Rows on South Hill (Johnston & Son Funeral Home)

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GetUrban
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Re: John E. Johnston & Son Funeral Home

Post by GetUrban »

I agree the house most likely would not have resumed use as single-family residence given the amount of work necessary to return it to pre-mortuary condition.

But, once that work was done, I wouldn't be surprised if there was 1 family out of 100,000 or so that would have been happy to live there.

Before you build your McMansion, remember that many new neighborhoods have covenants that restrict what paint colors, siding type, shingle type, etc. you can have. So it doesn't have to be on the National Register of Historic Places to have restrictions in place. Personally, I'd rather have a panel of educated architectural historians suggest what color to paint my house, rather than some neighborhood design board.

Back to the demolition, I'm surprised how fast people were able to remove all of the interior finishes and furnishings that were auctioned off less than two weeks ago. Still sad to see it go, but I won't really miss it as much as some of the other treasures we've lost. It's just the cumulative effect that gets to you. Some of the elements of the new row houses kind of make me cringe, such as the little entry gates with those little hipped roofs.
He said "They are some big, ugly red brick buildings"
...and then they were gone.
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Re: John E. Johnston & Son Funeral Home

Post by bigredmed »

Avoiding HOA's is a must as you simply trade one group of controlgasmic busy bodies for another. The one thing about historical districts is that the ruling elite tend to have better political support so they can push harder. HOA's also operate under contract law. They tell you what color your house can be upfront. You either agree and sign on, or you don't. Historical controlgasmites are people who can find a dusty print of some old Victorian painting and discern that the shade of blue you want to use for your windows is 3 Pantone shades too light and therefore it must be done over. Also, because of the government connections these groups have, they can make you do it. The HOA can sue you, but if you don't get advance notice of the color scheme, etc, they can't enforce a contract if they didn't hold up their end of the deal either.

Modern McMansions are not my cup of tea. Lots of maintenance. That said, if you can avoid the HOA issue, most people would see themselves to be better off in a new or recent home rather than one like that. This is the reason it didn't sell when it had the chance. Too much cash for a house you would be fixing all the time and dealing with regulatory headaches from the city way too often.
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GetUrban
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Re: John E. Johnston & Son Funeral Home

Post by GetUrban »

This house was not a designated historical landmark and it was not in a currently designated historical district, so owners were free to do whatever they wanted with it. If it had been, we all know that it doesn't take much to get that designation removed. (ie Clarinda-Paige)

I think the Landmarks Heritage Preservation Commission is being painted as a much more evil and intrusive entity than it really is. There is a process in-place for its members to be appointed, so the opportunity exists for rogue members to be removed if enough people object to what they're doing. They exist to help people and neighborhoods more than hinder them.

http://landmark.cityofomaha.org/faq/

Designation on National Register of Historical Places carries no restrictions over what can be done to a property. That is left to localities to decide.
He said "They are some big, ugly red brick buildings"
...and then they were gone.
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S33
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Re: John E. Johnston & Son Funeral Home

Post by S33 »

HOA's can be the single best mechanism to preserving property values in a given neighborhood, only short of maintaining your own property.

That said, it is committee-level governing, which lends itself to people who over-govern, and over-step their boundaries in telling private citizens how to manage their property investments, with arbitrary bylaws and personal vendettas at play.

If you can find an area with a reasonable HOA's board, it can be a very good thing, sorta prevents having the Clampetts move into town.
Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery. - Winston Churchill
bigredmed
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Re: John E. Johnston & Son Funeral Home

Post by bigredmed »

Not to set the discussion thread adrift. Don't trust HOA's. Too many lawyers without enough to do and too many retirees who are board and fully willing to B***H you out for the wrong color of trash bins. As a Ham radio operator and storm spotter, I need a home based radio. That means an antenna. Not necessarily a big unsightly one, but even one that is smaller than a TV antenna gets you jacked in most HOA environments.

