288
SMB Enterprises and Night Fox Entertainment
12333 Cuming Street Omaha, NE 68154
PO Box 540771 Omaha, NE 68154
www.reviveomaha.com
Willie Barney and Tim Christian
President of SMB Enterprises and CEO of Night Fox Entertainment
wbarney@reviveomaha.com
+1 (402) 290-5627
Yes
Willie Barney, President, SMB Enterprises Yolanda Barney, Vice-President and Co-Publisher Timothy Christian, CEO of Night Fox Entertainment
Night Fox Entertainment is an Omaha-based film / television finance and production company. The company also has an office in LA. Producing credits include Z for Zachariah (Lionsgate) starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Margot Robbie and Chris Pine; Against the Clock (Gravitas Ventures) starring Andy Garcia; Wildling (IFC Midnight) starring Bel Powley and Liv Tyler; and Stoker Hills (Screen Media) starring Tony Todd. The company has many feature film projects in development including The Magician which is the story of Omaha’s own Marlin Briscoe, the NFL’s first starting African-American quarterback; Midnight starring Rosario Dawson (Ahsoka, DMZ, Seven Pounds) and Alexandra Shipp (X-Men); and An Invisible Thread which is based on a New York Times best selling book by the same name. Night Fox is also active in the television space with several scripted shows in development at various studios and networks. The company has projects in development with Emmy winning writer Mike Royce (Everybody Loves Raymond), Emmy nominated writer / producer Darrell Fetty (Hatfields and McCoys), Paul Eckstein (Godfather of Harlem) and actress Rosario Dawson. Night Fox Entertainment works closely with great filmmakers to develop, produce and finance live-action motion pictures and television shows with broad appeal. Willie and his wife Yolanda have launched a number of businesses including SMB Enterprises, a company that provides positive events, media and entertainment in the greater Omaha area. SMB is the parent company of Revive! Omaha Magazine, the North Omaha Community Guide and the Revive! Black Business Guide. Revive also created the Revive! Black Business Network in Omaha, bringing over 350 black business owners, entrepreneurs and support organizations together for networking, capacity-building and expansion. In 2019, Willie and Yolanda launched the Revive Center at 24th and Lake in the historic heart of North Omaha. And, in August 2020, SMB Enterprises announced a new partnership with Barak II to launch the Carver Legacy Center, a joint venture with American National Bank, to help build black wealth and create strong economies in underserved communities.
Center for Collaboration, Culture & Communications and Ritz Theater, Conference Center and Hotel
30500000.0
10000000.0
Capital project Combination of capital project and service/program
The Center for Collaboration, Culture and Communication is an innovative space for a local cultural organization, internationally known film company and several national consulting firms. The vision is a condo version of ownership where each floor is owned by a different business. There is interest by a local organization for the bottom floor which will potentially need 10,000 square feet. The cultural organization would host exhibits and events and own the bottom floor of the building. Office space on the second floor has generated interest from BCT Partners led by Dr Randall Pinkett, Night Fox Entertainment’s CEO Tim Christian and Torch Enterprises CEO Dr. Pamela Jolly to potentially locate together in a common building. All of these firms do business on a local, national and international level. Night Fox Entertainment has a need for 5,000 square feet of space. The remaining sq footage on the second floor will be utilized by the other companies and also include meeting space and executive board rooms. BCT partners has expressed interest in exploring an Omaha office. BCT currently has three consultants working in Omaha from home offices. Dr. Pinkett is strongly interested in expanding business relationships in Omaha and throughout the Midwest and Western regions. An office space in the heart of the country where BCT has invested seven years building relationships is a great fit. Dr. Pamela Jolly has worked in Omaha for over seven years in partnership with the Empowerment Network. Her company, Torch Enterprises, has a growing footprint and client base in Omaha and she consistently brings other national consultants and clients to the city. Dr. Jolly has expressed interest in office space in Omaha to support the work and partnerships which are expanding. The third floor of the building would house mixed-income apartments. Phase II of this project is the development of a movie theater, conference center and small cultural boutique hotel. A preliminary vision for the theater complex and meeting facility has been developed. We anticipate a community investment model which could include graduates of the Legacy Wealth Initiative and others.
Center for Collaboration, Culture and Communications The formal proposal is in development. However, the potential tenants have expressed strong interest and are looking forward to coming together within the next 30 days to finalize a plan. Once the team is able to confirm the space needs and potential rental agreements from each tenant, a more formalized plan can be submitted. The team does not own the proposed site. Meetings will be held with the landowners. With approval of the landowners and the confirmation of the tenants, discussions will move forward with the landowners. We anticipate a favorable response pending the development of joint parking solutions for both buildings. If for some reason the location doesn't work, the developers and tenants are open to building a new facility in the 24th and Lake area on a different site. The Ritz Theater, Conference Center and Hotel: The team does not own the land. The team will work with OEDC to determine the feasibility of purchasing the land or partnering on the project. SMB and Night Fox will discuss with OPS the potential use of land for additional parking. The team will meet with neighbors and stakeholders regarding the project. Once these meetings have occurred, the team will formalize the fund development plan and gain commitments from tenants and users.
