Juvenile Justice Center at 18th and Harney - 8 stories

[Omaha Cowboy]

Not a mind blowing high rise, but at least HDR is proposing to build something new downtown.. From today’s W-H:

“The development would cost an estimated $120 million and require a property tax increase. An executive from HDR Architecture and the county’s chief administrative officer presented the proposal Tuesday to the Douglas County Board.

The presentation, by HDR First Vice President Bruce Carpenter and the county’s Patrick Bloomingdale, added visual images and more details about the proposed structures, and about how the project would be structured financially.

Their information generally followed what previously has been reported by The World-Herald. A 10-story tower would house Douglas County Juvenile Court judges, courtrooms and related services and agencies, such as juvenile probation, plus the Douglas County Attorney’s and Public Defender’s Offices.”..

The complete story link-

http://www.omaha.com/money/plus/county- ... f65de.html

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[PotatoeEatsFish]

I couldn't see the full rendering but the little I saw looked great! Also where are these things at currently, the courthouse?

[Omaha Cowboy]

Also where are these things at currently, the courthouse?

Also from the W-H piece:

“Currently, law enforcement officers drive young people accused of offenses from 42nd Street to the courthouse downtown for hearings. Attorneys and probation officers drive to 42nd Street for meetings. Bloomingdale said having a Youth Center downtown would be safer for the youths and officers. It also potentially could reduce the number of days youths, some of whom have simply missed court-ordered appointments, spend in detention waiting for their cases to be processed, he said.”...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[skinzfan23]

Here are the renderings:

[iamjacobm]

Might end up a touch shorter than City Hall.

[RockHarbor]

ADORE it. Perfect design. (A new proposed tall building is exciting, especially for cities like Omaha & Des Moines, but I'm kinda over "tall" to a degree. Sometimes I find myself liking cities with a tight grouping of medium-tall buildings, like Salt Lake City, Phoenix, San Jose, Portland, ect., has. So, I really like sharp & well-designed, medium-tall buildings, like this, added to Omaha. That would look really nice downtown -- on a human scale. I've read before that skyscrapers mainly work their "visual wonder" from a far. I agree with that. Driving into Chicago vs being downtown, the Sears/Willis Tower is a great example of that dynamic. Anyways, nice building!)

[buildomaha]

ADORE it. Perfect design. (A new proposed tall building is exciting, especially for cities like Omaha & Des Moines, but I'm kinda over "tall" to a degree. Sometimes I find myself liking cities with a tight grouping of medium-tall buildings, like Salt Lake City, Phoenix, San Jose, Portland, ect., has. So, I really like sharp & well-designed, medium-tall buildings, like this, added to Omaha. That would look really nice downtown -- on a human scale. I've read before that skyscrapers mainly work their "visual wonder" from a far. I agree with that. Driving into Chicago vs being downtown, the Sears/Willis Tower is a great example of that dynamic. Anyways, nice building!)

I couldn't agree more. Of course, it would make me sooo happy to have a bigger skyline to take a picture of, but it it benefits to build to the human scale. The logistics of building mid-rise buildings make perfect sense for densifying and urbanizing a population. It's cheaper than huge skyscrapers and still fits a lot of usable space into dense areas. I still wouldn't complain if Omaha got a few skyscraper announcements over the next 10 years!

[Louie]

Excellent addition to that core.

[Louie]

So the angle showing the grassy walkway is right where 18th st currently runs, are the planning on tearing that out??

[TitosBuritoBarn]

Is the five story building shown in the renderings on the south end part of this project? I was hoping that the existing building on that corner could remain. I think it has a lot of potential.

Otherwise beautiful project.

[iamjacobm]

Is the five story building shown in the renderings on the south end part of this project? I was hoping that the existing building on that corner could remain. I think it has a lot of potential.

Otherwise beautiful project.

I was assuming that was the parking garage. As far as I know that owner didn't want to sell, but I imagine the county will get their way.

