Over the past few years, downtown Omaha has undergone a much needed facelift. However, I do not think that it is enough. The other day while looking at skyscrapers.com, I was shocked to see how Des Moines, IA, (metro area about 400,000 smaller than the Omaha metro area) has a much much better skyline than Omaha(for a picture http://www.emporis.com/en/il/im/?id=115197). Now,
I am not trying to say that Omaha does not have a great skyline (which it does) I believe that more is needed to be done to make the Omaha downtown area better.
Downtown redevelopment
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It's not a matter of Omaha not having a great skyline... the fact is... it does compared to most metros under 1 million. However... Des Moines arguably has the best skyline of ANY US metro under 1 million. And that is a frequent consensus among forumers at skyscraperpage.com. Sure it would be NICE if Omaha continued to add to the skyline. But it probably won't happen any time soon... unless we see a first ever 300+ foot residential tower... since the office vacancy is at 30%.
OH by the way... welcome to the forum!
OH by the way... welcome to the forum!
As a skyscraper enthusiast, I would love to see Omaha have more tall buildings. UP may have a new building but, it only really sticks out when viewd from the north. Then their is the great casualty of the Omaha Marriot Hotel. 28 stories. Compare that to the 19 at the Doubletree. That building would have been spectaculer. Something to see in its own right. But the KC sabateur Mike Faha (Spelled this way on purpose) killed it with his lack of vision and unwillingness to spend money to make.
By the way I think I saw him at a garage sale buying new lights for the Festival of Lights DT.
By the way I think I saw him at a garage sale buying new lights for the Festival of Lights DT.
DTO
Yeah, we've spent alot of time here and at the chamber forum crying over the squat UPC and loss of the Marriott. Just have to look ahead.
As it happens... the Union Pacific Center did provide some badly needed fill between the Qwest building and Landmark Center. I think it adds alot from many different vantage points ( http://www.eomaha.com/skyline/ ). At this point, let's just be thankful we kept UP in Omaha... and brought some good jobs from St Louis at the same time (and kept them downtown no less).
By the way... welcome to the forum!
As it happens... the Union Pacific Center did provide some badly needed fill between the Qwest building and Landmark Center. I think it adds alot from many different vantage points ( http://www.eomaha.com/skyline/ ). At this point, let's just be thankful we kept UP in Omaha... and brought some good jobs from St Louis at the same time (and kept them downtown no less).
By the way... welcome to the forum!
Last edited by eomaha on Sun Jun 06, 2004 9:41 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Sorry. Dont know why that repeated.
Also Robert Hognmillers Vortex tower should be built on the land north of the Qwest Center by the train tracks and the bridge.
I know from previous post E thinks its ugly with those things on the bottom. I agree. But it should be built DT. I dont know why he would want it on I80 between Omaha ans Lincoln. Its an observatory, there would be nothing to observe. that is why they should built DT.
Also Robert Hognmillers Vortex tower should be built on the land north of the Qwest Center by the train tracks and the bridge.
I know from previous post E thinks its ugly with those things on the bottom. I agree. But it should be built DT. I dont know why he would want it on I80 between Omaha ans Lincoln. Its an observatory, there would be nothing to observe. that is why they should built DT.
DTO
San antonio has some kind of crappy Space needle type thing. Seattle of course has the Space neadle, their is one in Dallas, St. Louis has the Arch, and their are many tall observation type things along the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. And their is the 1,815 foot CN Tower in Toronto. Why cant we have a large visible symbol showcasing our skyline and riverfront. Think of the postcards alone we could sell. 
DTO
You know the more that I think about Omaha's skyline I can see only one more thing needed. The best thing would be a 30-35 story building on the south side of the Woodmen to make more of a signature mark on our skyline. Though this more than likely won't happen, this would make Omaha's skyline more "postcard" friendly.
I think as DT grows north the next big building DT should be behind the Qwest Building not to be confused with the Qwest Center. I am sick of almost all the postcards of DT showing the Mall in the forefront with 1&2 Central Park Plaza and the Woodmen behind it. We have a new DT so we should have a new DT view. If you want the best postcard view go to the new Gallup place, stand in the park and you can see Gallup, Qwest Center, and DT. I think that is the best view.
DTO
I think the best view of downtown comes from southeast... such as from the 10th street bridge (ex: this photo by Aaron Detter)... this is where you'll see the most density. I do like the view of the FNC's/Woodmen/UPC/Double Tree cluster from the Abbott Bridge though.
Of course the view from the bluffs showing both downtown and midtown is also very impressive.
