Neighbors of the 16th Street sinkhole say they are not going to let the problem go and have devised a creative solution to keep it in the spotlight and bring the neighborhood together.
- A beach-themed party is planned for Friday, May 2 at 6:30 p.m.
- Neighbors and businesses are coming together after months of living with the sinkhole.
- Businesses in the area will also offer ‘sinkhole specials’ inside their businesses during the party.
- This ongoing issue between the City of Omaha and the Regis building has led to a claim being filed. The city says the claim is being investigated and once that is complete, the city will make a determination on the claim.
Condo owners in the Regis building are fed up with what they claim is a lack of communication from the city regarding the sinkhole and damage to their building.
It is an issue that has brought this neighborhood together, to the point where they are planning a beach-themed party for Friday night.
“It is technically a political protest, but we are just keeping it light and fun, and yeah, it is going to be a real good time, and so we hope everybody can come down and enjoy it and talk to us about it and ask questions,” Lisa Kilker, who lives in the Regis building, told me.
It is not just the residents; neighboring businesses are also getting involved.
“I am a big fan of sarcastic sinkhole parties. I think it is a great idea. Clark Ross, Mercury’s owner, stated, “I have been eagerly awaiting the next banner that goes up and tells us all about the nasty things that the sinkhole brings to mind.”
Ross says they will be offering a mudslide as their sinkhole special.
Cumbia, Block 16, the Green Room, Flying Timber Axe Throwing, and Cattle Call, which has dubbed its special ‘Sinkhole de Mayo Day’, will all be offering something unique in addition to the celebration.
The party will take place at the sinkhole on Friday from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
“The whole point is to, you know, keep the business local, to help the businesses that have been affected by this sinkhole and also the local people of the Regis building that have been majorly affected by this sinkhole,” according to Kilker.
According to Molly Hudson, the back and forth between the Regis and the city resulted in a claim being filed.
The city law department informed Molly on Thursday that the claim is being investigated. Once the investigation is completed, the city will make a decision on the claim.