HGTV, TruTV twins pledge Omaha return to spark more affordable housing
OMAHA — The 'Downing Brothers' — Chicago firefighter twins known for their HGTV show on real estate investment — were in Omaha for a brief appearance and committed to an encore visit they hope will electrify local efforts aimed at boosting affordable housing.
In town to speak Thursday at a conference, Anthony and Anton Downing toured a few housing sites and visited with nonprofit leaders working in the industry.
During the event luncheon, they also clicked with Omaha's Mayor-elect John Ewing Jr., a fellow first responder and affordable housing advocate who helped persuade them to return.
Beckoned to the stage by Ewing, the twins in a sort of spontaneous moment agreed to come back and work with the Omaha Municipal Land Bank on a still-to-be-determined project.
'It's important to shine a big light on government and nonprofit organizations whose work is in affordable housing,' Anthony said later, in explaining the decision.
'We're connectors,' said Anton, who hopes the future project can arouse funding and other opportunities, including perhaps an Omaha role in one of their shows.
Omaha's alliance with the Downing Brothers represented the kind of networking and relationship-building that conference organizers hoped for during the two-day Reignite2Unite development symposium, which aimed to provide emerging developers and others with tools and resources to turn vacant properties into community assets.
Hosting the event that drew more than 250 people to the Marriott at the Capitol District was Omaha Municipal Land Bank, Spark CDI and Front Porch Investments.
Workshops featured other national and local experts who shared tips on such topics as access to capital, innovative policies and construction that promote integrated and affordable housing, land banks and community land trusts.
Joe Mitchell, newly appointed administrator for the Great Plains four-state region of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which includes Nebraska, also spoke and assured the group that the Omaha HUD office was not slated for closure. He said he'd like to see developers have more access to funding and capital.
Big demand for affordable housing calls for big approach in suburban Nebraska
During the luncheon, Ewing — who moves into the mayor's office Monday, after defeating three-term Mayor Jean Stothert in May — told the crowd he is a longtime supporter of affordable housing efforts, having served on boards such as Habitat for Humanity Omaha. The former Douglas County treasurer said homeownership is a priority issue he often talked about on the campaign trail and wants to promote as mayor.
Ewing recalled the pride he, his siblings and parents felt when he was 15 years old and the family bought their first home. The initials carved into the cement by the Ewing kids remain nearly 50 years later at the house where his parents still live.
'That was one of the most motivating, inspiring things that happened in my life,' said Ewing, adding that homeownership offers hope.
The new mayor said he wants Omahans to have the opportunity to own homes.
'Not only does it inspire our young people, it allows families to build generational wealth,' he said.
He referred to something former Omaha City Councilwoman Brenda Council, who was in the audience, once told him: 'To a young person without hope, consequences mean absolutely nothing.'
The Downings said they are unsure of the project they'll help tackle in Omaha but said they are committed to a return.
'This is not a one and done situation,' Anthony said.
The twin brothers, age 43, star on 'Backyard Bar Wars,' on truTV. Raised on the south side of Chicago by a Bahamian mother and an African-American father, they headed to the Bahamas after their Omaha stay, where they are working on a housing project.
The brothers said they still fight fires in Chicago, and began real estate ventures after witnessing the need for community development while on that job.
Through their 'Homecoming with the Downing Brothers' podcast, TV and a comic-style super heroes book about real estate, they said they stir conversations about real estate investment that didn't previously exist in many Black households.
During their talk at the conference, the Downings recommended that communities launch programs early, teaching young teens about investing and financial literacy.
Leslie Smith, executive director of the Omaha Municipal Land Bank, said organizers chose the duo as keynote speakers because of their motivation and advice.
'They speak of a call for action — to galvanize resources available to us — and they do it from a practical lens,' Smith said.
Several developers were recognized Thursday with awards:
Outstanding Emerging Developer: Ernesto and Penny Marquez of the Marquez Co., for their Pinkney Street Duplex rental project financed with a Spark Capital rehab loan.
Community Impact Award: Omaha Economic Development Corp., for The Larimore at 3483 Larimore Ave. The 45-unit repurposed commercial building, aided by sources including public tax-increment financing and low-income housing tax credits, is for seniors that make 30% to 60% of the area's median income.
Public-Private Partnership Award: Canopy South, Omaha Housing Authority and City of Omaha, for the first phase (92 units, mixed-income residential) of the Southside Terrace-Indian Hill Choice Neighborhoods Transformation Plan.
Community Advocate Award: Jeff Spiehs, an urban planner and real estate developer focused on community engagement. His involvement includes being a faculty member of Spark's Developer Academy and ChangeMaker programs.
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