Of course the view from the bluffs showing both downtown and midtown is also very impressive.
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DMRyan
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The view from the south near the post office is still my favorite because of all the historical building density. This is something Omaha truly excels in, although the view from Council Bluffs showing midtown is the most postcard suitable. Midtown really helps to fill everything in nicely.
Just be glad you've had some recent construction that impacts the skyline. We haven't seen a skyscraper built in downtown Des Moines since 1997. Since 2002, we've added or will soon be adding well over 1.2 million of new office space, but nothing has been over 9 stories tall!
BTW, welcome aboard to all the newbies!
Just be glad you've had some recent construction that impacts the skyline. We haven't seen a skyscraper built in downtown Des Moines since 1997. Since 2002, we've added or will soon be adding well over 1.2 million of new office space, but nothing has been over 9 stories tall!
BTW, welcome aboard to all the newbies!
Personally, I think the next big building DT should be the Qwest Building itself. (Aaron knows what I'm talking about. ;))DTO Luv wrote:I think as DT grows north the next big building DT should be behind the Qwest Building...
The gist of it, though, is I'd like to see the groundfloor debunkered and opened for comemrcial development adding shops and restaurants to compliment the Performing Arts Center. I'd like to see the exterior reclad and add 16 taperring stories to the top that would essentially double the height. I'd also like to see a scrolling digital ticker at the base of the building like in Times Square or Hollywood & Highland.
My two cents
I would like to see a new tower built on either the Paxton block (if no one wishes to preserve it), or on the Peter Kewit Conf center block (a two story building in the heart of downtown, what a waste!). This would add balance to the "postcard shot" looking down the Central Park Mall. I'd like to see Kewit and Ameritrade join forces to build a joint HQ skyscraper with additional rentable space on the upper floors plus room for both to grow, maybe 60 floors
.To Growth! When do we get a Supertall! 
Zed
Zed
Is this 'Qwest Building' wink-wink... related to the info Eric and Aaron were holding close to their vest as well?
I really need to do more networking outside of my little IT realm.
The Paxton block had been mentioned years ago as being a site of interest for Kiewit... however, during the Omaha Level 3 days.
I've always felt the PKCC block was a waste as well.
I really need to do more networking outside of my little IT realm.
The Paxton block had been mentioned years ago as being a site of interest for Kiewit... however, during the Omaha Level 3 days.
I've always felt the PKCC block was a waste as well.
Look for new redevelopment opportunities to surface when the old power plant located southeast of Conagra's complex along the Mo is redeveloped by the City. I have heard a variety of ideas including a Navy Pier-like entertainment district to enhance tourism.
Also, plans for a light-rail link from the airport along the river-front to Henry Doorly Zoo, with stops at the Durham Western Heritage Museum and Convention Center are also in the works. A substantial private infusion of funding may be possible once the fundraising for the PAC is over.
As far as new buildings downtown, I think its going to be awhile before we see another "skyscraper", however, the residential boom downtown will continue. The more people living downtown, the better the chances are for significant retail to return downtown.
Also, plans for a light-rail link from the airport along the river-front to Henry Doorly Zoo, with stops at the Durham Western Heritage Museum and Convention Center are also in the works. A substantial private infusion of funding may be possible once the fundraising for the PAC is over.
As far as new buildings downtown, I think its going to be awhile before we see another "skyscraper", however, the residential boom downtown will continue. The more people living downtown, the better the chances are for significant retail to return downtown.
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DMRyan
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Please feel free to disagree with me but in regards to office space in many downtowns, the glory days are over. When there's substantial new construction, it's usually by a large company looking to build their corporate headquarters. Look at all the new office space that has gone up around the entire Omaha metro just since 2000 and picture that being clustered in a few buildings downtown instead of being spread over dozens of 2 and 3 story buildings in areas that were cornfields just a short time ago.
The days of including large amounts of speculative office space in highrises aren't what they used to be since virtually every smaller company wants the visability and ease of parking that a non-descript brick box on streets the number well past 100th can provide. There will always be an exception, but a developer would have to be crazy to throw up a skyscraper without securing a tenant that will occupy most of the building. In fact, I bet most lending institutions wouldn't even provide construction loans for such a project, even in cities much larger than Omaha.
The days of including large amounts of speculative office space in highrises aren't what they used to be since virtually every smaller company wants the visability and ease of parking that a non-descript brick box on streets the number well past 100th can provide. There will always be an exception, but a developer would have to be crazy to throw up a skyscraper without securing a tenant that will occupy most of the building. In fact, I bet most lending institutions wouldn't even provide construction loans for such a project, even in cities much larger than Omaha.
