Downtown Crete is in the process of major changes this summer as a city-initiated Downtown Revitalization grant program, street globe and light replacement, and Crete Community Foundation street beautification project commence.

Downtown Revitalization

Phases of Downtown Revitalization, or DTR, have been in the works for several years and with final approval for Phase II facade improvements at 19 properties, citizens and business owners will see hard work and organization pay off.

In December 2016, the City of Crete was awarded $350,000 in CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) funds to implement a commercial rehabilitation program to revitalize the City’s historic downtown. The City’s matching contribution was approximately $87,500 for a project total of over $430,000 in local grants. Through this program, Crete was among eight communities that received a share of $2,800,000 to complete Phase II (implementation) in the Downtown Revitalization category from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED).

In 2017, the City began contacting businesses in the downtown district about interest in applying for the Phase II implementation program, which awards grant funds equaling a percentage of each individual project’s total cost. The basis of Crete’s Phase II DTR process focuses on facade improvements by removing old awnings and materials in deteriorating condition. Some awnings will be replaced and other properties will receive facade updates. A total of 19 properties were approved for the final list of improvement projects. Old awning removal started the week of May 7, 2018.

The City was previously awarded $30,000 for the DTR Phase I planning process in 2016. A design firm was hired to engage citizens in discussions of strengths and weaknesses in the downtown area, furthering plans for a revitalization process and Phase II application for the latest round of funding.

Street light globe and bulb replacement

The City of Crete will start the process of replacing globes and lights in decorative street lights in the downtown area this summer. The street lights, installed during an improvement project in 1998, have added character and a historic look to the area, however, the globes have yellowed in recent years and the lights are faded.

Replacement globes and LED technology in new lights will brighten the downtown area and further compliment ongoing updates with downtown properties and facade improvements.

Crete Community Foundation streetscape project

The Crete Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, non-profit established in 1999 to "strengthen the vitality of the community area through philanthropic endowment of community projects.” The foundation’s board of directors chooses projects which have the opportunity to impact the community as a whole through use of donated funds.

The latest project is a concept familiar to many Crete citizens who experience the Main Street and downtown area on a regular basis: a beautification plan for downtown to compliment facade improvements and other updates happening this year. After researching and gathering examples and information from projects in other communities, the foundation partnered with the City to develop a feasible plan for Crete’s downtown.

The foundation purchased benches and planters, which will be placed along Main Street from about 11th to 14th Streets and for one block east and west from the 13th and Main intersection. With City support, the planning process included creating “bump outs,” or extensions of the curb and sidewalk, along Main Street in specific locations to place benches, planters, and trees. The bump outs will take some parking spaces, however, several areas will have parking stalls redrawn to adequately accommodate vehicles and still maintain proper downtown parking needs.

The foundation and the City are working on a maintenance plan for the new features and are hopeful the project, like many undertaken in similar communities, will succeed with the support of local property owners, citizens and City departments.

CVFD Membership Requirements

Interested individuals are asked to complete an application for membership to the Crete Volunteer Fire Department.

Basic requirements for candidates are:

• high school graduate or equivalency
• at least 19 years of age
• good health and physical condition
• must be a resident of the Crete Fire District
• no felony conviction (unless waived by Department for good cause)
• valid driver’s license
• must become EMT certified within 2 years

Duties and responsibilities include:

Work involves the responsibility for performing appropriate fire department functions in the fire station and assigned districts of response. Work normally consists of routine duties including maintaining fire station and grounds in a presentable condition. Duties also consist of participating in independent study, company drills, scheduled training at the fire department training grounds, fire prevention, inspections, fire fighting and rescue operations in residential and mercantile structures and providing emergency medical services in the field where assigned. Duties in emergency situations may be performed under hazardous conditions during fire fighting and rescue operations in all weather and 24 hours a day. Additional information is available in the Membership Application below.

View/Download CVFD Membership Application

Welcome to Crete!

Crete has many amenities to offer new residents who have chosen to make this small city their home. This website is regularly updated with relevant information pertaining to City of Crete functions and services as well as various listings for community resources, agencies, and organizations. Start with the links below and browse the rest of the sections to find more information on Crete.

City Hall is located at 243 East 13th Street with the Public Works Office entrance on the south side of the building. Please visit or call with questions and city staff would be happy to assist you, 402-826-4312.

Electric, water, and wastewater services in the community are provided by the City of Crete. Mandatory refuse service, with optional recycling service is franchised through The Garbage Company. The streets and storm sewer system within city limits are also maintained by the Departments of Public Works.

• A summary of utility rates and billing can be found under the Public Works section.
• The Community Assistance Office provides a number of services and referrals for new and existing Crete residents.
• The City Parks and Recreation Department maintains 10 public parks and administers youth and adult recreation programs on a year-round schedule.
• The Crete Chamber of Commerce is a great resource for businesses and services.
• Sign up for a Crete Public Library card.
• The Crete Police Department is located at 1945 Forest Ave. and is the place to license your dog or cat. View animal licensing requirements.
• The Resources tab above includes pages like Frequently Asked Questions.
• The Building Inspector's Office can answer questions about building permits and zoning issues.
• Vehicle titles and driver's license testing is handled through Saline County; find information in Resources. 