[GenX]

Is the five story building shown in the renderings on the south end part of this project? I was hoping that the existing building on that corner could remain. I think it has a lot of potential.

Otherwise beautiful project.

I was assuming that was the parking garage. As far as I know that owner didn't want to sell, but I imagine the county will get their way.

That’s way too nice of a parking garage for Omaha…

[Lillian Bean]

Is the five story building shown in the renderings on the south end part of this project? I was hoping that the existing building on that corner could remain. I think it has a lot of potential.

Otherwise beautiful project.

I was assuming that was the parking garage. As far as I know that owner didn't want to sell, but I imagine the county will get their way.

“It’s not for sale,” Perrin told The World-Herald. ... “I intend on using the building and continuing to use it, and make it a viable part of the community,” Perrin said.

http://www.omaha.com/news/plus/douglas- ... 784ae.html

[admiralArchArch]

This is pretty vague schematic rendering...probably wont look anything like this. The intention is to show mass and organizational concepts.

[RockHarbor]

ADORE it. Perfect design. (A new proposed tall building is exciting, especially for cities like Omaha & Des Moines, but I'm kinda over "tall" to a degree. Sometimes I find myself liking cities with a tight grouping of medium-tall buildings, like Salt Lake City, Phoenix, San Jose, Portland, ect., has. So, I really like sharp & well-designed, medium-tall buildings, like this, added to Omaha. That would look really nice downtown -- on a human scale. I've read before that skyscrapers mainly work their "visual wonder" from a far. I agree with that. Driving into Chicago vs being downtown, the Sears/Willis Tower is a great example of that dynamic. Anyways, nice building!)

I couldn't agree more. Of course, it would make me sooo happy to have a bigger skyline to take a picture of, but it it benefits to build to the human scale. The logistics of building mid-rise buildings make perfect sense for densifying and urbanizing a population. It's cheaper than huge skyscrapers and still fits a lot of usable space into dense areas. I still wouldn't complain if Omaha got a few skyscraper announcements over the next 10 years!

I'm glad you see what I mean. Cities that don't have very tall skylines have a nice look to them, too. In fact, it seems I read that Portland views their tallest as "too tall" for them nowadays, with the mindset they currently have. (Portland certainly is not trying to be Seattle, and sometimes I wonder if their aim for shorter buildings is part of that.) I forgot to mention Boise, Albuquerque, and Columbia, SC in that group of cities I mentioned. (For example: See the difference between Boise & Little Rock? Boise doesn't seem to care about looking tall, but Little Rock does.) Some cities don't want skyscrapers as part of their look, or have a height restrictions. Don't get me wrong, people will always be intrigued by the next tallest building, though. I certainly am. Those new Saudi skyscrapers are shocking. I certainly admire New York, Chicago, Shanghai, Hong Kong, ect...for their many skyscrapers. Of course, any of us would be excited for a new "tall boy" for Omaha -- although I'm not sure I personally want anything taller than our FNC. There's a point where a city looks like it is "trying too hard" for its size, imo.

I wouldn't mind a building this size & proportions for Omaha (tall & strong, maybe a bit taller than the Woodmen, yet not taller than the FNC): https://static.panoramio.com.storage.go ... 193323.jpg I also wouldn't mind more sharp & high-tech "filler" buildings this size: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_t ... pr2010.JPG And: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_t ... 2009-a.JPG

Human scale is a great thing, a great feel, too -- "tall" is not always the most important thing. Just love this new simplistic & sharp & serene design. (There's plenty of neat designs that just could not happen with major thrust & height involved. Height is just not everything.) FDR has a great portfolio, and great designs, imo.

[daveoma]

So the angle showing the grassy walkway is right where 18th st currently runs, are the planning on tearing that out??

I was thinking the same thing. I think it's going to be attached to the east face of city hall.

[Louie]

So the angle showing the grassy walkway is right where 18th st currently runs, are the planning on tearing that out??

I was thinking the same thing. I think it's going to be attached to the east face of city hall.

