Gene Leahy Mall Remodel

Downtown, Midtown, and all parts east of 72nd.

Moderators: Coyote, nebugeater, Brad, Omaha Cowboy, BRoss

User avatar
Coyote
City Council
Posts: 32940
Joined: Tue Nov 18, 2003 11:18 am
Location: Aksarben Village
Contact:

Post by Coyote »

Some Flotsam are bricks and some Jetsam are boulders:

Image
User avatar
Brad
City Council
Posts: 1033312
Joined: Sat Feb 28, 2004 6:03 pm
Location: Omaha, NE
Contact:

Post by Brad »

l-dude wrote:12/4...shot of GLM from the Barker Bldg. by Brad...this is an inspirational view of Omaha's new riverfront (or near riverfront...ie, Aksarben Bridge view east).  So many of the modern photos of DT Omaha are from the 10th St bridge west, which are great, but this is easily my new favorite shot of modern east DT Omaha, compared with the original 1850's views.  Move the camera location two/three blocks north and the view is identical to so many great historical (read Bostwick-Frohardt collection) photographs.  Save this photo, and pan North and south several blocks over the next  10 +/- years, and I'm convinced this is a historical photo.  Good work!  You've helped me relate my 1950's-1960's memories of Omaha, to the city we now see .  Thanks Brad, and every other Photog that has been active on this site over the last many years.
Thanks for the kind words I-Dude!

There are plenty more buildings I wish I had access to!
User avatar
iamjacobm
City Council
Posts: 10377
Joined: Sat Apr 10, 2010 6:52 am
Location: Chicago

Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

Post by iamjacobm »

When do they usually turn the water works on each year?
User avatar
skinzfan23
City Council
Posts: 9138
Joined: Mon Feb 09, 2004 11:26 am
Location: Omaha/Bellevue

Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

Post by skinzfan23 »

iamjacobm wrote:When do they usually turn the water works on each year?
My guess is not until late April or early May. It is still below freezing at night.
User avatar
Brad
City Council
Posts: 1033312
Joined: Sat Feb 28, 2004 6:03 pm
Location: Omaha, NE
Contact:

Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

Post by Brad »

Friday evening I had a long conversation with a city employee about the GLM and FofA Park....

The Good....
1. New pump on its way for the waterfall along Farnam
2. Should be a new pump coming for the dumping bucket
3. Big fountain in HofA Park has already been fired up once and worked great.
4. wildlife is being "relocated" to other parks.

The Bad............................................
1. The pond and the GLM was NOT built Right, its still not technically full.
2. Nobody knows if the pond will be fixed or not.
3. The sod laid last fall is all messed up and not installed correctly.
4. Sprinkler system was not fixed.

The Ugly............................................................................
1. Vandalism in both the GLM and HofA Park are worse than ANY park in the City of Omaha.
2. Nobody knows if the GLM will be drained again and fixed or if it will be left as is....
User avatar
iamjacobm
City Council
Posts: 10377
Joined: Sat Apr 10, 2010 6:52 am
Location: Chicago

Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

Post by iamjacobm »

Wow. What a waste of money to drain and supposedly fix the lagoon for the past 18 months. I guess we will just wait until it is beyond a reasonable point then give it a subpar patch again.
User avatar
RNcyanide
Planning Board
Posts: 2780
Joined: Thu Mar 28, 2013 10:37 am
Location: Boston

Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

Post by RNcyanide »

I haven't had an opportunity to visit the GLM for a while. What exactly is wrong with it?
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.

The Bride
User avatar
Coyote
City Council
Posts: 32940
Joined: Tue Nov 18, 2003 11:18 am
Location: Aksarben Village
Contact:

Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

Post by Coyote »

What's wrong, us that the whole grassland is full of dog excrement. Don't we have a law about bringing a bag?
User avatar
Brad
City Council
Posts: 1033312
Joined: Sat Feb 28, 2004 6:03 pm
Location: Omaha, NE
Contact:

Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

Post by Brad »

Some part of the new work is too low so the water is going out in the grass. So they are keeping it lower than normal, so no there are areas that are less than a foot deep.

