Omaha keeps growing. The 2010 Census estimated that Omaha had a population of 408,958; in July 2018 the Census Bureau estimated the city’s population at 468,262. The Metro Area Planning Board estimated the total population of the metro area at more than 950,000 in 2015. That means lots of jobs in the construction industry are created annually.

Omaha also boasts many architecture firms, which are creating some of the biggest projects in the metro, including medical facilities that have been in high demand this spring. Architects for medical facilities have unique infrastructure challenges that the public never sees, and you will learn some of those in our feature on designing medical facilities.

Then there is the visible part of the building industry—the design aspect. Nonprofit Association of the Midlands moved into a beautiful space in the Mastercraft Building on March 6—and two weeks later the staff had moved out of the building and started working from home. The design will be a big factor as NAM holds meetings and conducts business there in the future.

Building doesn’t always mean starting new. There are many structures in Omaha that have been repurposed over time. One area of the city that has seen change lately is Oakview at 144th Street and West Center Road. Toys “R” Us and Golf Galaxy have moved out, and other businesses are moving in. One of those businesses is Thunderhead Brewing Company. Why they chose to build in the location of a toy store is another feature.

This is our annual CADE issue—and each story shows how important construction, architecture, design, and engineering is to this city. There are some excellent articles here. I hope you enjoy them all.

B2B