PLATTSMOUTH, Nebraska — A basketball court was resurrected in this town’s old high school, though the hoop today is more for show than sport and is likely to become the backdrop for a trendy coffee bar.

Chalkboards remain in what once were the chemistry and math rooms, now apartments. Look-alike book lockers line the main hallway, along with a vintage trophy case stuffed with Plattsmouth Blue Devils athletic relics.

With a boost from public incentives, including state historic tax credits, the former Plattsmouth High School built more than a century ago is now fully transformed into an apartment building that has been brimming since March with residents.

On Thursday, History Nebraska’s historic preservation office welcomed local, state and federal officials to a “Rehab Roadshow” that celebrated the nearly $16 million project. In addition to the 25 units in the rehabbed schoolhouse, which were responsible for the bulk of the cost, the price tag includes a 15-unit, newly constructed apartment structure nearby.

The event was intended to highlight economic development tools that are available — and at least one that is at risk — to restore and reuse Nebraska landmarks.

Heart of the community

To the group of about two dozen, Plattsmouth Mayor Paul Lambert spoke about how important rescuing the 106-year-old school, now called the Lofts on Main, was to the small community of about 6,500. 

The project not only fires up nostalgia, he said, but also adds workforce housing vital to new employers that have moved to the area in recent years.

“This building is in the heart of the community,” Lambert said, noting emotional ties to many, including his wife and siblings. “If I had torn this down, I would have had to leave home.”

He said the structure was falling apart after sitting vacant for numerous years. Another school facility had replaced it back in 1976, he said, and the property was used only off and on after that for a couple of decades.

It was at the point of demolition, Lambert said, when the RMDX development team came forward.

He said the city agreed to contribute about $1 million over a 10-year period in local incentives that typically go to encourage business development, not residential.

Filling gaps

RMDX’s Ryan Durant and Michael Sothan, historic tax credit coordinator at History Nebraska, said federal and state historic tax credit programs as well as a state tax abatement program and low-income housing tax credits filled financial gaps and made the project feasible.

But, said Sothan, the state historic tax credit program created in 2015 to incentivize the rehab and reuse of historic structures faces challenges. 

The Nebraska Legislature, when reauthorizing the program last year, set the program’s annual allowable credits to offset tax liability at $2 million. It was once $15 million a year, said Sothan.

The good news, he said, is that the program has a reserve built up of about $55 million. 

“It could be wiped out in one year, three years, it certainly won’t last more than five years,” Sothan said.

He said that without a change in legislation, the program in the long run would not be able to sustain the current demand for credits. 

“It creates some uncertainty,” he said. “We do have some time.”

Sothan said the Legislature last year took positive steps in other aspects, including lifting the state income tax credit ceiling for a qualified rehab project from $1 million per project to $2 million.

Things you wouldn’t build today

The Rehab Roadshow, he said, is intended to encourage continuation of restoration projects boosted by state historic tax credits. Among the guests at the Lofts on Main event was Elmwood State Sen. Rob Clements, chair of the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee. 

History Nebraska plans to take its roadshow this year to Norfolk and Red Cloud, where it will feature restoration projects in those towns.

Participation in the historic tax credit program requires developers to preserve character-defining features — which was not easy with the decaying structure, said Abby Hegemann of Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture.

“It was a challenge,” she said, during a tour that highlighted restored features such as the lower floor basketball court, student locker rooms, a boiler room-turned apartment.

Each dwelling is unique, said Durant, and has a distinct personality. But pictures, tin ceilings and other decor tie together to provide the schoolhouse feel.

“There are some really neat things you wouldn’t build today,” he said. “It’s fun.” 

In the backyard of the Lofts at Main are flower beds and a seating area for apartment-dwellers. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)

Chief Borders has by all accounts had a terrific spring practice at Jack linebacker for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Many are eager to see him during Saturday’s spring game, but the truth is that he been up to more than just playing football.

The former Georgia high school football star was back in the Peach State last weekend during the Rivals camp series stop in Atlanta. Many talented players were there, but Borders was hanging around a specific recruit who happens to be Rivals’ and ESPN’s top-ranked player in the country.

That recruit is quarterback Julian Lewis of Carrollton, Georgia. Known as “Ju Ju,” he is a former 2026 prospect who committed to the USC Trojans last August and reclassified to the 2025 recruiting class. Lewis may be committed, but to say his options are limited is far from true.

In a recent Twitter post from Tennessee Rivals (VolReport) worker Dale Dowden, there are pictures of Borders and Lewis hanging around each other at the camp.

Lewis was offered by the Cornhuskers in December 2022, not long after Matt Rhule’s arrival as head coach.

The Huskers are not afraid to fight tooth and nail for a five-star quarterback as they did that and came out victorious with Dylan Raiola in the 2024 class. Lewis might be an even bigger catch, as some see him as a generational talent.

Dowden is a specialist in recruiting but is also a photographer who captured Borders and Lewis on camera. Take a look below.

Today starts a very active period of weather in which several rounds of showers and thunderstorms will be possible through the weekend.

First off today, we’ll continue to see spotty, light rain here and there in the morning before more showers move in from a line of thunderstorms currently off to the west. Better chance for heavy rain and storms will come after about 9pm Thursday night.

THURSDAY AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT – SOUTHWEST NEBRASKA

The first of several rounds of severe weather across Nebraska is expected later this afternoon into the evening. For those under a Slight (Level 2 – yellow) risk, storms will first begin there and threaten mainly large hail, but a tornado or two and damaging wind will also be possible.

Stormcast below in one of the latest model runs has the timing of storms throughout the rest of the morning, Thursday evening and into Friday morning.

FRIDAY AFTERNOON/EVENING – EASTERN NEBRASKA

While Thursday is the first threat of severe weather nearby, Friday has the greater threat in eastern Nebraska. Just east of Lincoln, there’s an Enhanced (Level 3 – orange) risk for numerous severe storms possible that are more persistent and/or widespread, a few being intense.

Namely, the fact that both significant tornadoes (EF2 or higher) and significant hail (2″+) are possible Friday afternoon into the evening with this round of storms. Severe wind gusts could also be up to 70 mph.

Some clearing after the morning storms continue north will happen in southeast Nebraska, allowing the environment to destabilize and more thunderstorms to redevelop by the early afternoon. Stormcast has timing of this round below.

Especially after about 2 p.m., we’ll be watching for any and all severe threats in these storms. Be sure to be weather aware during this timeframe and adjust plans as needed.

SATURDAY AFTERNOON/NIGHT – SOUTHEAST NEBRASKA

Through the weekend, additional severe storms are anticipated to be impacting southeast Nebraska late Saturday afternoon. The higher threat of severe weather is southeast (including Falls City) in another Enhanced risk. All severe weather hazards will be possible.

A fourth found of thunderstorms on Sunday is possible after about 1 p.m. with a lower end tornado threat, hail up to 1″ in diameter and gusts up to 60 mph.

Stay weather aware and check back in frequently as the Storm Alert Team continues to update information.

Meteorologist Jessica Blum 
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