating cases I’ve had in the six and a half years,” said Chief Housing Inspector Scott Lane. “We felt that this company had great intentions. We have afforded them more time than necessary.”