1.0
Fundamental Change (i.e., a proposal that will continue to elevate North or South Omaha's presence and perception within the region, significantly improving the lives of area residents through physical development) Long-Lasting Economic Growth (i.e., a proposal that will foster gainful employment opportunities and financial investment in the area, leading to the creation of generational wealth and widespread economic vitality in North and South Omaha) Transformational (i.e., a proposal that will help energize, recharge, or spur significant and favorable advancements in North or South Omaha's function or appearance)
Multimodal Transportation (i.e., enable connectivity through driving, biking, taking transit, walking, and rolling) Other Infrastructure (i.e., develop or improve broadband, business districts, roadways, sewer, etc.) Policy (i.e., develop or improve context-sensitive education, finance, health, training, zoning, etc.) Quality of Life (i.e., create or enhance natural spaces, mixed uses, parks, safety, etc.) Sustainable Community (i.e., create or enhance housing, services, education, civic uses, recreation, etc.)
Phase I: Center for Collaboration, Culture and Communications – 25th and Lake The first building would be an innovative space for a local cultural organization, internationally known film company and several national consulting firms. The vision is a condo version of ownership where each floor is owned by a different business. There is interest by a local organization which will potentially need 10,000 square feet on the bottom floor. The cultural organization would host exhibits and events and own the bottom floor of the building. Office space on the second floor has generated interest from BCT Partners led by Dr Randall Pinkett, Night Fox Entertainment’s CEO Tim Christian and Torch Enterprises CEO Dr. Pamela Jolly to potentially locate together in a common building. All of these firms do business on a local, national and international level. Night Fox Entertainment has a need for 6,000 square feet of space. The remaining 4,000 square feet will be utilized by the other companies and also include meeting space and executive board rooms. BCT partners has expressed interest in exploring an Omaha office. BCT currently has three consultants working in Omaha from home offices. Dr. Pinkett is strongly interested in expanding business relationships in Omaha and throughout the Midwest and Western regions. An office space in the heart of the country where BCT has invested seven years building relationships is a great fit. Dr. Pamela Jolly has worked in Omaha for over seven years in partnership with the Empowerment Network and Willie and Yolanda Barney. Her company, Torch Enterprises, has a growing footprint and client base in Omaha and she consistently brings other national consultants and clients to the city. Dr. Jolly has expressed interest in office space in Omaha to support the work and partnerships which are expanding. An additional potential tenant collaborates nationally with clients that will also travel to Omaha periodically and will need a hotel or apartment to utilize. The third floor of the building would house mixed-income apartments. Phase II: Ritz Theater, Conference Center and Hotel Phase II of this project to bring film and collaborative events to North Omaha is the development of a movie theater, conference center and small cultural boutique hotel. A preliminary vision for the theater complex and meeting facility has been developed. The team anticipate a community investment model which could include graduates of the Legacy Wealth Initiative and others. The theater space would be a multi-use space for banquets, movies and other meetings and special occasions. The conference center would allow North Omaha to keep money in the neighborhood by providing organizations, businesses, churches and other an option to hold their meetings, conferences and summits at 24th and Lake. The small, cultural boutique hotel would allow speakers, visitors, tourists and special guests the opportunity to stay in the historic district along 24th and Street. The plan is to build the facility on the former home of the historic Ritz Theater. The property is owned by OEDC. If this site doesn’t work, the theater, conference center and hotel complex could be located elsewhere in the district.
Strong business corridors, entrepreneurship, business growth, job creation, housing and wealth building.
Higher wages, tourism, entrepreneurship, business growth, job creation, housing and wealth building.
TBD
TBD
TBD
High wage jobs will be created
SMB and Night Fox are committed to doing business with diverse contractors and contractors within the QCT
Bring visitors, jobs, housing and businesses to the district. Films and documentaries created in Omaha will bring attention and increase interest in the city of Omaha.
Increase density, generate traffic for restaurants, stores and other service providers.
All of the businesses connected to this project are thought leaders in their fields. All do business nationally and three internationally.
Visitors to the cultural center. Jobs created at the center. Films funded. Economic activity generated by having national visitors travel to Omaha.
Each business tracks contracts, number of employees, businesses launched, businesses scaled, etc.
The Center will support development at 24th and Lake and help make North Omaha the center point for Collaboration, Culture and Communications/Film.With a partnership between Night Fox Entertainment, SMB Enterprises and others, North Omaha has the potential to become a major player in the film industry and will also attract top level Black athletes and entertainers to Omaha consistently. Recent examples resulting from the Night Fox relationships include visits by Earvin Magic Johnson, Issa Rae and Teddy Riley. This is just the beginning.
Yes
Night Fox Entertainment is an Omaha-based film / television finance and production company. BCT Partners is a global, multi-disciplinary consulting firm that works with corporations, government agencies, educational institutions, philanthropic, nonprofit, and faith-based organizations.
No
25th and Lake, Southeast Corner...Center for Collaboration, Culture and Communications 2035 N 24th Street
Within one or more QCTs
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Architect - Preliminary
No
The Omaha Economic Recovery team is looking for transformational projects. The Center for Collaboration, Culture and Communication and the Ritz Theater, Conference Center and Hotel have the potential to bring national and international clients, businesses, actors, entertainers, athletes and others to 24th and Lake on a consistent basis.
$5,000,000 toward the development of Center for Collaboration, Culture and Communications $5,000,000 towards the development of Phase II which is the Ritz Theater, Conference Center and Hotel.
No
The building revenue would be generated by tenants.
Debt TIF Foundations Equity
Opportunities to partner with landowner and other potential developments in the area.
Businesses will identify and sign agreements with tenants. Business will raise additional funds to develop and maintain the property.
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
Plans and detailed descriptions, including pictures and a map of the site location/surrounding area Proposal Budget/Sources and Uses