Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge (Part Two)

[skinzfan23]

On the Omaha side only 1 of the 3 sections of LED lights were working tonight. Thankfully the section facing 480 is the one that is working.

[iamjacobm]

http://www.omaha.com/go/city-plans-perf ... 2de2e.html

The City of Omaha plans to add on to Omaha’s marquee public artwork, the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, with a new performance stage.

City Parks and Recreation Director Brook Bench wants to build a small stage near the base of the bridge, beside the Missouri River in downtown Omaha.

The stage would be nestled between existing fountains and the curving sidewalk that climbs to the bridge.

Bench aims to build the stage this spring. The target completion date is early June, in time for the Bridge Beats concert series.

The series of free, family-friendly concerts, sponsored by the city, would be the primary use of the stage. But it could accommodate other performances.

The Parks Department previously assembled temporary stages in the fountain area (with the fountains off, of course) for the Bridge Beats concerts.

The new structure would be a small stage, about 650 square feet. That’s less than one-third the size of a stage built at Turner Park, now home to Jazz on the Green.

[Coyote]

Sounds cool. I've been meaning to post though, what happened to the LED light garden next to the fountains? Is that gone for good?

[Brad]

Sounds cool. I've been meaning to post though, what happened to the LED light garden next to the fountains? Is that gone for good?

Not sure they made it past the first summer?

[Linkin5]

Sounds cool. I've been meaning to post though, what happened to the LED light garden next to the fountains? Is that gone for good?

Not sure they made it past the first summer?

I totally forgot about that, wouldn't doubt some morons were damaging them and they had to just remove it.

[RNcyanide]

We never can have nice things...

[Brad]

We never can have nice things...

Its sad too.

[skinzfan23]

Here is the rendering from the paper:

[Garrett]

Here is the rendering from the paper:

Looks like they really plan on getting big acts on that stage, eh?

[Coyote]

I like the idea, but this rendering is too humorous. A wooden latice looks like fencing? They included the garbage can? From the orientation it looks like it is either on or tight next to the water park. Maybe they included that in the stage design?

[iamjacobm]

There isn't enough room around there to put a big stage anyways. This design is so half assed though. If we are going to bother doing something why not do it at least a little better.

[GetUrban]

I was thinking the same thing. I can't believe anyone would even OK publishing such a terrible rendering and design. The rail around the ramp looks like that cheap cedar lattice you can buy at Menards. Give me a break. This is certainly not even remotely good enough to have near the bridge. I wonder how much they paid for that design? You can rest easy they've got the trash covered though.

[skinzfan23]

I am not sure what purpose the lattice fence solves anyhow. I would think the sidewalk by itself would be ok.

[MadMartin8]

Here is the rendering from the paper:

Do we laugh, or do we cry?

[Garrett]

Am I the only one impressed by the semi-transparent middle schooler rocking out?

[GetUrban]

Am I the only one impressed by the semi-transparent middle schooler rocking out?

...and how he has one foot up on his cordless amp?

...seriously, the Omaha Chamber of Commerce needs to update their marketing materials to include this image, ASAP!

[MTO]

Hwy at least the stage is wheelchair accessible.

[Seth]

That rendering cracks me up. I'm pretty sure members here on the forum have posted better graphics of their own.

[jessep28]

That rendering cracks me up. I'm pretty sure members here on the forum have posted better graphics of their own.

It looks like someone overlayed something that they created in Minecraft.

[MadMartin8]

Hwy at least the stage is wheelchair accessible.

As someone in a wheelchair, I'm concerned of the curve of that ramp. It might actually not be accessible haha.

[GetUrban]

Hwy at least the stage is wheelchair accessible.

As someone in a wheelchair, I'm concerned of the curve of that ramp. It might actually not be accessible haha.

It also would need a handrail on at least one side if the ramp slope is greater than 1:20. FAIL.

...Could have at least picked a nicer trash can too.

[iamjacobm]

I know it isn't in the budget, but this stage will be a missed opportunity without a small band shell, even one that doesn't keep the elements out. The visual aspect of the covering gives the stage a presence.

