Brad wrote:I also would not mind seeing it complete restored and the bridge between the Durham and Burlington rebuilt and have it be part of the Durham.
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Well shave my head and call me Curly, I had no idea that there was formerly a bridge between the two buildings. I just thought it would be a good idea. After some googling, I came across this image:
Yes, 80 years ago, Downtown's transportation infrastructure was far more advanced and civilized than today. Isn't that sad?
"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
Noticed what looked like a generator on the ground and a power washer maybe? Â It was running up to the roof and a guy was using it. Â Probably doesn't mean anything, just kind of odd.
iamjacobm wrote:Noticed what looked like a generator on the ground and a power washer maybe? It was running up to the roof and a guy was using it. Probably doesn't mean anything, just kind of odd.
Probably going to get some jokes for this.
I noticed there are 3 new porta-johns right by the front door too. Â Has to be something going on, maybe just basic maintenance.
Metro has been using the building for a couple of theater pieces for the Great Plains Theater Conference. The actors have been using the bathroom at Flixx in full costume. it's been interesting.
StreetsOfOmaha wrote:Yes, 80 years ago, Downtown's transportation infrastructure was far more advanced and civilized than today. Isn't that sad?
80 years ago??? Â More advanced and civilized?? Â Seriously?? Â I asked a couple of folks who actually lived in Omaha 80 years ago. Â Also some who only lived in Omaha 50-70 years ago. Â The streetcars were rarely on time, they were hot, they were noisy, and they were not always convenient. Â If you went downtown to go shopping, which you pretty much always had to do, you got to carry your packages for blocks to your house. Â You also got your packages smashed if it was crowded. Â If a street car broke down it could be hours before another one showed up, so you got to walk. Â
It's nice to dream about street cars but in reality sh!t happens and you get to deal with it.
(I didn't post this only to get a rise out of Streets. Â That's a bonus)
After taking a tour of Denver's Union Station project this morning, it makes me realize even more how much Omaha is missing out on an incredible opportunity with the Burlington Station. The city should take it by eminent domain if the owners are not going to do anything with it. Save this building!
the1wags wrote:After taking a tour of Denver's Union Station project this morning, it makes me realize even more how much Omaha is missing out on an incredible opportunity with the Burlington Station. The city should take it by eminent domain if the owners are not going to do anything with it. Save this building!
The  burlingtonstation.com domain expired at the end of August.  Anyone hear anything recently about plans going forward?  It doesn't make a lot of sense for Boes/Ontrack LLC to sit on a building and pay property taxes, etc. indefinitely.
I wish Amtrak would move into the Burlington Station, and the Omaha Visitors Center would move out of the Poppleton Building and join Amtrak at the Burlington.
Last edited by SaveOmaha on Sat Jul 23, 2022 1:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.
iamjacobm wrote:A big orange thing, looks like construction fencing, is on the roof. A group of people, looked like businessmen, were walking in and out.
I thought I'd share this idea, even though it will never come to fruition.
My partner thinks they should remodel the Burlington and turn it into the Main library.
I kinda like the idea, however, I think it's too far out of the "downtown core."
My idea stems for growth in the future. Â Turn it into a contemporary art museum that can be easily turned back into a train station at a later date. Â See Denver for their Union Station being used for commuter rail. Â It could be a stop for our light rail. Â It would bring in commuters from the suburbs and then transfer them to the light rail system downtown.
The library is a cool idea and I don't think it is too far out of downtown to be the main branch. Â Although I am less and less sold on moving the main branch. Â Sure the building isn't a modern architectural wonder. Â But at this point the city has a lot on it's plate and a new library is way down on my list of wants and needs for Omaha.
Visualize for a moment what was dreamed up for the rail yard near 10th and Pacific Streets as part of the city's 2009 downtown master plan: a civic space called Aksarben Yard, equipped with a Ferris wheel and carousel, wintertime ice rink and permanent market area.
The Burlington depot redevelopment could end up back in the spotlight because passenger rail travel is a hot topic. Ridership is increasing across the country, according to a Brookings Institution report in February. In 2012, Amtrak carried a record 31 million riders, a 55 percent increase since 1997.
Myriel “My” Boes, an Omaha interior designer and owner of the Burlington, said in a recent interview that “changes in the status of the building are in progress” but declined to give specifics.
I was going to say that maybe it was a tax situation but I checked the assessor's office and she's current. Â My desire would be an amtrack station on the lower floor and shops and offices upstairs but I'm not sure it would make economic sense. Â If it would take millions that's a tall order. Â
There is a lot of vacant land between the Burlington and Durham.