HDR Proposed Downtown Office

[RNcyanide]

Ew not the NP Dodge place... That building is butt-ugly. Their current stuff looks way better than that.

[MTO]

Isn't HDR supposed to announce their plan this month?

[BeMyGuest]

Isn't HDR supposed to announce their plan this month?

....and back-out 70 days later.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Isn't HDR supposed to announce their plan this month?

....and back-out 70 days later.

It would be par for the course.. So pathetic and sad, it's funny ...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[MTO]

Isn't HDR supposed to announce their plan this month?

....and back-out 70 days later.

It would be par for the course.. So pathetic and sad, it's funny ...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Announce they're 8 story "mid-rise" at aksarben then to back out and announce a 1 story "low-rise" out near the future high school. If I were the mayor I'd wait until their new digs were complete and treat HDR like |expletive|.

[stabone99]

You haven't heard that Methodist wants the HDR land? That has to be one of the worst kept secrets in town. I hadn't heard that it would be a patient tower but that makes sense. They already own several parcels west of HDR on the south side of West Dodge Road between 84th and 90th.

I know they're interested in the office itself because they are short on administrative space, and their current medical office building is a dump, but I'm not sure they'd be willing to rent it from someone else. I think that's why Children's decided to build their offices on Cass.

Either Methodist or Children's used to be in HDR's building - don't know which. Can't imagine it would be cheap if they were to buy it - the tax assessed value of the two properties (HDR's two office buildings and the Durham building in front) is near $20 million. Methodist owns four plots to the west of HDR's current offices. Ideally, Methodist would take over HDR's 2 buildings, the Durham blue building, and the NP Dodge building and build a better complex than the sporadic, shoddy presence they have now.

From what I saw the other day - the NP Dodge Building (separates two other Methodist buildings) is now empty and they are looking to lease it. It would be hard to believe that Methodist isn't in vying for that building.

I was told that Children's supposedly has their hands on the NP Dodge parking lot...he didn't clarify if that included the building as well or just the parking lot.

[guest2016]

Ew not the NP Dodge place... That building is butt-ugly. Their current stuff looks way better than that.

...the former hotel next to HDR looks better? The place looks like a great place to get murdered. The one on the left looks significantly better.http://i.imgur.com/zQ8whq8.jpg

[Omaha Cowboy]

Isn't HDR supposed to announce their plan this month?

I had predicted we'd hear something by last Friday.. And we heard nothing. My understanding has been they have a "robust" timeframe to get this moving.. Obviously it's great they plan to stay in the Omaha area to locate their world HQ's..

But honestly, while still curious where they'll end up.. I've lost a quite a bit of, let's say, anticipated interest...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[S33]

Isn't HDR supposed to announce their plan this month?

....and back-out 70 days later.

It would be par for the course.. So pathetic and sad, it's funny ...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Announce they're 8 story "mid-rise" at aksarben then to back out and announce a 1 story "low-rise" out near the future high school. If I were the mayor I'd wait until their new digs were complete and treat HDR like |expletive|.

Wut?

In what rational society would it ever be appropriate for a local government to treat one of its local corporations, who employ thousands of local residents, like "sh*t"?

This makes no sense, whatsoever.

Please, forgive HDR for trying to do what's best for the corporation and the employees.

[MTO]

Isn't HDR supposed to announce their plan this month?

....and back-out 70 days later.

It would be par for the course.. So pathetic and sad, it's funny ...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Announce they're 8 story "mid-rise" at aksarben then to back out and announce a 1 story "low-rise" out near the future high school. If I were the mayor I'd wait until their new digs were complete and treat HDR like |expletive|.

Wut?

In what rational society would it ever be appropriate for a local government to treat one of its local corporations, who employs thousands of local residents, like "sh*t"?

This makes no sense, whatsoever.

Please, forgive HDR for trying to do what's best for the corporation and its employees.

China..........

[Joe_Sovereign]

You haven't heard that Methodist wants the HDR land? That has to be one of the worst kept secrets in town. I hadn't heard that it would be a patient tower but that makes sense. They already own several parcels west of HDR on the south side of West Dodge Road between 84th and 90th.

I know they're interested in the office itself because they are short on administrative space, and their current medical office building is a dump, but I'm not sure they'd be willing to rent it from someone else. I think that's why Children's decided to build their offices on Cass.

Either Methodist or Children's used to be in HDR's building - don't know which. Can't imagine it would be cheap if they were to buy it - the tax assessed value of the two properties (HDR's two office buildings and the Durham building in front) is near $20 million. Methodist owns four plots to the west of HDR's current offices. Ideally, Methodist would take over HDR's 2 buildings, the Durham blue building, and the NP Dodge building and build a better complex than the sporadic, shoddy presence they have now.

From what I saw the other day - the NP Dodge Building (separates two other Methodist buildings) is now empty and they are looking to lease it. It would be hard to believe that Methodist isn't in vying for that building.

