High hopes in Plattsmouth

PLATTSMOUTH, Neb. — One of Plattsmouth's oldest buildings is poised to come alive again.

The new owners of the Fitzgerald Building, built in 1870 at the corner of Sixth and Main Streets, began accepting offers this week on 19 condominium units. The building had been closed for the past two years during its sale and renovation.

The one- and two-bedroom condos are priced from $62,000 to $96,000. One retail bay is still available on the bottom floor of the three-story building.

City Administrator Erv Portis said Wednesday that the Fitzgerald Building is a key project in the resurgence of downtown. He said city officials have been impressed by the changes in the building over the past six months.

“To get people living in the upper floors of our largest downtown building is critical for us,” Portis said. “We want a mass of people in downtown at all hours of the day.”

Developer Brett Clure said he and his partners in KKM Real Estate Investments, Tom Monteith and Andy Forney, immediately fell in love with the Fitzgerald Building's high ceilings and big windows.

“It's a classic building in an area that is really starting to take off,” Clure said. “It feels old, but it looks brand new.”

KKM bought the building from Plattsmouth after another developer's attempt at low-income housing ended. The city forgave about $50,000 of debt to help relaunch the Fitzgerald Building as a residential site.

“The other developer had done about $2 million of renovation in the building,” Clure said. “We added $500,000 to $600,000.”

Clure said the $96,000 units will have about 1,000 square feet of space and are comparable to units in downtown Omaha that are priced at $300,000.

All of the units are equipped with granite counter tops, dishwashers, garbage disposals, electric stoves and refrigerators. The appliances are all stainless steel.

The building also features a foyer on the ground floor with couches and chairs as well as a laundry room. A homeowners association will take over building management once 50 percent of the units are sold.

The new owners are also installing an elevator that is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

The elevator “will make it much easier for people, especially elderly people,” Clure said. “I think this building could really be a good draw for elderly residents who want to be close to all the stores on Main Street.”

Downtown merchants are excited about the prospect of 19 new residential units. Plattsmouth has already attracted a number of cafes, gift shops and boutiques that would be right at home in Omaha's Old Market.

Kit Ostaseski, owner of the Chocolate Moose Cafe at 534 Main St., opened her doors seven years ago and is drawing clientele from Omaha, Lincoln, Nebraska City and Iowa.

“New shops are popping up all over the place,” Ostaseski said. “Adding 19 residences right here on Main Street can only enhance our business.”

Portis and Clure each mentioned Plattsmouth's proximity to downtown Omaha as another draw for the Fitzgerald Building. The trip down U.S. Highway 75 between the two cities takes 15 to 20 minutes.

“We've had quite a bit of interest from Omaha people already,” he said. “Some have talked about taking (a condo) to use as a getaway place or for friends and family when they visit.”

Contact the writer:

444-1272, kevin.cole@owh.com