The sod was laid late in the season so it never took root. That by itself is not usually a big deal, but it wasn't stapled down and people are messing with it, people have even tried rolling it back up. They usually staple it on slopes to keep it from sliding off in the rain too, luckily we haven't had much rain.
User avatar
Uffda
County Board
Posts: 4502
Joined: Sun Jun 12, 2005 9:52 pm
Location: Land o Lakes, FL

Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

Post by Uffda »

Coyote wrote:What's wrong, us that the whole grassland is full of dog excrement. Don't we have a law about bringing a bag?
Don't know if there is a law but some do carry bags (me) but I have seen lots that don't pick up after their dog -- even at dog parks
User avatar
mj3141
New to the Neighborhood
Posts: 45
Joined: Mon Apr 23, 2012 8:41 pm
Location: San Diego

Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

Post by mj3141 »

Brad wrote:Some part of the new work is too low so the water is going out in the grass.  So they are keeping it lower than normal, so no there are areas that are less than a foot deep.

The sod was laid late in the season so it never took root.  That by itself is not usually a big deal, but it wasn't stapled down and people are messing with it, people have even tried rolling it back up.  They usually staple it on slopes to keep it from sliding off in the rain too, luckily we haven't had much rain.

I thought the work on the south side looked really low. Amateurs.
debradomayer
Library Board
Posts: 329
Joined: Wed Oct 24, 2012 8:28 pm
Location: Omaha Metro Area

Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

Post by debradomayer »

You should check out the pics that Chris Baker from KFAB took over last weekend! Don't mean to plug, but he posted on his page at the station's website
User avatar
Brad
City Council
Posts: 1033312
Joined: Sat Feb 28, 2004 6:03 pm
Location: Omaha, NE
Contact:

Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

Post by Brad »

debradomayer wrote:You should check out the pics that Chris Baker from KFAB took over last weekend! Don't mean to plug, but he posted on his page at the station's website
That's just sad. You can see in one of the pics where someone pulled up bricks to try to throw through the ice.

I was down there tonight and there was literally dog |expletive| about every 18"...
User avatar
Uffda
County Board
Posts: 4502
Joined: Sun Jun 12, 2005 9:52 pm
Location: Land o Lakes, FL

Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

Post by Uffda »

Brad wrote:I was down there tonight and there was literally dog |expletive| about every 18"...
Sounds like those downtown residents need to learn how to pick up after their dog. :evil:
User avatar
Brad
City Council
Posts: 1033312
Joined: Sat Feb 28, 2004 6:03 pm
Location: Omaha, NE
Contact:

Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

Post by Brad »

Water still stagnet because the waterfalls are not on yet...

Tonight:
Police = 0
People smoking pot = 2
People with open containers = 3
dvaladareskientz
New to the Neighborhood
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Apr 14, 2014 10:25 am

Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

Post by dvaladareskientz »

Going to be moving downtown in late May. Have always loved the old market area and GLM. I moved to NE two years ago, and I have been so excited to see the GLM renovated. Just absolutely unacceptable that the city spends this much money on an overhaul and allows these mistakes to be made and for vandals to continue defacing what should be the most beautiful park in the city.
User avatar
iamjacobm
City Council
Posts: 10377
Joined: Sat Apr 10, 2010 6:52 am
Location: Chicago

Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

Post by iamjacobm »

dvaladareskientz wrote:Going to be moving downtown in late May. Have always loved the old market area and GLM. I moved to NE two years ago, and I have been so excited to see the GLM renovated. Just absolutely unacceptable that the city spends this much money on an overhaul and allows these mistakes to be made and for vandals to continue defacing what should be the most beautiful park in the city.
Welcome to the forum!

