Civic Square (former Civic Auditorium)

[S33]

What's the over/under on this thing looking anything like the proposal?

I wouldn't hold my breath on any of these proposals/planned projects. I'm not even sure what HDR is planning given the availability of the ConAgra campus - but they're definitely working on something (I'm sure someone here knows)

I think what the past has taught us, especially in lieu of the Wallstreet Tower fiasco from years back and more recently the crapfest that became HDR pulling the plug on downtown, is to NOT get full on PUFFY excited over anything "proposed"..

Until I see earth move and ultimately a tower crane (or 2) in the air, I just note the "proposal" in my mind, hope it comes to fruition, and move along with zero expectation that it actually will become reality...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

And that's exactly it. While we have a relatively stable market, especially Omaha, it wouldn't seem that Omaha is in any position to be putting up high-rises of any significant stature. I'm not an expert, but i don't think that sort of velocity exists in downtown development right now.

[mr. omaha]

Anyone know what they are doing with all the facde brick? I'd like to obtain a few.

The stuff they have taken down so far has been pulverized, becoming an operating surface for their excavators. Not sure if they will be more careful as they continue. I'll let you know if they start stockpiling it separately.

I'd really appreciate that! Thanks!!

[yellowcolumbia]

Pretty much only the facade left of the mancuso hall.

image.jpeg (128.41 KiB) Viewed 4732 times

Will be interesting to see how they deal with the overhang that nearly reaches 17th street.

[yellowcolumbia]

The facade for Mancuso Hall came down Friday, with the exception of the overhang along 17th, which came down sometime over the weekend.

Anyone know what they are doing with all the facde brick? I'd like to obtain a few.

The stuff they have taken down so far has been pulverized, becoming an operating surface for their excavators. Not sure if they will be more careful as they continue. I'll let you know if they start stockpiling it separately.

I'd really appreciate that! Thanks!!

It appears that they are not attempting to salvage the brick, at least not onsite. All of it from the Mancuso hall has been stockpiled along with the CMU and other misc. concrete.

The jobsite trailer is in the parking lot at 19th and Chicago. You might be able to talk ($) your way into a few from the pile.

[nativeomahan]

Pretty much only the facade left of the mancuso hall.

image.jpeg

Will be interesting to see how they deal with the overhang that nearly reaches 17th street.

That's actually the newest part of the Civic complex, built in the late 1970s.

[MTO]

What's the over/under on this thing looking anything like the proposal?

I wouldn't hold my breath on any of these proposals/planned projects. I'm not even sure what HDR is planning given the availability of the ConAgra campus - but they're definitely working on something (I'm sure someone here knows)

I think what the past has taught us, especially in lieu of the Wallstreet Tower fiasco from years back and more recently the crapfest that became HDR pulling the plug on downtown, is to NOT get full on PUFFY excited over anything "proposed"..

Until I see earth move and ultimately a tower crane (or 2) in the air, I just note the "proposal" in my mind, hope it comes to fruition, and move along with zero expectation that it actually will become reality...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Of course there won't be a high rise here this is Omaha not Des Moines.

[Garrett]

What's the over/under on this thing looking anything like the proposal?

I wouldn't hold my breath on any of these proposals/planned projects. I'm not even sure what HDR is planning given the availability of the ConAgra campus - but they're definitely working on something (I'm sure someone here knows)

I think what the past has taught us, especially in lieu of the Wallstreet Tower fiasco from years back and more recently the crapfest that became HDR pulling the plug on downtown, is to NOT get full on PUFFY excited over anything "proposed"..

Until I see earth move and ultimately a tower crane (or 2) in the air, I just note the "proposal" in my mind, hope it comes to fruition, and move along with zero expectation that it actually will become reality...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Of course there won't be a high rise here this is Omaha not Des Moines.

Someone is feeling cynical this morning. You're right, this isn't Des Moines. Our convention hotel was built years ago, and we're also building a new one.

[MTO]

What's the over/under on this thing looking anything like the proposal?

I wouldn't hold my breath on any of these proposals/planned projects. I'm not even sure what HDR is planning given the availability of the ConAgra campus - but they're definitely working on something (I'm sure someone here knows)

I think what the past has taught us, especially in lieu of the Wallstreet Tower fiasco from years back and more recently the crapfest that became HDR pulling the plug on downtown, is to NOT get full on PUFFY excited over anything "proposed"..

