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On this episode of In the CRE Vault with Mike and Marc, the guys sit down with Tony Potthoff, President of Constructors Lincoln Inc., and Elizabeth Elliott, Director of Transportation and Utilities for the City of Lincoln, to talk about one of the biggest infrastructure projects happening in downtown Lincoln right now — the massive O Street rehabilitation project.

Elizabeth is leading the effort for the City, while Tony and the Constructors Lincoln team are the boots on the ground after winning the project through a competitive Request for Proposal process. Together, they break down the long history of O Street, the unique challenges of rebuilding Lincoln’s main street while keeping traffic moving, and what it takes to coordinate a project on both a city street and a federal highway in partnership with the Nebraska Department of Transportation.

The conversation dives into everything from streetscape improvements and replacing a 70-year-old water main to preserving historic roadway details and improving walkability between downtown, the Haymarket, Telegraph District, and the University area.

They also discuss how the project team is working closely with business owners to minimize disruptions by scheduling water shutoffs and sidewalk closures during non-peak hours whenever possible. Construction is happening in phases, and street closures are only planned during active work.

The project is expected to wrap up around September or October of 2027, and while everyone is excited for the final result, Mike and Marc ask the questions everyone wants answered right now:

• How long is this going to take?
• When will it impact my business or commute?
• And can we still get downtown without losing our minds?

With weekly community meetings, streamlined communication between departments, and even free coffee for attendees, the team is making a major effort to keep the public informed throughout the process.

It’s been nearly 50 years since a major restoration project of this scale has happened in this corridor — and when it’s complete, O Street will serve as a stronger, safer, and more walkable backbone connecting the core districts of Lincoln for decades to come.

Thanks for tuning in to In the CRE Vault with Mike and Marc—where we break down commercial real estate without putting you to sleep. Powered by NAI FMA Realty in Lincoln, Nebraska. For more, visit naifmarealty.com.