72nd Street Self Storage in Ralston, Neb., has been recently identified as a community landmark by a new city-sanctioned preservation committee. Now, its buildings could be designated as historic, according to the source. The facility served as home to Omaha Brickworks from 1946 to 1996.
Though the committee has identified potential sites for recognition, there have been no formal discussions to determine what historic status would mean for a site or building. However, the city council also recently approved a $145,000 conceptual redevelopment plan designed to revitalize the Ralston Arena and downtown area, which includes several blocks near 72nd and Main Streets. It’s possible a historic designation could help preserve buildings for future redevelopment in lieu of tearing them down for replacement, the source reported.
The redevelopment plan is necessary in part because the city of 7,300 people is landlocked by boundaries with Sarpy County on one end and the city of Omaha on the other, inhibiting natural growth, according to the source. Though the town was officially established in 1907, some downtown bars, offices and shops date back to the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Among other possible landmark sites are the Main Street Café, whose building dates to 1912, and the structure housing the Village Bar, which dates to 1890, making it the oldest standing commercial building within the city limits, the source reported.
No buildings in Ralston currently have a national or local historic landmark designation.
Source:
Omaha World-Herald, Ralston Doesn't Have Any Buildings With Historic Designation. A New Committee Could Change That