OMAHA- On Friday, it was announced that Omaha's Habitat for Humanity announced that it had received $1.1 million to both resurrect a long-neglected Noth Omaha park and begin rebuilding Bluestem Prairie, an 85-home subdivision that will now become affordable housing. Myott Park, near 52nd Street and Sorenson Parkway, will be expanded to include a new amphitheater, picnic pavillions, walking and bicycle trails, and courts for basketball and pickleball.

The grant will be added to an existing $25 million for affordable housing. Before the revitalization of Bluestem Prairie was planned, the site had been vacant for around 16 years following the demolition of the Wintergreen Apartment Complex, which was originally built in 1975. "People lived here, they made memories here," said Amanda Brewer, director of Habitat for Humanity in Omaha, "We see North Omaha as a cultural oasis full of historic places and vibrant people, and we always want to honor what came before."

Dignitaries at the groundbreaking included a representative of U.S. Rep. Don Bacon's office, Omaha Parks Director Matthew Kalcevich, and City Councilwoman Juanita Johnson. Although Habitat will oversee the park revival, the City of Omaha is to provide continuing maintenance and support. Habitat for Humanity thanked Bacon's office for securing the $1.1 million in congressional community funding, and Bacon said he expects the revival to "change lives and empower a new generation of homeowners within a framework of education and support to ensure the residents' long-term success."

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