Burlington Station

jjjjhskr · Post by **jjjjhskr** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 7:17 pm

This is one of those rare times where I get to post news before anyone else. I get to enjoy the moment.

I had also heard that about Amtrak - possibly from an earlier post. Hopefully someone can shed some light on it.

Post by **Brad** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 9:45 pm

This is great news, and about time. Just think the the eomaha forum meet group gets to see the project in two weeks.

omahahawk · Post by **omahahawk** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 10:50 pm

This development looks totally cool. I especially like the idea of having a jazz club downstairs. Oh yeah, Channel 6 (I think Channel 6) is doing one of those "Can Downtown Handle the Condo Boom?" stories tonight.

Post by **Brad** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 5:43 pm

Oh yeah, Channel 6 (I think Channel 6) is doing one of those "Can Downtown Handle the Condo Boom?" stories tonight

Well, what did they say?

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 6:29 pm

I'm extremely happy to see that the Burlington Station will be restored and come to life again, even if it is for the wrong uses. Of course, the Burlington would be most effectively utilized as Omaha's intermodal transit hub, and who's to say it still couldn't one day fulfill that role. Either way, I'm thrilled that this project will bring this beautiful building back to life, and that it will serve to further connect the Old Market to the Dahlman Neighborhood, Little Italy, and the Near South Side.

omahahawk · Post by **omahahawk** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 7:33 pm

Brad wrote:
Oh yeah, Channel 6 (I think Channel 6) is doing one of those "Can Downtown Handle the Condo Boom?" stories tonight
Well, what did they say?

I dunno. I was hoping someone would tell me. I didn't see it.

OmahaDevelopmentMan · Post by **OmahaDevelopmentMan** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 7:38 pm

omahahawk wrote:
Brad wrote:
Oh yeah, Channel 6 (I think Channel 6) is doing one of those "Can Downtown Handle the Condo Boom?" stories tonight
Well, what did they say?
I dunno. I was hoping someone would tell me. I didn't see it.

Check the wowt.com they have the video and transcript. Go to the News and Events thread for a direct link.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 8:12 pm

Return Of The Urbanite

More people walking DT - close to the arts, restaurants.

WOWT wrote:"I think 2,000 units is doable with what we have down here now because we have three fortune 500 companies,"

the1wags · Post by **the1wags** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 9:34 pm

Good call, but your slipping coyote.

http://www.eomaha.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2131

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 10:21 pm

the1wags wrote:Good call, but your slipping coyote.

That's what happens when you go out of town and someone posts news on this site in my absence. The thought of it!

Post by **Brad** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 10:29 pm

Next Up For Renovation: Burlington Station

http://www.theomahachannel.com/news/4613875/detail.html

The condos will range in size from 850 to 2,800 square feet, and range in price from $180,000 to $700,000. Two of the homes are already sold, according to developers.

The building's renovation is part of a trend in downtown as more people migrate to the Old Market to live.

rtpetersomaha · Post by **rtpetersomaha** » Thu Jul 14, 2005 4:06 am

Hello everyone. I have been looking around for where to post this info, and I finally found this website. It's great!

A local construction executive with knowledge of the Burlington Station plan told me it is essentially canceled. He said that a lot of information has been given to the press by the lady who bought the building to make it seem like things are going full speed ahead, but in actuality the lady's plan is not practical, and no construction company will start on the plan because she does not have enough money behind it. He also said he had been through the building a few years ago for a customer who was looking to rennovate it, and that the building is in very bad shape structurally. He said it would take at least $10 million just to get the building so it is structurally sound. Then it would obviously take millions more to do the interior renovations and build-out.

Of course, I cannot be 100 percent sure that he is correct, but he is high up in the construction industry at a pretty big firm, and he is also a very trustworthy person.

I think there's been a lot of showmanship in the press and on TV, but from what this guy says, these people don't have the money or experience behind them to make it happen.

Too bad because I was really excited about this project. If I find out anything else, I'll post it on here!

Thanks guys!

Swift · Post by **Swift** » Thu Jul 14, 2005 4:48 am

If this is true, I'm not too dissapointed. Making it into condos would be a bit like renovating a sail boat into a ferris wheel, if you ask me. I still have hope that it will be renovated into a transit hub.

Finn · Post by **Finn** » Thu Jul 14, 2005 4:57 am

I stated that I thought Ms. Boes was in over her head but then all the "new" info from jhiner! Those "plans" looked pretty lame (not exactly construction documents) and the building needs a lot of work. I think she had a nice idea but this wasn't the best building for those ideas (functionally or structurally). I hope she makes back some of her money.

