Omaha Forums

RNcyanide wrote:

Dundeemaha wrote:

RNcyanide wrote:They gonna wipe out that stretch of 480 while they're at it??

That image got me really excited that MECA might be pushing for taking down 480, but it looks like it's just a parking map from the td ameritrade park website and they just left out the interstate to reduce clutter.

http://www.tdameritradeparkomaha.com/Di ... rking.aspx

Yeah that was what I was thinking too.

City Attorney Paul Kratz raised concerns in an August letter to MECA board members.

“Unfortunately, it appears that MECA is avoiding city input on the issue” of Lot B, he wrote.

In particular, he objected to MECA’s characterization in a press release that the MECA board “will ultimately determine a development plan for Lot B.”
He noted that MECA doesn’t have the legal authority to attach restrictions to a city-owned property.

Stothert said MECA’s vote Tuesday represented the organization “unilaterally trying to impose restrictions without working with the other parties.”

She said Omaha has an obligation to construct only 850 replacement stalls, and not necessarily where MECA wants.

“How do they get to 1,200 stalls from 850?” she said.

Joe_Sovereign wrote:The city should dissolve the MECA board and taking back full control of the CenturyLink and Ameritrade Park.

Omaha World Herald: North downtown could get a Ferris wheel, a zipline and party houses during next year’s College World Series and the Olympic Swim Trials.
In an effort to provide more family-friendly activities and draw fans to 10th Street, the Metropolitan Entertainment and Convention Authority is looking at adding several activities near TD Ameritrade Park next year.

Seth wrote:Those little shacks look like some artsy protest about homelessness where they put up a bunch of microhouses in a public area.

Roseann Moring / World-Herald staff writer wrote:The City of Omaha and MECA are working together on a plan for the parking lot to the southwest of 10th and Mike Fahey Streets.

MTO wrote:I truly hope these studies are worth it $85,000 for something we could have told them years ago.

MTO wrote:I truly hope these studies are worth it $85,000 for something we could have told them years ago.

iamjacobm wrote:Looks like MECA is bringing in HR&A Advisors to consult on Lot B development. They have an impressive portfolio including The High Line in NYC.

Greg S wrote:

iamjacobm wrote:Looks like MECA is bringing in HR&A Advisors to consult on Lot B development. They have an impressive portfolio including The High Line in NYC.

So it's MECA that is leading on Lot B development, not the city?

Greg

MTO wrote:Are they a consulting firm? Do they do the architecture too?

HR&A ADVISORS, INC. (HR&A) IS AN INDUSTRY-LEADING CONSULTING FIRM PROVIDING SERVICES IN REAL ESTATE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND PROGRAM DESIGN & IMPLEMENTATION.

We have provided strategic advisory services for some of the most complex mixed-use, neighborhood, downtown, campus, and regional development projects across North America and abroad for forty years. We understand the importance of linking accretive private investment with public resources to support investors and communities’ responsibilities and aspirations.

Real Estate Committee Mr. Jay Noddle stated that the Real Estate Committee’s activities have been focused on and limited to the work the Lot B Study Group is accomplishing. The first priority of MECA as a participant on this Lot B Study Group is, first and foremost, to see to it that commitments made to MECA’s clients are fulfilled to the best of MECA’s ability to meet or exceed their expectations. Focus primarily comes down to facility parking and ease of access. The second priority is that if Lot B is to be redeveloped, there is a guideline in place to influence a great outcome. The Real Estate Committee, which includes the members from the Lot B Study Group, will meet tomorrow with all the consultants. The Lot B Study Group and the consultants will make a comprehensive recommendation to the Committee. It will include parking solutions and cost estimates for those parking solutions, should Lot B be redeveloped. It will contain recommendations for Lot B redevelopment that includes use and density recommendations, building heights, and how branding might be handled. Ultimately that will lead to a recommended pallet of materials. There will also be discussion and focus on some possible site configurations. Mr. Noddle would expect that the Committee will accept the recommendations due to the amount of work put into the study. It is important to realize that this package is a guide. If the Committee embraces the recommendation, the next step will be for the Lot B Study Group to craft a recommended governance and implementation structure. The following step would be to have the City and MECA formally adopt the plan and make a Covenant recording against the land. At that point, the Committee would not be needed again until a development opportunity presents itself, whether it’s through the City, MECA or Donors Trust, etc. However, Mr. Noddle feels there may be a need for on-going work of the Study Group due to the number of other initiatives involved in and around the downtown area. Hopefully, it will be known before the next Board of Director’s meeting what the Study Group has recommended to MECA, the City, and Community.
Chairwoman Duren inquired about what will be done to ensure that there will be a competitive bidding process in place if interest is indicated for redevelopment. Mr. Noddle responded that information will all come through in the structure of the governance/marketing/implementation of the plan.

