Work Begins at Crossroads

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 6:24 pm

OmahaChef, of course they could justify two stores, and two large stores at that! Look at the markets that these two key areas cover. They're carrying the densest parts of Omaha. The measley Saddle Creek store was basically carrying all of eastern Omaha, and probably some of western Iowa for that matter

. 72nd and Dodge is a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT MARKET.

I just don't get it.

Well, maybe we'll get a downtown target like that Minneapolis one soon. I'd settle for that

.

Ingersoll1978 · Post by **Ingersoll1978** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 6:47 pm

There is a Target at Mall of the Bluffs.

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 7:02 pm

That's why I said, "probably some of western Iowa."

Even if it's just Omaha we're talking about, just look at a map. Look at the area east, northeast, and southeast of 72nd and Dodge. It's a massive area and very densely populated.

Uffda · Post by **Uffda** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 7:37 pm

Maybe some of the justification for closing Saddlecreek is having two new stores --- one at 72nd and Dodge and the other N 72nd and Sorensen. Those 2 will be just 4 miles apart.

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 7:49 pm

But still nothing east of 72nd. Ridiculous.

OmahaChef · Post by **OmahaChef** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 11:31 pm

Yeah, there is a Target at Mall of the Bluffs, but one thing I have always held a close belief to...and I have nothing against Council Bluffs...but, on principle, I like to spend my dollars in the area where I live and work. When I lived in the Old Market, I never went over to CB, and now that I live in Bellevue, I try to spend my money there, although the retail options are still limited to a degree. My second choice is Omaha, which was my first home here, and where I still work.

I agree, a downtown Target would be great. Working near downtown, I'd happily support downtown merchants that sold what I need. The Old Market is great, but there is only one store that sells men's clothes, and they don't exactly appeal to me. I don't have a need for xmas ornaments all year, or russian decorative accents. And I'm not attracted to ultra-modern art, furnishings or decorative accessories.

I've been to so many other cities where their downtowns hosted a large number of shops, malls, business plazas, call them what you want. Why is it that in Omaha, an office worker doesn't even want to do the basics like a haircut or drycleaning? Let alone pick out a new pair of shorts, or a great new shirt. Maybe it is that the options simply don't exist anymore.

Even though I live in Bellevue now, if downtown had the options for shopping I desired, I'd gladly buzz over after work and partake of the experience. And for me that is what it is, an experience, not just parking in a suburban strip mall at 204th and Center and going into a store. Shopping downtown has a whole different feel to it.

Imagine a project at like...say the Pinnacle site, with lower levels of retail where you could feel like there is some energy, and you were part of the experience, yet be able to buy what you need and want. A downtown grocery...I'd definitely support it rather than settle for the banal at No Frills. A Target downtown...I'd forsake the one on US370 in Bellevue.

Having time to think about it, I do agree...the density of east Omaha is far greater than the spawl of West O, and Target's closer together isn't such a bad idea.

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 10:26 am

You made some great points, Chef.

And some aspects of what you mentioned already exist downtown. There are several really great salons, and even some "barber shops" for the man's man, and I know lots of business people do partake in that sort of thing on their breaks or after they get off work.

Good point about the Pinnacle site. I am SO excited for that site. Because I know whatever is announced WILL BE the answer to a lot of what we talk about on here. It will incorporate lots of retail, shopping, restaurants, etc. with offices and residents above.

And there are several vacant lots around that site that could house future spinnoff developments.

eomaha · Post by **eomaha** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 5:40 pm

I'm confused.

The demolition will take the building flush to the ground, leaving the existing basement. The new Target building will be constructed over that area.

Thank you for your interest in Crossroads Mall.

Brenda Stewart
Mall Manager
Crossroads Mall

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 6:49 pm

Why are you confused?...it sounds like they're taking down the old building and constructing a new one, while retaining the basement.

eomaha · Post by **eomaha** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 8:57 pm

I'm awaiting clarification. I assume 1 story over a basement (which isn't completely below grade is it?) doesn't make a 2 story structure.

OmahaChef · Post by **OmahaChef** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 9:17 pm

I agree, Jeff. When I worked for First National in Central Park Plaza, it was just a walkway away from the Brandeis, which housed a barber I used to use. Now the drycleaner was another story...it was hit or miss as to whether it was open when I arrived. But if I wanted a greeting card or just about anything else, my only option was Walgreens and now even that is gone, replaced by yet more parking for a building that has a direct connection to Omaha Park 1, underground parking, and a rather high vacancy rate.

Portland has Lloyd Center, Cleveland has the Terminal Building Center, Indianapolis has whatever it was called but it was pretty cool, Columbus has lots of downtown shopping opportunities, and so does Minneapolis, Fort Worth, San Diego and a host of other cities I have visited in the last 10 years. And they were all filled with people, both on a weekday and on a weekend! Why is it that downtown Omaha doesn't sustain shopping opportunities downtown like other cities. There are probably more than 10,000 employees of companies and governmental agencies downtown every day. When I worked at First National, people would make "runs" to Walgreens to pick stuff up, so they didn't have to stop someplace on the way home to get things they needed. And let's face it, that was probably the smallest Walgreens on the face of the earth, with about a quarter of the offerings of a typical suburban Walgreens.

