Midtown Crossing

Downtown, Midtown, and all parts east of 72nd.
OmahaBen
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Post by OmahaBen »

StreetsOfOmaha wrote:Maybe the condos are a little overpriced, but the market will respond.

Some people have different values, Ben. They're not just buying four walls, it's the lifestyle. They want to be able to walk, ride a bike, or take transit to the places they want to and need to be. They don't want to rely on a gas-powered car, or to have the hour daily commute that comes with moving to the fringes.
Yeah, but is it worth a 50-100% premium on the price of your residence? Because that's what it amounts to right now. My fiancee and I are the target demographic for this kind of thing; we're DINK's (double income, no kids) and professionals to boot. We enjoy the proximity of our current apartment to downtown and being able to use the pedestrian bridge to go to the Qwest and the Old Market when the weather's decent. We're looking to buy within the next year or two (hoping for next summer, realistically probably not til summer 2011) And we can't justify spending that much money for that little in this market; not when the alternative gets you that much more bang for your buck.

I just don't see there being the thousands of people in this marketplace willing to pay twice as much for a "lifestyle."
StreetsOfOmaha
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Post by StreetsOfOmaha »

Well, I would say you and I probably have a different definition of "bang for your buck."

Like I said, I'm not saying they're not overpriced. If condos aren't selling, the market will respond.
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S33
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Post by S33 »

I would also guess MTC did their diligence in market research to justify the development...or at least I hope so. We shall see!
StreetsOfOmaha
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Post by StreetsOfOmaha »

From MTC's [new] web site:
From the ease of strolling tree-lined streets and browsing storefronts to picking up your dry cleaning. Or grabbing a birthday gift on the way back from shopping for your casual get-together that evening... just before you hit the fitness center. With dozens of shops and restaurants, an urban market, boutique hotel, and a five-screen movie theater, you are at the center of it all. That’s your life at Midtown Crossing. Make it yours. Website coming early 2010.
The emboldened segments are basically false advertising. I realize they have to pitch the "idea" of Midtown Crossing, the vision, what it is meant to be. It's just frustrating. They REALLY need to seal some key RETAIL tenants and announce them ASAP! All we have so far are a couple bar/lounge/restaurants and a couple services. AND, other than the theater and fitness center, the dry cleaner is the only other tenant scheduled to open in 2009... :(
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TitosBuritoBarn
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Post by TitosBuritoBarn »

If I didn't have a hella commute into the great rural beyond in Iowa, and wasn't "strongly encouraged" to live somewhere in southwest Iowa, I would be all over an "over-priced" condo lifestyle. I partially already am paying for a lifestyle, I still live in the metro area as opposed to rural Iowa and have no gripes about it.

Personally I have no use for a yard, I have no use for an abundance of space, I like the uniqueness of condo living, and I like being "in the middle of it all". I feel that if you go through life just trying to get the "most" out of a dollar instead of investing in a LIFEstyle, things tend to be less exciting. And if things in life aren't exciting, well, then, what's the point?

Stopping myself from going off on a tangent, I'm pretty sure they'll find their tennents, if perhaps by knocking a few grand off of sales prices in some cases.
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Midtown Gal
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Post by Midtown Gal »

StreetsOfOmaha wrote:From MTC's [new] web site:
From the ease of strolling tree-lined streets and browsing storefronts to picking up your dry cleaning. Or grabbing a birthday gift on the way back from shopping for your casual get-together that evening... just before you hit the fitness center. With dozens of shops and restaurants, an urban market, boutique hotel, and a five-screen movie theater, you are at the center of it all. That’s your life at Midtown Crossing. Make it yours. Website coming early 2010.
The emboldened segments are basically false advertising. I realize they have to pitch the "idea" of Midtown Crossing, the vision, what it is meant to be. It's just frustrating. They REALLY need to seal some key RETAIL tenants and announce them ASAP! All we have so far are a couple bar/lounge/restaurants and a couple services. AND, other than the theater and fitness center, the dry cleaner is the only other tenant scheduled to open in 2009... :(
False advertising? I'm not sure that's the statement that should be used. I'm sure Riverfront doesn't sell all of its condos in one fell swoop, and retail is no different. Just like potential condo owners wait to see what happens in a development before committing to purchase, the same can be said for retail. I'm not sure I would loosely throw around a term like "false advertising." Seems a little dramatic to me.
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Post by StreetsOfOmaha »