Methodist has kicked a ton of Children's employees out of the Methodist parking garage and now they have to park down at NP Dodge. The Children's employees are not very happy about it. Apparently HDR already has workers parking down at Crossroads and shuttling back to their office. I would be surprised if we don't see some kind of new parking garage in this area to address the parking issues for the Hospitals and any new tenants in the HDR buildings.

[Guest]

Childrens plans to build a new tower on the green space to the north of their buildings and a parking garage where the bank and gas station currently are.

[RNcyanide]

Childrens plans to build a new tower on the green space to the north of their buildings and a parking garage where the bank and gas station currently are.

Its where they are going to put their NICU and PICU. Then Methodist will get the 4th and 5th floors of the north tower back. There has been a break in the head and neck surgery teams between NMH and UNMC, so Methodist will now be receiving the majority of those patients, which normally got to 6 North. I'm anticipating that the 6 North unit will be expanded to another floor.

[guest2016]

Methodist has kicked a ton of Children's employees out of the Methodist parking garage and now they have to park down at NP Dodge. The Children's employees are not very happy about it. Apparently HDR already has workers parking down at Crossroads and shuttling back to their office. I would be surprised if we don't see some kind of new parking garage in this area to address the parking issues for the Hospitals and any new tenants in the HDR buildings.

I was going to say - I saw some shuttles in that lot last night while I was at the light on 90th and Dodge.

HDR has two lots - they have been shuttling people from behind the DMV on 76th and Cass for years - and before that, I believe my friend said they were at a church behind them in the neighborhood, and at one time they used the SMS Sales/PJ Morgan building lots by the DMV. There are ~75 spots in their lots by the DMV. My friend, who parks there, said there are about 75 more people who park at Crossroads. The issue stemmed from when the blue building in front of their office was vacant (and they rented additional spots right in front of their building) and then eventually got rented out again and all those people got pushed back to off-site parking. Depending on what goes in the HDR buildings, they may not need additional lots. If Methodist buys it, they have a huge lot on the back side of their hotel building that could be built up. If it's converted into doctors offices, there would be better space utilization - and less people - than the cube farms that are in there now.

[guest2016]

http://www.omaha.com/opinion/midlands-v ... d202d.html

[PotatoeEatsFish]

So does this mean their not going to build downtown at all?

[Coyote]

So does this mean their not going to build downtown at all?

I do not think this letter intimates an HDR preference of one place over another, it appears just to be a sort of reconciliation between HDR and OPAS. It does admit that parking was the major factor in not building on the OPAS site, but it now throws another wrench in the discussions on who he was referring to when he says it "became clear that not everyone in our community was in favor of the plan." Would the OWH print a letter that again throws Gottschalk under the bus?

[RNcyanide]

I couldn't care less about where they build at this point. They could build on 204th and State for all I care.

[Spatial77]

So does this mean their not going to build downtown at all?

I do not think this letter intimates an HDR preference of one place over another, it appears just to be a sort of reconciliation between HDR and OPAS. It does admit that parking was the major factor in not building on the OPAS site, but it now throws another wrench in the discussions on who he was referring to when he says it "became clear that not everyone in our community was in favor of the plan." Would the OWH print a letter that again throws Gottschalk under the bus?

I think he is referring to the preservationists and the Specht building issue as the forces against their proposal. Just my reading between the lines...

[GetUrban]

It will be interesting to see if HDR is still the architect for any future OPA expansion. It might be a good opportunity for another architect to swoop in and bring some new vision to OPA's future. I suspect this is HDR's attempt at reconciliation. The letter is very short on specific details on things like whether they exhausted all design possibilities which would have kept the historic buildings intact. I suspect they didn't even try.

[iamjacobm]

So does this mean their not going to build downtown at all?

I do not think this letter intimates an HDR preference of one place over another, it appears just to be a sort of reconciliation between HDR and OPAS. It does admit that parking was the major factor in not building on the OPAS site, but it now throws another wrench in the discussions on who he was referring to when he says it "became clear that not everyone in our community was in favor of the plan." Would the OWH print a letter that again throws Gottschalk under the bus?

I think he is referring to the preservationists and the Specht building issue as the forces against their proposal. Just my reading between the lines...

I think this is one if those rare times that the govt overreach crowd and preservationists were in agreement about the outcome.

[OmahaJaysCU]

Not that it means a damn considering everyone in town seems to have an HDR rumor, but I was told the downtown library site is pretty high on the list.

[Coyote]

Not that it means a darn considering everyone in town seems to have an HDR rumor, but I was told the downtown library site is pretty high on the list.

Given HDRs supposed timeline, I don't see a site that needs demo being in contention.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Not that it means a darn considering everyone in town seems to have an HDR rumor, but I was told the downtown library site is pretty high on the list.

For what it's worth, I continue to keep the faintest of hope they will still choose a downtown HQ location..

But it's on life support...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[GetUrban]

Give them the Southeast corner of 10th and Farnam and be done with it. Nobody needs that Chef Boyardee statue and flag colonnade any longer.

[NEDodger]

I'll throw fuel on the fire.

