Missouri River Commons (Riverfront Development)

Omaha_Gabe · Post by **Omaha_Gabe** » Tue Apr 30, 2013 6:52 pm

I know it's a small market, but I wonder if a Hard Rock Cafe would do good in the area. With the large outdoor space, it may work well for concerts and other events

iamjacobm · Post by **iamjacobm** » Tue Apr 30, 2013 7:08 pm

I know I have suggested Lucky Bucket to move into like 4 different buildings, but this one trumps them all. Â Imagine a big place like this filled with brewing equipment overlooking the river. Â Their tours would draw people to the riverfront and it would be something unique and local rather than a "big name" chain.

Now I know they wont be moving so we can move on, just in a perfect work a riverfront brewery would be awesome.

Post by **nebugeater** » Tue Apr 30, 2013 7:58 pm

Omaha_Gabe wrote:I know it's a small market, but I wonder if a Hard Rock Cafe would do good in the area. With the large outdoor space, it may work well for concerts and other events

If souix city can get a hard rock casino why not

ThatGuy · Post by **ThatGuy** » Tue Apr 30, 2013 9:55 pm

nebugeater wrote:
Omaha_Gabe wrote:I know it's a small market, but I wonder if a Hard Rock Cafe would do good in the area. With the large outdoor space, it may work well for concerts and other events
If souix city can get a hard rock casino why not

Because it's on the wrong side of the river.

Omababe · Post by **Omababe** » Wed May 01, 2013 6:13 am

Omaha_Gabe wrote:I know it's a small market, but I wonder if a Hard Rock Cafe would do good in the area.

Something like that would definitely be a hit! We need something active and vibrant on the waterfront.

nebport5 · Post by **nebport5** » Wed May 01, 2013 12:01 pm

Hard Rock only makes sense in an area with established entertainment, not on an island. Â If there was a riverwalk with shops and other entertainment, a reluctant maybe. Â Two, if you want a mediocre restaurant there you should have eaten at Rick's more.

Linkin5 · Post by **Linkin5** » Wed May 01, 2013 12:05 pm

nebport5 wrote:Hard Rock only makes sense in an area with established entertainment, not on an island. If there was a riverwalk with shops and other entertainment, a reluctant maybe. Two, if you want a mediocre restaurant there you should have eaten at Rick's more.

Sioux City says hi.

nebport5 · Post by **nebport5** » Wed May 01, 2013 12:23 pm

Linkin5 wrote:
nebport5 wrote:Hard Rock only makes sense in an area with established entertainment, not on an island. If there was a riverwalk with shops and other entertainment, a reluctant maybe. Two, if you want a mediocre restaurant there you should have eaten at Rick's more.
Sioux City says hi.

Point? Â Some of you seem to be forgetting that it's Hard Rock Casino, hence a place that will draw thousands because of gaming. Â It's not just Hard Rock Cafe, with a lone building sitting between the river and a big empty parking lot.

NovakOmaha · Post by **NovakOmaha** » Wed May 01, 2013 12:35 pm

nebport5 wrote:Hard Rock only makes sense in an area with established entertainment, not on an island. If there was a riverwalk with shops and other entertainment, a reluctant maybe. Two, if you want a mediocre restaurant there you should have eaten at Rick's more.

That begs the question. Â Why isn't there more on the riverfront? Â Yes there are the two condo towers & Gallup but perhaps with some foresight there could have been a lot more along the river. Â More housing, shops, restaurants, etc. Â Yes it would have taken a huge leap of faith but think of the possibilities. Â Also, with just one casino, let alone more, think of the billions that would have stayed in the state.

nebport5 · Post by **nebport5** » Wed May 01, 2013 12:58 pm

NovakOmaha wrote:
nebport5 wrote:Hard Rock only makes sense in an area with established entertainment, not on an island. If there was a riverwalk with shops and other entertainment, a reluctant maybe. Two, if you want a mediocre restaurant there you should have eaten at Rick's more.
That begs the question. Why isn't there more on the riverfront? Yes there are the two condo towers & Gallup but perhaps with some foresight there could have been a lot more along the river. More housing, shops, restaurants, etc. Yes it would have taken a huge leap of faith but think of the possibilities. Also, with just one casino, let alone more, think of the billions that would have stayed in the state.