This may be another example of a "developer" puffing up a project to foment interest (a la that article on the CB Frito Lay site that was going to be commercial space or a grocery store - it will be apartments but the developer was trying to inflate the value with feigned interest!).

eomaha · Post by **eomaha** » Thu Jul 14, 2005 5:35 am

I suspect the Burlington going anywhere will require a large philanthropic donation on behalf of the Western Heritage Museum.

Swift · Post by **Swift** » Thu Jul 14, 2005 3:47 pm

Agreed.

Or a better/new public transit authority with more money and vision.

OmahaDevelopmentMan · Post by **OmahaDevelopmentMan** » Thu Jul 14, 2005 4:12 pm

I'm a little disapointed, but at the same time I'm a little happy. I, like most, would love to see the space used for something better than condos. Hopefully it will see another project.

Post by **Brad** » Thu Jul 14, 2005 5:33 pm

who to believe

jhiner1 · Post by **jhiner1** » Thu Jul 14, 2005 6:46 pm

Yes we are still moving forward, no its not going to take 10 million to do anything structure wise. I guess Im not sure how I can be any more convincing that we are moving forward on the project.

Sorry that it cant be a transit hub, Maybe if you can convince the city to not spend millions of dollars on overpasses, and the people of omaha to stop using there cars then you could and would have a need for a transit hub.

Is there any other questions that I can answer, to help cement the fact that we are moving forward.

Finn · Post by **Finn** » Thu Jul 14, 2005 7:31 pm

JHiner:

Sorry, there is so much disbelief and confusion over your project. I hope you can deliver what you are proposing!

A few questions:

Are there any environmental issues with the site?
Who is the fee simple owner (M. Boes or OnTrack Development)?
Has anything been submitted to the City?
What is your timeline? When will you be moving from schematic design to construction documents?

rtpetersomaha · Post by **rtpetersomaha** » Thu Jul 14, 2005 8:19 pm

I just talked to my construction executive friend, and he said he very highly doubts what "jhiner" says could be true about the Burlington Station. From everything my friend knows about the building, and from the talk he has heard in the construction, development and architecture industries, this project is a no-go. He said he doubted the government - city, state or federal - would be interested in helping provide tax credits, etc. for a project that was to only benefit a few people. He said the city leaders he has talked to are really interested in having that space be redeveloped for the enjoyment of all people, not just 10 or so people who live in high-priced condos.

When this executive went through the building a few years ago for a client, he said the building was in very poor structural condition. He said all a person has to do is take a walk around the building, and they can see the structural damage to the foundation and other parts of the building.

He said it will be a very hard sell to get developers to put up money for this building, and he said that if it was going to have worked, it would have worked when his client, who is a big developer, was interested in the building. He said it's obvious that because the building sat empty for almost 30 years and not one big developer showed any interest, that Myriel Hiner, who he said has no experience developing buildings, is not going to be able to get this done.

Like I said, this guy is an high-up executive at a very large, nationally known construction firm based in Omaha. I think he is a very reliable source - certainly more so than the 20 year old son of the woman who owns the building. No offense to Myriel Hiner or her son, but I think they are trying to sell this one in the media, but it is pretty obvious to me that it is not practical and is not going to work. And my construction executive friend verifies this feeling.

By the way finn, I looked on the assessor's website and the building is listed under "Ontrack Development" whose address is apparently the same as Myriel Hiner's home address, which I also found on the assessor's site. Here is the link: http://www.dcassessor.org/details.asp?N ... 0320150004

jhiner1 · Post by **jhiner1** » Thu Jul 14, 2005 8:49 pm

You are welcome to your opinion

I would be more than happy to provide you with any of our information if you give me a call at 932-9886

Jamison

FatGuy · Post by **FatGuy** » Thu Jul 14, 2005 9:17 pm

The world needs more people with vision and balls to take a chance. I admire your enthusiams and heart. Good luck with your project. I am looking forward to see how everything works out.

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 12:21 am

That's twice now that people have been down on this project. What gives?

And when we went the buildings shape seemed fine to me. If those stairs could hold my big |expletive| up than they can hold anything.

I would like to see the project come along. It would certainly benefit more than 10 people, BUT divying up that main hall churns my stomach a bit.

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 3:04 am

Swift wrote:If this is true, I'm not too dissapointed. Making it into condos would be a bit like renovating a sail boat into a ferris wheel, if you ask me. I still have hope that it will be renovated into a transit hub.

Nice, Bob. And of course I totally agree.

I think it's great that My wants to do something with the station, I just wish the plan aknowledged the fact that it will one day make an amazing transit hub, and allow for that in their layout.

