230. The Mensch Group's Phillip McClain on Why Now is 'Best Time Ever' for Development in North Omaha

Phillip McClain is founder of the real estate company the Mensch
Group. Through the Mensch Group, McClain spearheads affordable
housing developments in North Omaha. The company broke ground on
its first project last year: nine single-family homes at 49th and
Curtis Streets, an area known as Curtis Corner. McClain sold the
houses to families for below market value thanks to assistance
from local organizations like Spark Capital and Habitat for
Humanity. Tax-increment financing helped cover development costs.


North Omaha has seen a surge in development in recent years, with
projects like the Highlander complex on 30th Street, the North
24th Street Business Improvement District and the Levi Carter
Park sports facility, which just began construction near Eppley
Airfield.


McClain and Michael Griffin are talking about the need for
affordable housing and the Black developers working to make the
landscape more equitable. They also get into TIF and its role in
development.