I agree. I do think GLM's issues can stem back to developing all of the property around it with zero interaction with the park. If a hotel, condos, apartments or restaurants overlooked the lagoon rather than office buildings with zero street interaction I think the park would be more lively and better monitored. Places like the Nebraska State Office Building and the massive blank wall of the Landmark Center don't add anything to the park and sort of separate it from the lively Old Market.
User avatar
S33
County Board
Posts: 4441
Joined: Wed May 07, 2008 12:15 pm

Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

Post by S33 »

iamjacobm wrote:
dvaladareskientz wrote:Going to be moving downtown in late May. Have always loved the old market area and GLM. I moved to NE two years ago, and I have been so excited to see the GLM renovated. Just absolutely unacceptable that the city spends this much money on an overhaul and allows these mistakes to be made and for vandals to continue defacing what should be the most beautiful park in the city.
Welcome to the forum!

I agree.  I do think GLM's issues can stem back to developing all of the property around it with zero interaction with the park.  If a hotel, condos, apartments or restaurants overlooked the lagoon rather than office buildings with zero street interaction I think the park would be more lively and better monitored.  Places like the Nebraska State Office Building and the massive blank wall of the Landmark Center don't add anything to the park and sort of separate it from the lively Old Market.
Exactly. If conagra/lagoon area were not a barren office environment all weekend long, people wouldn't feel as comfortable to treat it like nobody is watching.
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
User avatar
skinzfan23
City Council
Posts: 9138
Joined: Mon Feb 09, 2004 11:26 am
Location: Omaha/Bellevue

Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

Post by skinzfan23 »

I completely agree, I also feel this way for the Heartland of America Park by Con Agra. In the city's master plan, they show condo towers next the 480 bridge, which would definitely help with keeping the area nicer. Those towers will probably never be built, but it would be great to have in the area. Who owns the land east of the Holland Center? I always think that looks weird just seeing a big grassy lot there. Some residences would look nice. I am not sure if the Frankie Pane settlement was ever completed.
The rendering of the master plan looks similar to this:
Image
User avatar
GetUrban
Planning Board
Posts: 2634
Joined: Sun Nov 23, 2008 3:07 pm
Location: Omaha

Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

Post by GetUrban »

Having GLM lower than street level probably didn't help either. It's hard to see way down into the park from across the surrounding streets. The Landmark Center went along way toward killing it and cutting it off from the Old Market. Just think what it would be like if there were several restaurants on the south side looking into the park. The vandalism and city's upkeep of the park are very disappointing.

I think the empty lot east of the Holland is just part of the Holland Center property for future expansion, except for the former Frankie Pane sliver of property.
He said "They are some big, ugly red brick buildings"
...and then they were gone.
User avatar
S33
County Board
Posts: 4441
Joined: Wed May 07, 2008 12:15 pm

Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

Post by S33 »

Like any other park, it's seclusion from business (that's what parks are for) has backfired in that respect. It would be nice to see ConAgra build up and turn HoA park residential. Of course that would be a huge waste of money from ConAgra's perspective.
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
User avatar
Garrett
Planning Board
Posts: 3487
Joined: Wed Nov 26, 2008 6:29 pm
Location: New York City

Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

Post by Garrett »

Well when GLM was built it was meant to be secluded from the then less than savory downtown environment.

And S33, not all parks are isolated from businesses. Many parks here in Chicago actually have restaurants built into them, like North Pond and Millenium Park.
OMA-->CHI-->NYC
User avatar
S33
County Board
Posts: 4441
Joined: Wed May 07, 2008 12:15 pm

Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

Post by S33 »

Garrett wrote:Well when GLM was built it was meant to be secluded from the then less than savory downtown environment.

And S33, not all parks are isolated from businesses. Many parks here in Chicago actually have restaurants built into them, like North Pond and Millenium Park.
Yes, I was in Millennium park less than 2 months ago. It's a wide open, expansive green space, with enough seclusion to make people think nobody is watching. Just like GLM.
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
User avatar
GetUrban
Planning Board
Posts: 2634
Joined: Sun Nov 23, 2008 3:07 pm
Location: Omaha

Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

Post by GetUrban »

The park was meant to be an urban oasis or nearby escape from the bustle of typical downtown business. But too much seclusion can make people feel unsafe. There needs to be a balance.