And, hiner, don't talk to us about getting the people of Omaha to get out of their cars and use transit. It takes city leadership to facilitate this change. It would be one thing if Omaha had an amazing transit system, and still low ridership. But it's quite another when people don't ride transit because it's a shitty system and they don't really have that option. I |expletive| you that if Omaha city government pulled their collective head out of their |expletive| and started some worthwhile transit projects, people would start to ride.

WT · Post by WT » Sat Jul 16, 2005 3:13 pm

StreetsOfOmaha wrote:And, hiner, don't talk to us about getting the people of Omaha to get out of their cars and use transit. It takes city leadership to facilitate this change. It would be one thing if Omaha had an amazing transit system, and still low ridership. But it's quite another when people don't ride transit because it's a shitty system and they don't really have that option. I |expletive| you that if Omaha city government pulled their collective head out of their |expletive| and started some worthwhile transit projects, people would start to ride.

That's some funny stuff. I agree with you Streets. I wouldn't want to ride the bus in Omaha if my car broke down 15 miles from my house and I only had one leg. But, if there was a streetcar, I would be all over it. I would love to ride that all over. I would consider moving near a transit hub and selling my car (piece of |expletive| costs more than it is worth). Hopefully Omaha will see the economic opportunities that a streetcar can provide for a city soon.

Minneapolis Boy · Post by **Minneapolis Boy** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 3:31 pm

Agreed. I wouln't think about riding the bus, but light rail - ya sure ya betcha [from my time in Minnesota!].

omahastylee459 · Post by **omahastylee459** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 8:00 am

WT wrote:
StreetsOfOmaha wrote:And, hiner, don't talk to us about getting the people of Omaha to get out of their cars and use transit. It takes city leadership to facilitate this change. It would be one thing if Omaha had an amazing transit system, and still low ridership. But it's quite another when people don't ride transit because it's a shitty system and they don't really have that option. I |expletive| you that if Omaha city government pulled their collective head out of their |expletive| and started some worthwhile transit projects, people would start to ride.
That's some funny stuff. I agree with you Streets. I wouldn't want to ride the bus in Omaha if my car broke down 15 miles from my house and I only had one leg. But, if there was a streetcar, I would be all over it. I would love to ride that all over. I would consider moving near a transit hub and selling my car (piece of |expletive| costs more than it is worth). Hopefully Omaha will see the economic opportunities that a streetcar can provide for a city soon.

Lately I have really thought about taking the bus system. The bus goes right through my neighborhood (aksarben), and i am really tired of sitting in traffic on center street with my gas guzzler. Everyone on this forum would love making Omaha a mass transit city, but the only way to start it going is to do it yourself....start supporting what we have now and maybe more things will come in the future!

jjjjhskr · Post by **jjjjhskr** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 10:49 am

[That's some funny stuff. I agree with you Streets. I wouldn't want to ride the bus in Omaha if my car broke down 15 miles from my house and I only had one leg. But, if there was a streetcar, I would be all over it. I would love to ride that all over. I would consider moving near a transit hub and selling my car (piece of |expletive| costs more than it is worth). Hopefully Omaha will see the economic opportunities that a streetcar can provide for a city soon.[/quote]

Lately I have really thought about taking the bus system. The bus goes right through my neighborhood (aksarben), and i am really tired of sitting in traffic on center street with my gas guzzler. Everyone on this forum would love making Omaha a mass transit city, but the only way to start it going is to do it yourself....start supporting what we have now and maybe more things will come in the future![/quote]

I was in San Antonio this past week and noticed that our company sells monthly bus passes - $20 for unlimited rides (the company then pays 25% so employees pay a whopping $15). Most cities transit systems sell some type of long term discount pass (3 day, 7 day, month, etc.. - with the short term passes often marketed to tourists) - MAT is testing a $45 monthly pass ----- and you wonder why MAT doesn't get a higher ridership?? and why they're stuck in the dark ages on even considering a light rail system?

http://www.metroareatransit.com/

Swift · Post by **Swift** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 6:12 pm

most everyone here in SF rides the bus/light rail, regardless of income. This is for two reasons 1) mass transit is so efficent and omnipresent, and 2) there is no parking anywhere in this city.

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 6:22 pm

Good points, Jeff.

Although you have to accknowledge that one big reason people don't ride the bus is that the system sucks, not just because it is so much easier to drive a car, which it is. We actually have a situation in Omaha, where there are people who want to ride the bus...BUT DON'T because they're crappy and dirty and provide poor service and connections.

I've ridden the bus in Omaha, and I'm riding it constantly here in Quebec. It's absolutely a viable form of transportation.