It's TOTALLY false advertising. They're claiming to have something that they DON'T have (yet). I know it's the nature of the business, it's just frustrating that they haven't secured more tenants that would legitimize their description.

I'm not saying that wording it like that is "illegal" (i.e. REAL false advertising), just frustrating. That's all.

From Dictionary.com:
...publishing, broadcasting, or otherwise publicly distributing an advertisement that contains an untrue, misleading, or deceptive representation or statement which was made knowingly or recklessly and with the intent to promote the sale of property, goods, or services to the public
"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."
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windsor
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Post by windsor »

Midtown Crossing looked great the last few time I went by. The trees are all in, the grass is green. The signs are going up, and the theater sign is remarkable.
where the corn meets the concrete
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Post by windsor »

PS, I saw in another thread you have aerial photos of Midtown Crossing, hurry up :;):
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Post by DTO Luv »

windsor wrote:PS, I saw in another thread you have aerial photos of Midtown Crossing, hurry up :;):
Maybe you should just check out the photo section.
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Brad
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Post by Brad »

DTO Luv wrote:
windsor wrote:PS, I saw in another thread you have aerial photos of Midtown Crossing, hurry up :;):
Maybe you should just check out the photo section.
There are no Midtown Aerials in the photo section?
windsor
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Post by windsor »

Brad wrote:
DTO Luv wrote:
windsor wrote:PS, I saw in another thread you have aerial photos of Midtown Crossing, hurry up :;):
Maybe you should just check out the photo section.
There are no Midtown Aerials in the photo section?
I just looked and there are no Midtown Photos in there?
where the corn meets the concrete
ShawJ
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Post by ShawJ »

I think the confusion is because Brad said he saw that the prairie life fitness sign was put up while in the air, and windsor took that to mean that brad got pictures.
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Brad
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Post by Brad »

Two Aerials!!!!

1.
Image

2.
Image
the1wags
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Post by the1wags »

Have I mentioned that you suck? Awesome shots.
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Brad
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Post by Brad »

the1wags wrote:Have I mentioned that you suck? Awesome shots.
Uhhhhhh... 10 National parks a year! Going to Yosemite this winter! Who Sucks.
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thenewguy
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Post by thenewguy »

which one of the buildings is going to have prairie life in it? I just want to know what i'm looking for when i go down Dodge.
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the1wags
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Post by the1wags »

The farthest west one on the north side of Farnam.
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thenewguy
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Post by thenewguy »

i can't wait for that to open. I've never heard of anything like it before this development started up.
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StreetsOfOmaha
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Post by StreetsOfOmaha »

Those aerials are awesome, Brad! Thank you thank you thank you.

There are a few key lots on the north side of Dodge Street that I'm sure will see awesome infill projects after MTC gets off the ground. Not to mention Mutual's huge lots on the south side of Dodge Street west of the project and their main HQ building.
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Midtown Gal
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Post by Midtown Gal »

On the NE corner of 33rd & Dodge, there will be a jug handle so that east bound traffic can turn left into the development.
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Post by StreetsOfOmaha »

I've noticed that. Hopefully the area inside the "handle" will be a nice, little green park space. Any insight?
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Midtown Gal
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Post by Midtown Gal »

I'm sure they'll have something pleasing to the eye in there. And even though Turner Park is a city park, MTC will be maintaining it so we can count on year-round upkeep. So I'm betting that they'll take care of the jug handle as well. I know that the park by my house (Metcalfe), Park Services stopped mowing it about 3 weeks ago and it looking like a freaking jungle.
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delinea design
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Post by delinea design »

