Gene Leahy Mall Remodel

[Omaha Cowboy]

W-H columnist Michael Kelly wrote a nice piece regarding the new Downtown plan yesterday:

“The rationale behind raising the mall is to make it more accessible to people.

Leaders of the new plan credit the mall with spawning development downtown and along the riverfront but say it’s time for a new approach.

“The ‘return to the river’ achieved its goals,” Mayor Jean Stothert declared at a Tuesday public meeting with 250 residents at Gallup’s corporate headquarters on the riverfront.

The mall, she said, was a catalyst for the construction of nearly 20 downtown buildings and the renovation of 24 others. It also helped spur other improvements, she said, such as the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge.

But just as business and civic leaders built a new downtown starting in the 1970s, the mayor said, it’s time again to build a new future.

“The goal is the same,” she said. “To reconnect to the river and spur development.””..

“As a World-Herald writer for 48 years, it’s been fascinating to watch the decades of change. In 1970, Omaha’s downtown was declining, with theaters and department stores moving out.

The riverfront was gritty and not very pretty — a railroad repair yard, a metal recycling area and a polluting lead-smelting plant.”..

“Yes, downtown Omaha has changed in a half-century, as has much of the rest of the metropolitan area. By the middle of the next decade, its population is poised to reach 1 million.

Two decades ago, voters opted in by approving a bond issue of nearly $200 million for what became the CenturyLink Center. Philanthropists have played a major role in that project and others — including the new Riverfront Revitalization Project, led by business and civic leaders Ken Stinson and Mogens Bay.

Mayor Stothert said Omaha is the envy of many other cities.

“I go to meetings with mayors across the country all the time,” she told me in an interview, “and they cannot believe the generosity of the philanthropic community here.””..

The complete story link:

http://www.omaha.com/columnists/plus/a- ... 85235.html

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[iamjacobm]

http://www.omaha.com/news/metro/downtow ... 13702.html

As many healthy trees as possible will be saved when the transformation of Gene Leahy Mall and the riverfront begins next year.

The $290 million project will create a 90-acre park along the mall and river, from the marina near the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge south to The Breakers apartment complex at Leavenworth Street.

The riverfront revitalization committee has brought in Davey Resource Group to do a tree inventory to determine which trees in Heartland of America Park, Lewis & Clark Landing and along the river and in the mall are in good enough shape to keep or transplant into areas of the new park.

Each species will be identified, along with every tree’s diameter, its condition, its canopy spread and its height and location.

“Our goal is not to go through and clear-cut anything,’’ Omaha Parks Director Brook Bench said. “We want mature trees in the new project. We don’t want every tree to be 6 feet tall.’’

[Louie]

http://www.omaha.com/news/metro/downtow ... 13702.html

As many healthy trees as possible will be saved when the transformation of Gene Leahy Mall and the riverfront begins next year.

The $290 million project will create a 90-acre park along the mall and river, from the marina near the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge south to The Breakers apartment complex at Leavenworth Street.

The riverfront revitalization committee has brought in Davey Resource Group to do a tree inventory to determine which trees in Heartland of America Park, Lewis & Clark Landing and along the river and in the mall are in good enough shape to keep or transplant into areas of the new park.

Each species will be identified, along with every tree’s diameter, its condition, its canopy spread and its height and location.

“Our goal is not to go through and clear-cut anything,’’ Omaha Parks Director Brook Bench said. “We want mature trees in the new project. We don’t want every tree to be 6 feet tall.’’

Good, we need all the mature trees we can get for those spaces. Especially since we will lose the majority of the Ash trees in the metro with the Emerald Ash borer.

[GrandpaaSmucker]

Good, we need all the mature trees we can get for those spaces. Especially since we will lose the majority of the Ash trees in the metro with the Emerald Ash borer.

Lets hurry up and rush into destroying our million dollar park we spent years building but gosh be sure not to kill a couple of trees.

[Rehulk]

Good, we need all the mature trees we can get for those spaces. Especially since we will lose the majority of the Ash trees in the metro with the Emerald Ash borer.

Lets hurry up and rush into destroying our million dollar park we spent years building but gosh be sure not to kill a couple of trees.

