Grain elevators 35th & I80 to Vinton

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Thu Mar 11, 2004 12:44 am

What a great idea for the old Grain elevator along I-80:
http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_np=0&u ... id=1031521

I had a friend turn an abandoned water tank into a community center in southern Louisiana. This use of the elevator may be one of the greatest 'extreme makeover' project for Omaha. I wonder if he will makeover the outside.

sokkerdewd · Post by **sokkerdewd** » Thu Mar 11, 2004 12:44 pm

Great news for Omaha...even if the blasted thing doesn't come down. Hopefully the outside will be made over rather than just patched up. Maybe an Omaha mural would be nice?

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Thu Mar 11, 2004 9:10 pm

I think it's a neat idea, but until I see final proposals for the building and how it would look, I would still rather see it knocked down.

projectman · Post by **projectman** » Thu Sep 02, 2004 8:48 pm

Besides the grain elevator at 36th and I-80 being renovated into some kind of fitness center/rock climbing wall, has anyone heard about plans to demolish all of those crumbling eyesore elevators at Omaha's busiest freeway interchange? Talk about a front door image that looks rundown and backwater. What kind of image does that portray to the average vacationer driving through?

I think of Dallas and the gleaming office mid rises and high rises at their freeway interchanges and wonder if Omaha can aspire to that sort of urban landscape. Get rid of those grain elevators!!

I hope the next administration can make some headway trying to get the area cleaned up. Wishful thinking.

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Thu Sep 02, 2004 10:43 pm

I definitely agree that they're an eye sore, but it's not like every other city in the Midwest doesn't have them.

I've personally seen tons of grain elevators in Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas City, Minneapolis, and I've even seen pictures of them in Montreal, Quebec.

So yes, I totally wish they would be torn down, but we are definitely not unique in this regard.

projectman · Post by **projectman** » Thu Sep 02, 2004 10:55 pm

You are correct. It seems to be a Midwest trademark. I remember last spring they were starting to tear down the Scoular Grain elevator, off of Martha St and I-480 and then they just stopped.

I need to just let it go, but every time I drive by the area it bugs the heck out of me.

Finn · Post by **Finn** » Fri Sep 03, 2004 11:38 am

Apparently it is cost prohibitive for the city to remove most of these structures. I heard that it was miliions of dollars mostly due to the thickness of the concrete walls. At least they removed the old Cargill elevators off of 76th and Dodge (talk about an eyesore). I do like the adaptive reuse for the elevator along I-80 (off Vinton St.) It will be modeled after a climbing facility in Peoria, Ill.

I agree that many should be removed. However, adaptive reuse of a few would be interesting and historical (I know many people didn't care about old barns until they all started disappearing!). Minneapolis has turned the old Gold Coast Flour Mill complex into a museum. This includes elevators and a crumbling building. It is even more impressive in person with the contrast of historic structure and gleaming glass.

[http://www.startribune.com/images/ss/913_7.html][/img]

Finn · Post by **Finn** » Fri Sep 03, 2004 11:43 am

Here are a few pics of the Minneapolis Flour Mill Museum located along the Mississippi River in downtwon.

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Fri Sep 03, 2004 10:28 pm

In Omaha you think we could make an event out of demolishing buildings. The Medical arts building, Burt Tower, Swanson. They even took out Franky Pane's in that one. It is odd that they would stop tearing that one elevator down and leave a big part of it up.

projectman · Post by **projectman** » Fri Sep 03, 2004 10:36 pm

Go figure. Maybe a fire will burn them out and they'll fall down. The ConAgra mills on the southwest side of the Kennedy ramp are a motley looking group of buildings as well. Something needs to happen.

Post by **Brad** » Sun Sep 05, 2004 10:57 pm

I believe that the ConAgra elevators on the southwest side of the 80,480, Kenedy interchange are the only ones still active. I still notice a lot of rail activity in the yard between the buildings and the buildings still have electricity.