I really think it was a well-designed park for the most part. Like many other places in Omaha, for example Lewis & Clark Landing, there have been too many missed opportunities to enhance the areas with a rich and varied selection of activities happening around the major attraction. Add lack of maintenance on top of that and it is a recipe for decline.
He said "They are some big, ugly red brick buildings"
...and then they were gone.
User avatar
Garrett
Planning Board
Posts: 3487
Joined: Wed Nov 26, 2008 6:29 pm
Location: New York City

Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

Post by Garrett »

S33 wrote:
Garrett wrote:Well when GLM was built it was meant to be secluded from the then less than savory downtown environment.

And S33, not all parks are isolated from businesses. Many parks here in Chicago actually have restaurants built into them, like North Pond and Millenium Park.
Yes, I was in Millennium park less than 2 months ago. It's a wide open, expansive green space, with enough seclusion to make people think nobody is watching. Just like GLM.
Millenium Park in February? Ooof.... No wonder no one was out there hahaha.
OMA-->CHI-->NYC
bigredmed
Parks & Recreation
Posts: 1897
Joined: Mon Jun 06, 2011 12:45 pm
Location: Omaha Metro Area

Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

Post by bigredmed »

GetUrban wrote:The park was meant to be an urban oasis or nearby escape from the bustle of typical downtown business. But too much seclusion can make people feel unsafe. There needs to be a balance.

I really think it was a well-designed park for the most part. Like many other places in Omaha, for example Lewis & Clark Landing, there have been too many missed opportunities to enhance the areas with a rich and varied selection of activities happening around the major attraction. Add lack of maintenance on top of that and it is a recipe for decline.
Nope. Sorry at best you get partial credit. Even after the extensive remodeling, what are you going to see? Bums and other sketchy people hanging out in the bushes. Frankly, till we are able and willing to go "zero tolerance" on bum life in the mall, and we are able to add some activities into it (like kayaking), it will be a bust no matter how much we cough up for maintenance.
User avatar
GetUrban
Planning Board
Posts: 2634
Joined: Sun Nov 23, 2008 3:07 pm
Location: Omaha

Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

Post by GetUrban »

bigredmed wrote:
GetUrban wrote:The park was meant to be an urban oasis or nearby escape from the bustle of typical downtown business. But too much seclusion can make people feel unsafe. There needs to be a balance.

I really think it was a well-designed park for the most part. Like many other places in Omaha, for example Lewis & Clark Landing, there have been too many missed opportunities to enhance the areas with a rich and varied selection of activities happening around the major attraction. Add lack of maintenance on top of that and it is a recipe for decline.
Nope.  Sorry at best you get partial credit.  Even after the extensive remodeling, what are you going to see?  Bums and other sketchy people hanging out in the bushes.  Frankly, till we are able and willing to go "zero tolerance" on bum life in the mall, and we are able to add some activities into it (like kayaking), it will be a bust no matter how much we cough up for maintenance.
I'm not trying to take any credit for anything. Just trying to point out the things in general that would help make it a more successful public space. Obviously, if bums are hanging out there all the time, nothing will help. It needs to be made more uncomfortable for bums.
He said "They are some big, ugly red brick buildings"
...and then they were gone.
User avatar
Garrett
Planning Board
Posts: 3487
Joined: Wed Nov 26, 2008 6:29 pm
Location: New York City

Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

Post by Garrett »

Ahh those nefarious poor people... why can't they just go be homeless someplace else? I just hate it when they ruin everything for us civilized people. Can you imagine the horror when they, dare I say it, talk to us?
OMA-->CHI-->NYC
Ryan j
New to the Neighborhood
Posts: 33
Joined: Mon May 14, 2012 11:19 am
Location: Nebraska - ??

Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

Post by Ryan j »

Not sure how the rest of you feel, but I am starting to take the Libertarian view when it comes to the management of the GLM.

Imagine if the city were to sell the park to a private company that was allowed to profit from the GLM?
It might seem odd at first but I do believe that the private sector could do a better job than the city.