Des Moines:


OKC:


Those don't do jack for weather protection, but they tell everyone MUSIC HAPPENS HERE!

[Omaha_Gabe]

It's just a rendering .. I think positive that it won't be what we see. There is no need to have a huge stage with the park across the river. A small stage would suffice as its not an actual entertainment district nor is there room for any type of large stage.

[TitosBuritoBarn]

The Bob Kerry Pedestrian Bridge was prominently featured in an article about the future of pedestrian bridges on The Atlantic's CityLab website:

http://www.citylab.com/design/2015/01/t ... ge/385016/

The Bright Future of the Pedestrian Bridge
Top engineer Ted Zoli says the era of shared-use structures has arrived.

[RNcyanide]

Isn't that the same magazine who derided our city last year for being full of car heathens and ignored several pedestrian friendly areas while highlighting some of the most unattractive parts of Omaha?

[omahahawk]

This stage will be a welcome addition and serve a good purpose in a high use public area. It would be nice if the city might think to include some works from local artists in the end design, perhaps from The Bemis or Kaneko. However, what I would be most curious about at this point is how work on the Baby Bob link is going. Its been over a year since an initial 100,000 was put down on a design and use study but I haven't been able to find any further news on MovingOmaha.org or from any other source about how things are proceeding or any timelines. Its my understanding that an additional 500,000 dollars from federal (and possibly other) sources will be needed to finance the project and would definitely be interested in learning more on that process (hint-hint OWH). Also, for what its worth, I think the guitar playing guy is actually pretty cool in a certain clip art kind of way. If you zoom in on his amp its clear just how sweet it is, old school vacuum tube with a volume knob that does in fact go to 11.

[GetUrban]

The Bob Kerry Pedestrian Bridge was prominently featured in an article about the future of pedestrian bridges on The Atlantic's CityLab website:

http://www.citylab.com/design/2015/01/t ... ge/385016/

The Bright Future of the Pedestrian Bridge
Top engineer Ted Zoli says the era of shared-use structures has arrived.

Good article, but it fails to mention (as usual) that the local firm BVH Architects (George Haecker), teamed with Figg Bridge Engineers came up with the curved design concept to begin with. Unfortunately the bids came in way too high. Credit to HNTB is due though, for finding a way to eventually get it built within the budget while preserving the intent of the original concept.

BVH/Figg design...

[MTO]

This is a bit frustrating because the "baby bob" should have been built long ago. And here they are sidling around with this so called stage. Which is fine and all but GET THE DAMN BRIDGE BUILT!

[BRoss]

I'm over at Goodnight's and both pillars are a moving rainbow tonight. Looks really cool.

[skinzfan23]

For the first time ever, the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge will be illuminated with orange lights Thursday 3/12/15 in observance of World Kidney Day.

[iamjacobm]

I always enjoy seeing the masses of people enjoying the bridge during these first days of spring. Really gives value to the bridge beyond dollars and cents.

[MTO]

...just need that "baby bob" already.

[omahahawk]

For those that haven't been to the bridge in the last few weeks it looks like prep work has started on the Nebraska side stage. Also, noticed at least one broken bridge light at the Nebraska side pylon.

[iamjacobm]

[Linkin5]

That can't be the stage they are building by the bridge, according to the rendering there is supposed to be a see through guy wearing a blue shirt and holding a guitar.

[iamjacobm]

That can't be the stage they are building by the bridge, according to the rendering there is supposed to be a see through guy wearing a blue shirt and holding a guitar.

It's got Coachella level hologram technology going in. Big time investment for the city.

[Coyote]

[iamjacobm]

Still should have a bandshell .

[Coyote]

image.jpg

[omahahawk]

City has eye on 'pretty vital' link between Omaha's north downtown, Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge

“That link’s pretty vital,” said Derek Miller, Omaha’s transportation planner.

Miller said the $3.5 million to $4.5 million bridge is set to be built in 2018 and 2019.

Some of the money will come from a federal grant and city capital improvement funds. Miller said the city plans to solicit private donations for the rest — about $1.5 million.

http://www.omaha.com/news/metro/city-ha ... 3f19f.html