NoDo (North of Downtown)

NoDo, occasionally referred to as North Downtown, is a newly renovated neighborhood just north of downtown Omaha. It stretches from I-480 on the south to Seward Street to the north and from Riverfront Drive to 17th Street east to west. NoDo is a mixed-use community integrating residential, commercial, and entertainment venues in one convenient location; major attractions in the area include the Qwest Center, the TD Ameritrade Park, the Missouri riverfront and boardwalk and the Lewis & Clark Landing. A proposed streetcar project is expected to increase interest in this vibrant cultural area.

Various theories exist as to how the NoDo neighborhood derived its name; some insist the name refers to North Downtown, or North of Dodge. Regardless, the mixed-use development has seen considerable growth in recent years thanks to the construction of the multi-million Qwest Center arena and convention center, the opening of three new hotels in the area, and significant residential construction in the neighborhood. NoDo benefits greatly from its location on the Missouri riverfront, with the Lewis & Clark Landing and the newly constructed boardwalk area receiving a great deal of tourist attention and serving as the venue for a number of annual festivals and events. This attracts business for local stores, galleries, and restaurants, and provides economic support for the entire community.

NoDo is a pedestrian-friendly community, with the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge providing an easy transportation route across the Missouri River for bicyclists and foot traffic. Creighton University is located within the neighborhood and provides employment opportunities for many residents; the TD Ameritrade Park is still under construction, but is expected to provide additional jobs when it opens in spring 2011. Home prices tend to be on the high side in this exclusive area due to high demand and limited supply; new condominium developments may allow NoDo housing costs to fall slightly once they are completed.