Drake Court District

The Joslyn Castle Final Report to the Drake Partnership, Drake Court: Revitalizing an Omaha Landmark for an Urban Neighborhood's Sustainable Future documents changes in the area under the influence of a nine year committment by The Nebraska Investment Finance Authority, the City of Omaha, NuStyle Development, Joslyn Castle Institute for Sustainable Communities among others joined in reviving this inner city landmark.

The redevelopment of the four-block Drake Court housing project in Omaha is the result of a comprehensive study by the Joslyn Castle Institute for Sustainable Communities that sparked the revitalization of this inner city neighborhood and now serves as an example of how sustainable practices can transform the inner city.



Joslyn Castle Institute played an active role in the project as a consulting partner, working with the developer, the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority, and the City of Omaha in a four-year commitment to transform the neighborhood—through sustainable practices—into a vibrant downtown community.

Built in the1920's on the western edge of downtown Omaha, over the years the fourteen remaining buildings of the Drake Court housing project became blighted and mostly uninhabited. In 1998, JCI planners saw an opportunity to revive the four-block complex to meet the growing consumer demand for residential development near the downtown area. Planners also noted positive signs of urban revitalization in the vicinity, including the restored Rose Theater, the Omaha Children's Museum, the Flatiron Building, and the Westin Acquila Hotel.

The streets, district, and neighborhood surrounding the Drake Court housing units offer an exceptional opportunity for sustainable development through the blending of mixed uses, mixed income, and revitalized commercial and housing accommodations.

JCI’s pre-development process included public forums designed to gather ideas, images and concepts; demographic and economic research; and the joining together of prospective public and private partners.

Drake Court is a catalyst for other inner city development projects, and will serve as an example for other cities that need to provide more residential choices to urban dwellers.

In today’s economy, the primary motivation for choosing to reside in an urban community is no longer predicated upon job availability alone, but also includes concerns for quality of life, attractiveness of the built and natural environment, and the perception of vitality, safety and affordability.

In this respect, Drake Court will not only provide a sustainable alternative to urban dwellers, but also a living lesson for the future of inner city planning and redevelopment.

Also see Historic Drake Court

Additional Web Sites featuring Drake Court:
  • www.drakecourt.net
  • www.nustyle.net

    The Drake Court Neighborhood
  • The Omaha Children's Museum
     
  • Liberty School (Drake Court's Newly Built Public Elementary School)
  • The Rose Blumkin Theater for Young People
  • The Downtown YMCA

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    Drake Court Documents: (16)
    Date Title/Description
    11-Mar-2004 Drake Court Environs 2004 - This document evaluates the current status of the Drake Court neighborhood, four years since JCI first undertook its study, the purpose of which is to provide information that is beneficial to the continuing evolutionary process of sustainable redevelopment..
    10-Oct-2003 Drake Court Predevelopment Study - A predevelopment study done prior to the initiation of the drake court restoration and development project
    22-Aug-2003 Drake Court Site Axon - Rendering of drake area.
    22-Aug-2003 Row housing - Development of single family housing will diversify the housing stock in the area leading to more social stability and more options in the living environment. The willingness of single families to invest in this neighborhood is an indicator that the neighborhood has stabalized and is beginning the process of recovery.
    04-Sep-2003 DrakeCourtyard.jpg
    04-Sep-2003 DrakeCT_doorway.jpg
    03-Apr-2004 A Rehabilitation of the Drake Court Environs - This document details the context and existing conditions of the project site, explains the building type that is to be designed, and lays out the goals for the project over the course of the year. The Drake Court project originated as a strategy to revitalize the project area.
    04-Sep-2003 DrakeLamp.jpg
    04-Sep-2003 Drake Art Deco Planter
    16-Dec-2003 Neighborhood Walk - Neighborhood Walk Through of the rennovated Drake Court Apartments.
    04-Sep-2003 Drake_dish.jpg - Image of Drake Court with satellite dishes
    11-Sep-2003 drake_renovated_courtyd.jpg - Picture #1 of Drake's renovated courtyard. A photo of the Drake Court today after renovation and preservation projects.
    11-Sep-2003 drake_renovated_court2.jpg - Picture #2 of Drake's renovated courtyard
    11-Sep-2003 drake_renovated_kitchen.jpg - Larger image of renovated kitchen
    11-Sep-2003 drake_dining-living.jpg - Larger image of renovated dining area and kitchen
    11-Sep-2003 drake_new.jpg - Drake Court Site During Construction



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