One Property At A Time

Category: Community/Economic Development


This Year's Project: Picnic tables for the 2 City Park Shelters


About Our Organization

Improving Blue Springs One Property At A Time was organized in 2016 and was officially registered as a 501 C-3 nonprofit May 16, 2017. It is located in Blue Springs, NE. The nonprofit consists of volunteers whose mission is to: Promote a clean, healthy and safe community by developing partnerships and the utilization of conservation practices to enhance the quality of life and affordable housing in Blue Springs and its rural service area. Since 2016, Improving Blue Springs One Property At A Time has partnered with the city of Blue Springs to remove over 130 unsightly properties consisting of homes, abandoned vehicles, mobile homes, garages and other small structures. It has helped citizens with limited resources remove brush, tires and debris from their properties and helped revitalize city parks and cleanup.

Since 2016 Improving Blue Springs One Property At A Time has coordinated a number of projects to improve the quality of life in Blue Springs and its rural area. 

For example:

  1.  Partnered with the City of Blue Springs and the Margaret and Martha Thomas Foundation to remove over 130 unsightly properties consisting of homes, abandoned vehicles, mobile homes, garages and other small structures
  2. Maintains and mows six parcels of land consisting of 23 lots to be developed for future housing. 
  3. Planted over 75 trees and shrubs at the two city parks, Chief Standing Bear Trail, Blue Springs Trailhead and future housing lots through the support of Nebraska Forest Service/Nebraska Statewide Arboretum and Bluebirds Across Nebraska
  4. Acquired grants through Gage County Foundation, Raymond and Betty Eisenhauer Bequest Fund and Norris Power Goodwill Fund to install new lights, upgrade the electrical system and landscaping at the Blue Springs Park tennis court and Feit Park.
  5. Developed in cooperation with Bluebirds Across Nebraska and the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum the pollinator garden, wild bird habitat, native prairie and memorial garden at the Chief Standing Bear, Blue Springs Trailhead

 These and many other projects would not have been possible without the support of area foundations and a core of volunteers who have dedicated their time, equipment and personal finances to achieve and maintain these projects to make Blue Springs a better place to live now and in the future.  



Current Project: Picnic tables for the 2 City Park Shelters



All weather picnic tables for both City Park Shelters.



Past Projects

  • Improving Blue Springs One Property At A Time


    Project Details

    To date, Improving Blue Springs One Property At A Time, in partnership with the City of Blue Springs, has removed 33 uninhabitable homes and seven outbuildings.  Assistance has been provided to property owners to remove brush/debris and make improvements on 93 properties. New lighting was installed at the Blue Spring Park tennis court. Electrical updates were made at Feit Park which provided camper hookups and new LED lighting for the shelter. A total of 70 native trees have been planted throughout the community.  These actions/efforts have made available new opportunities for new homes and businesses. The improvements to the parks and city landscape invite campers/visitors to explore and enjoy the community of Blue Springs.

    Currently, there are five properties with outbuildings and uninhabitable homes available to be purchased and removed.  Improving Blue Springs One Property At A Time is asking for funds to purchase one of these properties.  The funds would be used to purchase the property, asbestos inspection and removable, demolition of the structures, landfill fees, backfill of the basement, landscaping and maintenance of the property.  The purchase of this property and removal of buildings would enhance the quality of life in Blue Springs and encourage the building of a new home or business. Your contribution is very much appreciated to continue the volunteer efforts of the last five years to make Blue Springs a better and more inviting community to live and visit.

    One Property At A Time (1011now.com)



  • Improving Blue Springs One Property At A Time 2022


    Project Details

     To date, Improving Blue Springs One Property At A Time, in partnership with the City of Blue Springs, has removed 30 uninhabitable homes and six outbuildings.  Assistance has been provided to property owners to remove brush/debris and make improvements on 93 properties. New lighting was installed at the Blue Spring Park tennis court. Electrical updates were made at Feit Park which provided camper hookups and new LED lighting for the shelter. A total of 50 native trees have been planted throughout the community.  These actions/efforts have made available new opportunities for new homes and businesses. The improvements to the parks and city landscape invite campers/visitors to explore and enjoy the community of Blue Springs.

    Currently, there are four properties with outbuildings and uninhabitable homes available to be purchased and removed.  Improving Blue Springs One Property At A Time is asking for funds to purchase one of these properties.  The funds would be used to purchase the property, asbestos inspection and removable, demolition of the structures, landfill fees, backfill of the basement, landscaping and maintenance of the property.  The purchase of this property and removal of buildings would enhance the quality of life in Blue Springs and encourage the building of a new home or business. Your contribution is very much appreciated to continue the volunteer efforts of the last five years to make Blue Springs a better and more inviting community to live and visit.



  • Commercial Zero Turn Mower


    Project Details

    Improving Blue Springs One Property At A Time purchased and maintains three parcels of land consisting of 12 lots that once consisted of abandoned structures. These lots are being maintained to make them more appealing to purchase for future housing. Maintenance of these lots is currently done by four volunteers utilizing their own mowing equipment which has caused a lot of wear and tear on their equipment at a personal cost to them. The money requested would be used towards the purchase of a commercial zero-turn lawn mower to mow 12 lots, the Chief Standing Bear Trail, Blue Springs Trailhead and any future lots purchased to enhance the quality of life in Blue Springs.







$0 Raised of $6,000 goal
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Legal Name: One Property At A Time

116 North Douglas Street, PO Box 37
Blue Springs, NE 68318

 
(402) 806-8556

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