Omaha Council Reviewed Plans for Oak View Mall Park

City officials held a public hearing on a proposal to bring a new recreation center to the former Younkers space.

Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Bold flat-color editorial illustration in navy, cream, and red, depicting a simplified geometric architectural structure representing urban development and property repurposing. — The Omaha City Council held a public hearing Tuesday regarding a proposal to convert the former Younkers department store at Oak View Mall into a new youth recreation facility. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should your local community convert underutilized retail malls into indoor entertainment centers to boost the economy?

The Omaha City Council held a public hearing Tuesday regarding a proposal for NRG Adventure Park, an indoor sports facility planned for Oak View Mall. The project seeks to convert the former Younkers space at 3201 S. 144th St. into a destination for youth recreation.

Why it matters

The proposal aims to revitalize underutilized retail space at the mall while expanding the local tax base. City leaders are considering the request as a way to boost ongoing efforts to modernize the property.

The proposed facility aims to support a maximum capacity of 1,100 guests and intends to employ approximately 80 staff members. The project layout includes nine party rooms and a cafe area designed for children aged 5 to 14.

The players

Omaha City Council

This is the primary legislative body responsible for governing the city of Omaha and approving local development agreements.

Oak View Mall

This is a major retail destination in Omaha that has recently seen the addition of five new stores during the 2026 calendar year.

NRG Adventure Park

This is the proposed indoor sports and recreation entity seeking to occupy vacant space at the shopping center.

The details

The facility would feature diverse attractions including rock climbing walls, VR games, and trampolines to draw foot traffic. If approved, the center would operate under a guest waiver system for safety and receive food and beverage deliveries once weekly.

The public hearing occurred on Tuesday, October 6, 2026.
The City Council is expected to vote on the amendment next week.

Market Landscape

This project follows a pattern set by the national trend of adaptive reuse for struggling department store anchor spaces. By repurposing the former Younkers site, the mall operator attempts to shift the property away from traditional retail toward high-traffic entertainment venues.

Residents may see an increase in local job opportunities with 80 positions expected to be created by the new center. The project also represents a significant effort to maintain the mall as a viable community hub following a year that saw 15 events hosted at the site.

The takeaway

Large-scale recreational centers represent a growing strategy for malls looking to replace shuttered department stores with experiential activities. Residents should monitor upcoming council sessions to see how these zoning changes influence the future utility of the space.