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alcohol impact coalition.
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To develop a strategy that will minimize the impact of alcohol density, abuse, crime and negative impact in our neighborhoods and establish accountability in the licensing of alcohol outlets.
To ensure that the residents in Omaha, especially in the older neighborhoods facing urban decline, are given an equal voice in the issuing of new or renewed liquor licenses as they pertain to their struggle to preserve and enhance their neighborhoods.
Growing concern and frustration among inter-city neighborhoods over the issuance of liquor licenses for off sale alcohol outlets lead to a grass roots effort to form the coalition in 2007. Neighborhood leaders from twelve neighborhoods east of 72nd Street began meeting to address the effects of an over saturation of off sale liquor businesses on struggling neighborhoods and discuss ways to change local and state ordinances. Money has been raised to conduct research on what changes can be made at the local level to control alcohol density.
Alcohol in Omaha
Alcohol Outlet Density - Omaha
Alcohol Outlet Beverage Sales Ordinance
In the Fall of 2010 Walgreens corporation in the Omaha area applied for 23 Class D liquor licenses to sell beer, wine and spirits at their stores. The Omaha city council, listening to residents and non-profits organizations concerns, voted to deny 14 of the applications dues the stores location near schools or over-saturation of existing alcohol outlets in the area. The Nebraska Liquor Commission overruled the citys’ recommendation and granted all stores a license. This blatant disregard to the residents and local government arguments spurred greater efforts by the Alcohol Impact Coalition (AIC) to push to get more control over the alcohol landscape in our community and thus was born the LOCAL campaign.
A campaign kickoff was held in October 2010 sponsored by AIC to bring public awareness for the need to make Omaha a safer and healthier place by addressing the negative consequences associated with alcohol outlets and how they affect our neighborhoods. LOCAL- Let Omaha Control its Alcohol Landscape is based on the concept that local governments can control where businesses that sell alcohol can be located in our community based on zoning ordinances.
In September 2011 a draft of a proposed ordinance was submitted to the City’s Planning Department. In its current form, the drafted proposal will provide guidelines outlining where new alcohol outlets may be placed. It also establishes public nuisance abatement standards for both new and existing alcohol outlets to address quality of life issues, crime and violence.
The adoption of an ordinance that addresses problems associated with alcohol outlets has been gaining momentum, winning support from critical leadership throughout the City. Recently, the City’s Legal Department gave its nod to move forward with the concept the proposed ordinance hopes to achieve. Deputy City Attorney Tom Mumgaard wrote in a legal opinion, “I recommend that this proposed ordinance be considered; it has good qualities. It can achieve more local control over liquor sales.”
Well before this point, however, the idea of controlling the growth of alcohol outlets and their associated harms was put forward by Environment Omaha’s recommendations adopted by the Omaha City Council on a 7-0 vote in 2010 and included in the City’s Master Plan. Their stated goals help Omaha “become a community that ensures its people have equitable access to foods, services, and opportunities that support their emotional, mental, social, spiritual and physical well-being.” One of the stated objectives is to “develop an alcohol accessibility policy to decrease accessibility in neighborhoods”
To get a better understanding about our campaign you can click on the issue brief or to learn more about the specific zoning guidelines we have proposed you can read the ordinance definition matrix. If you would like to show support for Omaha having more control you can print off the letter of resolution, sign it and return it to us. You can contact the LOCAL Campaign at our e-mail thelocalcampaign@gmail.com or join our Facebook page at “The LOCAL Campaign” to receive important updates.
Aksarben-Elmwood
Ames-Benson
Bemis Park
Benson
Burlington Road
Columbus Park
Dundee-Memorial Park
Gifford Park
Ford Birth Site
Highlander
Joslyn Castle
Miller Park-Minne Lusa
Old Market South
Orchard Hill
Park East
AIC meets from 11:30 pm to 1:00 pm on the 2nd Monday of each month at the Neighborhood Center, located at 115 South 49th Avenue, Omaha, Nebraska. The Neighborhood Center serves as a facilitator for our meetings and a fiscal partner for the co alition.
Margie Magnuson, spokesperson for AIC
Magnuson1@cox.net
554-0775
Jeannie Dickes
jeaninedickes@gmail.com
Liquor Control Commission www.lcc.ne.gov
Project Extra Mile www.projectextramile
Neighborhood Center www.unomaha.edu/ncenter
Omaha police department www.opd.ci.omaha.ne.us
Crime Reports www.crimereports.com
Buster Brown, Omaha city clerk www.ci.omaha.ne.us
Pete Festersen-District 1 Pete.Festersen@ci.omaha.ne.us
Ben Gray- District 2 Ben.Gray@ci.omaha.ne.us
Chris Jerram- District 3 Chris.Jerram@ci.omaha.ne.us
Garry Gernandt- District 4 ggernandt@ci.omaha.ne.us
Jean Stothert- District 5 Jean.Stothert@ci.omaha.ne.us
Franklin Thompson-District 6 fthompson@ci.omaha.ne.us
Tom Mulligan-District 7 Tom.Mulligan@ci.omaha.ne.us
Douglas County Board of Commissioners www.co.douglas.ne.us
Sarpy County Board of Commissioners www.sarpy.com/countyboard