Last week I got an email response from the mayor's office in regards to a letter I sent them about the whole situation. The comm's person stated that everyone is working hard to find an alternate location downtown that HDR approves of, that everyone involved is hopeful, and to stay tuned.

Now granted they could have been blowing smoke up my behind, but if that was the case I assume they just as easily could have not replied at all.

If the city is that invested in getting a site for HDR downtown, the library makes sense as it's a site that the city has direct control over.

[PotatoeEatsFish]

Not that it means a darn considering everyone in town seems to have an HDR rumor, but I was told the downtown library site is pretty high on the list.

I hope they build there. I hate that building.

[iamjacobm]

The library would be shocking to me. Would they really be able to close, get the place empty(there is a lot more than just books there), get the place demoed and build their building in 2.5 years?

On a separate note. I absolutely want the library building to survive. I realize I am in the minority and it is not going to happen, but that is a building that represents a style and time period. We will lose another piece of our unique building stock when it goes. Historic buildings worth saving don't have to be 100 year old red bricks. In the future the cities that save and repurpose their brutalist buildings will be the ones people are impressed with. It's inevitable.

[RNcyanide]

CPP will lose all relevance if something takes the library's place. I hope it stays.

[GetUrban]

If they have to tear down any existing buildings, please let it be the State Office Building. We shouldn't have to give up such a prime site at the head of the GLM just for HDR. I agree the library building is worth keeping as an example of the era it was built, whether it is re-purposed or stays a public library. Why not fill-in surface lot sites downtown first?

[NEDodger]

If they have to tear down any existing buildings, please let it be the State Office Building. We shouldn't have to give up such a prime site at the head of the GLM just for HDR. I agree the library building is worth keeping as an example of the era it was built, whether it is re-purposed or stays a public library. Why not fill-in surface lot sites downtown first?

I 100% completely agree about the State Office Building. My hope was/is that that's an easier one to get done as Kiewit is pulling out of it so I assume it's now ~half empty. I just don't know how cooperative the state is on having its offices moved.

I'm not as taken with the downtown library. There's been chatter ever since Crossroads 2.0 was announced that it was going to get the boot. If it ends up being a cornerstone of the Civic site, so be it.

What surface lots are available for this? OPAS's is obviously out. 10th and Harney is apparently spoken for by some movers and shakers. 20th and Dodge I believe belongs to Central High School. 21st and Douglas?

[daveoma]

If they have to tear down any existing buildings, please let it be the State Office Building. We shouldn't have to give up such a prime site at the head of the GLM just for HDR. I agree the library building is worth keeping as an example of the era it was built, whether it is re-purposed or stays a public library. Why not fill-in surface lot sites downtown first?

I SUPER agree with this. Wouldn't it great if there was retail on the first floor, residential in floors 2-10, then office on 10-20?? Somebody pitch this to HDR!

[Omaha Cowboy]

So, what do you guys think- is their still a faint pulse that HDR will build their HQ downtown, or is it just wishful thinking?..

Remember, my downtown "hope" is on life support ..

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Coyote]

So, what do you guys think- is their still a faint pulse that HDR will build their HQ downtown, or is it just wishful thinking?..

Remember, my downtown "hope" is on life support ..

Only if they suspend their timeline.

[choke2]

So, what do you guys think- is their still a faint pulse that HDR will build their HQ downtown, or is it just wishful thinking?..

Remember, my downtown "hope" is on life support ..

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Even if it's midtown, it's a win. I hope downtown or Midtown Crossing. As much as I like Aksarben, the area doesn't need any more help in development; it's the hottest thing going right now. Also, it is too bad Yates is so tepid on Crossroads; HDR would have been a great fit there too. I still think Lot B is viable. Plenty of room for a headquarters, office, retail, residential and parking, not to mention the Capitol District and a developed Lot B would be better than HDR's original location in my opinion. HDR staring over TD Ameritrade would be awesome!!!!

[Omaha Cowboy]

I agree. The timeline would need to be updated. Unless they have some sort of handshake agreement we don't know about.. Which would not surprise me..

And choke, I agree with much of what you're saying.. Don't know if lot B is the best location.. I wish they would have considered the Civic Auditorium location, but I think that bridge was burned a while ago..

Any other opinions/options for downtown? Post 'em..

We shall see shortly what location they select (at least I think that's the case )...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Guest]

I think they should build a huge one story compound on 200th street.

[NEDodger]

How about this?:

HDR to the library site.

Main Library utilizes the old Kiewit space in the Nebraska State Office building until the Civic site is built.

Once the Civic site is built, the main library and NE state offices are transferred over there as part of the development.

The ugly red brick building is demoed and the site prepped for re-development.

[skinzfan23]

How about this?:

HDR to the library site.

Main Library utilizes the old Kiewit space in the Nebraska State Office building until the Civic site is built.

Once the Civic site is built, the main library and NE state offices are transferred over there as part of the development.

The ugly red brick building is demoed and the site prepped for re-development.

That would be a win-win, but highly unlikely if they couldn't even simultaneously design their building and purchase/demo a parking lot.

[guest2016]

So does this mean their not going to build downtown at all?

Downtown isn't happening.