Gene Leahy Mall Remodel

redfield · Post by **redfield** » Fri Apr 01, 2005 4:45 am

I really like the proposed upgrades

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Fri Apr 01, 2005 4:48 am

It would have been cool to put them fountains in that you can run thru. Kind of like the ones in KC.

Swift · Post by **Swift** » Fri Apr 01, 2005 4:48 am

or at the FNC?

Blazepaw · Post by **Blazepaw** » Fri Apr 01, 2005 4:13 pm

People have been using that area as a wading pool since the park opened so it is one of the more successful features in the park.

Removing the post modern arch and border walls, and lowering the grade on the northwest corner will really open that area up.

I wouldn't mind seeing a truly heroic signature sculpture set up in the pool.

The site would be perfect for something very vertical with a small footprint.

The Summer Arts Festival has added new sculptures to the park and plan to continue, but the scale of the works has been smaller to midsized.

I'm not sure what would be appropriate. The site is too modern for anything as traditional as London's Nelsons Column, but the style/design is otherwise fairly neutral.

Being diagonally situated from the UP HQ perhaps a 60 Foot gold spike?

Hmmm, maybe not. Sounds a bit too phallic and our capital building is already known by many as the "pecker of the Plains"! LOL!

Anyway... the traffic patterns and openness at that spot are great for something more than just a pool and some small fountains.

Of course we haven't raised the money for the park renovations and the cost of something spectacular could easily be as much if not more.

Perhaps Iowa West could do something big like that on the Iowa side of the pedestrian bridge.

It would shut down the nay-sayers that call it a bridge to nowhere.

Blazepaw · Post by **Blazepaw** » Fri Apr 01, 2005 4:25 pm

Opps, I just saw the thread about North Platte's plans for a gold spike observation tower... My Bad.

I think it's a great idea... Sorta sorry we're not doing it.

With the dinning room at the Woodman Tower being closed to the public, and FNC never even considering an observation deck it would have been nice.

Has anyone seen any pics of the new tower?

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Fri Apr 01, 2005 11:11 pm

They would really have to clean that water before it becoms a legit wading pool. Homeless people upset and |expletive| in it. Seriously.

Finn · Post by **Finn** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 2:02 pm

Walls to fall at Gene Leahy Mall

The Omaha City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved an $87,000 contract with Andersen Excavating to tear down walls along the south side of the mall, between 11th and 13th Streets.

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 11:20 pm

Great!!!

nativeomahan · Post by **nativeomahan** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 2:08 am

I'm all for pumping more life into the Leahy Mall. But knocking down the exterior walls, while "opening up" the park to people whizzing by in cars and trucks, will very likely make the park louder and hence more unpleasant for those actually using it. I'm not sure how this constitutes an improvement.

TechnicalDisaster · Post by **TechnicalDisaster** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 3:08 am

I was down at the park last night taking photographs, I walked all over and never felt like I couldn't see out of the park. Knocking down the walls to add visibility seems silly. The park could use some more trail lighting and the trees and shrubs need to be better trimmed. Otherwise, I love it how it is...

TitosBuritoBarn · Post by **TitosBuritoBarn** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 4:18 am

We learned about parks in a planning class I took last year. There was an article assigned for reading about a study that was taken to examine parks in New York City in which they tried to figure out why some parks recieved large numbers of people and others didn't. One of the things concluded was that people go into parks which they feel safe in - ones where they can see the outside of the park and be able to leave the park quickly...a psychological thing I guess. Perhaps that is why they chose to knock down the wall.

OmahaChef · Post by **OmahaChef** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 4:41 am

Yep, a park in a trough or a pit is nice. Too bad this wasn't built at street level.

omahastylee459 · Post by **omahastylee459** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 6:35 pm

i actually really enjoy the fact that the park is below street level. Rather than looking at cars the whole time, you see a beautiful park with towers rising up around it. I think it would not be as special or unique if it were built up near the streets

Finn · Post by **Finn** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 7:08 pm

I also like the "sunken" feel of the garden. It was originally designed to mimic the Missouri with its twisting channel along river bluffs.

Blazepaw · Post by **Blazepaw** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 12:35 am

I'm glad none of the plans call for raising the park level up to street. It was a great idea to give the park a sense of peace. Separated from the street noise and traffic.

