Downtown Omaha Master Plan

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 7:36 pm

I'm the biggest fan of DTO but that's even a jump for Superman to make the comparison and arguing that it would work.

Tonight they're actually having an economist speak about a lot of the specifics and the projections they come up with (which they are purposefully making very, very conservative) is that there will only be so much retail space to spread around DT at first and they have to find a place where it would work best.

Big E · Post by **Big E** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 7:36 pm

What is downtown Minneapolis?

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 7:40 pm

You knew that but not who a certain no vote was?

So Big E you know everything. How would you justify having a Younkers, Target, and some home store DT tomorrow?

Big E · Post by **Big E** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 7:51 pm

DTO Luv wrote:Big E you know everything.

See everyone? THAT is how you start a civil debate with me.

DTO Luv wrote:How would you justify having a Younkers, Target, and some home store DT tomorrow?

I don't know that you could with those brands. Maybe the Target. I think you'd have to go with a higher-end version of each type of service: Macy's in place of Younkers, for example. Something not available in every other burg and burb within 150 miles.

I think the anchors would have to be as much a regional draw as the Qwest, CWS, zoo and Old Market are considered. Parking lot G would be my ideal spot for it (unless my dreams come true and they tear down the DCCC), within the base of a high-rise hotel. That type of development would bring the "necessity" (whatever the |expletive| they think that means) retailers along for the ride throughout downtown.

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 8:01 pm

Fair enough. I think having a store that's not anywhere else in the metro would help get people in. However I think some people have this idea of everyone in Omaha coming DT to shop and I just don't think that's realistic. One thing they said last night was that the retail space they were thinking of would be spread around a 3-4 block area.

TitosBuritoBarn · Post by **TitosBuritoBarn** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 1:58 am

What is Chicago?

I will take The Rapist for 400 Alex.

Bomaha · Post by **Bomaha** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 2:36 am

who asked my freeway/480 paving over question at tonight's meeting? I thought about that all night and wondered if i should ask that and sure enough someone did. I know it has to be someone from here. BTW I was the kid who asked about the green building codes thing.

plus did anyone get the website/organization the kid was recording for?

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 2:55 am

I remember you asking your question ( I think you may have been sitting right behind me).

The videos that were being recorded can be found here.

http://omahadowntownplan.com/

I haven't watched it yet but if if got recorded you can see me stand up and argue with those south 10th St crazies who crashed yesterday and today's meeting. I was upset.

**Ok seriously, p issed does not need to be censored.**

Ben · Post by **Ben** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 3:28 am

DTO Luv wrote:I remember you asking your question ( I think you may have been sitting right behind me).

DTO, nope, that was me sitting the row behind you.... I asked about the connection from the riverfront to North Downtown. Also, thanks for the website, the kid never did chime in when I asked that question about where I'd be able to find tomorrow's presentation.

We'll see how the day goes, but I'm hoping to try and work through an early lunch and make time to get over to the presentation tomorrow.

2Adam29 · Post by **2Adam29** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 3:36 am

I was the guy sitting directly behind DTO and asked about the 480 cover. just so you know. lol

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 3:38 am

I will be over there around noon but I won't be able to stay for the whole thing. I'm curious to see what they present tomorrow as they have so much to focus on. Each little area could be talked about at length, let alone all of the areas they are focusing on.

Bosco55David · Post by **Bosco55David** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 3:40 am

DTO Luv wrote:I haven't watched it yet but if if got recorded you can see me stand up and argue with those south 10th St crazies who crashed yesterday and today's meeting. I was marinated.

Ok, fill us out of town noobs in on what happened. 8)

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 4:00 am

Tonight they had a financial guy talk about a lot of different things. One was the need for newer office space, about 2.5M in the next few years, and how older office space in buildings like Farm Credit, the Keeline, and the Flatiron would have to convert to other uses like residential since it would be antiquated office space.

They talked a lot about artist live/work space all over Downtown and working out deals with vacant building owners to turn some space into temporary galleries, stores, or work areas.

Many people in the group had questions on different areas and projects around DT so tonight there was no real clear subject like the last few nights.

S33 · Post by **S33** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 1:55 pm

DTO Luv wrote:Tonight they had a financial guy talk about a lot of different things. One was the need for newer office space, about 2.5M in the next few years, and how older office space in buildings like Farm Credit, the Keeline, and the Flatiron would have to convert to other uses like residential since it would be antiquated office space.

2.5million sq ft of new office space? Who/where are they planning on the need coming from?

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 2:09 pm

Part of it they said would be from companies that are already DT that "want to put their name on a building" and have extra spec space. (I've had a 4 year theory running on who this might be) They also said some of it would be needed to get more of the market share from office space outside of DT.

If you have time to watch the videos in the link I posted above you can see what was talked about on Wednesday and Thursday.

thenewguy · Post by **thenewguy** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 2:53 pm

so 2.5 million square feet; is that like 2 more woodmen's? Maybe 3? Or is that like 1.5 cubes like UP? it would be great if they could just erect a couple new towers, lease them out (or sell them to a corporation) and then convert some of the other office space to apartments like you mentioned. And i completely disagree with why some of those people were saying that there couldn't be a downtown target or whatever, because of the people that live downtown. The Manawa Power Centre has 0 people living in it (minus some bums and interstate folk) and it's by far the busiest part of council bluffs, in terms of retail business/restaurants.