There is a cover story article about Midtown Crossing in the City Weekly (not online yet). Covers a lot of the same information, kind of a brief for those not in the know on the project. However, there is some less than subtle hinting at future tenants being announced, as well as a letter of intent with a grocer (I'm hoping for Trader Joes). It's worth a read, if nothing else to get excited about the possibilities hinted at for the retail climate of Midtown Crossing.
I'll be moving into the apartments Nov. 2, and I have to admit, part of the appeal of the development is the ongoing retail announcements. Always something to look forward to.
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Post by StreetsOfOmaha »

Matt Bross? Methinks yes. Welcome to the forum!

I am VERY anxious to hear some more retail tenant announcements. Good luck with the move! You'll have to post some views from your balcony when you get in there!
"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."
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OmahaJaysCU
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Post by OmahaJaysCU »

StreetsOfOmaha wrote:There are a few key lots on the north side of Dodge Street that I'm sure will see awesome infill projects after MTC gets off the ground. Not to mention Mutual's huge lots on the south side of Dodge Street west of the project and their main HQ building.
Funny, that stretch of parking lots/low density structures along Dodge from the west side of Park Plaza to the Mutual office building was about the only thing I noticed in the picture too. I could see maybe an office building with some street level retail and garage parking to the North doing quite well there. The traffic problem on Dodge would be a major issue though.
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Post by StreetsOfOmaha »

I'd picture some 80Dodge-esque buildings on the north side of Dodge. More mixed use with an emphasis on offices, since MTC offers so much residential. I would think that MANY businesses would jump at the opportunity to locate near MTC. Think Aksarben Village with BCBS, DLR Group, etc.

It will probably never happen, but I'd say that stretch of Dodge, from about 36th-ish east to the interstate, would be a PRIME candidate for a "big dig" type of reconstruction, burying the street and turning the surface into a local traffic and pedestrian greenway.
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delinea design
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Post by delinea design »

StreetsOfOmaha wrote:Matt Bross? Methinks yes. Welcome to the forum!

I am VERY anxious to hear some more retail tenant announcements. Good luck with the move! You'll have to post some views from your balcony when you get in there!
Thanks for the welcome... but I'm Matt's business partner (Chad). We're both making the move to Midtown Crossing, it will be a healthy bike ride/commute to our business location in the Old Market. And we will both have to post some photos of the view.
Just one great quote from the article from Keith Bawolek (Vice President of ECI Investments), "We've got serious negotiations going on with every single one of those retail spaces."
This is the kind of stuff I want to hear.
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S33
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Post by S33 »

delinea design wrote:
StreetsOfOmaha wrote:Matt Bross? Methinks yes. Welcome to the forum!

I am VERY anxious to hear some more retail tenant announcements. Good luck with the move! You'll have to post some views from your balcony when you get in there!
Thanks for the welcome... but I'm Matt's business partner (Chad). We're both making the move to Midtown Crossing, it will be a healthy bike ride/commute to our business location in the Old Market. And we will both have to post some photos of the view.
Just one great quote from the article from Keith Bawolek (Vice President of ECI Investments), "We've got serious negotiations going on with every single one of those retail spaces."
This is the kind of stuff I want to hear.
Negotiations or concessions? MTC is going to have to let the first year of their leases go for next to nothing until the residentials start to fill. Hopefully their retail prospects still bite initially instead of waiting it out.
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S33
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Post by S33 »

StreetsOfOmaha wrote:I'd picture some 80Dodge-esque buildings on the north side of Dodge. More mixed use with an emphasis on offices, since MTC offers so much residential. I would think that MANY businesses would jump at the opportunity to locate near MTC. Think Aksarben Village with BCBS, DLR Group, etc.

It will probably never happen, but I'd say that stretch of Dodge, from about 36th-ish east to the interstate, would be a PRIME candidate for a "big dig" type of reconstruction, burying the street and turning the surface into a local traffic and pedestrian greenway.