You do know they are doing a multi million dollar upgrade and remodeling of the park and not putting in a parking lot.

[GrandpaaSmucker]

Good, we need all the mature trees we can get for those spaces. Especially since we will lose the majority of the Ash trees in the metro with the Emerald Ash borer.

Lets hurry up and rush into destroying our million dollar park we spent years building but gosh be sure not to kill a couple of trees.

You do know they are doing a multi million dollar upgrade and remodeling of the park and not putting in a parking lot.

Lets call it what it is. They are going to tear out the lagoons and the concrete and fill it in with dirt and level it off. Its not going to be a parking lot its going to be a big grassy field. That is not an upgrade that is a down grade.

[Rehulk]

Yes, because adding a dog park, restaurant, a stage area and area for an ice rink, new location for a museum and playground are such a downgrade from a nice to look at park in the center of downtown but can't really do much else.

[Louie]

Good, we need all the mature trees we can get for those spaces. Especially since we will lose the majority of the Ash trees in the metro with the Emerald Ash borer.

Lets hurry up and rush into destroying our million dollar park we spent years building but gosh be sure not to kill a couple of trees.

It takes a lot longer to grow massive shady trees than it does to build a park.

[Linkin5]

Maybe grandpa is just mad the renderings don't have an Old Country Buffet anywhere in the park?

[GrandpaaSmucker]

Maybe grandpa is just mad the renderings don't have an Old Country Buffet anywhere in the park?

Nah you just bring that Old Country Buffet right on out here to Millard. Give those downtowners what they really want which is an old school bus turned into a taco truck.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Well folks, one thing is for certain-

Whether one is turning cartwheels in giddiness over this development .. Dead set against it like ‘ol Smucker.. Or cautiously optimistic like yours truly..

It’s GOING to happen.. And we’ll all have to deal with that fact.. and move forward in our own, individual way...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[GetUrban]

I'm kind of surprised how certain they are about this really happening so soon, especially if any public money or bonds will be required.

To me, it will be nice if they can save or relocate a few trees, but that's really a very minor concern compared to doing it right with all the amenities they're promising, without later regretting we gave up the good features we already had, with the parks as they are now. I prefer to remain optimistic that it will live up to the plans.

[swgiust]

I love the Gene Leahy Mall. I love the plans to upgrade the Gene Leahy Mall. Filling a portion of the lake (toxic swamp) and making it a usable space is a great idea. Music, plays, festivals. This is much better use for a downtown green space. And it STAYS a downtown green space. It is also an important brick in the path to north downtown, the stadium and c-link.

[RockHarbor]

I love the Gene Leahy Mall. I love the plans to upgrade the Gene Leahy Mall. Filling a portion of the lake (toxic swamp) and making it a usable space is a great idea. Music, plays, festivals. This is much better use for a downtown green space. And it STAYS a downtown green space. It is also an important brick in the path to north downtown, the stadium and c-link.

Lol. "Toxic swamp." I have pictures of Downtown Omaha I took that I really like, yet the lagoon water is like the artificial blue color in a toilet bowl when you have one of those cleaners in it. So, the pictures are not that great, ultimately. I always wondered why that fakey blue color... I figured they had some solution killing algea, or something.

[almighty_tuna]

It’s GOING to happen.. And we’ll all have to deal with that fact..

[Omaha Cowboy]

It’s GOING to happen.. And we’ll all have to deal with that fact..

Sure is, LOL ...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[RockHarbor]

Good, we need all the mature trees we can get for those spaces. Especially since we will lose the majority of the Ash trees in the metro with the Emerald Ash borer.

Lets hurry up and rush into destroying our million dollar park we spent years building but gosh be sure not to kill a couple of trees.

It takes a lot longer to grow massive shady trees than it does to build a park.