Until I see earth move and ultimately a tower crane (or 2) in the air, I just note the "proposal" in my mind, hope it comes to fruition, and move along with zero expectation that it actually will become reality...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Of course there won't be a high rise here this is Omaha not Des Moines.

Someone is feeling cynical this morning. You're right, this isn't Des Moines. Our convention hotel was built years ago, and we're also building a new one.

Well until we get 28 and 32 floors...

[Garrett]

What's the over/under on this thing looking anything like the proposal?

I wouldn't hold my breath on any of these proposals/planned projects. I'm not even sure what HDR is planning given the availability of the ConAgra campus - but they're definitely working on something (I'm sure someone here knows)

I think what the past has taught us, especially in lieu of the Wallstreet Tower fiasco from years back and more recently the crapfest that became HDR pulling the plug on downtown, is to NOT get full on PUFFY excited over anything "proposed"..

Until I see earth move and ultimately a tower crane (or 2) in the air, I just note the "proposal" in my mind, hope it comes to fruition, and move along with zero expectation that it actually will become reality...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Of course there won't be a high rise here this is Omaha not Des Moines.

Someone is feeling cynical this morning. You're right, this isn't Des Moines. Our convention hotel was built years ago, and we're also building a new one.

Well until we get 28 and 32 floors...

Nothing is final until steel is moving, buildings are topped out, and people are moving in. Sure, they have a proposed 30 story tower, but at this point it's just proposed.

As an example of this line of thinking:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropoli ... h_Building

[GetUrban]

I don't think the availability of the two vacant former ConAgra HQ buildings is much of a factor preventing more potential high-rise construction downtown, like Tetrad or Lanoha Tower. The types of companies that would want to move into a suburban-type campus like ConAgra, would more likely choose to locate out in West-O anyway, where there are no perceived parking/traffic problems. Extensive remodeling of the stodgy late 1980's ConAgra buildings would most likely be required anyway. I'm still hoping they won't find any tenants so that property can be freed-up for higher density urban development and re-connection to the downtown grid. I'll be bummed if they are leased to another long-term tenant. Sorry, I'm veering off topic somewhat.

[MTO]

And given that suburban affinity that's so pervasive in this town it's probably a good thing Crossroads is still Crossroads and AV is full. However Boystown should be coming online in time for the next big wave of corporate relocations. Just about the time Cedar Rapids skyline usurps ours. I'm not being cynical I've just given up on trying to convince myself Omahas not another backwater.

[Omaha Cowboy]

What's the over/under on this thing looking anything like the proposal?

I wouldn't hold my breath on any of these proposals/planned projects. I'm not even sure what HDR is planning given the availability of the ConAgra campus - but they're definitely working on something (I'm sure someone here knows)

I think what the past has taught us, especially in lieu of the Wallstreet Tower fiasco from years back and more recently the crapfest that became HDR pulling the plug on downtown, is to NOT get full on PUFFY excited over anything "proposed"..

Until I see earth move and ultimately a tower crane (or 2) in the air, I just note the "proposal" in my mind, hope it comes to fruition, and move along with zero expectation that it actually will become reality...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Of course there won't be a high rise here this is Omaha not Des Moines.

Someone is feeling cynical this morning. You're right, this isn't Des Moines. Our convention hotel was built years ago, and we're also building a new one.

Well until we get 28 and 32 floors...

Nothing is final until steel is moving, buildings are topped out, and people are moving in. Sure, they have a proposed 30 story tower, but at this point it's just proposed.

As an example of this line of thinking:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropoli ... h_Building

^ This..

And again, while having some "proposed" high rises (etc) are nice and always seems to bring out the puffed up "giddiness" from the citizens of the city the proposal is in, it honestly means VERY little until earth moves and tower cranes are in place. Securing the financing for such "proposals" is a solid start, but even that is in question in most instances...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[choke]

And again, while having some "proposed" high rises (etc) are nice and always seems to bring out the puffed up "giddiness" from the citizens of the city the proposal is in, it honestly means VERY little until earth moves and tower cranes are in place. Securing the financing for such "proposals" is a solid start, but even that is in question in most instances...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got til its gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot

Ooooh, bop bop bop

[iamjacobm]

Still incredibly confident we see this project move forward at a good pace after the demo. I'll eat crow in 2020 if it is a parking lot if you guys want.