Why isn't there more in North Downtown? Â We can't even get the leap of faith to develop the F'ing parking lot called "The Yard" near three hotels, three sports bars, The Slowdown, TD Park, and The Century Link. Â

It would be great have some some additional quality attractions near Rick's but until such an occurrence whatever goes in the is going to struggle. Â Unless, the place is phenomenal, it needs a host to parasite patrons. Â It was ill conceived from the start.

As for a casino!? Â That's a whole other argument for a different thread. Â I can't believe I'm saying this but a case could be made (in thread context) for the Â d a m n ed Â Vortex.

S33 · Post by **S33** » Wed May 01, 2013 1:06 pm

NovakOmaha wrote:
That begs the question. Why isn't there more on the riverfront?

Because the state legislates what you can and cannot do for fun. Legalize gambling, and that riverfront is casinos, concerts, restaurants, shops, you name it. In other words, adult fun. Maybe even some hookers.

NovakOmaha · Post by **NovakOmaha** » Wed May 01, 2013 3:56 pm

Want to know how to do it right? Â Lincoln's amazing Haymarket district. Â No casinos but they are doing an amazing job.

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Wed May 01, 2013 4:23 pm

NovakOmaha wrote:Want to know how to do it right? Lincoln's amazing Haymarket district. No casinos but they are doing an amazing job.

I absolutely love what they are doing down there. Â Total home run.

Greg

twiztid1 · Post by **twiztid1** » Thu May 02, 2013 10:16 am

nebport5 wrote:
Linkin5 wrote:
nebport5 wrote:Hard Rock only makes sense in an area with established entertainment, not on an island. If there was a riverwalk with shops and other entertainment, a reluctant maybe. Two, if you want a mediocre restaurant there you should have eaten at Rick's more.
Sioux City says hi.
Point? Some of you seem to be forgetting that it's Hard Rock Casino, hence a place that will draw thousands because of gaming. It's not just Hard Rock Cafe, with a lone building sitting between the river and a big empty parking lot.

Agreed. And actually, the Hard Rock Casino and Hotel in Sioux City will not even have a Hard Rock Cafe. The developer of it pays a fee to use the Hard Rock Casino name. It's very unlikely a real Hard Rock would go over well on the riverfront in its current form. I love iamjacom's Lucky Bucket idea.

NovakOmaha wrote:Want to know how to do it right? Lincoln's amazing Haymarket district. No casinos but they are doing an amazing job.

Except Lincoln is building onto an already established district, and North Downtown was built from nothing on toxic land. Unless your point is Omaha should've built the arena near the Old Market, then it's an apples and oranges comparison.

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Thu May 02, 2013 11:40 am

I've always wondered if Omaha should have built closer to the Old Market. Â You got a bunch of new development there but it is 10 years and still has a ways to go. Â During winter before/after UNO hockey games, it's quite a haul between the two. Â We rarely do both areas.

The other option could have been hiring someone like Cordish to better develop and coordinate the development around Century Link. We've kind of done it in a hap hazard way.

Lincoln seems to be doing a little of everything. Â They went with a more established area but have also built on to it and spurred a bunch of growth and expansion. Â I love right at opening you have food and drink options right outside the arena. Â I love The Yard that will be right there. Â The outdoor skating there will be a nice feature.

Greg

Post by **Coyote** » Thu May 02, 2013 12:07 pm

http://m.ketv.com/news/city-to-ricks-ow ... =hootsuite

KETV wrote:Now, in addition to the notice of default, there's another new development: the city has hired a consultant for guidance in selecting a new restaurateur to take over the building. The cost to hire that consultant: $19,000. Kratz said city officials began working with the consultant earlier this week.

nativeomahan · Post by **nativeomahan** » Thu May 02, 2013 10:30 pm

Ricks is nothing but a great big white elephant. Â I don't think anything will go in there this year.

TitosBuritoBarn · Post by **TitosBuritoBarn** » Fri May 03, 2013 12:06 pm

NovakOmaha wrote:
nebport5 wrote:Hard Rock only makes sense in an area with established entertainment, not on an island. If there was a riverwalk with shops and other entertainment, a reluctant maybe. Two, if you want a mediocre restaurant there you should have eaten at Rick's more.
That begs the question. Why isn't there more on the riverfront? Yes there are the two condo towers & Gallup but perhaps with some foresight there could have been a lot more along the river. More housing, shops, restaurants, etc. Yes it would have taken a huge leap of faith but think of the possibilities. Also, with just one casino, let alone more, think of the billions that would have stayed in the state.