Speaking of 80-Dodge, what are all these rumors I keep hearing (in the development and construction community) about them trying to restart the entire project? Adam?
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Post by almighty_tuna »

StreetsOfOmaha wrote:Matt Bross? Methinks yes. Welcome to the forum!

I am VERY anxious to hear some more retail tenant announcements. Good luck with the move! You'll have to post some views from your balcony when you get in there!
seconded
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Post by StreetsOfOmaha »

delinea design wrote:
StreetsOfOmaha wrote:Matt Bross? Methinks yes. Welcome to the forum!

I am VERY anxious to hear some more retail tenant announcements. Good luck with the move! You'll have to post some views from your balcony when you get in there!
Thanks for the welcome... but I'm Matt's business partner (Chad). We're both making the move to Midtown Crossing, it will be a healthy bike ride/commute to our business location in the Old Market. And we will both have to post some photos of the view.
Just one great quote from the article from Keith Bawolek (Vice President of ECI Investments), "We've got serious negotiations going on with every single one of those retail spaces."
This is the kind of stuff I want to hear.
Well, hey Chad!. Welcome. I figured it had to be Matt based on what was talked about in the article. I'm glad you're BOTH moving there. And even MORE glad to hear you'll be bike commuting to the Old Market!
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Brad
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Post by Brad »

Martin Landau To Appear At New Theater's Opening

http://www.ketv.com/news/21464680/detail.html
www.ketv.com wrote:Two Academy-Award-winning actors will visit Omaha on Nov. 6 for the opening of a new movie theater in the Midtown Crossing development.

Martin Landau and Ellen Burstyn star in the film "Lovely, Still," written by Omaha-native Nick Fackler.

Landau and Burstyn will answer audience questions before the 9:15 p.m. screening of the film, which tells the story of an older man finding love for the first time.

Fakcler will join the actors for the question-and-answer session.
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Post by DTO Luv »

Cool. I think between Buffett's lunch dates with celebs that Midtown might be Omaha's celebrity hot spot.
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Post by ShawJ »

Brad,

You should post those updates in the Midtown crossing thread on SSP!
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Post by windsor »

Wow, that view is incredible. I can't believe how far this project has come.
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StreetsOfOmaha
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Post by StreetsOfOmaha »

Woah!, I would love to go to a screening of Lovely, Still at the Midtown Cinema!!!
"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."
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OmahaChef
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Post by OmahaChef »

Me too!! I see it is playing for a week there, so I will definitely have to go.
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Post by nebport5 »

beside showcasing MTC, Brad's great aerials also underscore the contrast that is The Twin Towers & Park Plaza and how they cry out for rehab.
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Post by StreetsOfOmaha »

Here are links to two great City Weekly features on Midtown Crossing. As was alluded to by Chad (delinea design), there are some huge hints at future retail/restaurant/services tenants.

Here are links and a few highlights:

Cover story:
http://www.omahacityweekly.com/article/ ... n-crossing

More details:
http://www.omahacityweekly.com/article/ ... n-crossing

Some highlights:
“By the end of next year the hotel will be finished and really, the whole project will be done,” Bawolek said. “Many, if not all, the retailers will be moved in by then. We’ve got serious negotiations going on with every single one of those retail spaces.”
Like it will be with restaurants and bars at Midtown Crossing, expect announcements for new retail tenants to start pouring in over the winter and into the spring. Bawolek and Nolan weren’t lawfully allowed to provide specifics, but expect everything from “upscale fast food restaurants,” (like Chipotle, for example) to cellphone providers to clothing stores. How many retailers eventually end up at Midtown Crossing isn’t known, as these retail spots will be custom-built for whoever signs the lease.
We have a signed letter-of-intent on a grocer but there’s still a few legal steps to go through,” Bawolek said. “But we can’t wait to make that announcement.”
I have my tickets to Lovely Still at the grand opening of the Midtown Cinema on Friday!!! I'm so excited to finally get up close and personal with this development!
"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