Mr. Theisen noted a concern that replacement parking must be in place before redevelopment could take place. Mr. Dixon reminded the Board of its Resolution adopted regarding replacement parking. Mr. Noddle added that the Study Group’s recommendation will come to MECA’s Board and time will be spent carefully vetting and understanding it before proceeding. Chairwoman Duren noted that it is very clear that MECA’s client’s needs must be met first and she believes the Study Group has come up with some good viable options that may change the resolution slightly.

Coyote wrote:Willie Theisen was on Grow Omaha Saturday and he gave very vague details about the project. The only thing new was that, of course, the NCAA, Creighton and others were involved in the planning and that TD Ameritrade and the CLink would have to be very visible. I am believing it will only be three stories if that, including retail, office space and residential units. I am going to have to listen to that segment again to see if he gave up more innuendos.

Coyote wrote:Willie Theisen was on Grow Omaha Saturday and he gave very vague details about the project. The only thing new was that, of course, the NCAA, Creighton and others were involved in the planning and that TD Ameritrade and the CLink would have to be very visible. I am believing it will only be three stories if that, including retail, office space and residential units. I am going to have to listen to that segment again to see if he gave up more innuendos.

NovakOmaha wrote:I had the original OWH special section from 1999 or 2000 that was published before the big vote on MECA & the convention center/arena. I kept it for years though now I don't have it anymore. If I ever get back to Omaha I'd go to the main library & look it up on microfiche, if they still have it. I have no idea if they even do that anymore. It's probably been over 20 years since I was in the main library. If any of you have a few hours to kill go for it.

It was probably 20 pages & had renderings of the arena/convention center, and more importantly to this discussion it had renderings of the area around North Downtown, including the lots directly across the street which showed multiuse buildings, parking garages, etc. It's probably all moot now with the TDA & lack of vision on the part of city leaders. Still, it's an interesting read.

skinzfan23 wrote:

NovakOmaha wrote:I had the original OWH special section from 1999 or 2000 that was published before the big vote on MECA & the convention center/arena. I kept it for years though now I don't have it anymore. If I ever get back to Omaha I'd go to the main library & look it up on microfiche, if they still have it. I have no idea if they even do that anymore. It's probably been over 20 years since I was in the main library. If any of you have a few hours to kill go for it.

It was probably 20 pages & had renderings of the arena/convention center, and more importantly to this discussion it had renderings of the area around North Downtown, including the lots directly across the street which showed multiuse buildings, parking garages, etc. It's probably all moot now with the TDA & lack of vision on the part of city leaders. Still, it's an interesting read.

I will have to check...I might still have it. I know I still have the article about the First National Tower when it was built and it was around that same time.

NovakOmaha wrote:I just wish that someone would bust loose with a 25 story condo or apartment tower on one of the vacant or parking lots on Capitol.

Catherine33 wrote:

NovakOmaha wrote:I just wish that someone would bust loose with a 25 story condo or apartment tower on one of the vacant or parking lots on Capitol.

I think you will see exactly that at the Lot B site.

Catherine33 wrote:

NovakOmaha wrote:I just wish that someone would bust loose with a 25 story condo or apartment tower on one of the vacant or parking lots on Capitol.

I think you will see exactly that at the Lot B site.