Imagine if the entire mall area was reconfigured allowing for the use and rental of paddle-boats, kayaks, or bikes. Imagine mini golf, outdoor bocce ball courts with equipment rental or areas for horseshoes. Imagine a vending machine like you see at the Bob Kerry Bridge, spaces for food trucks to rent and/or street vendors. Imagine a park so beautiful that people would pay to have weddings there, senior pictures, etc. Imagine ice skating in the winter with expanded choices for food and drinks in a small heated pavilion. Imagine corporations being able to reserve space in the pavilion for the annual tree lighting ceremony or the CWS or during the swim trials. The space is there folks, it could be done.

My point is the city would not/ could not ever pull anything like that off. But a private company that would be allowed to profit from the park would have a financial incentive to maintain the park and keep it beautiful. You would see security, you would not see graffiti, pot smokers and homeless people!!!

The entity that purchased the mall could be required (with covenants, or whatever) to keep, say, 85% of the area as a park, the rest could be set up for various profit making enterprises.

Heck they could even secure naming rights for sponsorship of the park, (might not be popular), but it would be a small trade-off for having a vibrant, beautiful park with commerce and activity in the heart of the CBD, instead of what we are not stuck with now. Besides I think we could all learn to live with Union Pacific Park, or Kiewit Plaza Park.

Imagine the mall becoming one of the big iconic tourist draws that Omaha could add to it's current list of places to experience while you are in town.

Plus, as an added bonus, the city would save tons of money that is currently being poured into the mall.

Agree? Disagree? All thoughts are welcome.
User avatar
guitarguy
Parks & Recreation
Posts: 1292
Joined: Thu Sep 27, 2007 1:39 am

Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

Post by guitarguy »

I really like the sounds of that..and you're right.. all the city cares about is GLM not looking like complete garbage. It wouldn't really even be that expensive for a private company to come in and make it a for profit.. which would really breath some electricity into DTO!
NEDodger
Parks & Recreation
Posts: 1041
Joined: Sun Apr 13, 2014 1:19 am

Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

Post by NEDodger »

I like it except for the corporate naming rights of the park. I just get tired of seeing "(Corporation Name) Park" on everything. The park was renamed for the mayor who had it completed - let's leave it at that.
User avatar
iamjacobm
City Council
Posts: 10377
Joined: Sat Apr 10, 2010 6:52 am
Location: Chicago

Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

Post by iamjacobm »

I love the creativity. Obviously we need some fresh ideas for the park, b/c it's current setup isn't working.

I just think the park needs to become interactive. As it exists right now it serves zero purpose other than strolling, sitting or sliding. You can't really jog or throw a ball or have a picnic anywhere. Too many hills. Plus the current trend across the country is to have urban parks be very inviting to a multitude of uses. People want to play ping pong or have a small dog park or be able to get a burger. GLM is broken in it's current form, we need to consider alternatives like building a small restaurant space on the property for a burger shack or using the flat portions for organized activities. The city needs to think outside the passive green space box. Be aggressive about the success of GLM.

The easiest thing the city could do right now is make the entire south side of Douglas between 14th and 13th food truck parking, at least from 10:30 to 1:30. They could open their windows toward the park and the city could provide a number of portable chairs and tables to activate the flat areas.
Ryan j
New to the Neighborhood
Posts: 33
Joined: Mon May 14, 2012 11:19 am
Location: Nebraska - ??

Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

Post by Ryan j »

I can understand the fatigue from corporate naming rights, but count me in the group that would be willing to accept it.

I can also see a small restaurant somewhere on the property with a beautiful view of the mall, maybe it is elevated or something with tons of glass!

Also forgot to mention in my last post but, lots of cities are adding those mini tennis courts, I cant remember the name of the game but it is becoming very popular.
User avatar
nativeomahan
County Board
Posts: 5316
Joined: Fri Nov 12, 2004 2:46 pm
Location: Omaha and Puerto Vallarta

Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

Post by nativeomahan »

I think that a public/private partnership would be a good thing. And I love the idea of incorporating food trucks or a restaurant.
User avatar
S33
County Board
Posts: 4441
Joined: Wed May 07, 2008 12:15 pm

Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

Post by S33 »

