MH Landing Landing - Ramada redevelopment (72 & Grover)

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

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Stargazer
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Post by Stargazer »

Looks like we have a new regular photo contributor.

Welcome to the forum a42887!  and thanks for the update!
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Brad
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Post by Brad »

Stargazer wrote:Looks like we have a new regular photo contributor.

Welcome to the forum a42887!  and thanks for the update!
That's great we have another update photographer since its hard for me to get out and take update photos until Daylights savings time starts in March.

I did have my camera over there at the Holiday inn a few weeks ago and there were no walls up yet so I didn't take another picture.  They are starting to fly.

Also.  Welcome a42887
a42887
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Post by a42887 »

Thanks, guys.  I have time every once in a while, and figure its about time to contribute.
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Post by bbinks »

Back when I moved to Omaha in 1987, I vaguely recall a water park in the area of I-80 between 72nd and 60th on the south side.   Anyone else recall this?
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Big E
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Post by Big E »

bbinks wrote:Back when I moved to Omaha in 1987, I vaguely recall a water park in the area of I-80 between 72nd and 60th on the south side.   Anyone else recall this?
It was Moby Dick Waterslides.

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Post by Coyote »

I completely forgot about those slides. Weren't they on top of the hill near the SW corner of 74th and the access road/
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Post by j4nu »

Does anyone know how this project will be integrated with the existing "holidome"?  I wonder if they will eliminate it or refurbish it to fit this theme.
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Big E
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Post by Big E »

Coyote wrote:I completely forgot about those slides. Weren't they on top of the hill near the SW corner of 74th and the access road/
I don't remember exactly where they were, but they were pretty prominent on the south side of 80, with the multi-colored tubes.  I don't even remember when they left.

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Post by joeglow »

Coyote wrote:I completely forgot about those slides. Weren't they on top of the hill near the SW corner of 74th and the access road/
You had to go into Westgate neighborhood by Mangelson's and go under the interstate.  You took the access road almost all the way to 72nd.  They came down in the mid-90's.
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Brad
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Post by Brad »

They sat empty for a long time, but then finally came down when the state used the land as a staging area  for the interstate widening.

The problem with the place was that there was no pool for hanging out.  Back then it was still open, you still had Peony Park with the huge pool and unlimited watersliding.
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Brad
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Post by Brad »

Photo Update:

Image

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scraper
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Post by scraper »

how will they keep the outdoor portion of the waterslides warm in the middle of January?
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Big E
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Post by Big E »

Someone else please take that lob.  :D

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Post by Uffda »

Image
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Brad
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Post by Brad »

The outside portion is fully enclosed...
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Post by omahastylee459 »

Brad wrote:The outside portion is fully enclosed...
Wont those slides still get cold in the winter even if it is enclosed all the way, its only a thin layer of plastic.
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Post by Coyote »

Interactive fly-through
Opens in October
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Brad
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Post by Brad »

omahastylee459 wrote:
Brad wrote:The outside portion is fully enclosed...
Wont those slides still get cold in the winter even if it is enclosed all the way, its only a thin layer of plastic.
80 degree water will be rushing through it constantly.
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Brad
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Post by Brad »

CoCo Key Water Resort is an exciting new concept in family leisure, located at the Holiday Inn Omaha Convention Center in Omaha, NE. Inspired by historic Key West, CoCo Key combines the relaxation and enchantment of the Keys with the wild excitement of a 60,000-sq. ft. indoor waterpark. CoCo Key provides time-starved families with a year-round, close-to-home getaway that's got something for every member of your family. Want to relax, unwind and have a great time doing it? Then steer your course to CoCo Key!
I would like to thank Anna with more up to date information, Renderings and Pictures for us:

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Post by the1wags »

Hey this is east of 72nd, it should be in the Urban Forum.  :;): Nice new renderings. You can see the waterslides from I80 going westbound.
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Post by djc311 »

Obviously, almost done - http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=1 ... d=10105995

I was a bit surprised to know the one in Bellevue is that far along as well. Considering there hasn't really been much for updates on here regarding it. I hope both do well - Although I'm honestly a bit surprised at the rates for admission into the park by itself. I'm not sure if it's that high because they feel they can get the $$$ for it, or if they're offering it to the general public, but would actually like to deter that type of use? Common sense says you can take a family of 4 to the park for the rate as a room for 4 people would cost including park passes, according to weekend-type rates.

But, you may as well take the room - one less place you have to clean up after yourself while partying!

D
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Post by Ben »

Some publicity in Jeff Beals' City Weekly column:
http://www.omahacityweekly.com/article.php?id=3936

Plus, they've gotten LOTS of airtime on q985 with the pool party that Q is throwing there pre-opening.  Maybe its just my awareness, but it seems like Great Wolf Lodge down in KC has stepped up its advertising in the Omaha area to combat this new waterpark.
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Post by annad »

We're dropping our Holiday Inn flag and going independent...new launch date is 8/31.



