OMAHA- Home building companies in Nebraska are eager to begin working around a possible 4,000-acre manmade lake set to be built between Omaha and Lincoln.

After state Senator Mike McDonnell introduced a progress report on the potential lake, members of the Metro Omaha Builders Association stated that they stand ready to do their part and get the project started.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for private development and not necessarily only along the shoreline," said former MOBA president Greg Frazell, "Nebraska needs something--and we'll never have mountains."

Frazell was among around 150 MOBA members who heard Sen. McDonnell present highlights of the lake proposal, which came about after a special legislative study last year.

The committee charged with planning the new lake is led by state Sen. Mike Hilgers, and is meant to explore avenues for Nebraska to reinvigorate its recreation, economic development, tourism, and population.

Sen. McDonnell revealed the potential location of the lake, adjacent to the Lower Platte River at Highway 6, and estimated revenue to be around $1 billion, most of that coming from private investments.

If the lake materializes, Brett Clarke of Frontier Builders and current president of MOBA sees "year and years" of ongoing development on the shore.

"I think you'll see demand through the roof for those lakefront properties," he said, claiming also that there is a local appetite for luxury homes in the price point of $1 million and above.

Although several attempts have been made since 1896 to create a large reservoir in Nebraska, McDonnell claims that this project will not require damming the Platte River, something that many have thought may be an expensive undertaking.

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