By Tracy Overstreet
tracy.overstreet@theindependent.com

"I like the way South Locust Street looks I'd like that for our businesses too," said Cheryl Nietfeldt, co-owner of Real Estate Group, 1824 W. Second St.

That's why she's supporting an initiative for a Second Street business improvement district.

Five Points Bank Vice President Bob Dodendorf started the initiative by writing a request letter to the city asking it to create an improvement district along Second Street from Eddy Street west to Grant Street.

"A unified look will benefit the businesses as well as give a more favorable impression to all driving through the city on U.S. Highway 30," he wrote.

The Jan. 26 letter was signed by Dodendorf, whose bank has a drive-through ATM at Second and Broadwell; Nietfeldt; Mike Wanek, who owns a retail building at Second and Eddy; Dallas Kime of TierOne Bank at 1811 W. Second; Phil Maltzahn, co-owner of Almquist Maltzahn Galloway and Luth public accountants at 1203 W. Second St.; and Randy Evans of Randy's Used Cars at 1407 W. Second St.

"I think it's a major thoroughfare through the city," Dodendorf said.

Green space and landscaping such thoroughfares can help redevelopment and economic growth, he said.

Dodendorf helped years ago in beginning the downtown improvement district. He applauded the district creation along South Locust, which has developed into a very inviting entrance to Grand Island, he said.

South Locust business owners created a business improvement district from Highway 34 north to Stolley Park Road in 1999 followed by a second district from Stolley Park Road north to Fonner Park Road in 2002.

The South Locust districts pay taxes based on a front footage to maintain landscaping and to clear sidewalks that are lit with pedestrian-friendly gooseneck lighting.

Those South Locust assessments have ranged from about $2.30 to $4.50 a front foot per year. There's no indication yet what assessments might cost along Second Street.

Part of what's driving the request now is a Nebraska Department of Roads project that begins March 17 to widen Second Street to five lanes from Grant to Greenwich.

Dodendorf said as long as road construction is under way, it makes sense to plan improvements.

Chad Nabity, regional planning director, discussed the Second Street improvement district request with the Community Redevelopment Authority (CRA) Wednesday. Because the Second Street corridor is in a declared blighted and substandard area, the CRA could assist with the district, Nabity said.

"They are very excited about it and very supportive," said Nabity, who is also the CRA director.

In fact, the CRA was so enthusiastic about the district Wednesday, the members discussed the possibility of paying for the conduit for special street lighting and for installing sprinkler lines.

Both installations would be cheaper to do during the street construction then paying to retrofit the landscaping and lighting project in later, Nabity said.

Whatever support the CRA decides to give, Nabity said it will need to decide soon perhaps even at the March CRA meeting.

Regarding a landscaping plan, Dodendorf said he believes it will be more difficult to design than the South Locust Street district. There are more side streets and a narrower area for landscaping, he said.

It's all the more reason for a district, Nabity said.

"There won't be a lot of quantity, so quality and maintenance become very important," he said.

Nabity said the city will likely consider extending the Second Street district to at least Garfield, which is one block west of Grant. It may also include streets north or south of Second Street before tweaking the final boundaries of the district.

"It's easier to trim it down than to add to it," he said.

The district creation is expected to go the Grand Island City Council in March, Nabity said.

"I've called over 40 percent of the property owners from Eddy to the overpass and not had anybody say no to the idea," Dodendorf said.