The Omaha Star Gives Unique Opportunity to be Part of Historic Park Renovation

By Tiffany Brazda

Longstanding North Omaha community newspaper, the Omaha Star, has announced it is remodeling Omaha Star Park, a community space located at 2220 N. 24th St. 

As part of its receipt of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, the Omaha Star has plans to renovate two buildings it owns, one of which is to become a museum honoring the newspaper’s past and its founder Mildred Brown. 

If you’re unfamiliar with her legacy, Brown co-founded the newspaper in 1938 and served as its owner, publisher and editor until she died in 1989. Serving the Black community in North Omaha, Brown was a pioneer as the only Black woman to publish a newspaper in Nebraska. Her leadership and civil rights activism have paved the way for the publication’s longevity, now in its 87th year of operation. 

To honor her impact, a bust of Brown will be moved to the park with bricks encircling it. The public is invited to purchase those bricks for $85 or $120 for corporate recognition. Stars are also for sale for $1,000, which will create a walk of fame. 

“People who are from Omaha, people who have lived in Omaha, or people who have contributed significantly to the fabric of our community are encouraged to purchase a star in that walk of fame,” said Terri Sanders, Omaha Star publisher. 

Current names slated for the stars include the late Carole Woods Harris, the first Black member of the Douglas County Board, and media entrepreneur Cathy Hughes, who worked for the Omaha Star in the 1960s. 

The park will also feature a pergola, seating, a mini entertainment venue and plenty of green space.

“In North Omaha, there are not a lot of green spaces, but we know that green space adds to the health and wealth of the community, so that was the reason for redeveloping the Omaha Star Park, to add to the fabric of the community,” Sanders said. 

Sanders remembers a time when North 24th Street was vibrant, with offices, barber shops, and restaurants along the corridor, creating a strong community. While she knows it won’t be quite the same, the Omaha Star Park is a new addition that will contribute to the area’s revitalization. The Union for Contemporary Art, Shirley Tyree Theater, North Omaha Music & Arts (NOMA), and the Fair Deal Village MarketPlace are also recent additions in the past decade. 

“When development is finished, this will certainly be a walkable corridor with many things to visit,” she said. 

For more information on how to purchase a brick or star, visit www.omahastarpark.com. The Omaha Star is available in both print and digital formats. Subscribe at https://theomahastar.com/.