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 12:06 am

In another thread we were talking about the inevitable widening of the JFK ramps. From what I remember the NB JFK to WB I-80 was to be widened to two lanes which would require I-80 to be widened as it merges w/480 & 80 traffic. THAT, in turn, seems as though would require the elevators to be removed. Perhaps the partial removal of the elevator is inevitable as well.

In the meantime, I agree that a fresh coat of paint is definitely in order, or be creative and let loose some local artists on it. You could really make a cool and unique landmark out of it.

Calibraskan · Post by **Calibraskan** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 9:05 pm

Re: The conversion of the abandoned grain elevator along I-80 to a Rock Climbing Gym.....Has anyone heard if this project is still alive?

http://www.unogateway.com/vnews/display ... 85582608ce

http://www.k2climbinggym.com/k2wiki/Wiki.jsp?page=Main

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 1:03 pm

You know, our local radio development show 'Grow Omaha' (see the thread sticky here) had the developers of that rock climbing gym on their show about 3 to 4 months ago..

At that time it was a go..I havent heard anything to the contrary as of yet..

And..

Welcome to the board Calibraskan

..

..Ciao..LiO....Peace

edsas · Post by **edsas** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 6:48 pm

Hey Calibraskan! What part of LA are you in?

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 1:49 pm

Bump!
Anything new, I cannot wait for this!

Calibraskan · Post by **Calibraskan** » Mon Nov 07, 2005 11:35 am

I recently checked both of the links at the top of this thread....One is the Gym's website. It doesn't appear to have been updated for a LONG time and no contact email address is given.

If I find out anything I'll post it....Someone who lives close should drive by and see whats going on.

Calibraskan · Post by **Calibraskan** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 1:52 am

I was back in The Territory over the holidays and drove by the site. I found the owner, John Buckley, working. I teamed up for about three hours helping him pull new wires through conduits to get some of the interior lighting working. So here is an update on what’s going on:

John and his girlfriend, both rock climbers from the Chicago area acquired 'this' abandoned grain elevator to set up a climbing gym. They got a great deal, in a large metropolitan area with high visibility from two very busy freeways!!

They are making progress - but no projected opening date yet. The focus is on getting the place cleaned up. A salvage crew has been contracted to remove a huge amount of mechanical grain handling equipment that is "in the way" in a lot of areas. The business plan and related financing
are to be finalized after it gets cleared/cleaned out.

The place is incredible and enormous - something like 48 silos, each about 40 feet in diameter and 180 feet high! - all connected with cavernous multi-level passageways - probably more space than needed for the climbing walls and related fitness activities. There's enough space there for a
mini-mixed use. As the place is already exceptionally spooky, the first thing operational may be a

"horror house" attraction.

The 180' ladder climb to the top involves climbing harnesses (which were not on site

). The top must provide one of Omaha's best views, an optimum location at respectable height!!

(Hey, Cheesecake Factory.!)
Too early to tell what this place will evolve into, but there's a lot of potential. I told him to get the wall open...I'll be the first to sign up!.........Updates to follow.

Interesting side note: -They were told- that during the peak years of the Stockyards, this was (by volume) "the largest grain handling facility in the world". A portion of the south end of the structure was removed when the 80/480 interchange was rebuilt.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 2:36 am

Thanks for the update..

..Ciao..LiO....Peace

icejammer · Post by **icejammer** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 9:10 am

Extreme makeover: Silo edition

. . . Once a symbol of agricultural might, the elevator-turned-eyesore has inspired dreams over the years of renovation or demolition.

Now, a plan has emerged that could mean new life and a new role.

Rick Brock and Ron Safarik plan to transform the former Farmland grain elevator into Silo Extreme Outdoor Adventures.

The duo have requested a special-use permit from the Omaha Planning Board to use some of the 62 silos on the site for both indoor and outdoor climbing. Climbing set-ups would be placed on the silos' existing concrete walls. They hope to open in May. . . .

That former owner, John Buckley, bought the elevator in 2004 with hopes of turning it into a climbing-wall complex. He and a few fellow business students from the University of Nebraska at Omaha even won an entrepreneurship competition and $2,500 for their plan, which called mostly for climbing on the inside.