[Omaha Cowboy]

And again, while having some "proposed" high rises (etc) are nice and always seems to bring out the puffed up "giddiness" from the citizens of the city the proposal is in, it honestly means VERY little until earth moves and tower cranes are in place. Securing the financing for such "proposals" is a solid start, but even that is in question in most instances...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got til its gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot

Ooooh, bop bop bop

Let me put it in another, less lyrical way-

"Proposals" are worth a dime a dozen.. Dirt movment and and tower cranes are worth their weight in gold.. ...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[MTO]

Still incredibly confident we see this project move forward at a good pace after the demo. I'll eat crow in 2020 if it is a parking lot if you guys want.

How about you eat a bucket of crow if there's nothing over 10 floors?

[iamjacobm]

Still incredibly confident we see this project move forward at a good pace after the demo. I'll eat crow in 2020 if it is a parking lot if you guys want.

How about you eat a bucket of crow if there's nothing over 10 floors?

You were shitting on a 14 floor building earlier today so what does 10 mean to you?

[daveoma]

I don't think the availability of the two vacant former ConAgra HQ buildings is much of a factor preventing more potential high-rise construction downtown, like Tetrad or Lanoha Tower. The types of companies that would want to move into a suburban-type campus like ConAgra, would more likely choose to locate out in West-O anyway, where there are no perceived parking/traffic problems. Extensive remodeling of the stodgy late 1980's ConAgra buildings would most likely be required anyway. I'm still hoping they won't find any tenants so that property can be freed-up for higher density urban development and re-connection to the downtown grid. I'll be bummed if they are leased to another long-term tenant. Sorry, I'm veering off topic somewhat.

Agree with you regarding the types of companies that would locate in the suburbs.

I think stodgy is a perfect word to describe those buildings. ;-)

[daveoma]

Still incredibly confident we see this project move forward at a good pace after the demo. I'll eat crow in 2020 if it is a parking lot if you guys want.

How do you know? Have they secured tenants?

[MadMartin8]

Still incredibly confident we see this project move forward at a good pace after the demo. I'll eat crow in 2020 if it is a parking lot if you guys want.

How do you know? Have they secured tenants?

Indigestion and heartburn he got from eating that Taco Bell last night is my guess?

[MTO]

Still incredibly confident we see this project move forward at a good pace after the demo. I'll eat crow in 2020 if it is a parking lot if you guys want.

How about you eat a bucket of crow if there's nothing over 10 floors?

You were |expletive| on a 14 floor building earlier today so what does 10 mean to you?

We'll get low rises here this city specializes in low rises so I'm saying there won't be no 16 story portion.

[Catherine33]

I think the Civic site ends up being the library, with the rest of the land being used for whatever gets worked out with the city. The high rise will end up being at the library site, everyone wants that spot and has for a long time. I would put my money on Kiewit.

[Omaha Cowboy]

I think the Civic site ends up being the library, with the rest of the land being used for whatever gets worked out with the city. The high rise will end up being at the library site, everyone wants that spot and has for a long time. I would put my money on Kiewit.

If I was forced to place a bet, I'd bet on this ...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Greg S]

Is there enough land on the library site for a high rise?

Greg

[GetUrban]

Is there enough land on the library site for a high rise?

Greg

Yes, if they clear the site. It's a whole city block. A high-rise could be done on 1/4 of a block, if you were trying to be efficient. The Woodman Tower shaft is only 1/4 block, and FNB is approx. 1/2 block. That has been part of the problem with some of the newer development plans....they wrongly think more than a 1 block is needed, or they think they need to close off and vacate streets to create super-blocks.

[Greg S]

They'd have to get find additional space then for parking.

Greg

[GetUrban]

They'd have to get find additional space then for parking.

Greg

They could put the tower on 1/4 or 1/2 of the block and use the rest of the block for a garage, preferably with ground-level retail with access to parking above. Or put the tower on top of a multi-story garage with first floor retail. There are many ways to utilize a whole city block. Just say NO to super-blocks. We once had a much denser downtown, when each block was comprised of several properties, each with its own building.