CoCo Key Flag to Fly Over Omaha’s Largest Convention Hotel


OMAHA (August 16, 2010) - A well-known Omaha hotel is changing flags.
Denver-based Sage Hospitality announced Monday the Omaha Holiday Inn Convention Center will operate under the banner of the CoCo Key Water Resort-Hotel & Convention Center, Omaha effective Aug. 20.  
“We’ve elected to make a full commitment to this property due to the tremendous success we’ve experienced with the CoCo Key water park at this location and our bullish forecast for both business and leisure travel business in Omaha,” said Ed Baklor, senior vice president of Sage Hospitality which has served as the resort’s hotel management company since 2006.  “The transition will be seamless, and our guests and clients will continue to experience the service excellence they’ve come to expect when staying with us.”
Baklor also believes reflagging strategy for the 383-room hotel will significantly improve the resort’s penetration across key distribution channels and further leverage CoCo Key’s expanding brand awareness.  Omaha will be the brand’s third flag, following the CoCo Key Cherry Valley Hotel in Columbus, Ohio and the CoCo Key Hotel and Water Resort-Orlando which made its debut in mid-April.
The resort’s executive leadership team remains intact and there will be no staffing changes.
“The team’s excited about the change and the opportunity to be more prominently affiliated with one of the hotel industry’s hottest emerging brands,” said Tim Darby, general manager of the convention center hotel.  “Our philosophy here is full steam ahead.”
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Brad
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Post by Brad »

CoCo Key complex for sale, but no changes expected

http://www.omaha.com/article/20110127/M ... s-expected
Michaela Saunders WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER wrote:Broker Jessica Coulson with Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels in Chicago said the chain’s investors and lender have decided to sell its hotel properties. It’s likely that the entire portfolio will be sold together, she said.

Sage Hospitality of Denver manages the CoCo Key properties. Ted Watson, vice president of marketing and sales, said such sales are common in the hospitality industry.
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nativeomahan
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Post by nativeomahan »

Are vultures gathering?
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Brad
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Post by Brad »

No... its common just like article says.
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Post by Coyote »

Big plans for CoCo Key under new owner
Michaela Saunders WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER wrote:Beginning Tuesday, the hotel at 72nd and Grover Streets will be owned and operated by Century Development Co. of Rapid City, S.D., which owns hotels with water parks in Sioux Falls, S.D., and Des Moines, as well as several restaurants and other properties.

The 383-room hotel, indoor water park and convention center in Omaha will continue operating through the transition, hotel manager Tim Darby said. At least for the time being, little difference will be noticeable to customers, but that could change. “They have great plans of renovations,” Darby said. “It all sounds very good.”
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Post by Omaha_Gabe »

Bye, CoCo Key; hello, Ramada
Michaela Saunders WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER wrote: If you're still correcting yourself — CoCo Key, not Holiday Inn — when you talk about the hotel, water park and convention center at 72nd and Grover Streets, stop.

The property becomes Ramada Plaza Omaha Hotel and Convention Center today.

“We're excited to be joining the Ramada family,” said Tim Darby, the hotel's general manager.

A multimillion-dollar renovation will upgrade guest rooms, updating bathrooms and adding flat-screen televisions. It also will include updates to the exterior grounds and renovation of all public spaces, most notably the hotel entrance and lobby, Darby said on behalf of Century Cos., the Rapid City, S.D., company that purchased the hotel property in late May.
Rest of the Story:

http://www.omaha.com/article/20110621/M ... llo-ramada
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Post by iamjacobm »

I heard CoCo Key's days may be limited.  Rumor has it they did a crappy job building the place and it already is becoming mold infested.
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Post by StreetsOfOmaha »

Funny.

CoCo Key complex for sale, but no changes expected

Big plans for CoCo Key under new owner
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Post by ThatGuy »

iamjacobm wrote:I heard CoCo Key's days may be limited.  Rumor has it they did a crappy job building the place and it already is becoming mold infested.
This wouldn't surprise me at all.

Anybody know much about economic inner-workings of the hotel industry? I'm curious as to why these hotels are constantly changing hands. Guessing taxes and creative accounting.
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Post by HskrFanMike »

Bigger issue in my mind is the number of promotions they have to sell waterpark passes at a discount.  My guess is that the numbers aren't working out like they had hoped.  The fad may be coming to an end.
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Post by Linkin5 »

Thats too bad if true.  I thought it was pretty fun when I went there, my daughter had a blast too.
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Brad
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Post by Brad »

Ramada renovation sparks revival of hotel district

http://www.omaha.com/article/20130106/M ... l-district
Cindy Gonzalez World-Herald staff writer wrote: “We stripped it down to the bone,” Wieseler said of the nearly five-decade-old hotel and convention center. “It's all new. Plumbing, carpeting, electrical, everything. New. New. New.”

