Report on Urban Redevelopment Initiative in Lincoln, Nebraska

Executive Summary

The City of Lincoln’s Urban Development Department has submitted a new blight study to the Lincoln Planning Commission. The objective is to renew a blight designation for a section of northeast Lincoln, located between Cornhusker Highway and Holdrege Street. This designation is a critical step in facilitating long-term redevelopment and aligns with several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those focused on poverty reduction, economic growth, and sustainable urban communities.

Strategic Framework and Financial Mechanisms

The Blight Designation and Tax Increment Financing (TIF)

A formal blight designation, while seemingly negative, is an essential municipal tool that enables the use of Tax Increment Financing (TIF). This financial mechanism is designed to stimulate private investment and support residents in targeted areas.

• TIF Benefit: Provides a $5,000 tax credit to homeowners residing in areas classified as “extremely blighted.”
• Current Impact: The program has already provided financial relief to 460 homeowners.
• Projected Impact: This number is expected to increase to 600 by the end of the current designation period.

Implementation Process

The path to redevelopment is a multi-stage process requiring institutional coordination and public engagement, reflecting a commitment to SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

1. Secure reapproval of the blight designation from the Lincoln Planning Commission.
2. Develop a comprehensive, long-term redevelopment plan through extensive consultation with the northeast Lincoln community. This step is crucial for achieving SDG 11 by ensuring development is inclusive and participatory.
3. Coordinate all available municipal resources to implement improvements systematically.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This urban renewal initiative directly contributes to the advancement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The core of the project is to make Lincoln’s urban environment more inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. By identifying and redeveloping underutilized areas, the city is actively working to improve housing, upgrade infrastructure, and enhance the quality of life for its residents. The 30-year planning horizon demonstrates a long-term commitment to sustainable urban management.

SDG 1: No Poverty & SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The initiative targets areas characterized by higher concentrations of poverty and unemployment.

• The TIF program provides direct financial assistance to low-income homeowners, contributing to SDG 1 (No Poverty).
• By focusing investment in a specific geographic area facing economic challenges, the city aims to reduce spatial and economic disparities, directly addressing SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). The finding that 16.75% of the city is considered “extremely blighted” when factoring in poverty underscores the need for this targeted intervention.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The long-term vision for northeast Lincoln, modeled on the successful transformation of the Haymarket district, is centered on fostering local economic growth. Redevelopment projects stimulate the economy by:

• Creating construction jobs in the short term.
• Paving the way for new businesses and services, leading to sustained employment.
• Transforming blighted areas into vibrant, economically productive districts.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The success of the redevelopment plan hinges on effective collaboration. As stated by Dan Marvin, Director of the Urban Development Department, achieving consensus requires balancing many competing forces. The process necessitates a strong partnership between the City of Lincoln, community members, and private sector developers to achieve shared goals.

Conclusion and Future Outlook

The renewal of the blight designation for northeast Lincoln is the foundational step in a multi-decade strategy to foster sustainable and equitable urban growth. By integrating existing frameworks, such as the University Place Subarea Plan, and engaging the community, the City of Lincoln aims to replicate the success of past redevelopment projects like the Haymarket. This initiative serves as a practical model for applying the principles of the Sustainable Development Goals at the municipal level to create a more prosperous and resilient city for all.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   The article on Lincoln’s urban redevelopment and blight designation primarily addresses three Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

   • SDG 1: No Poverty

     The article explicitly links “extremely blighted” areas to “poverty stricken areas.” The implementation of Tax Increment Financing (T.I.F.) as a tax credit for residents in these areas is a direct measure aimed at providing financial relief and support to the poor, which aligns with the goal of eradicating poverty.

   • SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

     The designation of “extremely blighted” areas is associated with “higher focused unemployment.” The overall goal of the redevelopment plan is to transform these areas into “thriving” and “vibrant” parts of the city, exemplified by the Haymarket’s successful redevelopment from “empty storefronts.” This transformation implies the creation of jobs and stimulation of local economic activity, which is central to SDG 8.

   • SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

     This is the most prominent SDG in the article. The entire discussion revolves around urban planning, addressing “blight,” and redeveloping parts of the city to be more sustainable and livable. The creation of a “redevelopment plan,” the focus on improving neighborhoods, and the process of community engagement (“buy-in from the neighbors”) are all core components of making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   Based on the article’s content, the following specific targets can be identified:

   • Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all.

     The article discusses the “tax increment financing” (T.I.F.) benefit, which provides a “$5,000 tax credit to owners living in extremely blighted areas.” This program acts as a localized social protection measure aimed at supporting vulnerable populations in poverty-stricken areas.

   • Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.

     The city’s “blight study” and subsequent “redevelopment plan” are direct efforts to upgrade blighted areas, which are the local equivalent of slums or inadequate housing conditions mentioned in this target. The goal is to improve these “problem areas” and make them better places to live.

   • Target 11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management.

     The article highlights the importance of a structured planning process. The Urban Development Department emphasizes that progress starts with “a plan” and “buy-in from the neighbors.” This approach, which involves “multiple redevelopment plans and meetings with the northeast Lincoln community,” directly reflects the participatory and integrated planning process described in this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   Yes, the article mentions or implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress:

   • Indicator for Target 1.3:

     The article provides a direct quantitative measure of the T.I.F. program’s reach. It states that the program “has already helped 460 people in the capital city, but he expects this number to rise to 600.” This number serves as a direct indicator of the population covered by this specific social protection system.

   • Indicator for Target 11.1:

     The article provides statistics that serve as a baseline for measuring the proportion of the urban population living in blighted areas. It states that “only 6% being overall blighted,” but this figure “rises to 16.75%” when considering “higher focused unemployment and poverty stricken areas.” Progress towards Target 11.1 could be measured by a reduction in these percentages over time.

   • Indicator for Target 11.3:

     The article implies a qualitative indicator related to participatory planning. The existence of the “Lincoln Planning Commission,” the development of the “University Place Subarea Plan,” and the stated intention to hold “meetings with the northeast Lincoln community” all serve as evidence of a direct participation structure for civil society in urban planning. The successful implementation of the 30-year redevelopment plan would be the ultimate measure of progress.

Summary of Findings

Source: 1011now.com