Is it just that the proper venue for retail hasn't been developed in downtown Omaha yet? I mentioned the Pinnacle site, but what if someone with vision had a few levels of retail in the, hopefully, soon to be announced condo project for the UP site, which is really more central to the cities workers. Anchored by a major retailer, like a multi-level Target with specialty shops, both local and national, would it become a destination point for Omahans? Add a few destination spots like an ESPNZone, Cheesecake Factory, etc, and I suspect a downtown retail project would be a go. We get excited that a development like Village Pointe introduces a small town shopping environment. Why not create a downtown shopping experience that draws people every day of the week. heck, put a ferris wheel in the courtyard...it worked for Scheels.

OmahaChef · Post by **OmahaChef** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 9:23 pm

By the way, having said all that, I have huge hoes for the Pinnacle site. I can imagine in my mind what a mixed use development could be constructed there. I think the right developer could create a true destination point that would draw people downtown, or provide another stop on an evening of revelry downtown.

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 9:34 pm

jhuston wrote:I'm awaiting clarification. I assume 1 story over a basement (which isn't completely below grade is it?) doesn't make a 2 story structure.

Ahh, in that case I will wait along with you! I assumed (and we all know what happens when you assume) that a basement wouldn't countas the first floor.

eomaha · Post by **eomaha** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 11:15 am

Sorry guys... the World Herald needs to do better research.

The store will be two levels, but only one will be retail, the other will be the basement level and warehouse area.

Brenda Stewart
Mall Manager
Crossroads Mall

papiostud · Post by **papiostud** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 11:23 am

Wow how'd they screw that up...

Linkin5 · Post by **Linkin5** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 11:27 am

That is seriously a ridiculous mistake.

icejammer · Post by **icejammer** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 11:42 am

papiostud wrote:Wow how'd they screw that up...

Remember, you're talking about the World-Herald....

A 156,000 sq. ft. building would explain why the parking lot has been ripped out. What was the footprint of the Brandeis/Younkers building, about 50,000 sq. ft.?

And is it just me, or has Westroads taken somwhat of a dive over the last several years? Went shopping with the wife there yesterday and man, it sure has changed in the last few years.

papiostud · Post by **papiostud** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 12:50 pm

I think Westroads has improved in the 5 years I've lived here. It beats out Oak View in my book. Now if it only had a movie theater.

icejammer · Post by **icejammer** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 2:01 pm

Now if it only had a movie theater

Yeah, I miss having the movie theater at the Westroads, even if it was only 4 (?) screens. In terms of updating it, I think Westroads has made strides, but I should have clarified...in terms of stores....losing an anchor and losing some nice national chains (and gaining an Old Navy doesn't exactly add to the shopping experience) to me, anyway, seems like Westroads is not what it once was. But maybe that's just me.[/url]

Ingersoll1978 · Post by **Ingersoll1978** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 4:46 pm

I can't believe how the OWH mislead that article.

What national chains have pulled out of Westroads (besides WB)?

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 5:43 pm

Ridiculous.

Both that the OWH made such a big skrew up, and that the Target will only be one story.

Ridiculous.

scraper · Post by **scraper** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 5:50 pm

Portland has Lloyd Center, Cleveland has the Terminal Building Center, Indianapolis has whatever it was called but it was pretty cool, Columbus has lots of downtown shopping opportunities, and so does Minneapolis, Fort Worth, San Diego and a host of other cities I have visited in the last 10 years. And they were all filled with people, both on a weekday and on a weekend! Why is it that downtown Omaha doesn't sustain shopping opportunities downtown like other cities.

Each of those cities is much larger than Omaha. I think that answers you question. I don't know of any cities with Omaha's metro population that has a sizable downtown shopping district.

TitosBuritoBarn · Post by **TitosBuritoBarn** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 6:14 pm

Ingersoll1978 wrote:What national chains have pulled out of Westroads (besides WB)?

I can only think of The Jones Store and The Disney Store.

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 6:20 pm

OmahaChef wrote:By the way, having said all that, I have huge hoes for the Pinnacle site.

Hopes maye?

I don't see why DT can't have a big shopping center either. I know that just in Mutual we have a salon, a few convenience stores, a shoe shine, a dry cleaner, a post office, a bank, and even some live in residences for a few people. I don't know if any of the other buildings have this. I know FNC and the Woodmen do and are connected underground. One thing I think hurting the DT retail scene on a wide scale is the areas around DT. To the north it's pretty much vacant up to Carter Lake. CB is east. South has people but they probably aren't prime canidates for all of the shopping we'd like. To the west is 480 and kind of a rougher part of town. If their were more people in the actual DT part (which there will be eventuall) and more denser hoods around DT, than I don't think we'd be having this conversation.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 7:14 pm

Typical Weird-Herald..Would you expect anything less?..

..Ciao..LiO....Peace

Post by **Brad** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 7:26 pm

How come all the "big news" is released when I am out of town!

