Omaha Things to Do This Week — Sinkhole Update, Space Corn, and a Packed Event Calendar

Spring is almost here, and Omaha has been anything but boring — from streets caving in to corn growing in space, there's a lot to catch up on this week.

Here's what's inside:

Let's dig in — here's everything you need to know about your city this week.

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🏗️ Pacific Street sinkhole repairs completed, road reopening Thursday
After a massive sinkhole swallowed two cars last week, Omaha city officials announced Pacific Street will reopen Thursday. The sinkhole at 67th and Pacific was filled Monday, with MUD completing its work Thursday. Officials report more than 400 cave-ins have occurred in Omaha since January 2025, with each reported concern being investigated.

🌳 Nebraska researchers develop plan to grow corn on the moon
University of Nebraska-Lincoln researchers are leading development of the first acre of plants on the moon or Mars. The team is working on Advanced Hydroponics systems for soil-less cultivation since lunar and Martian soil lacks organic matter and microbes. While corn is the ultimate goal, researchers agree leafy greens will be the starting point for space agriculture.

🏗️ Omaha and Lincoln newspapers to be printed in Iowa
The Omaha World-Herald will shut down its printing press at the end of March, meaning Nebraska's two largest newspapers will no longer be printed in-state. The World-Herald and Lincoln Journal Star will be printed at the Des Moines Register. The company plans to sell its downtown Freedom Center printing facility as it invests in digital platforms.

The commercial real estate playbook is being rewritten—and Brightway Commercial's expertise is where businesses are putting their trust for measurable savings. The company specializes in tenant representation, investment sales, and strategic consulting that protects your bottom line.

Why smart businesses choose Brightway:

🚔 OPD Is Getting New Tasers and Body Cameras — Here's the Price Tag
The city is set to spend $756,596 on 28 "Officer Safety Packages" from Axon — the company that makes Tasers and body cams. Each package bundles a Taser 10 with a body-worn camera for Omaha Police officers. The cost spreads over several years and uses some federal funds. Body cams affect how police are held accountable, so this deal matters to everyone in Omaha.

🅿️ Who's Paying for the Crossroads Parking Garage?
The city is borrowing up to $65 million in bonds to build a parking garage at the Crossroads redevelopment site. The deal also refinances older debt tied to the baseball stadium and police and fire projects. Three residents showed up to fight it — the same three who opposed the streetcar bonds earlier that day. The Crossroads area is changing fast, but some Omahans are asking why taxpayers keep footing the bill.

🚽 Omaha's Spending Nearly $500 Million to Upgrade Its Sewage System
The city approved a massive expansion of the Papillion Creek wastewater plant in south Omaha. McCarthy Building Companies won a $411 million construction contract, and Aqua-Aerobic Systems will supply $88 million in equipment — nearly $500 million total. It's one of the biggest infrastructure deals in Omaha's history. As the city keeps growing, so does the need to handle what goes down the drain.

Watch the City Council meeting here.

Tee Box is bringing its indoor golf experience to Miracle Hills, northwest of 114th & West Dodge Road, and opened its first Nebraska location on March 6th. The Utah-based franchise features golf simulators, a putting green, and even a golf-specific gym and fitness trainer — all in a 4,000 sq. ft. space next to Funny Bone Comedy Club.

Bruning's Barbecue, a beloved family-run food trailer out of Silver City, Iowa, has shut down for good after about six years in the game. The central Texas-style BBQ spot was a staple at pop-ups and catering events since launching back in 2019. 508 Main Street, Silver City, Iowa

Grand Patisserie has swung open the doors on its second Omaha location over in Aksarben Village, moving into the old Rexius Nutrition spot. If you can't make it to the new location, the original bakery on West Center Road is still going strong. 2283 South 67th Street

Oklahoma Joe's BBQ will be calling it quits at its Aksarben Village location when its lease wraps up this coming July. Building owner Noddle Companies is already on the hunt for a new restaurant to fill the space. 1912 South 67th Street

Assemble Omaha is gearing up to debut this spring on the ground floor of the Boho Flats apartment building in Little Bohemia. It's an adults-only bar and creative hangout where you can sip drinks while diving into crafts like macramé, watercolor, tie-dye, and a whole lot more. 1440 South 13th Street

Red Door Woodfired Grill and Breakfast Club are both deep into interior build-out and targeting a May opening in Aksarben Village. Red Door, a Kansas City-based chain, is taking over the old Spirit World space, while Breakfast Club — hailing from Des Moines — is moving into the former Jones Bros. Cupcakes location. Red Door: 6680 Center Street | Breakfast Club: 2121 South 67th Street

Brownie Bar Bakery closed its Rockbrook Village storefront at the end of February, but don't worry — they're not disappearing entirely. You can still get your fix through party packs, shipping orders, and onsite catering. 10922 Prairie Brook Road

Dairy Queen has scrapped its plans to relocate to the old Paul's Sinclair gas station site in Millard, opting instead to keep the existing location running as-is. The prepped gas station land is now up for sale through NAI NP Dodge. Current location: 5071 South 136th Street

Old Vine Wine & Spirits is relocating from its current spot in the Shops at Elk Creek to a brand-new 13,000 sq. ft. building going up just northeast of 168th & West Maple Road. Local owners Rick and Violeta Plambeck are doubling the size of the business, with the new build expected to wrap up around October 2026. Current location: 3821 North 167th Court

Q: What legendary University of Nebraska football coach won three championships in the 1990s, later riding this popularity to a career in the US House of Representatives? His last name is the same as the comedy daredevil “Super Dave.”

(Answer below.)

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A: Tom Osborne