I normally wouldn't care about the tree aspect, but that was BEFORE I heard about results from tests done on plants that prove how alive & living plants actually are -- possibly even having their own type feelings in their own way. (Yet, we prune trees all the time, and storms can knock one over, or tear branches away, or invasive insects can kill a tree, and we don't necessarily worry about "their feelings" then...) So, before all this was said here, I was thinking the same stuff about the poor trees -- including during any talk about restoring the grid (which I side w/ the crowd wanting that), which would reduce Heartland of America Park, and remove planted & established trees, too. So, that is why I'm fine keeping most of that park intact, while removing the Con Agra buildings. I sound so "tree hugger" or "Johnny Appleseed" or "Sierra Club", but hey, maybe I am nowadays... They really need to think about this stuff, stuff like: Making the choice to lovingly plant a tree, giving it a new home to take root, watering & establishing it, the tree giving shade to people in the park & a home to birds as it grows, then sadly taking it away -- the good feelings & intentions behind Arbor Day suddenly nowhere to be found. ***Lol at that "sweetheart" graphic. If the park is filled in, I'll miss things about it -- especially the fact that the dip makes the skyscrapers seem taller. I understand feelings on both sides.***

[skinzfan23]

You've got it right, my friend! Also bridges over the Missouri river need to be tall to accommodate barge traffic. Let me ask, when was the last time you saw a barge on our river?

There was actually a barge on the Missouri last weekend while the Santa Lucia festival was going on. I saw numerous people on Facebook post a video.

Here is another barge on the river last night (photo from the Nonpareil)

[nebugeater]

You've got it right, my friend! Also bridges over the Missouri river need to be tall to accommodate barge traffic. Let me ask, when was the last time you saw a barge on our river?

There was actually a barge on the Missouri last weekend while the Santa Lucia festival was going on. I saw numerous people on Facebook post a video.

Here is another barge on the river last night (photo from the Nonpareil)

I worked near the river to the S of I80 for quite a few years until about 4 years ago. I can say for fact there was plenty of barge traffic at that time (other than 2011) and I would not expect that it has changed.

[Louie]

At the end of the day it is still the Missouri River and there are definitely industries that need to move product on it.

[Anubis]

One of the concerns I have with giving The Mall over to MECA to run is branding. I don’t imagine them renaming it, but I could see them branding a stage or area with a company name. I think any deal made with them needs to be closely looked at considering the current arena controversy.

[Omaha Cowboy]

One of the concerns I have with giving The Mall over to MECA to run is branding. I think any deal made with them needs to be closely looked at considering the current arena controversy.

I completely agree..

And welcome to the forum ...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Bob from Omaha]

I think "Tampax Park" has a nice ring to it.

[RockHarbor]

I think "Tampax Park" has a nice ring to it.

From things you've said here, I picture you a man waiting on your wife hand & foot. Are you going through a "tough period" of the month? Is this simply stress being released? Its OK to let it out, buddy. You're not alone. (Lol. Totally joking)

[nativeomahan]

I think "Tampax Park" has a nice ring to it.

Oh, stop pulling our string!

[RockHarbor]

I think "Tampax Park" has a nice ring to it.

Oh, stop pulling our string!

Lol. That was cute. (By the way, are you talkin' about a tampon string? Lol)

[buildomaha]

A four-season observation wheel called... The Big O!

[Joe_Sovereign]

I think we are missing the big opportunity here. We can finance the whole riverfront by selling naming rights to the River.

[Padre]

I think we are missing the big opportunity here. We can finance the whole riverfront by selling naming rights to the River.

The CHI Healthcare River.

[bigredmed1]

I think we are missing the big opportunity here. We can finance the whole riverfront by selling naming rights to the River.

The CHI Healthcare River.

Then sell naming rights to the rescue craft. I can see the headlines now: "20 year old woman saved from drowning in the CHI Healthcare river by the fast action of Nebraska Medicine fire and rescue."

Money MONEY!!

[GrandpaaSmucker]

I like the way they are selling this baloney sandwich like its going to be big time successful guaranteed and everyone is going to love it and make lots of money and have lots of fun. What a total crock. Expecting wonders get blunders! I will go on record right now as guaranteeing this thing is a stinker and a half when its all done and said.


10 years after that park opens its going to look like this-
[youtube][/youtube]

[GetUrban]

I like the way they are selling this baloney sandwich like its going to be big time successful guaranteed and everyone is going to love it and make lots of money and have lots of fun. What a total crock. Expecting wonders get blunders! I will go on record right now as guaranteeing this thing is a stinker and a half when its all done and said.


