FEBRUARY 2026 NEWSLETTER
If the past few weeks have shown us anything, it’s this: preservation is alive, relevant, and deeply connected to the future of our city.
Across Omaha, conversations about historic buildings, redevelopment, and policy are happening in real time — and Preserve Omaha is right where we should be: educating, advocating, and bringing people together around the places that make this city unforgettable.
What Preserve Omaha Does
Preserve Omaha’s work is rooted in three core initiatives:
Educate. Advocate. Celebrate.
We educate the public and decision-makers about why historic places matter.
We advocate for smart tools and policies that support reinvestment and community vitality. And we celebrate Omaha’s buildings, neighborhoods, and stories so they continue to be lived in and loved.
Right now, all three of those efforts are very much in motion.
Advocacy in Action: The Historic Tax Credit
A bill scheduled for a February 4th hearing proposes eliminating Nebraska’s historic tax credit — a proven tool that has helped reinvest in historic buildings, support local jobs, and strengthen communities across the state.
This moment is important, and our response to it is equally significant.
Preserve Omaha is actively engaged, with board members experienced in government and advocacy leading our efforts. We’re working alongside partners, sharing information, and ensuring that preservation voices are informed, constructive, and part of the conversation.
This is what advocacy looks like when it’s done thoughtfully and with purpose.
You can help us to expand our effort! Contact your senator TODAY and tell them that you oppose LB 1244. You can also submit a comment online — please do so before 8:00am on February 4th.
CONTACT YOUR SENATOR
SUBMIT A COMMENT
Why This Matters: Seeing Preservation Up Close
Preservation isn’t abstract — it’s personal.
Recently, a historic house in Little Italy became the focus of a local news story that captured both what was lost and why people care so deeply about these places. Preserve Omaha responded, helping bring context, perspective, and passion to the conversation.
Watch the news segment and see our ongoing updates here
These moments spark awareness, conversation, and momentum — and they remind us why showing up matters.
Education in Action: Why This Building Matters
The Normandie Apartments
Omaha is rich with historic apartment buildings, but few are as old or as striking as the Normandie at 1102 Park Avenue. Designed by Frederick A. Henninger in the Classical Revival style and constructed in 1898, the Normandie is one of the oldest standing apartment buildings in Omaha.
Built during a time when residents were seeking healthier, more comfortable living environments, buildings like the Normandie represented progress, community, and thoughtful design. Located in the Hanscom Place subdivision, just a short streetcar ride from downtown, it offered families and professionals a quieter place to call home.
Henninger was one of Omaha’s most influential architects, shaping neighborhoods across the city with buildings that served people from all walks of life. The Normandie, one of his earliest and finest works, remains a powerful reminder of what thoughtful preservation makes possible.
Today, the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a designated Omaha Landmark — proof that historic places can continue to serve our city when given the care and investment they deserve.
Stories like this are why education is such a vital part of preservation. When people understand a building’s story, they understand why it matters.
Photo courtesy of Josh Biggs
How You Can Be Part of This Moment
Momentum grows when people lean in.
For real-time updates, resources, and ways to engage around the February 4 hearing, visit us on social media:
Preserve Omaha is powered by people who care deeply about this city. Joining, renewing your membership, or making a donation helps ensure we can continue to educate, advocate, and show up when it matters most.
Looking Ahead
Preservation is not about standing still — it’s about shaping the future with intention.
Thank you for your passion, your engagement, and your belief that Omaha’s history is worth protecting. Together, we are building awareness, momentum, and a stronger voice for the places that make this city feel like home.
Warmly,
The Preserve Omaha Board