In Omaha, perhaps the best argument against the utility of HOA's is the area between 120th and 132nd from Dodge to Center. The area called Leawood has a HOA, The rest of the area does not (or at least an active one). Can't drive through the area and detect which part has or does not have a HOA. Yet the people who live in the HOA afflicted zone pay dues and have to submit to the will of a board.
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S33
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Re: John E. Johnston & Son Funeral Home

Post by S33 »

bigredmed wrote:   As a Ham radio operator and storm spotter, I need a home based radio.  
My sister had a cheeseburger phone when we were little, but ham radios?

Image
Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery. - Winston Churchill
advcomp2019
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Re: John E. Johnston & Son Funeral Home

Post by advcomp2019 »

S33 wrote:
bigredmed wrote:   As a Ham radio operator and storm spotter, I need a home based radio.  
My sister had a cheeseburger phone when we were little, but ham radios?

Image
Funny image.

I know what bigredmed is talking about. I know there is FCC rules that try to stop those HOA's from controlling TV and ham radio antennas, but sometimes those HOA's get really pushy on their rules.
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Re: John E. Johnston & Son Funeral Home

Post by bigredmed »

The FCC doesn't overturn HOA rules. There is a bill in congress to authorize them to do so.
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Re: John E. Johnston & Son Funeral Home

Post by advcomp2019 »

I know. Plus I wish PRB-1 and OTARD was better worded to help people understand it that does not understand it.
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iamjacobm
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Re: John E. Johnston & Son Funeral Home

Post by iamjacobm »

Zoning changes moving forward here.
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Re: John E. Johnston & Son Funeral Home

Post by iamjacobm »

TIF before the Planning Board.
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Coyote
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Re: John E. Johnston & Son Funeral Home

Post by Coyote »

Now known as Rows on South Hill.
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iamjacobm
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Re: Rows on South Hill (Johnston & Son Funeral Home)

Post by iamjacobm »

Looks like they went more modern with the design as well.

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Re: Rows on South Hill (Johnston & Son Funeral Home)

Post by skinzfan23 »

I don't know what to think....they look ok, but not great.
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iamjacobm
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Re: Rows on South Hill (Johnston & Son Funeral Home)

Post by iamjacobm »

Wood accents seem to be "in" right now.
daveoma
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Re: Rows on South Hill (Johnston & Son Funeral Home)

Post by daveoma »

I like it...certainly more modern than what is in the neighborhood now. Are those rooftop decks? If so those would have wonderful views of the Omaha skyline. :D
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Linkin5
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Re: Rows on South Hill (Johnston & Son Funeral Home)

Post by Linkin5 »

Looks awesome, I am loving the wood trim trend mixed with the modern even if it was popurlized by the Northwest years ago.
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Re: Rows on South Hill (Johnston & Son Funeral Home)

Post by skinzfan23 »

I do love the wood accents.
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Re: Rows on South Hill (Johnston & Son Funeral Home)

Post by Joe_Sovereign »

Better? I Guess?

They went from looking like cheap suburban homes smushed together into row houses, to looking like a semi modern ski lodge themed apartment building. Perhaps it is just the rendering but it is hard to tell if they are still even row houses.
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Re: Rows on South Hill (Johnston & Son Funeral Home)

Post by mcarch »

I would have used the house as a community building or a social hall to rent, etc. and built the row houses around. Didn't even know this existed!

Also, I hate those city government buildings... and didn't know they tore down the Woodman building for THAT!
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Re: Rows on South Hill (Johnston & Son Funeral Home)

Post by Coyote »

mcarch wrote:I would have used the house as a community building or a social hall to rent, etc. and built the row houses around. Didn't even know this existed!

Also, I hate those city government buildings... and didn't know they tore down the Woodman building for THAT!
Lol. Welcome to Omaha!
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Re: Rows on South Hill (Johnston & Son Funeral Home)

Post by mcarch »

Coyote wrote:
mcarch wrote:I would have used the house as a community building or a social hall to rent, etc. and built the row houses around. Didn't even know this existed!