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 7:29 pm

Same here. Whenever I would go to Nebraska City projects like Soma, the bridge, Riverfront Place, and the new UP tower would come out. Maybe I should leave more often.

Post by **Brad** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 7:33 pm

Yeah, I don't mind going away for the weekend, and if this keeps happening, I will go more often.

Post by **Brad** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 8:42 pm

How long has the World Hearold been sitting on this story. Look at the photo, either they have been sitting on this story for a while or they were just too lazy to go take a current picture of the building. The shell of the old building hasn't been that intact for 3 weeks.

OmahaChef · Post by **OmahaChef** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 9:07 pm

Hmmmm....downtown Fremont has more shopping opportunities than downtown Omaha. For that matter so does Columbus and Lincoln. So does my hometown in PA. So does Hagerstown, MD, Frederick, MD, Wilmington DE, Witchita, KS, Orlando, FL, Dayton, OH, and a host of other cities I've visited that are not first tier. Deep down inside, I know we'll not have anything like the ones I mentioned, or like the one I envision in my mind. Omahans like going to the neighborhood strip mall, because it's convenient. A destination site downtown isn't convenient. Ask your neighbor in suburbia the last time they were in the Old Market and actually bought something. But, I can dream, can't I?

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 10:40 pm

Ummm, sorry, Chef, but no.

Swift · Post by **Swift** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 11:14 pm

OmahaChef wrote:Hmmmm....downtown Fremont has more shopping opportunities than downtown Omaha. For that matter so does Columbus and Lincoln. So does my hometown in PA. So does Hagerstown, MD, Frederick, MD, Wilmington DE, Witchita, KS, Orlando, FL, Dayton, OH, and a host of other cities I've visited that are not first tier. Deep down inside, I know we'll not have anything like the ones I mentioned, or like the one I envision in my mind. Omahans like going to the neighborhood strip mall, because it's convenient. A destination site downtown isn't convenient. Ask your neighbor in suburbia the last time they were in the Old Market and actually bought something. But, I can dream, can't I?

What! Boy, you crazy!

omahapropertymanager · Tue Jul 19, 2005 7:20 am

TitosBuritoBarn wrote:
Ingersoll1978 wrote:What national chains have pulled out of Westroads (besides WB)?
I can only think of The Jones Store and The Disney Store.

Isn't their still a Disney Store at Westroads? I thought I remembered seeing it last time I was there... or maybe it was a store that looked similar. I could be wrong, I wasn't paying too much attention.

Uffda · Post by **Uffda** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 7:35 am

No Disney at Westroads. My teenage daughter drags me out there every time she is in town and I don't remember seeing on in the past year or so.

There is the big empty spot where Younkers was before the move to Jones building. I have seen better malls in small metros.

TitosBuritoBarn · Post by **TitosBuritoBarn** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 12:22 pm

omahapropertymanager wrote:
TitosBuritoBarn wrote:
Ingersoll1978 wrote:What national chains have pulled out of Westroads (besides WB)?
I can only think of The Jones Store and The Disney Store.
Isn't their still a Disney Store at Westroads? I thought I remembered seeing it last time I was there... or maybe it was a store that looked similar. I could be wrong, I wasn't paying too much attention.

It's now a locally owned store that is licensced to sell Disney products. It's called the Enchanted Castle or something.

icejammer · Post by **icejammer** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 1:46 pm

Ingersoll1978 wrote:What national chains have pulled out of Westroads (besides WB)?

Besides the 3 mentioned, my wife was complaining about at least 2 stores that used to be in there, but being a guy...a) I don't shop in the places she mentioned and b) I don't know how long ago those stores used to be there, so I don't remember what the stores even were.

Ingersoll1978 · Post by **Ingersoll1978** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 3:34 pm

Tito-that's exactly what Disney is doing. They closed almost all of their stores and licensing the products out. They want out of the responsibility of brick and mortar stores. I read that most of them will reopen in each market. The one is Valley West Mall closed about a year ago. I'm not sure when it will come back. The Disney Store on Michigan Ave (Chicago) is still there though...maybe too lucrative to sell that one off!

OmahaDevelopmentMan · Wed Jul 20, 2005 11:21 pm

OmahaChef wrote: Omahans like going to the neighborhood strip mall, because it's convenient. A destination site downtown isn't convenient. Ask your neighbor in suburbia the last time they were in the Old Market and actually bought something. But, I can dream, can't I?

Yes, but when people start to live downtown, it will be their neighborhood. Which is why I would see a need for one in 5-10 years (wishful thinking)

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Thu Jul 21, 2005 7:10 pm

There's already a need. It wouldn't just be for downtown, but some sort of shopping center downtown would serve the thousands of people north and south of downtown who live with virtually NO shopping whatsoever. Of course, you would have to have viable urban transit to get large amounts of people there and back, too.

Post by **Brad** » Tue Aug 02, 2005 9:08 pm

Retail Developments

http://www.wowt.com/home/headlines/1764427.html

Over at the Crossroads, demolition should be finished in two weeks. The project should be completed by July 2006.