Taking down the walls and the other ideas put forth to improve on the 80's original design will make the park feel safer and more open.

I'm glad to hear that the City Council sees the wisdom of addressing it in a piece by piece way. The GLM needs work absolutely.

If city funds are available. I love the new plan but I also like some of the plans for Omaha that still sit on the shelf. I say fund the ideas that make the most sense for the park as well as move ahead on some of the other fantastic new ideas.

I am one of the group that says fix it up - improve those parts that work and change the ones that don't but as a city park goes it is safe and it already works.

Bring on the bridge, the trolley, the 11th street renovations, MAT's overhaul, (North Downtown - North Omaha District - or a name to be agreed apon)... to this Emerald City we are putting together.

HEY... How about "NO-OZ" for the new district? Nah... sounds a bit to Kansas and a bit to prision... Oh well the search continues.

nativeomahan · Post by **nativeomahan** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 3:40 am

The Leahy mall works precisely because it is not built at street level. It is a variation on the San Antonio River Walk, although the River Walk (Paseo del Rio) works so well because when you are on it you have no idea that there is an urban environment up above you. The Leahy Mall doesn't have near that feel, but it still benefits from being bult below ground level so users do not have to look at streets and buses and cars. Taking down the wall will hurt this feeling of isolation from the urban downtown. People go to the mall to get away from the noise and hustle and bustle. It is a park, after all, and parks are built at least in large part to fosture a sense of solitude and quiet.

nebraska dreamin' · Post by **nebraska dreamin'** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 5:28 pm

I have found memories of the Mall growing up. Walking on the floating sidewalk squares, the slides, ets. But I think the mall could use an overhaul to make better use of the space, especially in light of the other development going on around it.

One it is difficult to get in and out of it right now. You walk in and basically are "trapped" until you come to the next exit, which are spread out and somewhat hidden unless you know where you are going.

Also it creates a big obstacle between Old Market and the new performing Arts Center. You should be able to cross the park in the middle as well as at 10th and 14th.

I've always thought it should have a outdoor skating rink in the winter.

I think even more people would use it with some improvements. I hope they find the money to make it happen.

Tinker · Post by **Tinker** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 5:50 pm

I have ejoyed the Gene Leahy Mall, as is, since I was a teen. I do think taking down the walls though will give a more open feeling and increase sense of safety. It is really nice to be able to walk around Gene Leahy, Heartland of America, ConAgra Campus and now up to Gallup.

Swift · Post by **Swift** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 5:54 pm

Leahy Central Park is sort of like the Cat Complex at the Henry Doorly Zoo. When they first built it everyone was like "WOOOWW!!!!!". Then a few years later they built the Lied Jungle (First National Tower), the Scott Aquarium (new UP Headquarters), the Desert Dome (Holland Center), Gorilla Valley (Qwest Center) and the Orangutan Exibit (New North Downtown). No you look at the Cat complex and realize how much improvement it needs.

Finn · Post by **Finn** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 6:33 pm

I agree it needs improvements and many of those were addressed in the study - blind corners, walls, accessibility, etc. I think one of the best improvements will be the northwest corner. I like how the waterfall is stepped, but the concrete steps extend into the grassy area making a tiered green space with discrepancy of scale. The plan shows eliminating the awkward walls created by the elevation differential and creating a gentle grassy slope (more natural look/feel) while keeping some steps extending from the water area. Similar improvements to the tiered areas along the north side of the mall are planned where the steps/walks come down from the street. The skating rink, new infill and more gentle slope will really improve this area (now you get tunnel vision with wall on one side, water on the other and overhead vehicular bridge ahead!). This will "open" up the park and improve sight lines and safety.

eomaha · Post by **eomaha** » Sun Aug 21, 2005 11:08 am

Welcome to the forum Tinker.

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 2:12 am

TitosBuritoBarn wrote:We learned about parks in a planning class I took last year. There was an article assigned for reading about a study that was taken to examine parks in New York City in which they tried to figure out why some parks recieved large numbers of people and others didn't. One of the things concluded was that people go into parks which they feel safe in - ones where they can see the outside of the park and be able to leave the park quickly...a psychological thing I guess. Perhaps that is why they chose to knock down the wall.