Damn, though. Why can't Omaha be progressive. If all your going to offer is bus service, fine, but offer the best damn bus service there is! Why are there no bus lanes and HOV lanes in Omaha? Thos are huge incentives! Do SOMETHING, ANYTHING, to make it appealing for people to use transit. God, MAT is one of the biggest black marks on Omaha's name.

Look at that pathetic website. Look at their small town, outdated way of thinking, evidenced by their "Omaha, Nebraska" that appears on all the photos, typed in a standard computer word processor cursive font. They are a joke. And look at all their ridiculous graphics where they superimpose the retro bus onto the skyline and Joslyn Art Museum. What an absolute joke! The skyline shot is from when FNC was UNDER CONSTRUCTION for god's sake.

Anyway....I'm done talking about it for now

.

Finn · Post by **Finn** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 6:41 pm

So, is it the computer font or the stupid, lame Omaha without Nebraska argument that has you irritated?

eomaha · Post by **eomaha** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 7:25 pm

most everyone here in SF rides the bus/light rail, regardless of income

Maybe in the -city- of SF... not in the metro. People in our most urban 'havens', even the New York metro... are still predominantly driving their fossil fuel powered cars and SUVs. These large metros are moving in the right direction with their public transit, but the vast majority of Americans are still not 'on board'.

Finn · Post by **Finn** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 7:38 pm

Omaha does not have the density for a rail transit system. And won't for a long, long time! It would be nice to have a streetcar but it would mostly be a tourist type draw and would need to be subsidized. It is not due to poor government leadership but grounded in the reality that Omaha could not support it. DC can't even support its Metro system with 15 million or so people in the metro. Get realistic.

eomaha · Post by **eomaha** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 7:53 pm

And I for one would be very excited to see a trolley line linking our tourist/entertainment attractions along 10th street... ultimately to the airport.

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 8:14 pm

Finn wrote:So, is it the computer font or the stupid, lame Omaha without Nebraska argument that has you irritated?

No, I'm just very disgusted at MAT's lame website, which is indicative of their lame service and existence.

What has me irritated? Well, that would be you at the moment. You've been so critical of me lately, and I think it's personal. I think it started in the Lincoln vs. Omaha "streat life" debate. Anyway, it's old. Let's just forget about it and "move on".

WT · Post by WT » Mon Jul 18, 2005 1:28 am

Finn wrote:Omaha does not have the density for a rail transit system. And won't for a long, long time! It would be nice to have a streetcar but it would mostly be a tourist type draw and would need to be subsidized. It is not due to poor government leadership but grounded in the reality that Omaha could not support it. DC can't even support its Metro system with 15 million or so people in the metro. Get realistic.

With all of the residential and office development that is happening/will be happening downtown, we will definately have the density to support a streetcar line. I do think that it would be a tourist draw for downtown Omaha, but it would serve a great part of the population on the eastern side of Omaha.

Are you trying to tell me that DC can not support their transit system? That is interesting, the last time that I was there, the metros were packed every time I wanted to ride. What has happened in the last ten years to decrease the ridership for it? Is it safety, quality, or high prices?

Finn, can you and Streets take your lover quarrels somewhere else? At least keep it on the General Discussion topic so I don't have to read that |expletive|.

mchine73 · Post by **mchine73** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 4:29 am

I can attest that the buses aren't that bad. The only quarrel I have with them is that they run too infrequently. Every half hour is often enough however if you plan ahead and are at the stop a few minutes early they usually run right on time. I've never thought that they were dirty except for the graffiti at the North Transit Center which I had to complain about six times to MAT and eventually had to pull in a favor from the city gov't to get it cleaned up. The best thing about riding the bus is, well, not having to drive.

There are a few other minor problems I have with the bus though. Since the routes haven't changed for so long it takes a while to get anywhere west of 60th street, I never have figured out where to buy the ticket books which isn't that big of a deal since it's only a buck twenty five for fare.

Overall, do I think MAT could do a better job, well of course. But with the installation of new fare boxes that use magnetic cards, reconfiguring the routes and setting up a spoke and hub system, and creating a new downtown transit hub(even be it if it's farther west than 16th street). You can't say that they aren't trying. It's hard to fund improvements when ridership is so low and (if memory serves correct) voters vote no on more public money going to fund improvements. I think the best way to improve the transit system in Omaha would be to do what DC did to the Metro board and forced them to ride the rail at least once a month. If MAT officials did this I guarantee you thing/better ideas would come pretty quick. It most likely is that they just aren't in tune with their customers wants/needs.

eomaha · Post by **eomaha** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 5:01 am

Actually, the $45/month unlimited pass seems like a bargain. I wish they had routes that came out as far as I live (I know, that's what I get for living in the sprawling suburbs... as soon as I dump these kids... I'm back into town).