ayor Mike Fahey announced Wednesday that Omaha Riverfront Development Associates has been chosen to build a $35 million project on Omaha's riverfront that will include two condominium

	'Riverfront Place' will include a public plaza and connections to the new Missouri River pedestrian bridge.

towers, contemporary townhomes, 13,500 square feet of commercial space, riverfront access, a public plaza and connections to the new Missouri River pedestrian bridge.

The development, which will now be known as Riverfront Place, will occupy more than 6 acres of land nestled between the Gallup University and the new National Park Service building still under construction.

Omaha Riverfront Development Associates (ORDA) was chosen from a field of three final candidates for the project. Broadmoor Development and Noddle Development, both of Omaha, had also submitted proposals. ORDA from Park City, Utah was the ultimate winner.

The project will include two 12-story condo towers totaling 78 units and 27 three-story townhomes. A 1,000-square-foot, one bedroom and den condo will sell for about $200,000. A

	Current Omaha Riverfront development plans depict location of the new 'Riverfront Place' construction site.

customized, 2,500-square-foot penthouse will start at around $500,000. Studies have shown the most likely buyers will be empty-nest couples who no longer want the maintenance that goes along with owning a private home or young professionals without children.

The first condos and many of the 27 townhomes could be finished by late 2005 with ground-breaking expected to be sometime next summer. The second tower will be built depending on how fast the first condos sell.

The development team that includes Robb Ross of Tempe, Arizona, John Kinnear and Kim McGuire are looking forward to building the first of its kind urban neighborhood in Omaha. The architect chosen by the team is James Hancock of Vancouver. He is internationally known for his sleek tower designs, framed by inviting townhomes.

In addition to the spacious living quarters, Riverfront Place's plans call for a restaurant, coffee shop, a market and public plaza that will be tied to the riverfront trail under construction.

The city will be paid $1.6 million for the property and will split the estimated $5 million in tax-increment financing for site preparation with the developers.