Also, I hate those city government buildings... and didn't know they tore down the Woodman building for THAT!
Lol. Welcome to Omaha!
So I just looked at the site on Google... and it doesn't look like there would be room to do my idea :(
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Re: Rows on South Hill (Johnston & Son Funeral Home)

Post by iamjacobm »

This one looks ready to pop soon.
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Re: Rows on South Hill (Johnston & Son Funeral Home)

Post by MTO »

That's what she said.
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Brad
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Re: Rows on South Hill (Johnston & Son Funeral Home)

Post by Brad »

iamjacobm wrote:This one looks ready to pop soon.
I noticed they were grading the site last night when I was heading down to the Gallery.
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Re: Rows on South Hill (Johnston & Son Funeral Home)

Post by Coyote »

Image
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Re: Rows on South Hill (Johnston & Son Funeral Home)

Post by MTO »

They should crop off the lettering and donate thAt sign to the chamber.
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U R my Helix
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Re: Rows on South Hill (Johnston & Son Funeral Home)

Post by U R my Helix »

Site plan 1234 South 10th LLC - Williams Rows - 10th Street
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RNcyanide
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Re: Rows on South Hill (Johnston & Son Funeral Home)

Post by RNcyanide »

Holy cow, 36 units? Did that mansion really take up that much space?

Also, renderings and floorplans can be found here: http://www.southhillrowhouses.com/
When fortune smiles on something as violent and ugly as revenge, it seems proof like no other that not only does God exist, you're doing his will.

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Re: Rows on South Hill (Johnston & Son Funeral Home)

Post by MTO »

[youtube][/youtube]
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Re: Rows on South Hill (Johnston & Son Funeral Home)

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Re: Rows on South Hill (Johnston & Son Funeral Home)

Post by RNcyanide »

YES.
When fortune smiles on something as violent and ugly as revenge, it seems proof like no other that not only does God exist, you're doing his will.

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Re: Rows on South Hill (Johnston & Son Funeral Home)

Post by TitosBuritoBarn »

RNcyanide wrote:Holy cow, 36 units? Did that mansion really take up that much space?
They tore down two houses to the north as well (one on 10th and one on 11th).
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Re: Rows on South Hill (Johnston & Son Funeral Home)

Post by Joe_Sovereign »

From the Website "Something timeless about this place", except for the Historic 120 year old mansion we bulldozed.

The Rooftop Patios are going to be nice and the renderings look good.
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Re: Rows on South Hill (Johnston & Son Funeral Home)

Post by daveoma »

How does everyone feel about the prices? They start at $250K for the one car two bedroom. Is that a good price for a row house in Little Italy? I think it's decent but I definitely don't think it's a bargain. That being said it's much than the Soma condos.
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Re: Rows on South Hill (Johnston & Son Funeral Home)

Post by iamjacobm »

daveoma wrote:How does everyone feel about the prices? They start at $250K for the one car two bedroom. Is that a good price for a row house in Little Italy? I think it's decent but I definitely don't think it's a bargain. That being said it's much than the Soma condos.
I toured a new row hohouse project recently that is asking $259k on 31st and Leavenworth. Just for context.
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Re: Rows on South Hill (Johnston & Son Funeral Home)

Post by Coyote »

Image

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Re: Rows on South Hill (Johnston & Son Funeral Home)

Post by Phillip »

Small update: the first phase of 7 townhouses on 10th street will have their footings by early March, and will be complete by early June.

The 2nd phase/row will have footings around June.
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Re: Rows on South Hill (Johnston & Son Funeral Home)

Post by Brad »

I assumed the footing were already in because they were putting up the first floor walls a week ago...
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Re: Rows on South Hill (Johnston & Son Funeral Home)

Post by Phillip »

Brad wrote:I assumed the footing were already in because they were putting up the first floor walls a week ago...
Nebraska Realty's info must be a little behind then. Good to hear they might be a little ahead of schedule.
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