The saying “It’s been a long time coming” doesn’t seem to quite do it justice. Many residents in the community remember calls for Olde Towne revitalization for more than 20 years. The wait may soon be over.
In a press conference on Thursday, Bellevue Mayor Rusty Hike, Bellevue Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Michelle Andahl, and Jeff Gehring with Mercury Builders announced the beginning of a series of developments for the Olde Towne area.
Mercury Property Management, Inc. submitted plans to the Bellevue Planning Commission to build a 4-story building on Lots 1 and 3 of Civic Center Plaza. These two lots were the former home of City Hall. The specific area is on the north side of Mission Avenue between Washington and Jefferson Streets.
The official name of the development is The Bridge Flats and it will be part of a new Frontier District.
Mayor Hike is excited about the proposal and hopes that it brings back some retail that used to be in Olde Towne. “I have always thought a town that loses its main street all but loses its town. Now that it has passed the planning commission, people are realizing this is likely going to happen. There have been many obstacles to overcome and we are lucky to have a developer that is willing to work as hard as they have. We have seen their commitment over the past months and I can feel the excitement building within the city walls. I think Bellevue will support this in a big way. We need the neighborhood services that disappeared decades ago more than ever.”
Andahl agrees, “We are very excited that Mercury Builders and their partners are investing in our city to bring this beautiful revitalization project to Olde Towne Bellevue. The leadership and members of the Bellevue Chamber greatly support the City of Bellevue and their work to bring this project to the community. The Frontier District and Bridge Flats will be the cornerstone for making downtown Bellevue a destination for residents and visitors to come together for great shopping, dining, and community events. We look forward to all that this will do for our great city.”
The plans call for a mixed-use building. The lower level would contain roughly 19,000 square feet of commercial space which would include approximately 14,000 square feet of retail space, 2,000 square feet of restaurant space, and 1,000 square feet of lobby or office space.
The three levels above total about 63,000 square feet. Each level will feature approximately ten one-bedroom and eight two-bedroom apartments. The one-bedroom units are designed at 768 square feet and the two-bedroom units will be around 1,044 square feet.
Gehring said the new building will be Phase 1. “We wanted to begin with an initial $12 million dollar development to get started and get people excited. There is a huge need for retail in that area. There are no vacancies on Mission at all.”
When asked about the decision to invest and build in Bellevue, Gehring replied, “Isn’t it Bellevue’s turn? We’ve seen the development and redevelopment in Omaha and surrounding areas for a long time. I think it’s long overdue in Bellevue.”
“Isn’t it Bellevue’s turn? We’ve seen the development and redevelopment in Omaha and surrounding areas for a long time. I think it’s long overdue in Bellevue.”
Jeff Gehring, Mercury Builders – When asked on their decision to invest in Bellevue
Mayor Hike addressed Olde Towne’s potential and future growth, “I remember in my younger years that you could buy groceries, hardware supplies, bicycles, shoes, clothes, ice cream, dine at restaurants, watch a movie at the theater, play pool, get your medicine, or really just about anything right here on Mission Avenue. The area is totally walkable with its flat elevations, is in close proximity to the river and large parks, and already has some very successful businesses in place. In my opinion, Olde Towne has more potential than any other area in the entire metro for living and playing, with many jobs coming online to the south.”
So what about skeptics who have long heard promises of Olde Towne redevelopment but have rarely seen any progress made? Hike responded, “It’s been a long time and people have heard many different ideas and stories. Me Included. All I can say is I will do everything I can to develop Bellevue in a great way. This is one project of many that I am working on but it is a big one for Bellevue and it will happen.”
The Bellevue Planning Commission recommended the approval of the Mercury Property Management, Inc. Olde Towne Redevelopment Plan at their July 28th meeting and it will go before the Bellevue City Council at the September 6th Council meeting. If approved, Gehring said construction could begin sometime in October.
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**Updated With Official Press Release**
Bellevue city officials and Mercury Builders’ representatives broke ground today on The Frontier District, an expansive project that will modernize and transform Olde Towne Bellevue into a thriving anchor of commerce and entertainment.
The phased revitalization project begins with the unveiling of Mercury Builders’ The Bridge Flats in the Frontier District: 53 luxury residential units with 18,000 square feet of first-floor condominium space for retail and business tenants located along the north side of Mission Avenue between Washington and Jefferson Streets.
The Frontier District – reflective of Bellevue as the First City of Nebraska – will also feature a new streetscape: strolling walkways, abundant common areas, lush landscaping and attractive streetscaping. The area will be designed to serve residents by attracting new business ventures and inspiring enriching community engagement projects as well as more mixed-use apartment/retail buildings.
The Bridge Flats provides first glimpse of the transformative renovation of downtown Bellevue – the Frontier District will preserve the Olde Towne neighborhood’s charm and history while reimagining its future as a centralized hub in Nebraska’s fastest-growing city.
“We’re thrilled to announce the Frontier District and unveil The Bridge Flats to debut our ambitious plans to rejuvenate downtown Bellevue,” Bellevue Mayor Rusty Hike said. “We’re committed to serving this city by investing in projects that incentivize businesses and spark growth so we can continue to make Bellevue Your Home to Thrive.”
The Bridge Flats, a $12.3 million construction project, will provide affordable living options to help meet the needs of a growing community. The luxury apartment building will feature a landscaped and furnished courtyard, outdoor kitchen and grill station, as well as green space for activities like Bocce ball and yoga. Redeveloped front facades for businesses on the south side of Mission Avenue also are included in the project plans, which will give the Frontier District a more uniform look. Additional public parking will be integrated.
“We’re excited for the opportunity to launch the Bridge Flats, working with city leaders, the business community and Bellevue residents to create a vibrant place that will make The Frontier District an attraction for years to come,” said Jeff Gehring, co-owner of Mercury Builders and Construction.
The Frontier District, spanning Mission Avenue, will create a contemporary feel and provide metropolitan amenities that align with the city’s exponential growth.
“The Frontier District will make the downtown area much more competitive with other developments we have seen in recent years,” said Jim Ristow, Bellevue City Administrator. “Businesses are showing strong interest in the project and are really attracted to the vision of the Frontier District.”
Located just west of the recently renovated American Heroes Park and the iconic Bellevue Bridge and sitting just minutes from Offutt Air Force Base and the Premier Sports Village youth sports complex to the south, The Frontier District is poised to emerge as a can’t-miss destination that delivers on Bellevue’s strategic plan for downtown redevelopment.
In addition to Mercury Builders, the Bridge Flats development team includes Perry Reid Properties, Perry Reid Construction, Moffett Investment Group, CMBA Architects, TD2 Engineering & Surveying, E & A Consulting Group and ETI-Engineering.