10 years after that park opens its going to look like this-
[youtube][/youtube]

I hope so. I wish Omaha still had that many historic buildings.

[Doctor Fate]

Chronicle: Revitalize the Riverfront

Nice video about the Gene Leahy Mall redevelopment. Includes some cool visuals and interviews with Mogens Bay, Jay Noddle, Mike Moylan, and James Caraway.

[RockHarbor]

Again, it's just soooo boring, and soooo typical "Omaha." It's like a new Bon Jovi hit on his newest released CD. Funny, it still sounds like "Living On A Prayer."

Downtown Omaha is just kinda "unfixable." Any new move they make, one without acknowledging their error, seems to just make it worse. Let's just all face it. I have.

I'm not sure I've ever seen such a strange & confused & aimless American downtown. It's almost an American "Brasilia" in the US heartland. (I could not put my finger on what Downtown Omaha was feeling more & more like, until finally it hit me: Brazil's Brasilia.)

"Welcome to Omaha!" postcard: https://presidential-aviation.com/wp-co ... azil-1.jpg

******I'm just really disappointed. Sorry for being so negative, but I am not happy.******

Why would they plop new buildings at the far west end of the park, and shorten the narrow & long Gene Leahy park to be stubbier, PLUS ruin the architectural statement the trademark twin buildings make at the far end of the park? WHAT is the point of all that? (Just because they can? Just to upset locals who really value Daly's twin tower statement and that "postcard shot" Omaha has sported since 1982? You can't plop those new buildings down at the east end of the park instead? Why?) If doing so, then just do away with the whole Gene Leahy Mall and throw out the traditional "postcard shot" of Omaha out with it then. Yes, just return the original streets to cross the park again, and fill it in with all new office & residential buildings -- Downtown Omaha returned to its original state before the green band of Central Park Mall was inserted. Then, keep ALL the existing greenery and lake & fountain as a front centerpiece, set on the river. (Reminder: The Heartland of America Park was not there when the Central Park Mall was installed. So, that can be Omaha's "big green playground" now. Plus, it will save the record-setting fountain.) And, get rid of any trace of those silly Con Agra buildings along the way -- so it is just a big green park & lake for Omahans to enjoy without the bittersweet "ghost of Con Agra" hanging around haunting the town. Then, Omaha has a crisp & clear divide between urban buildings and greenery of a riverfront park, like you see in a NORMAL riverfront or lakefront city (ugh, like Chicago, Cleveland, Milwaukee, St Louis, ect.). Gosh, its not that hard. Just ODD thinking in that town, making things more difficult & complex than they should be, imo. (They are basically half saving something & half destroying something at the same time, creating a bigger mess altogether downtown, imo. They destroyed part of Gene Leahy Mall & ruined Omaha's unique, trademark twin tower & park statement, while saving some of the park -- as if that remaining smaller section left is sooooo important to retain for Omaha. They destroyed part of the spacious Heartland of America Park, plopping buildings down all over much green space, while keeping part of the park left intact, including the lake. They destroyed & broke up the architecturally unified Con Agra campus, yet saved some seperated & spaced out pieces of it -- hopscotching prairie style architecture with new modern glassy buildings. Who does that around a lake in the suburbs, much less a downtown??? What a growing urban nightmare, imo. And, thankfully, I'm not the one who has to live with those heavy & permanent urban decisions for Omaha. They do.)

[PotatoeEatsFish]

Again, it's just soooo boring, and soooo typical "Omaha." It's like a new Bon Jovi hit on his newest released CD. Funny, it still sounds like "Living On A Prayer."

Downtown Omaha is just kinda "unfixable." Any new move they make, one without acknowledging their error, seems to just make it worse. Let's just all face it. I have.

I'm not sure I've ever seen such a strange & confused & aimless American downtown. It's almost an American "Brasilia" in the US heartland. (I could not put my finger on what Downtown Omaha was feeling more & more like, until finally it hit me: Brazil's Brasilia.)

