FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
These are significant decisions for Omaha. Here are the facts behind the two questions voters will consider on November 3.
General
Does either bond require an increase in the City property-tax levy?
No. Existing City levy capacity approved by voters in 2020 is sufficient to support the borrowing without increasing the City of Omaha property-tax levy.
Are voters approving $185 million for two specific projects?
Voters will consider two separate legal authorizations: up to $155 million for a category of public facilities and up to $30 million for park and recreation improvements. The City has identified the proposed joint Police and Fire headquarters and completion of Tranquility Park as the principal projects associated with those questions.
Public Safety Headquarters
Why does the headquarters cost $181 million if the bond question is $155 million?
The headquarters is currently estimated at approximately $181 million. The proposed ballot authorization would provide up to $155 million in new borrowing authority. Existing borrowing authority is expected to help cover the balance.
Is the headquarters part of the private Crossroads development?
The proposed headquarters would be a City public-safety facility located on a 3.2-acre site within the Crossroads area. The bond authorization is for City public facilities; it is not an authorization to finance private Crossroads development.
Will police cars and fire trucks respond to emergencies from the new headquarters?
No. The proposed facility is an administrative and specialized public-safety headquarters, not a Police precinct or Fire station. Emergency vehicles would not deploy from the site.
Why does Omaha need a new Police headquarters?
The current Police headquarters was built in 1970 and is approximately 112,000 square feet. Police officials have identified space, ventilation, technology and facility limitations, and have searched for a replacement location for years.
What would the new headquarters contain?
Plans include Police investigative units, a forensic laboratory, a Real-Time Crime Center, evidence processing, Omaha Fire EMS support, fire prevention and public education functions, community meeting and event spaces, wellness areas, and other specialized public-safety functions.
Tranquility Park
How many fields is Tranquility Park getting?
The project scope has changed during planning. Public discussions have included configurations ranging from roughly 12 to 16 synthetic-turf soccer or multipurpose fields. The original plan’s baseball and softball fields are not included in the current phase.
Why did the Tranquility plan change?
Construction costs exceeded the original project estimate, and anticipated state funding was not secured. The City subsequently reduced the scope of the project.
Is there demand for more tournament fields in Omaha?
Visit Omaha said in December 2025 that it had already connected with 62 sports organizations interested in bringing events to Omaha after completion of the expanded complex.
How much visitor spending could the fields generate?
An independent Huddle Up Group analysis cited by Visit Omaha projected more than $30 million in annual visitor spending for a 12-field complex, and more than $36 million for a 16-field complex.