I think there will be over time. There's been significant demand for new development around downtown, but we've been spreading it around. I think if the riverfront was the only place that could be redeveloped over the past 10 years, we would have a lot more there, but as it is, the city and developers have been working to redevelop the riverfront, Midtown, Downtown, North Downtown, and Little Italy to a degree pretty much simultaneously.

HskrFanMike · Post by **HskrFanMike** » Fri May 03, 2013 12:45 pm

Greg S wrote:I've always wondered if Omaha should have built closer to the Old Market.

That was the original plan for what became the CenturyLink Center. Â IIRC, around 16th & Jackson. Â Hal Daub vetoed it, because he wanted it near the river.

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Tue May 07, 2013 9:34 am

nativeomahan wrote:Ricks is nothing but a great big white elephant. I don't think anything will go in there this year.

With the mess this thing has become, I think it will be a year or more for this to be resolved, get a new owner and redo the place for whoever goes in. Â Too bad. Â

Greg

iamjacobm · Post by **iamjacobm** » Wed Jun 12, 2013 2:52 pm

About as vague as it gets for an update.

http://www.ketv.com/news/local-news/gro ... index.html

The city law department said it's been talking with more parties interested in the former Rick's Cafe Boatyard on Riverfront Drive.

Officials told KETV NewsWatch 7 there's now interest in the property from out-of-state groups, too. Â They declined to give specifics, however.

S33 · Post by **S33** » Thu Jun 13, 2013 4:47 pm

Well, they moved quicker on this than Townsend site.

MadMartin8 · Post by **MadMartin8** » Thu Jun 13, 2013 5:07 pm

I hope it's Chuck-E-Cheese. Or a parking lot company.

RNcyanide · Post by **RNcyanide** » Thu Jun 13, 2013 6:37 pm

MadMartin8 wrote:I hope it's Chuck-E-Cheese. Or a parking lot company.

Or they could demolish the current structure and build something square; rather suburban looking. Perhaps look to L Street Marketplace for inspiration.

MadMartin8 · Post by **MadMartin8** » Thu Jun 13, 2013 6:42 pm

RNcyanide wrote:
MadMartin8 wrote:I hope it's Chuck-E-Cheese. Or a parking lot company.
Or they could demolish the current structure and build something square; rather suburban looking. Perhaps look to L Street Marketplace for inspiration.

KNIGHTS OF NI:
Â Â Aaaaugh! Aaaugh!
HEAD KNIGHT:
Â Â Augh! Ohh! Don't say that word.
ARTHUR:
Â Â What word?
HEAD KNIGHT:
Â Â I cannot tell, suffice to say is one of the words the Knights of Ni cannot hear.
ARTHUR:
Â Â How can we not say the word if you don't tell us what it is?
KNIGHTS OF NI:
Â Â Aaaaugh!
HEAD KNIGHT:
Â Â You said it again!

RNcyanide · Post by **RNcyanide** » Thu Jun 13, 2013 6:45 pm

MadMartin8 wrote:
RNcyanide wrote:
MadMartin8 wrote:I hope it's Chuck-E-Cheese. Or a parking lot company.
Or they could demolish the current structure and build something square; rather suburban looking. Perhaps look to L Street Marketplace for inspiration.

KNIGHTS OF NI:
Aaaaugh! Aaaugh!
HEAD KNIGHT:
Augh! Ohh! Don't say that word.
ARTHUR:
What word?
HEAD KNIGHT:
I cannot tell, suffice to say is one of the words the Knights of Ni cannot hear.
ARTHUR:
How can we not say the word if you don't tell us what it is?
KNIGHTS OF NI:
Aaaaugh!
HEAD KNIGHT:
You said it again!

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Fri Jun 14, 2013 11:36 pm

I heard WOWT is trying to keep up with the Randby's and will be making Rick's their new TV studio. Â

Post by **Brad** » Thu Jul 18, 2013 4:45 pm

Crash Davis lobbying for the Anchor Inn to take over Rickshaw right now on 1290.

jessep28 · Post by **jessep28** » Thu Jul 18, 2013 5:41 pm

That place is too classy to be the Skankor Inn's new home.