"Welcome to Omaha!" postcard: https://presidential-aviation.com/wp-co ... azil-1.jpg

******I'm just really disappointed. Sorry for being so negative, but I am not happy.******

Why would they plop new buildings at the far west end of the park, and shorten the narrow & long Gene Leahy park to be stubbier, PLUS ruin the architectural statement the trademark twin buildings make at the far end of the park? WHAT is the point? If doing so, then just do away with the whole Gene Leahy Mall and throw out the traditional "postcard shot" of Omaha out with it then. Yes, just return the original streets to cross the park again, and fill it in with all new office & residential buildings, and then, keep ALL the greenery and lake & fountain as a front centerpiece, set on the river. (Reminder: The Heartland of America Park was not there when the Central Park Mall was installed. So, that can be Omaha's "big green playground" now. Plus, it will save the record-setting fountain.) And, get rid of any trace of those silly Con Agra buildings along the way -- so it is just a big green park & lake for Omahans to enjoy without the bittersweet "ghost of Con Agra" hanging around haunting the town. Then, Omaha has a crisp & clear divide between urban buildings and greenery of a riverfront park, like you see in a NORMAL riverfront or lakefront city (ugh, like Chicago, Cleveland, Milwaukee, St Louis, ect.). Gosh, its not that hard. Just ODD thinking in that town, making things more difficult & complex than they should be, imo. (They are basically half saving something & half ruining something at the same time, creating a bigger mess downtown, imo. They destroyed part of Gene Leahy Mall & ruined Omaha's unique & trademark twin tower & park statement, while saving some of the park -- as if that remaining smaller section left is soooooooo important to retain. They destroyed part of the spacious Heartland of America Park, plopping buildings down all over much green space, while keeping part of the park left intact, including the lake. They destroyed & broke up the unified Con Agra campus, yet saved some seperated pieces of it -- mixing and intermingling its prairie style architecture with new modern glassy buildings. Who does that? What a growing urban nightmare, imo. And, thankfully, I'm not the one who has to live with those heavy & permanent urban decisions for Omaha. They do.)

I will never understand the love for the twins in this forum. It's just a basic 80s office building, and does this "iconic skyline shot" really matter? Is 1 tower covering a plain office building going to ruin downtown Omaha? People for years have dreamed of a tower being at the library location and now that it might happen they hate it.

[RockHarbor]

Again, it's just soooo boring, and soooo typical "Omaha." It's like a new Bon Jovi hit on his newest released CD. Funny, it still sounds like "Living On A Prayer."

Downtown Omaha is just kinda "unfixable." Any new move they make, one without acknowledging their error, seems to just make it worse. Let's just all face it. I have.

I'm not sure I've ever seen such a strange & confused & aimless American downtown. It's almost an American "Brasilia" in the US heartland. (I could not put my finger on what Downtown Omaha was feeling more & more like, until finally it hit me: Brazil's Brasilia.)

"Welcome to Omaha!" postcard: https://presidential-aviation.com/wp-co ... azil-1.jpg

******I'm just really disappointed. Sorry for being so negative, but I am not happy.******

Why would they plop new buildings at the far west end of the park, and shorten the narrow & long Gene Leahy park to be stubbier, PLUS ruin the architectural statement the trademark twin buildings make at the far end of the park? WHAT is the point? If doing so, then just do away with the whole Gene Leahy Mall and throw out the traditional "postcard shot" of Omaha out with it then. Yes, just return the original streets to cross the park again, and fill it in with all new office & residential buildings, and then, keep ALL the greenery and lake & fountain as a front centerpiece, set on the river. (Reminder: The Heartland of America Park was not there when the Central Park Mall was installed. So, that can be Omaha's "big green playground" now. Plus, it will save the record-setting fountain.) And, get rid of any trace of those silly Con Agra buildings along the way -- so it is just a big green park & lake for Omahans to enjoy without the bittersweet "ghost of Con Agra" hanging around haunting the town. Then, Omaha has a crisp & clear divide between urban buildings and greenery of a riverfront park, like you see in a NORMAL riverfront or lakefront city (ugh, like Chicago, Cleveland, Milwaukee, St Louis, ect.). Gosh, its not that hard. Just ODD thinking in that town, making things more difficult & complex than they should be, imo. (They are basically half saving something & half ruining something at the same time, creating a bigger mess downtown, imo. They destroyed part of Gene Leahy Mall & ruined Omaha's unique & trademark twin tower & park statement, while saving some of the park -- as if that remaining smaller section left is soooooooo important to retain. They destroyed part of the spacious Heartland of America Park, plopping buildings down all over much green space, while keeping part of the park left intact, including the lake. They destroyed & broke up the unified Con Agra campus, yet saved some seperated pieces of it -- mixing and intermingling its prairie style architecture with new modern glassy buildings. Who does that? What a growing urban nightmare, imo. And, thankfully, I'm not the one who has to live with those heavy & permanent urban decisions for Omaha. They do.)

