MECA Holds Ground Breaking for Gene Leahy Mall

The Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority (MECA) will oversee the construction, maintenance, and activation of Omaha’s renovated riverfront. Ground was officially broken at Gene Leahy Mall on February 28, marking the start of this approximately four-year construction process, currently scheduled for overall completion in late 2023. Katie Bassett is tasked with supervising the project, serving as MECA’s new vice president of Parks, a position newly created by MECA for this nearly $300 million endeavor.

Members of the riverfront groundbreaking shovel team include: Roger Dixon, president and CEO, MECA; Mayor Jean Stothert, City of Omaha; Ben Gray, Omaha City Council president; Ken Stinson, Downtown Riverfront Trust (DRT); Mogens Bay, Downtown Riverfront Trust (DRT); Jay Noddle, MECA board member; Brook Bench, City of Omaha parks director; Kyle Fiddelke, managing principal, OJB Landscape Architecture (OJB); Matt Tondl, senior vice president, HDR; and Barry Thoendel, area manager, Kiewit.

MECA has entered into agreements with OJB and HDR for their continued efforts to conceptualize and design the riverfront transformation. Kiewit has been contracted to act as construction manager. By May, demolition and grading will be underway.

Construction and project updates (including upcoming closures) will be regularly communicated online at www.riverfrontrevitalization.com.