Only active rail plan I'm aware of is that of ambitious Mr. Steve Anderson ( http://www.eomaha.com/gallery/develop/78/ ) of the Heartland of America Park gondolas ... who likely needs some investors to get on board with him (and the city to widen the 10th Street Bridge at Gene Leahy Mall).
And while I know there are plans for the old power plant (which as I understand it is largely inaccessible aside from the riverfront trail under development)... I don't envision them being much more substantial than greenspace.
By all means though... if you hear anything concrete... let us know!
And while I know there are plans for the old power plant (which as I understand it is largely inaccessible aside from the riverfront trail under development)... I don't envision them being much more substantial than greenspace.
By all means though... if you hear anything concrete... let us know!
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StreetsOfOmaha
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I pretty much agree with Zedmib. I think the area on the southern side of the mall would be the best for future skyscraper construction. I'd love to see something built where the Keiwit Conference Center is, or on any of the surface lots south of it. I also think the area directly next to the Paxton would be fantastic for balancing out the skyline, and I do think a skyscraper could be built in coexistence with the Paxton. There's plenty of space. Omaha is past the "knocking buildings down to build new ones" phase (at least I hope so). We have plenty of space.
I agree that the downtown residential "boom" will continue to become an "actual boom" in the coming years, which will open the doors to all kinds of future developments.
I agree that the downtown residential "boom" will continue to become an "actual boom" in the coming years, which will open the doors to all kinds of future developments.
"The right to have access to every building in the city by private motorcar in an age when everyone possesses such a vehicle is actually the right to destroy the city."
Lewis Mumford, The Highway and the City, 1963
Lewis Mumford, The Highway and the City, 1963
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StreetsOfOmaha
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I think the Paxton building should become a hotel like the Congress Hotel on Michigan Ave. in Chicago. I stayed there once and it was very beautiful. I dont see it becoming a hotel though, but maybe with its close proximity to the Old Market it could become a residential/retail/restaurant center. I first thought we should get rid of it because of its location by all the more modern buildings on the Mall, but after the fires you realize their is no replacing those buildings.
DTO
What constitutes a midrise? the SoMa development said they might have two mid-rise towers. This would be another focal point for the Market and add another point on the southern view skyline. I can't wait to see what the Riverfront Place, Ped. bridge(please God, please), and CB's One Rennaisance center will add to the northern view skyline. Skylines are the herald of a city.The louder it speaks the more people will hear of Omaha.
With all the northern and southern DT expansion I wonder if their is anything they can do for DT between 20th and 24th Streets.
With all the northern and southern DT expansion I wonder if their is anything they can do for DT between 20th and 24th Streets.
DTO
The next high-rise in downtown Omaha most likely will be a Casino\Hotel.
As for the Paxton, the building has been sold and the plan is to renovate it for residential units with a possible parking structure on the same block. I don't know the status of the project but the building was purchased for this reason.
As for the Paxton, the building has been sold and the plan is to renovate it for residential units with a possible parking structure on the same block. I don't know the status of the project but the building was purchased for this reason.
Lord forbid we ever get a casino.
Also the guy from Omaha who had proposed putting a casino between DT and the airport said his building would not be a tall building. Once again showing that the Vegas people care nothing about the destruction they cause or of what the people of Omaha would want in a building.
So don't count on a high-rise casino. The Venetian people also said if they replicated the Venetian in Omaha it would be smaller than the original.
Also the guy from Omaha who had proposed putting a casino between DT and the airport said his building would not be a tall building. Once again showing that the Vegas people care nothing about the destruction they cause or of what the people of Omaha would want in a building.
So don't count on a high-rise casino. The Venetian people also said if they replicated the Venetian in Omaha it would be smaller than the original.
DTO
Lord forbid we ever get a casino.
Also the guy from Omaha who had proposed putting a casino between DT and the airport said his building would not be a tall building. Once again showing that the Vegas people care nothing about the destruction they cause or of what the people of Omaha would want in a building.
So don't count on a high-rise casino. The Venetian people also said if they replicated the Venetian in Omaha it would be smaller than the original.
Also the guy from Omaha who had proposed putting a casino between DT and the airport said his building would not be a tall building. Once again showing that the Vegas people care nothing about the destruction they cause or of what the people of Omaha would want in a building.
So don't count on a high-rise casino. The Venetian people also said if they replicated the Venetian in Omaha it would be smaller than the original.
DTO
Venitian
I just peeked at the Venitian web site. If casinos are approved and if they decide to build in downtown then if they built a casino even one half the size of the original it would still be bigger than anything in NE or IA.
