Tour of North 24th Street July 2021. (Nehemiah Barney Photo) 

In 2019 and 2021, MIHV students and teachers uncovered the history of 10 of Omaha's former streetcar stops and the neighborhoods and commercial spaces that surround them. Students interviewed longtime residents and current building owners and researched various archives to find historical photographs, maps and newspaper articles. They met with architects, developers, property owners and city planners to discuss the economics and possibilities of restoring an empty building or vacant lot in their commercial area. And, with their group, they developed a business plan for what these places could become to help revitalize the neighborhood. During the program, participants also learned about economics and Omaha's history of restrictive covenants, redlining and gentrification and how those practices affected their selected neighborhoods.