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 3:00 pm

No one said a Target wouldn't work Downtown. In the meeting some one said they should a big box Target and that's what they said wouldn't work DT. They also said it was unlikely that you would see the big department store type retail return. That's not to say that a smaller store that offers all purses or dresses or men's clothes couldn't take up smaller retail spaces around DT and instead of having all of the retail in one place it would be spread through out the area.

thenewguy · Post by **thenewguy** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 3:11 pm

ah my bad, i thought they meant target in general wouldn't work. I just hope that they take it seriously (more retail downtown) and do something with it. Right now there isn't a ton downtown, with the exception of the old market, and a lot of it isn't stuff a typical person would buy everyday (the fur store, tanenbaum, the dress store). I still think that a walgreens type place and a small target would be good, both for having options and for spurring smaller retail developments. I'm willing to bet that's a lot of why some people aren't willing to move downtown.

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 3:18 pm

Meh, to some extent. If they need to shop, like anyone else in Omaha they will drive there.

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 7:47 pm

The presentation today can be seen on omahadowntownplan.com

justnick · Post by **justnick** » Fri May 01, 2009 10:18 pm

When is this plan supposed to come out?
Sometime in May, I think?

RegisResident · Post by **RegisResident** » Sat May 02, 2009 4:49 am

End of May I believe.

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Sat May 02, 2009 6:10 pm

I am REALLY REALLY REALLY excited to see the finished plan!!!! It can't come soon enough.

the1wags · Post by **the1wags** » Sun May 03, 2009 12:35 am

Some us might have already seen some things. I know nothing. :D

thenewguy · Post by **thenewguy** » Sun May 03, 2009 12:37 am

all these a-holes in the know. man, i tells ya.

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Sun May 03, 2009 4:39 pm

the1wags wrote:Some us might have already seen some things. I know nothing. :D

cdub · Post by **cdub** » Mon May 04, 2009 1:13 pm

May 31 is the 'due date'. There may be some type of unveiling at the condo tour.

Harpoon · Post by **Harpoon** » Tue May 05, 2009 2:37 am

cdub wrote:May 31 is the 'due date'. There may be some type of unveiling at the condo tour.

Thanks Chad, looking forward to seeing what they come up with.

cdub · Post by **cdub** » Thu May 14, 2009 1:29 pm

Much to the disappointment of the condo tour folks this may not happen now. Still a chance but depends on the OWH. There will likely be a sunday spread on the plan but as of now its scheduled for the 31 and the thought is that a Saturday open house would steal the thunder. There is a chance that the paper will run it on the 24th though, still allowing for an open house at the tour. Either way, should be some significant unveiling by the 31st.

Big E · Post by **Big E** » Thu May 14, 2009 1:37 pm

God forbid anything happen in Omaha without the OWH having complete and total control of it.

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Thu May 14, 2009 6:27 pm

Yeah, that's seriously retarded.

Historic Omaha · Post by **Historic Omaha** » Sat May 16, 2009 1:43 pm

Streets of Omaha,

You are absolutely gay for saying "...that's seriously retarded." I can say this since I am gay. Unless you are mentally/physically handicapped maybe you should rethink your insensitive comment. I don't think that many on this forum would tolerate your comment if you substituted the "r" word for the "g" word.

Historic Omaha · Post by **Historic Omaha** » Sat May 16, 2009 1:48 pm

BTW, your previous use of of the word "retarded" - equated handicapped people with the OWH. In the spirit of your previous post...you are so ConAgra!

thenewguy · Post by **thenewguy** » Sat May 16, 2009 1:50 pm

i say we opt for saying "Minarded."

Defined as: not sensible, stupid, false, lying/liar, head up your |expletive|, etc.

This way we can use a slang, and not offend anyone. Except Steve Minard. And it doesn't matter anyway, because he's Minarded.

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Sat May 16, 2009 7:56 pm

According to http://www.dictionary.com:

Retarded: Characterized by retardation

Retardation: Slowness or limitation in intellectual understanding and awareness, emotional development, academic progress, etc.

I think I used the term accurately. If you are retarded and took offense I do apologize. As a ridiculous person, would you have also been offended if I said it was "ridiculous"? Just kidding.

Seriously though, I also hate it when people use "gay" as a derogatory comment. However, while the term "retarded" does have negative, insensitive connotations when used in reference to some one who is mentally ill or mentally handicapped, I think it was totally applicable in this instance, albeit colloquial.

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Sun May 17, 2009 5:19 am

Anyway, back on track.

I don't think this has been posted yet, and it's probably been available for a while. Those of you who were at the final presentation may have seen it, too.

It's the final PowerPoint presentation from the charettes in March.

This illustrates some of the concepts and proposals that will be revealed in greater, glorious detail later this month.

My heart was LITERALLY pounding harder while I reviewed this presentation.

http://www.ci.omaha.ne.us/planning/Long ... tation.pdf

thenewguy · Post by **thenewguy** » Sun May 17, 2009 5:50 am

did i see that right? 8 sites for 20-30 story office buildings? That got me excited, and again, streetcars? Also, what is the safety park? it's the one that was down by the dog park, by qwest.

Bosco55David · Post by **Bosco55David** » Sun May 17, 2009 7:59 am

Also, they want to build a new building for the OPD headquarters?

Cool.

justnick · Post by **justnick** » Sun May 17, 2009 1:37 pm

I'm in love with that presentation. And now I can't wait for the real thing.
Especially that promise of 400 dollar a month rent. Gimme some of that. 'cause I's goan be poor.

The bit about a drug store on 16th made me sad though. I miss that stupid walgreens.

Harpoon · Post by **Harpoon** » Sun May 17, 2009 2:43 pm

thenewguy wrote: Also, what is the safety park? it's the one that was down by the dog park, by qwest.

Safety Town

Looks like a miniature city that kids can practice rules of the road and read signs and such.