Vote puts Bellevue closer to redeveloping plant site

The Bellevue City Council at its Monday night meeting declared a lot on the property blighted, the last portion of the 30 acres to get that declaration.

The former Coreslab Structures Inc. property on the northwest side of Cornhusker and Fort Crook Roads has long been a focus for Bellevue officials, and the council’s action removes one obstacle in the way of development.

The designation would allow potential developers to apply for tax breaks.

The council had previously declared the rest of the 30 acres blighted, but the piece voted on Monday was not part of Bellevue at the time. It has since been annexed by the city.

Bellevue now owns the property and has a potential buyer lined up: Lockwood Development, which has overseen projects such as the Legacy Village shopping center at 175th Street and West Center Road in Omaha.

The company has until the end of the month to decide whether it wants to buy the Coreslab property for $2.65 million. But Bellevue Planning Director Chris Shewchuck said he expects the company to ask for an extension.

Before it decides on the purchase, the company is expected to file a plan with the city showing what it wants to do with the property. City officials have said they would like to see mixed-use development.

Shewchuck said businesses would not begin moving into the area before next spring, at the earliest.