Buckley said Planning Department restrictions made it difficult to do anything inside the buildings, and he wasn't able to move forward.

In September, Buckley sold the property to Brock. . . .

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 9:40 am

Wow. This has been off my radar for a long time. I figured it had completely fallen through. I'm glad to see they've stuck with the idea. It's an innovative adaptive reuse.

Though, I fear the silos will remain an eyesore, even with the little climbing nubs on them. But it will be pretty cool to see climbers out on there from the interstate!

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 10:19 am

As a hobbyist climber, I'm ridiculously excited!!

Post by **Brad** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 10:28 am

Took a climbing class out at the YMCA on 132nd street, that was a lot of fun. I can't imagine how much bigger this elevator will be.

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 10:31 am

almighty_tuna wrote:As a hobbyist climber, I'm ridiculously excited!!

This is a thread revival for sure.

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 2:01 pm

But not just *ANY* thread revival...

Post by **Brad** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 2:09 pm

Awesome Addition to the Revival!!! :lafcry: :lafcry: :lafcry:

thenewguy · Post by **thenewguy** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 9:03 pm

those would make for some substantial climbs. At least, much more so than at Dick's at the westroads...and obviously much smaller than an actual cliff face. it'd be cool if they could put like a lounge/bar/restaurant at the top.

Stargazer · Post by **Stargazer** » Thu Dec 03, 2009 10:22 am

(I can't believe tuna actually took time to add Santa caps to those holy revivers ? speaking of which, it's been a long time since I've seen the 'bump on the bus')

So I wonder if they've allotted some of their 6-figure budget to a really cool climbing theme mural across the side of those silos.

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Thu Dec 03, 2009 12:49 pm

Stargazer wrote:(I can't believe tuna actually took time to add Santa caps to those holy revivers

meh, it took less than 5min and was totally worth it!

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Sun Jan 17, 2010 4:16 pm

The Omaha Planning Board approved their Special Use Permit.

joeglow · Post by **joeglow** » Wed Mar 24, 2010 8:02 am

Popped up in the news again:

http://www.wowt.com/home/headlines/88962172.html

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Wed Mar 24, 2010 10:21 am

exciting!! now if only the wedge came to fruition, I could practice both ropes and glacial mountaineering!! :lol:

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Sun Apr 18, 2010 10:53 am

My girlfriend brought this HUGE-scaled art installation to my attention. I'm not sure if it is this same set of grain elevators, but unless it's the elevators north of North Downtown, this seems to be the most obvious.

From http://www.emergingterrain.org/

TitosBuritoBarn · Post by **TitosBuritoBarn** » Mon Sep 27, 2010 5:08 pm

I recently noticed that they painted the west side of this elevator. Looks pretty good.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Mon Sep 27, 2010 5:17 pm

I noticed that too and was going to comment on it but forgot. Very interesting especially the 'hotel' one.

Post by **nebugeater** » Mon Sep 27, 2010 5:48 pm

I am sure it is not painted. I believe they are banners that are hung on the side.

TitosBuritoBarn · Post by **TitosBuritoBarn** » Mon Sep 27, 2010 7:23 pm

Hmm, you're probably right. It was nighttime and I didn't read Streets's article.

Plus I was trying to text and read from my Kindle, so I was a little too distracted to drive, much less pay attention to things on the side of the road.

mcarch · Post by **mcarch** » Wed Sep 29, 2010 3:26 am

Yuck... tear it down! Hey, great idea. Why don't we start letting graffiti build up on our Interstate overpasses and all bridges... I mean its a big waste of space for art not to expand there?![/center]

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Wed Sep 29, 2010 9:20 am

mcarch wrote:Yuck... tear it down! Hey, great idea. Why don't we start letting graffiti build up on our Interstate overpasses and all bridges... I mean its a big waste of space for art not to expand there?![/center]

Actually, graffiti art is rather fantastic, especially when done well. So, despite your drab sarcasm, I'd agree that a graffiti mural would definitely look better than the grey concrete in many areas.