The energy that the officially retired South Dakotan poured into his “hobby” project has contributed to a revival of a hotel district near 72nd and Grover Streets. Two other hotels at the intersection now have renovation plans in the works.
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Re: Ramada Plaza Omaha Hotel and Convention Center

Post by nebugeater »

Coco Keys has a new owner, will have a new name to replace Ramada, and undergo a $40 million renovation

http://www.omaha.com/money/new-ownershi ... d53df.html
A hotel management firm has bought the Ramada Plaza Hotel, Ramada Plaza convention center and CoCo Key Water Resort and plans to spend $40 million on renovations in the next seven to nine months.

Leslie Hospitality of Omaha and Century Omaha Land Co. of Rapid City, South Dakota, will have about $52 million invested in properties at 72nd and Grover Streets, said Edwin Leslie, president and chief executive.

That includes the Baymont Inn just to the north, which will be demolished to make way for more parking, and the already-remodeled 200-room DoubleTree Hotel on the southwest corner of the intersection, which Leslie Hospitality will manage and own through a partnership...............
Read the rest at the OWH
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Re: Ramada Plaza Omaha Hotel and Convention Center

Post by skinzfan23 »

Didn't the Ramada just get an extensive reno in the past 3-4 years?
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Brad
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Re: Ramada Plaza Omaha Hotel and Convention Center

Post by Brad »

skinzfan23 wrote:Didn't the Ramada just get an extensive reno in the past 3-4 years?
I'm guessing a hotel room isn't too much different than a rental car, rode hard and put away wet. Probably due?
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Re: Ramada Plaza Omaha Hotel and Convention Center

Post by nebugeater »

Brad wrote:
skinzfan23 wrote:Didn't the Ramada just get an extensive reno in the past 3-4 years?
I'm guessing a hotel room isn't too much different than a rental car, rode hard and put away wet. Probably due?


:dizzy: No comment
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Re: Ramada Plaza Omaha Hotel and Convention Center

Post by NovakOmaha »

Having been in the hotel business I can say this:

If you aren't constantly renovating two things are probably true. One, you're not renting your rooms enough. Two, you're not competitive. TVs last maybe 3-4 years. Carpet if you're lucky wears out fast. Beds are good for maybe 2 years. It never ends. I don't know what the average occupancy is in Omaha anymore but the lodging business is extremely cash intensive. I don't even want to know what desk clerks and maids are paid these days.

On another note, the areas of 72nd & Grover and 108th and L were the two busiest hotel areas back in the 70s, 80s & 90s. At one time this Ramada Plaza was one of the largest Holiday Inns in the chain. If memory serves about 500 rooms. The Comfort Inn across the street was a Ramada & West of the current Ramada was a Howard Johnson's. That was a very busy area. In its prime those hotels ran way over 85% occupancy year round and were full quite a bit.

When Aksarben was running you couldn't find a hotel room between Des Moines & Grand Island on weekends. When Aksarben closed that was the death of the golden goose for Omaha hotels. State Track Meet weekends & CWS probably still fills rooms but Aksarben made you lots of money between Memorial Day & Labor Day. Paid the mortgage for the year. Lots of fun too. 30-40 buses per day at Ak. Then MSP, Kansas City & Des Moines got horses & CB got dogs. Killed Omaha's monopoly on gambling without going to Vegas. If Ak could have added casinos it would still be there & CB never would have gotten casinos. Would have meant hundreds of millions to the Nebraska economy. Just saying....
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Re: Ramada Plaza Omaha Hotel and Convention Center

Post by choke »

NovakOmaha wrote:Having been in the hotel business I can say this:

If you aren't constantly renovating two things are probably true. One, you're not renting your rooms enough. Two, you're not competitive. TVs last maybe 3-4 years. Carpet if you're lucky wears out fast. Beds are good for maybe 2 years. It never ends. I don't know what the average occupancy is in Omaha anymore but the lodging business is extremely cash intensive. I don't even want to know what desk clerks and maids are paid these days.

On another note, the areas of 72nd & Grover and 108th and L were the two busiest hotel areas back in the 70s, 80s & 90s. At one time this Ramada Plaza was one of the largest Holiday Inns in the chain. If memory serves about 500 rooms. The Comfort Inn across the street was a Ramada & West of the current Ramada was a Howard Johnson's. That was a very busy area. In its prime those hotels ran way over 85% occupancy year round and were full quite a bit.

When Aksarben was running you couldn't find a hotel room between Des Moines & Grand Island on weekends. When Aksarben closed that was the death of the golden goose for Omaha hotels. State Track Meet weekends & CWS probably still fills rooms but Aksarben made you lots of money between Memorial Day & Labor Day. Paid the mortgage for the year. Lots of fun too. 30-40 buses per day at Ak. Then MSP, Kansas City & Des Moines got horses & CB got dogs. Killed Omaha's monopoly on gambling without going to Vegas. If Ak could have added casinos it would still be there & CB never would have gotten casinos. Would have meant hundreds of millions to the Nebraska economy. Just saying....
Aahhh. A casino at every gas station. That's what I always say. Stay classy.
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