At the southwest corner of 72nd and Dodge, a new chapter is being written: Omaha Public Library’s Central Library. It’s intended to be a place for connection, creativity, innovation and community. And woven through its structure, both literally and figuratively, is Miller Electric’s handiwork.
From the earliest days on the jobsite — before trailers were even set, before anything stood but a hole in the ground — the Miller team played a key role in bringing this landmark project to life. Years of coordination and collaboration are just about ready to be unveiled as a bright, modern library built for the next generation of Omahans.
A Vision Built on Precision
Walk into the new library and one of the first things you’ll notice is how the lighting sets the stage for the building’s atmospheric warmth.
Nowhere is that more obvious than above the Zen Coffee Company café, where 345 lights hang overhead in a precise arrangement, perfectly spaced and aligned in every direction. The grid stretches across the ceiling in immaculate lines, giving the space a sense of balance and intentional artistry echoed across the entire building.
“It was one of the biggest challenges,” said general foreman Jim Baatz. “Every one of those lights had to line up. If the diagonals didn’t match across the whole building, you’d see it immediately. It took a lot of planning and a lot of talented people to make it happen.”
Structure and Flexibility
Beneath the library’s elegant finishes lies some of the most coordinated electrical work Miller has delivered in a commercial project, partly due to the raised access floor which spans nearly the entire building.
“I’ve never been on a project with this much raised access floor. Except for the basement, it’s probably 95% of the building. There’s about 18 inches of space under the floor,” explained project manager Nathan Waldo. “HVAC, electrical branch power, cable tray, data pipes, everything runs through there. BIM was huge on this job to coordinate the height of the access floor and all the systems running through it.”
And of course, another key feature of Central Library is its beautiful high ceilings, some 40–60 ft high, which adds to the difficulty of electrical work.
The unconventional ceiling system added to the complexity. Although it looks like drywall, it’s made of acoustical panels — not something you can cut twice.
“If you cut into the wrong spot, you’re throwing away the whole panel,” Nathan said. “That meant constant coordination with everyone. This was truly a multi-trade effort.”
Designed With the Community in Mind
The meaning of the project goes far beyond the satisfaction of solving technical challenges.
“When you’re driving here in the morning, you know you’re working on something that matters to the city,” Jim said.
Nathan has contributed to several major outdoor community projects, including the Gene Leahy Mall, Lewis and Clark Landing and Heartland of America Park. This is another landmark job that families, including his own, can use regularly.
“I’ve got little kids who love libraries,” he said. “It’ll be cool to bring them here someday.”
Central Library Features
Omaha’s new Central Library is more than stacks and shelves. It will feature:
- Zen Coffee Company on the first floor
- A flexible, bright commons area just inside the entrance
- Do Space technology programs and equipment, including podcasting and video production spaces
- A city garden
- More than a dozen meeting rooms open to the public
- A permanent collection of artwork by 16 local artists
- Expanded access to OPL’s archives and local collections
- Free EV chargers for visitors
Omaha Public Library has been around for over 150 years of imagination and education. Central Library is a project built to carry on that legacy.
A Team Effort from Start to Finish
Both Jim and Nathan underscored one theme repeatedly: the strength of their team onsite.
“We had a great group of go-to guys,” Jim said. “Experienced, steady, good problem solvers. Everybody did their part.”
Nathan agreed. “I’d never worked with Jim or Jay before, but those guys absolutely crushed it. Every electrician brings their own strengths and style, and this team made the project what it is.”
Contributing to Omaha’s Legacy
As the barricades come down and the community begins to see the final results, the team is excited to see their reaction. Working on the new library is a chance to help shape a place where thousands of Omahans will learn, create, meet and explore for generations.
“It’s almost like a museum when you look at it,” Jim said. “The finishes, the details, the lighting. It’s really something.”
And it’s something Miller Electric is honored to have helped bring to life.