I will never understand the love for the twins in this forum. It's just a basic 80s office building, and does this "iconic skyline shot" really matter? Is 1 tower covering a plain office building going to ruin downtown Omaha? People for years have dreamed of a tower being at the library location and now that it might happen they hate it.

If you look at the plan closely, they are not put where the library is. They are put where the cascading falls are -- shortening the park altogether. My whole point is not about saving the twin tower statement (although those buildings do demand attention as a statement from a vantage point, and to me, look stupid boxed in tightly by other buildings. They were designed as a focal point at the end of the park to draw the eye -- which they certainly do a good job of. ) My whole point is: 1) You can plop new buildings down at the East end of the park, by the Greenhouse Building, saving that twin tower statement. (I realize there is that connection on the east end to Heartland of America park, though.) 2) Why shorten the Gene Leahy park, ruin that architectural twin tower statement that complimented the park, and even worry about retaining the rest of the park to the kids slides section? What? Are we saving two more square city blocks of grass? Just do away with that grass, build buildings on them, and return the street grid. (If the Con Agra buildings are all removed, then the Heartland of America park & lake/fountain becomes a delightful, riverfront green space for Omahans, free of Con Agra campus presence -- and its the only downtown park we really need, plus it unites Omahans with the river, and creates a buffer for flooding.) Then, the twin towers just become lost in the new urban density in that developing area, and it doesnt feel like they are strangely & disrespectfully "blocked" anymore. With the park gone, there is no longer that connection between park & twin building statement needed -- which, again, was purposefully designed, and worked well for the city. This "Half saving something, half destroying something" with three main items downtown, while "patting themselves on the back", like they are up to something good, stuff just irritates me. *********************I wish Omaha would just call leaders in sharper & bigger urban cities like Minneapolis, Kansas City, or Chicago, and present Omaha's urban "puzzle" to help solve, and pay well for sharp urban/city planner advice (and top architect advice) on how to fix this right & fix this well. I wish this instead of handing some design firm a plan of Downtown Omaha (with pre-drawn X's over certain buildings to remove, and pre-drawn circles around certain others to save), and say "Come up with something great & wonderful." That doesnt fix all this -- and it probably will just make it all even worse. I guarantee the cities' advice & suggestions would line up more with mine, than what I see on this new plan & proposal. I guarantee no outside planner or architect would fully agree with this plan. However, I'm not expecting anybody to listen to "little me." I'm expecting them to listen to top, sharp city/urban planning professionals that know what they are doing, people that totally "get it", people who are responsible in helping to create such a beautiful urban Midwest downtowns that Chicago, Minneapolis, and KC are noted for, and are not influenced by any local "design firm" project mindset. I'm talking people who can see things clearly from an outsider vantage point, people who really care and love the beauty of an urban metropolis, people who are not influenced by any local Omaha input or restrictions, people who can present sure-to-help fixes and present real solutions to urban problems Omaha faces, people who have no alterior motives, but to honestly just HELP Omaha with this urban challenge, and be compensated for their time. They just need a little quick "101" on the "Omaha Story" from 1980 onward: Central Park Mall installed. Twin Towers designed to compliment the park. Created unique & new civic image for Omaha. Skyline grew up around the park, creating Omaha's "postcard shot." Jobbers Canyon removed, causing uproar. Heartland of America park, lake & fountain, and Con Agra suburban campus oddly built downtown, per pressure from Con Agra. Con Agra eventually moved off to Chicago, leaving scar on downtown, and a possible blank slate for something new & fabulously urban. Then, show them the plan, and see what they think. I highly doubt any of them will agree with the Omaha civic "postcard shot" image being ruined senselessly, the hopscotching of Con Agra buildings with new buildings set tightly around a lake downtown, new buildings being plopped loosely here & there, and parks half eaten up by new buildings. (Any picture from 35 years ago, before this big mess, shows how back in the Early 80's, when Central Park Mall was fresh & new & Omaha was & looked younger, the new Twin Towers did a lot for Omaha's skyline, commissioned and created along with the new park, a job well done. Feels disrespectful to me covering those up, as long as the park remains. Sometimes it can still hit me strange: Omaha actually has twin towers. That is not that common. https://media.expedia.com/media/content ... a-2670.jpg )********* By the way, some 35+ years after Omaha did, Minneapolis had twin towers (Wells Fargo) recently designed & built along with a long, grassy park to make a whole striking statement. Should we call them and ask them: "Hey... In 35 years, do you plan on plopping big buildings right in front of those twin Wells Fargo buildings, on the park's grass, and covering those up?" See how strange it all sounds? That's exactly what is happening in Omaha with key buildings on our skyline.