[ShaneofCal]

Pretty much only the facade left of the mancuso hall.

image.jpeg

Will be interesting to see how they deal with the overhang that nearly reaches 17th street.

Out of curiosity, does anyone know the status of the white building in the background, appearing behind the Episcopal Cathedral and next to Slate Apartments? I believe it's N 18th St. Looking at it on Google, it's ground floor retail spaces are boarded up. In my opinion, the building is just begging for an investor to come along: it's located in an area that is already experiencing a massive amount of investment; it has character; ground floor retail space; great access to the freeway; among other positives.

Update: I'm unsure as to why the corresponding image is not appearing. The image is the one provided by "yellowcolumbia."

[Coyote]

Pretty much only the facade left of the mancuso hall.

image.jpeg

Will be interesting to see how they deal with the overhang that nearly reaches 17th street.

Out of curiosity, does anyone know the status of the white building in the background, appearing behind the Episcopal Cathedral and next to Slate Apartments? I believe it's N 18th St. Looking at it on Google, it's ground floor retail spaces are boarded up. In my opinion, the building is just begging for an investor to come along: it's located in an area that is already experiencing a massive amount of investment; it has character; ground floor retail space; great access to the freeway; among other positives.

Update: I'm unsure as to why the corresponding image is not appearing. The image is the one provided by "yellowcolumbia."

First off, the image will not appear because it was a file embedded as an attachment in YellowColumbia's post, so without that file to post it will not show.

Second, are you referring to this? : Logan Building to go Apartments

[ShaneofCal]

Q. Second, are you referring to this? : Logan Building to go Apartments[/quote]

A. Yes. You've made me a happy man.

[ShaneofCal]

Q. Second, are you referring to this? : Logan Building to go Apartments

A. Yes. You've made me a happy man. Well, sorta. Sad to see that the plans to renovate the building have fallen through.

[S33]

I think the Civic site ends up being the library, with the rest of the land being used for whatever gets worked out with the city. The high rise will end up being at the library site, everyone wants that spot and has for a long time. I would put my money on Kiewit.

If I was forced to place a bet, I'd bet on this ...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Does anyone have any idea if Kiewit even wants a building? It is my understanding that they don't really require much office presence, here in Omaha.

[Omaha Cowboy]

I think the Civic site ends up being the library, with the rest of the land being used for whatever gets worked out with the city. The high rise will end up being at the library site, everyone wants that spot and has for a long time. I would put my money on Kiewit.

If I was forced to place a bet, I'd bet on this ...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Does anyone have any idea if Kiewit even wants a building? It is my understanding that they don't really require much office presence, here in Omaha.

Who knows? Perhaps they'd like more of a "presence" in their hometown.. It's all speculation anyway.. But I will reiterate, I agree that if another high rise gets built in downtown Omaha within the next 5 years, I'm betting it would be the library site...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[PotatoeEatsFish]

I kinda hope the original proposal changes a little bit. Sorry but that weird stripe design on the side..

[SynCallio]

So I pass the Civic every day on my way to work, and this morning I took a couple photos down Davenport Street toward the Music Hall, as the east wall came down yesterday, and you could see straight onto the stage. Quite a sight! Though my camera is crappy and I won't know how well they turned out until I upload them at home.

For such an ugly old hulk, I'm sure feeling nostalgic about it.

[SynCallio]

Turned out okay, I think.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Turned out okay, I think.

Thanks for the photo update.. Excellent ...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[nativeomahan]

I think back on all the artists I saw at the Music Hall. Billy Joel. The Indigo Girls. Jackson Browne. k.d. Lang. Bill Maher. Louis Black. And many others I've simply forgotten. It was never a very nice hall. But it still holds great memories.

[jag42]

I took some intersting pics of the demolition today...how the heck do I get them on here...I have them uploaded to Flikr. I click the image icon and try to put a flikr web address in and I can't get them to show up. Thank you!

[PotatoeEatsFish]

I took some intersting pics of the demolition today...how the heck do I get them on here...I have them uploaded to Flikr. I click the image icon and try to put a flikr web address in and I can't get them to show up. Thank you!

Try imgur, it sometimes works better.