The original has:
4000+ rooms
500,000 sq ft of shopping
art galleries
of course the casino (I could not find a sq ft)
a 5 acre pool deck.
I'm still debating voting for casinos. If it was purely to add another entertainment option to the area thats fine, but as a source of state revenue it's a sham. Unless the law is changed the state will only get 7%
of the casinos winnings. For the state to collect $70 million in tax revenue from the casino (pipe dream!) then $1 Billion in gambling losses from mostly local people would need to occur, this is money leaving the state that could not be made up through payroll and hotel taxes. Another major loss of money is the proposed $100 gambling license fee. The state should demand a great deal more considering the possible negative impacts. Yes, I know the state is loosing
money to Iowa but unless our state demands a similar percentage of the 'take' then losses will be multiplied. If one wrist is cut do you cut the other to balance the pressure?!
To Growth! When do we get a Supertall!
Zed
Zed
Zedmib,
I think you just proved your point for voting against gambling. Having another entertainment option versus all the financial cansequences that would hurt the people of Nebraska. When have we ever had to spend money on social problems for people who spend money in the Old Market, shopped at Nebraska Furniture mart, or attend any sporting event? As far as I know we haven't. I hope all of you are smart enough to see that having a casino is anything but positive. A new tall building would be nice but not at the expense of people stupid enough to gamble in it.
If you want to have art galleries, a 4,000+ hotel, or a 500,000sq. ft. shopping center do it around something that would be worth having.
I think you just proved your point for voting against gambling. Having another entertainment option versus all the financial cansequences that would hurt the people of Nebraska. When have we ever had to spend money on social problems for people who spend money in the Old Market, shopped at Nebraska Furniture mart, or attend any sporting event? As far as I know we haven't. I hope all of you are smart enough to see that having a casino is anything but positive. A new tall building would be nice but not at the expense of people stupid enough to gamble in it.
If you want to have art galleries, a 4,000+ hotel, or a 500,000sq. ft. shopping center do it around something that would be worth having.
DTO
As I've always stated before... I could go either way... as long as we don't end up with video slots in every neighborhood bar (ie the petition proposals). I'd much rather see Iowa abolish casino gambling, but obviously that isn't going to happen... in fact, in my 'doomsday scenario'... they open one in Carter Lake in response to a Nebraska casino opening.
Let's not forget however... we're ALREADY paying the social costs today... just not reaping whatever revenue benefits there may be. The Missouri River is no barrier to the ills of casino gambling. We already have them today.
Let's not forget however... we're ALREADY paying the social costs today... just not reaping whatever revenue benefits there may be. The Missouri River is no barrier to the ills of casino gambling. We already have them today.
You nailed it E. Omaha is already paying the social costs for the boats in Council Bluffs. The majority of gamblers over there are from Nebraska. From a purely economic competition standpoint, building one or two casinos in Omah makes sense. From a revenue standpoint, they will not lower our taxes and will not bring tax relief.
Nebraska absolutely does not want video slots in every bar like my former home state of South Dakota has. If we have to have gambling, limit it to two destination casinos in Omaha.
Nebraska absolutely does not want video slots in every bar like my former home state of South Dakota has. If we have to have gambling, limit it to two destination casinos in Omaha.
Even though we already pay for the social costs why compound the problem by adding casinos here.
Gambling, despite all of these hollow promises has a very dark side.
My grand mother became addicted to gambling 10-12 years ago. Because of access to the casinos in Iowa she spent all of her money there. She has lost 2 different houses, her cars, and lives in public housing. She was banned from EVERY CASINO IN IOWA for writng thousands of dollars worth of bad checks. She was on her way to prison until my aunt foolishly paid for her debt. She now goes to Kansas to gamble. Casinos also cause theft. My grandma also robs her blind neighbor (he is literally blind) of his SS checks every month to go gambling.
So how does 10 years of squalor and theft from just one old woman justify a casino? Does this usually happen to people who spend money in the Old Market, to people who shop at the malls, to people who go to events at the Qwest Center? NO NO NO and NO. If you're looking for economic promise or state revenue or an entertainment option, than you're looking in the wrong place.
Gambling, despite all of these hollow promises has a very dark side.
My grand mother became addicted to gambling 10-12 years ago. Because of access to the casinos in Iowa she spent all of her money there. She has lost 2 different houses, her cars, and lives in public housing. She was banned from EVERY CASINO IN IOWA for writng thousands of dollars worth of bad checks. She was on her way to prison until my aunt foolishly paid for her debt. She now goes to Kansas to gamble. Casinos also cause theft. My grandma also robs her blind neighbor (he is literally blind) of his SS checks every month to go gambling.