[RockHarbor]

I was thinking more about this. I dont get why they dont just keep it clean & simple: 1) Make the square city block in front of the library a pretty, square city park for workers to meet, mingle, and eat their lunch. Maybe they could uncorporate that stone arch on the south side of Gene Leahy Mall there. Honor Gene Leahy's name there still. This way the twins could still be appreciated, too. 2) Flatten the rest of Gene Leahy Mall, connect the streets again, and build residential & office. That will enable people to walk from the Old Market to North Downtown better. 3) Get rid of any trace of the Con Agra buildings so they can't haunt, and the suburban style intrusion is erased, but keep the Heartland of America Park & lake/fountain intact. (A riverfront green park is normal, is a buffer for river flooding, plus that lighted fountain is absoluately lovely.) Maybe with the Con Agra buildings gone, there would be more space for some amphitheater for concerts, or whatever.... This other plan destroys former things, while still retaining pieces of former things, and is chaos, imo.

[Garrett]

I was thinking more about this. I dont get why they dont just keep it clean & simple: 1) Make the square city block in front of the library a pretty, square city park for workers to meet, mingle, and eat their lunch. Maybe they could uncorporate that stone arch on the south side of Gene Leahy Mall there. Honor Gene Leahy's name there still. This way the twins could still be appreciated, too. 2) Flatten the rest of Gene Leahy Mall, connect the streets again, and build residential & office. That will enable people to walk from the Old Market to North Downtown better. 3) Get rid of any trace of the Con Agra buildings so they can't haunt, and the suburban style intrusion is erased, but keep the Heartland of America Park & lake/fountain intact. (A riverfront green park is normal, is a buffer for river flooding, plus that lighted fountain is absoluately lovely.) Maybe with the Con Agra buildings gone, there would be more space for some amphitheater for concerts, or whatever.... This other plan destroys former things, while still retaining pieces of former things, and is chaos, imo.

I’m going to say the trained urban planners who worked on this know what they’re doing. Tito is a trained planner. I’m a trained planner with an emphasis on park design. It’s a good plan and a significant improvement over what’s currently there. And so what the Central Park towers aren’t going to be the focal point anymore? Skylines change. Focal points change. As for ConAgra, would I like to see it all gone? Of course. But as of now, it’s quality office space that can be used for quite a few years yet. In the future, I’m sure it will be replaced. But let’s get the first phase done.

[Busguy2010]

I personally wish we would just scrap the Gene Leahy Mall and develop those blocks. I would be totally content having 4 blocks of Wall Street tower sites (well, maybe more like we had at the Gavilon site) if it meant they'd eventually be developed.

[GrandpaaSmucker]

I’m going to say the trained urban planners who worked on this know what they’re doing.

I'm going to say they don't. That new mall is one of the stupid outrageous ideas they have come up with yet.