The planning, design, and construction timeline for the new Crete Public Library and community building has been updated as of July 1, 2018. (This timeline is subject to change.)

May - June 2018: Engineering plans and specifications

July 2018: Construction bidding

July - August 2018: Pre-construction staking, permits, mobilization

August - November 2018: Site finish grading and utilities

December 2018 - March 2019: Structural exterior construction

April - October 2019: Interior construction

October - November 2019: Finish construction

Spring 2020: Off-site hard and soft-scape installation

Tuxedo Park

The largest park in Crete is Tuxedo Park, a 96-acre facility located in the northwest area of town, west of the Blue River. The main entrance is off West 13th Street at Tuxedo Road with a single lane bridge (weight limit 3 tons). (The back entrance is accessed from Idaho Ave. off of West 13th; this entrance is recommended for large vehicles and trailers.) A broad range of recreational facilities are provided in the park.

Camping

The park has restroom and shower facilities (April -October), 20 RV camping sites and dump station, and picnic areas. View camping fees and information.

Athletic Fields, Playgrounds & Facilities

Thom Stallard Legion baseball field and press box and the Howard Waltman Softball Complex with four fields host numerous teams and tournaments throughout the season. Baseball and softball areas both have dugouts, concession stands and batting cages. Reserve a Tuxedo Park ball field on RecDesk.

Cerny Memorial Park is a playground on the south side of the park with slides, swing sets, climbing bar, small kids play area, and a sand box.The east playground, located near the softball complex, includes a swing set, sand box and play structure.

The Izaak Walton League cabin and shooting range (trap, skeet, sporting clays) is located in the northwest corner of the park. This cabin and range is maintained by the Crete Ikes organization. The park also has a ski trail, hiking trail, horseshoe pits, and sand volleyball courts.

Saline County Fairgrounds

The Saline County Fairgrounds are located at the park for use during the fair in mid-July. Several buildings are owned and maintained by the Saline County Agricultural Society and rental information is available upon request or online.

Raceway

The lakebed area in the southeast portion of Tuxedo Park is currently being leased (approved March 2018) for operation of a go kart track, Tuxedo Park Raceway. Scheduled races only are slated for Saturdays from May through October. Find more information online or on Facebook.

Click on the links below to download forms

• Building Permit Form
• Plumbing Permit Form
• Mechanical Permit Form
• Fence Permit Form
• Sign Permit
• Curb Cuts
• Demolition Permit
• Well Permit
• Right-of-way Permit
• Septic System Permit
• House Moving Permit
• Mobile Home Placement Permit
• Plumbing License Renewal Form for 2018
• Application For Variance
• Flood Plain Development Permit

Online Bill Payments

Utility bills can be paid 24/7 through the online bill payment option. Make a payment online

(This link is also available from the homepage.)

• Cards, checking or savings account can be used (with routing and account numbers)
• Information required: name on the utility account, address, and the utility account number 
• Email address is requested in order to receive a receipt
• Account will still be credited on the day the payment is made. 

If you have any other questions, visit the Public Works Office (City Hall, 243 East 13th Street, Main Entrance on the south side of the building) or call 402.826.4312.

Utility Bills and Rates

• A service deposit is required on all addresses; transferable if the resident moves to a new address within City service;
• All utility billing statements are mailed the last business day of the month;
• Bills are due by 5:00 p.m. on the 15th of each month;
• Bills paid by the 15th receive a 10% discount; accounts paid after the due date are subject to forfeiture of this discount;
• Accounts not paid by the due date receive a courtesy notice; a disconnect date is noted on the original bill and the courtesy notice;
• Payments can be made in person at the Public Works Office at City Hall, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; drive-thru, night drop, mailed or online;
• Personal checks, money orders or cash are accepted; debit/credit cards accepted with 2.5% convenience fee.

Electrical Service: The City of Crete Departments of Public Works Electric System retails electricity within the corporate limits. 

• View Current Electric Rates

Water and Sewer Service: 

• View Current Water Rates
• Residential Sewer Rate: Monthly customer fee $29.70, plus $2.63 per 1,000 gallons average monthly water consumption for the lowest three months of water usage of the five winter months of November, December, January February and March (Calculated each April) or $37.51 average sewer fee for customers without usage history. 
• Commercial Sewer Rates: Contact the Public Works Office at 402-826-4312.

Garbage Collection and Recycling: The City of Crete solid waste service is provided by The Garbage Company. A recycling tote is included free of charge.

• Residential Rates: 
  • Small Tote (65 gallon)    $17.89
  • Large Tote (95 gallon)    $18.18
  • 2 (95 gal.) Totes             $22.98
  • Seasonal Yard Waste     $12.00
• Commercial Rates: Contact The Garbage Company directly at 1-800-322-4272 for service and rates.

Outside Services:

• Spectrum Cable - 1-800-248-8823
• Black Hills Energy (natural gas company) - 1-888-890-5554
• Windstream (local telephone service) - 1-800-347-1991; Repair Service - 611
• Other television and phone services available, check local directory

Please see the Public Works sections at left for more information on these City services.