(Omaha, NE) -- In a news release late Monday afternoon, the City of Omaha says following Sunday’s discovery and immediate mitigation of a foundation wall collapse at a vacant property located at 3810-3812 Farnam St., the Mayor’s Office convened a leadership meeting Monday to coordinate immediate next steps.
The City is working in close partnership with both public and private entities to ensure public safety, stabilize the site, and thoroughly investigate the incident.
Immediate Safety Measures and Site Status:
● Road Closures: A stretch of Farnam Street-from 38th Street west to 38th Avenue-will remain closed to vehicle traffic in the near-term. 38th Street itself remains open, and the rest of Farnam Street is entirely safe for drivers.
● Site Security: The vacant building has been placarded with “danger-closed” signs, and the public must stay out of the immediate area. The property owners are currently evaluating the building's structural integrity to determine its future.
● Structural Reinforcement: Construction firm Kiewit is actively reinforcing the area around the collapse to prevent any further shifting.
● Neighboring Properties: Structural assessments confirm that the two adjacent buildings-The Colonial (3804 Farnam) and the building housing Cunningham’s (3814 Farnam)-are structurally independent and remain safely occupied.
Technical Clarification and Ongoing Investigation: The City Public Works Department is actively investigating the root cause of the failure. This event appears to be an isolated incident specific to this single building and does not seem to indicate a broader systemic issue for the area.
Timeline and Streetcar Construction Impacts: Streetcar construction will continue to move forward. While it is currently unclear how this foundation failure will impact the construction timeline immediately adjacent to the building, teams are working to minimize disruptions.
Because this is an evolving situation involving multiple public and private stakeholders, the City is closely coordinating efforts to ensure the sidewalk and street are safely reopened as soon as possible.
How to Report Concerns:
The City encourages residents to remain vigilant. If you notice any concerning structural, sidewalk, or roadway conditions, please report them immediately to:
● The Mayor’s Hotline: 444-5555
● The 24/7 Public Works Line: 444-4919
(Picture from City of Omaha)