Post by **Coyote** » Thu Jul 18, 2013 5:52 pm

How is Anchor Inn's place doing at S. 72nd in Ralston?

RNcyanide · Post by **RNcyanide** » Fri Jul 19, 2013 9:08 am

Coyote wrote:How is Anchor Inn's place doing at S. 72nd in Ralston?

I've been there a few times. Things seem to be going swimmingly for them.

nativeomahan · Post by **nativeomahan** » Wed Aug 07, 2013 6:05 pm

Channel 6 reports that Yves Minard, of Charley's at the Lake fame, will team with Storz Beer (!!!) to reopen Rick's by November.
I keep reading that Charley's has gone way, way downhill in the past few years. It used to be a real nice place.

The mayor's office has a news conference set for Thursday to discuss plans for the closed riverfront restaurant.

Collin · Post by **Collin** » Wed Aug 07, 2013 6:12 pm

New Riverfront Restaurant To Open At Former Cafe Boatyard Site

www.wowt.com wrote:Many have been wondering what will happen to the building. Wednesday morning on KFAB radio, World Group's Trenton Magid let the cat out of the bag. "My understanding is that the owner of Charlie’s on the Lake on 144th Street is in final negotiations with the city of Omaha to open up a restaurant in the former Rick's Cafe Boatyard."

Sources tell Channel 6 News that the new restaurant on Omaha's riverfront will be a joint venture between Charlie’s on the Lake and Storz Brewery. The beer was made in Omaha years ago and is now being brewed in Lincoln. It will make its comeback to the market in a few weeks.

iamjacobm · Post by **iamjacobm** » Wed Aug 07, 2013 8:21 pm

Sounds like a good plan! Â I wonder if that means they will brew the stuff on location then?

RNcyanide · Post by **RNcyanide** » Wed Aug 07, 2013 8:38 pm

Not bad.

twiztid1 · Post by **twiztid1** » Wed Aug 07, 2013 8:46 pm

Some type of a brewery would make this place somewhat of a destination which is what this location needs.

mj3141 · Post by **mj3141** » Wed Aug 07, 2013 9:15 pm

iamjacobm wrote:I know I have suggested Lucky Bucket to move into like 4 different buildings, but this one trumps them all. Imagine a big place like this filled with brewing equipment overlooking the river. Their tours would draw people to the riverfront and it would be something unique and local rather than a "big name" chain.

Now I know they wont be moving so we can move on, just in a perfect work a riverfront brewery would be awesome.

Not Lucky Bucket, but...

guy4omaha · Post by **guy4omaha** » Wed Aug 07, 2013 10:21 pm

As a tike less than five years old, my job was to get the Storz beers out of the refrigerator and give them to my dad's drinking buddies. I was so small I could only get the pull tabs partially removed from the cans. Back in those days you had to pull the tab half way across the tin (not aluminum) can and remove it completely from the can. I was such a good boy helping my dad and his friends have some brewskies.. I always wax nostalgic about Storz. It definitely wouldn't compare to today's craft brews. It was definitely an adjunct. I wonder if they will stay true to the original recipe or just use the logo for a more contemporary style. Regardless, I want me some Storz at the Creighton games.

Post by **Coyote** » Wed Aug 07, 2013 10:39 pm

Wasn't it Storz that sold generic beer (white can with a simple black 'beer' label) for like a buck a six-pack back in the 70's?

Post by **nebugeater** » Thu Aug 08, 2013 5:59 am

guy4omaha wrote:As a tike less than five years old, my job was to get the Storz beers out of the refrigerator and give them to my dad's drinking buddies. I was so small I could only get the pull tabs partially removed from the cans. Back in those days you had to pull the tab half way across the tin (not aluminum) can and remove it completely from the can. I was such a good boy helping my dad and his friends have some brewskies.. I always wax nostalgic about Storz. It definitely wouldn't compare to today's craft brews. It was definitely an adjunct. I wonder if they will stay true to the original recipe or just use the logo for a more contemporary style. Regardless, I want me some Storz at the Creighton games.

I heard on one of the TV / radio mentions of this last night that the Storz that is made now in Lincoln is Storz by name only and a difforent receipe. Â Nothing to link to so if someone else has better info weigh in but that is what was said in the report I half listend to.