So how does 10 years of squalor and theft from just one old woman justify a casino? Does this usually happen to people who spend money in the Old Market, to people who shop at the malls, to people who go to events at the Qwest Center? NO NO NO and NO. If you're looking for economic promise or state revenue or an entertainment option, than you're looking in the wrong place.
DTO
The best hope for another highrise downtown in the near future... probably rests in a residential building.
Don't count on Warren Buffett. I don't think Berkshire (corporate) even employs 100 people... it's not as if he's going to have a need for a large headquarters building. I don't know if he even occupies an entire floor of the Kiewit Plaza.
Kiewit may be a better bet... say Walter Scott Jr. gets upset with the way things are going in Colorado with Level 3... see's a good job pool having emerged in Omaha (with the help of the school which he spearheaded)... and brings it back to Omaha. Okay... that's a long shot too.
Ameritrade was always another dark horse for coming downtown in my mind. My wishful thinking anyway.
Don't count on Warren Buffett. I don't think Berkshire (corporate) even employs 100 people... it's not as if he's going to have a need for a large headquarters building. I don't know if he even occupies an entire floor of the Kiewit Plaza.
Kiewit may be a better bet... say Walter Scott Jr. gets upset with the way things are going in Colorado with Level 3... see's a good job pool having emerged in Omaha (with the help of the school which he spearheaded)... and brings it back to Omaha. Okay... that's a long shot too.
Ameritrade was always another dark horse for coming downtown in my mind. My wishful thinking anyway.
No wonder he's so rich. He barely has 100 people to pay.
I hope Ameritrade would cosider putting a tall building DT. For a company of that clout it must be embarrasing working in a run-down mall.
Was it just me or did they recently start lighting the old First national Building? I was on my way home and realized it was lit up. Has it been like this for awhile. Even if we don't get another building soon I think we should put flood lights on the builings we already have. Des moines does this and it looks great. Qwest and the Landmark building would look much better at night illuminated. A little light would go a long way.
I hope Ameritrade would cosider putting a tall building DT. For a company of that clout it must be embarrasing working in a run-down mall.
Was it just me or did they recently start lighting the old First national Building? I was on my way home and realized it was lit up. Has it been like this for awhile. Even if we don't get another building soon I think we should put flood lights on the builings we already have. Des moines does this and it looks great. Qwest and the Landmark building would look much better at night illuminated. A little light would go a long way.
DTO
Here's another fantasy...
Mutual of Omaha Leving it's spread out midtown residence and building a new skyscraper with Ameritrade on the north side of DT. Since DT is growing to the north between Creighton and the Qwest Center a new sky scraper would go good there. It should have an inviting floor level for pedestrians. The vacant midtown spot left by MofO should be turned into an area like Country Club Plaza in KC. Complete with high and mid rise residential buildings and a large high-end shopping area.
On page 124 of the Omaha 150th Birthday insert in Sundays paper they talk about adding another skyscraper DT because 3 skyscrapers make an imposing skyline. I think Ameritrade should seriosly consider it's own venture if not a joint one. I would like to see MofO DT as well because DT is where the business is and midtown could have more retail/residential potential. They also talked about the Ped. Bridge being an asset to the skyline so hopefully the spires will see the light of day and be built.
Mutual of Omaha Leving it's spread out midtown residence and building a new skyscraper with Ameritrade on the north side of DT. Since DT is growing to the north between Creighton and the Qwest Center a new sky scraper would go good there. It should have an inviting floor level for pedestrians. The vacant midtown spot left by MofO should be turned into an area like Country Club Plaza in KC. Complete with high and mid rise residential buildings and a large high-end shopping area.
On page 124 of the Omaha 150th Birthday insert in Sundays paper they talk about adding another skyscraper DT because 3 skyscrapers make an imposing skyline. I think Ameritrade should seriosly consider it's own venture if not a joint one. I would like to see MofO DT as well because DT is where the business is and midtown could have more retail/residential potential. They also talked about the Ped. Bridge being an asset to the skyline so hopefully the spires will see the light of day and be built.
DTO
Mutual must still be doing good. They spent all of that money getting a new sign and revamped their adds. When I was in Minnesota and Wisconsin it seemed like every other commercial was for MofO. They also had a huge expansion into larger cities so maybe they will see the need for a newer more impressive building soon. Just imagine how tall MofO's building could have been if it was 1 building instead of 2 and taller instead of wider.
DTO