Construction has started on a new three-story public market at Eighth and Farnam streets in downtown Omaha, with organizers aiming to fill a long-standing gap in fresh grocery access near the riverfront. Heritage Omaha announced the project, which sits near Heartland of America Park, and named the executive who will run it once the doors open.
The facility is planned as a 50,000-square-foot building with space for dozens of vendors, a teaching kitchen, rentable event venues, and outdoor seating, according to The Reader. Ground preparation and site construction began in mid-2026, and organizers are projecting a formal public opening in summer 2028, the outlet reports. Omaha World-Herald photographer Chris Machian captured images of the announcement, as detailed in the Omaha World-Herald's coverage of the unveiling, where Tina Cherica, president of Heritage Omaha, joined officials for the announcement.
Jerrica Marshall has been named executive director of the market, bringing more than 10 years of experience in economic development and public market management after previously managing the Downtown Des Moines Farmers Market and serving as executive director of The Directors Council. Roger Weitz, who chairs the Omaha Market Trust Board of Directors, officially introduced Marshall at the unveiling and spoke about the newly announced three-story project, per the same account from The Reader.
Philanthropic Muscle Behind the Build
The market is being driven by Heritage Omaha, a nonprofit that has leveraged more than $800 million in philanthropic support to help drive $1.7 billion in civic development projects across the city. Its portfolio includes the CHI Health Center, the Kiewit Luminarium, and the Holland Performing Arts Center, according to Heritage Omaha. The organization also collaborated with global placemaking consultancy Project for Public Spaces on business planning, community engagement and design work, per Omaha RiverFront Market.
During the summer of 2025, project organizers gathered public feedback from thousands of metro-area residents, local food entrepreneurs, farmers, and artisans through interactive workshops and surveys, according to the Omaha RiverFront Market. The organization says that feedback helped shape a concept that feels uniquely Omaha.
A Riverfront Location With Room to Grow
The market site overlooks Heartland of America Park, which features a central lake fountain, walking trails, an outdoor amphitheater, and the Skate Ribbon, according to Visit Omaha. The RiverFront parks connect downtown between the Old Market and north downtown. Heartland of America Park reopened to the public in August 2023 following a major overhaul that united it with Gene Leahy Mall and Lewis & Clark Landing into a unified 72-acre downtown park system known as The RiverFront, per The RiverFront.
Filling a Downtown Grocery Gap
Project organizers designed the year-round market in part to address a long-standing shortage of fresh grocery options in downtown Omaha, giving urban residents daily access to fresh produce and locally produced foods, according to a report from WOWT. The project is intended to improve grocery access for downtown residents. With construction already underway and a summer 2028 opening targeted, the project marks the next phase of Omaha's broader riverfront revitalization, building on the momentum generated by the park system next door.
