BRITA and Berkey: Better Watch Your Back 🔫

Hey Ledgers,

There are a few weekends each year that shape up to be a sort of unexpected gift. The weather cooperates, your friends’ schedules are suddenly free, and you realize that your calendar is open for the first time in what might have been months. This weekend has that feeling to it.

So enjoy it. Get outside, soak up a bit of sunlight, and have a little fun in the capital.

In this week’s issue:

• Lead Pipes: Git ‘em outta here.

• Icons: More iconic Lincoln properties on the market.

• What To Do: Holmes Lake, pickleball, and day-drinking dogs.

• Sportz: Flying spheres of the sporting kind.

• Neighborhood Watch: Historic home with a dance studio.

Thanks to everyone who has submitted stories or assisted on this fledgling, little newsletter.

Also, a big shout out to my friends and family for serving as TLL’s editors. They help ensure this is sent with minimal spelling errrorsres. ❤️

- Landon

LEAD PIPES

Lincoln to remove lead pipes. 💧

“Big Filter” (a.k.a. BRITA and Berkey) has been put on notice this week after endless years of water filter dominance in the Lincoln market. Stooped in paranoia, we’ve replaced our tiny water filters (albeit a little bit later than scheduled) in the hopes of being able to forget that it had been transported by lead pipes.

But all of that could soon be a distant memory, as the City of Lincoln announced earlier this week that it would accelerate the process of replacing the city’s lead service lines. The announcement comes several months after the City Council unanimously voted to take a $32.6 million loan from the Biden Infrastructure Plan in December.

The Lead Service Line Replacement Program, which partners with city-approved plumbers — will cover the costs to replace lead service lines for businesses and homeowners (previously this could cost up to $8k). The program also includes a $100 credit to water accounts to assist with cosmetic repairs (e.g. landscaping), and comes with a two-year replacement warranty.

The selection criteria… Here’s how the replacement work is being prioritized:

On a national level... The work is part of the EPA’s proposed rule to replace every lead pipe in the nation.

🔢 By the numbers:

• 52,000 lead pipes across the U.S.

• 200 lead service lines will be replaced in Lincoln this year

• The goal is to replace 2,000 lead service lines in Lincoln by 2035

📌 Why it matters:
Safe water for all Americans that’s free of lead contaminants. It’s as simple as that.

ICONIC PROPERTY

Rise of the random properties (an update). 🪧

In the past month, Lincoln has seen more iconic commercial properties going up for sale. Here are a few updates for some previously mentioned gems, as well as some new ones that we think are worth noting:

🌮 South Lincoln Amigos (Status: Newly For Sale)
New to our list, the South Amigos is officially on the market. This Lincoln staple kicks out breakfast tacos as quickly as NU gets rid of football coaches and is available for $1.89M.

🏋️ Downtown YMCA (Status: Back on the Market)
Have you ever wanted to own a five-story gym? This is probably your only chance. Long-time Lincoln residents remember the former YMCA for its convenient downtown location and dungeon-like weight room. This landmark appears to be back on the market after previously being under contract.

🎵 The Rococo Theatre (Status: Still For Sale)
The perfect addition to any investment portfolio. For the meager sum of $5.9M, you’ll be able to take home this piece of Lincoln's history. CONFIRMED: The owner also secures Barrymores with purchase of the theatre 🍸.

🐭 Chuck E. Cheese - O Street (Status: Unknown❓)
Our favorite rodent’s former home is no longer on LoopNet, but there is a listing available on Commercial Exchange. It’s yet to be confirmed if Chuck sold, or if he’s still debating a return to the Lincoln market.

🌾 The Haymarket Grain Bins (Status: Unknown❓)
Similar to the famous pizza mouse, this listing is no more. A quick browse of the county assessor's website shows no recent transition of ownership, but its status is currently unknown.

📌 Why it matters:
Commercial real estate is an indicator of local economic health and is important for creating a vibrant downtown.

WHAT TO DO

Holmes Lake, pickleball, and day drinking dogs.

When February brings you a weekend of 60-degree weather, there’s nothing to do except to get outside and enjoy it. Here are a few ideas for how to spend your weekend.

• ⛵️ Holmes Lake walk.
  Start your weekend off right with a walk around Holmes Lake. Plan to get up early and make it to the trail before the crowds. The morning will be brisk, but you’ll be prepared with a hot cup of coffee and a light jacket to accompany you during your first lap around the lake.

  ABOUT THE TRAIL

• 🥒 Play some pickleball.
  It’s the perfect time to play your first match of Pickleball. Beware though, as your spouse and children may reveal their concern about your previously unknown competitive side. Expect the courts to be busy this weekend.
  FIND COURTS

• 🐶 Take your dog out drinking.
  Your pets deserve a bit of outdoor time too. Take them to Off Leash Dog Bar and let them play. Meet up with a few friends and enjoy a drink or two outside while a dog named Kevin zooms by. Don’t forget to put on your sunscreen. 🧴
  DOGGY DAY DRINK

SPORTZ

A roundup of sports headlines.

• ⚾️ Baseball: Huskers took down GCU last night (7-2).

•  🏐 Volleyball: Supernovas lose on the road to the Columbus Fury (3-1).

• 🏀 NCAAWB: NU women square off against Minnesota on Saturday and look to extend their win streak.

• ⛹️ NCAAMB: Husker men’s basketball secured a must-win game on the road against Indiana (85-70).

• 🏃 Track and Field: Husker men are set to compete for the Big Ten Indoor Title this weekend.

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH

745 D St, Lincoln, NE 68502

Historic home with a dance studio to boot.

Looking for a project? This home is all of that and some. This 5-bedroom home overlooking Cooper Park started its days as a schoolhouse and comes complete with a dance studio. Registered as a national historic home, your biggest challenge may be renovating within the preservation guidelines.

For the person(s) willing to take on the challenge, this home could be remarkable. Also, to the brave soul who takes this on, feel free to reach out if you need to borrow some tools — I’ve recently been informed that I may have too many in our garage. 🙄

Bonus: This property is approved for five dwelling units if you want to go the commercial route.

❤️ KEEP: The historical details (in some cases you won’t have a choice), the balcony destined to host happy hours, the grand staircases, and the former dance studio.

🗑️ TOSS: Let’s be honest, this one should come with a dump truck included. You’ll need it to fully bring the rest of this beauty up to the modern day.

The Details:

• 5 Bed, 4 Bath

• 4,921 sq ft

• Built in 1910

• Real estate photos that were taken with a potato 🥔

• Massive potential

CHECKLIST

Things to do if you’re feeling ambitious this weekend.

🍔 Clean off your grill and get a tank of propane.

🛢️ Get your oil changed.

🧥 Shop for next year’s winter clothing while spring sales are going on.

🧺 Wipe down your baseboards.

😷 Throw away that trusty t-shirt that you wear, but deep down know is better suited for the trash.

HEADLINES

More news from around the capital.

• Lawsuit: A former Husker women’s basketball player filed a lawsuit claiming she was groomed by former coach.

• Callback: LPS to stop lunch debt collection following a controversial week.

• Funded: Six Lincoln startups received $20,000 in funding from the LaunchLNK Grant Program.

• Broadway: Beetlejuice, Back to the Future, Dear Evan Hansen, and The Little Mermaid to come to the Lied Center during the 2024-2025 season.

🐻 WEEKLY WILDCARD (a headline we never saw coming)

• Golden Gator: An alligator at the Henry Doorley Zoo had 70 coins removed from its stomach. The zoo is urging people to stop tossing coins into the water.