The park could be privately run without selling corporate naming rights. Might not be a bad idea, really.
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
User avatar
GetUrban
Planning Board
Posts: 2634
Joined: Sun Nov 23, 2008 3:07 pm
Location: Omaha

Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

Post by GetUrban »

I like the idea of leasing some space for several vendors, satellite restaurants, etc. But, I'm skeptical it would be very profitable for a private company to come in and manage the whole park privately. I certainly wouldn't want to see an admission fee charged just for the right to sit in the park. Not real excited to see another corporate name slapped on a public space either. Maybe on a new pavilion or footbridge though. Try small public/private partnerships with vendors first. We're already paying to have a City of Omaha Parks Department. Try hiring a creative parks director and adding lease management to their responsibilities first. I think Omaha should avoid repeating the mistakes the city made at Lewis & Clark Landing by allowing a single exclusive restaurant as the only choice serving the area. That space would be so much better if there were at least 4-5 restaurants/vendors to choose from.

As I said before, the success of GLM has been hampered by what has not been able to happen on the private properties surrounding the park. It's hard to believe there is not even a single restaurant looking out on the park, except for the little place inside the Holland.
He said "They are some big, ugly red brick buildings"
...and then they were gone.
User avatar
Brad
City Council
Posts: 1033312
Joined: Sat Feb 28, 2004 6:03 pm
Location: Omaha, NE
Contact:

Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

Post by Brad »

What do they do at huge parks like central park in NYC? How do they maintain those park and also patrol them to keep them safe and keep the vandalism down?

I think a couple cops on segways all night long would do wonders for the park. Its seems like right now, everyone knows its a free for all down there.
dvaladareskientz
New to the Neighborhood
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Apr 14, 2014 10:25 am

Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

Post by dvaladareskientz »

A few thoughts. I don't hate the idea of giving a corporate name to the park, if it meant keeping it pristine and safe all year round. While I would prefer to keep the current name, if that were a necessary evil, I'd take it in a heartbeat.

I think one of the main problems now, is that many people feel the park isn't so safe, especially at night. Between hoodlums and homeless people and lack of security, the notion that it's a real free-for-all limits the number of people that visit the park. I believe the food truck/restaurant(s) idea would be fantastic. The old market doesn't have so much of a problem because there is constant patronage, so the city is forced to have security there. With more people visiting the park at more hours of the day, we'd see an increase in security at the park as well. Take the Summer Arts Festival for example, while that is just one extreme example, the park is definitely very safe and free of hoodlums and homeless people then, at least to my knowledge.

I think the city needs to be forced to just have more 24/hour security at the park to keep hoodlums/vandals and homeless out, enforce the littering law, and keep it nice for those of us who would take care of such a park.

I'm not saying I have all the answers, but these are just a few of my thoughts. I welcome anyone's take on this.
User avatar
Brad
City Council
Posts: 1033312
Joined: Sat Feb 28, 2004 6:03 pm
Location: Omaha, NE
Contact:

Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

Post by Brad »

Speaking of feeling safe. The tall lights poles with the 10-12 round balls on them. Both times I was down there last week, only one light on each pole was lit up and the other 9-11 were not on. That would go a long ways making the park feel safer.
bigredmed
Parks & Recreation
Posts: 1897
Joined: Mon Jun 06, 2011 12:45 pm
Location: Omaha Metro Area

Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

Post by bigredmed »

The old bar that the Paynes owned was involved in renting ice skates for the GLM water in the winter. It didn't make a lot of money, but it was a fun way to kill a Saturday afternoon in the winter. We need to think of that park as a utility. Add a couple of kayak launches or a few paddle boats, and you might get a few more people to spend some time there. It is at best something that you could see every two or three years and be good now. Maybe have the Bemis or the Hotshops do some art shows there? Maybe have an open mic night or some other kind of music there? Right now, its a dark hole in the middle of night time down town Omaha.

Private companies could take on these events and profit from them or use them for marketing their other stuff. Along the lines of marketing, what about a "What is going on in Omaha?" series? Use the space by the library and other areas to advertise a given company's new activities. Encourage places like PayPal and Yahoo to come down from the burbs to show off.
Post Reply