When I went to the Lively Omaha discussions on the Mall last year, they gave examples of some parks in NYC (can't recall the name) but they talked about the 'safe' feeling some parks gave. Even though they weren't any more dangerous than the more popular parks the psychological impacts overrode the reality that the parks were fine.

The walls won't affect noise as much (a concern brought up in the meeting) because the park is still sunken so it won't be affected that much.

the1wags · Post by **the1wags** » Thu Sep 01, 2005 11:15 pm

Work has started on tearing out the walls.

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Fri Sep 02, 2005 3:02 am

That is so great!!!

That's going to make a world of difference. What a horrible idea to put them in in the first place. It's great that they're finally coming down.

nebport5 · Post by **nebport5** » Fri Sep 02, 2005 3:16 am

I'll miss them.

Finn · Post by **Finn** » Fri Sep 02, 2005 3:26 pm

I'm impressed that the City is already doing this work. I know it is just a small componenent of the recommendations from the report, but the City is being proactive and acting on the report while searching for money for other componenets.

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Fri Sep 02, 2005 4:57 pm

Absolutely, Finn. Good point.

adam186 · Post by **adam186** » Fri Sep 02, 2005 5:02 pm

That is the hugest saw-blade I have seen.

the1wags · Post by **the1wags** » Fri Sep 02, 2005 5:59 pm

Haha, Im with ya Avanzee, I thought the same when I saw it, crazy big concrete saw. I wanna run back down there today and check it out, I'm curious how fast they will have the walls down. Yeah and what Finn said too.

the1wags · Post by **the1wags** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 2:40 am

I think this improves things greatly already, really opens it up.

eomaha · Post by **eomaha** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 3:36 am

Wow... I like it. Thanks for the update wags.

Finn · Post by **Finn** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 4:44 am

Looks great. Thanks again wags.

Linkin5 · Post by **Linkin5** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 5:53 am

Does anyone have any before pics? I'm not that familiar with what it looked like before, thanks

.

omahastylee459 · Post by **omahastylee459** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 3:05 pm

wow, you see something all your life, and when it changes like that, it just looks completely different!

OmahaChef · Post by **OmahaChef** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 2:11 am

I agree!!! I really like the look of that! Thanks for the update pic!

Blazepaw · Post by **Blazepaw** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 5:08 am

Let me throw a question out here. If only some of the suggested changes could be made over the next 5-10 years what would be the improvements you would most like to see?

Mine are...

The plan to open up the northwest corner of the park.
The plan to build a new pedestrian bridge from 11th St. to the north end.
Changing the layout under and around the area beneath 10th St. on the south side.
Expanding the playground at the slides location.

I like some of the other proposals. I'm just wondering if the whole plan is necessary.

To me those four things... After taking down the walls of course... would - combined with renovation and repair of the existing elements - address the concerns raised.

I find the park a bit more acceptable (even great) than others. I get that that is not necessarily the consensus. To me...

The blind corner issue is really only a problem at the 10th St. location.

The slides have always been a crowd pleaser and a draw. A playground would only help that and the lawn between it and the water is never really used.

The traffic patterns would be improved with an 11th street pedestrian bridge. If it went straighter across ( as proposed with some nice graphics early on this thread or a related one ) to the unused round citadel lookout on the north side, instead of the planed location west of that, then the existing bridge could stay and there would be no need to change the shape of the lake.

The area on the north west corner has never served a real purpose. It is a draw for the homeless because of that. An open plan here could make better use of that area.

The other plans to me look great but I wonder about their necessity.

I wonder about where that large price tag could short us in the long run. There are a lot of great things we as a city want to see happen.

Like I said if you only feel the plan as a whole is the way to go... Cool. If you had to make a few choices however what would you want to see happen?

redfield · Post by **redfield** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 6:08 pm

The pedestrian bridge around 11th street is huge.

The mall is at it's best when all the lights are up over the holidays. I'd like to see more lighting year-round.

omahastylee459 · Post by **omahastylee459** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 8:28 pm

i would like to see all the trash picked up around the slides

WT · Post by WT » Wed Sep 14, 2005 2:19 am

omahastylee459 wrote:i would like to see all the trash picked up around the slides

It's difficult to remove people, and for the record, it is politically incorrect to call them trash.