Isn't the proposed building on the block south of city hall?

[GetUrban]

As good as this project will be for the proposed functions, I hope the architect who owns the building on the south half of the block won't be forced to sell his building and I hope they will revise the design accordingly and build upwards if they really need the space. I'm not excited about them closing off that stretch of 18th Street either, even though 18th is already blocked north of Harney. HDR just can't resist closing off more of the street grid every chance they get. They closed off 18th for the Douglas County Jail and 15th north of Capitol for the FNB Data Center and Davenport for the OWH Freedom Center, to name a few. As good as they are, sometimes they come into downtown too heavy-handed.

The new Douglas County Youth Detention Center was just built back in the late 1990's, for what it's worth. Probably over $15-20 million. Sorry to be a downer, But maybe there's still time to tweak the design and still get Douglas County what they really need.

[obvious2677]

HDR just can't resist closing off more of the street grid every chance they get. They closed off 18th for the Douglas County Jail and 15th north of Capitol for the FNB Data Center and Davenport for the OWH Freedom Center, to name a few.

The city has the ability to stop these things.

[Louie]

I really thought that after the Doubletree, Omaha had learned its lesson on closing streets...

[PotatoeEatsFish]

It's so annoying since these street closings are all so unessisary. Just build up or build over the street.

On the bright side when the Double Tree is torn down Omaha should get a new hotel tower.

[GetUrban]

HDR just can't resist closing off more of the street grid every chance they get. They closed off 18th for the Douglas County Jail and 15th north of Capitol for the FNB Data Center and Davenport for the OWH Freedom Center, to name a few.

The city has the ability to stop these things.

Correction: It was part of 17th St. that was closed off for the Douglas County Corrections Center (DCCC).
18th is a good, but minor connection from Harney south to Leavenworth, especially with 17th closed-off.

Some other non-HDR grid busters:
18th St between Farnam and Dodge for federal courthouse
18th St between Harney and Farnam for city-county building
11th & 12th for GLM
16th St from Dodge to Capitol for Hitlon/Red Lion/Double Tree (biggest mistake)
12th St between Farnam and Harney for Landmark Center
And the 4 block Civic site, 1950s
It should be mentioned that most of the original street right-of-ways are 100' wide, which is awfully wide. That made it very tempting to close-off a few.

[iamjacobm]

HDR just can't resist closing off more of the street grid every chance they get. They closed off 18th for the Douglas County Jail and 15th north of Capitol for the FNB Data Center and Davenport for the OWH Freedom Center, to name a few.

The city has the ability to stop these things.

Correction: It was part of 17th St. that was closed off for the Douglas County Corrections Center (DCCC).
18th is a good, but minor connection from Harney south to Leavenworth, especially with 17th closed-off.

Some other non-HDR grid busters:
18th St between Farnam and Dodge for federal courthouse
18th St between Harney and Farnam for city-county building
11th & 12th for GLM
16th St from Dodge to Capitol for Hitlon/Red Lion/Double Tree (biggest mistake)
12th St between Farnam and Harney for Landmark Center
And the 4 block Civic site, 1950s
It should be mentioned that most of the original street right-of-ways are 100' wide, which is awfully wide. That made it very tempting to close-off a few.

13th St North of Cuming, Kiewit is going to get a street vacated for their new HQ too.

[RockHarbor]

It's so annoying since these street closings are all so unessisary. Just build up or build over the street.

On the bright side when the Double Tree is torn down Omaha should get a new hotel tower.

They're tearing down the Double Tree?!?! I never heard this before. What will the new one look like?? All these HDR grid closings have totally flown over my head, btw. Never noticed them. Interesting.

[PotatoeEatsFish]

It's so annoying since these street closings are all so unessisary. Just build up or build over the street.

On the bright side when the Double Tree is torn down Omaha should get a new hotel tower.

They're tearing down the Double Tree?!?! I never heard this before. What will the new one look like?? All these HDR grid closings have totally flown over my head, btw. Never noticed them. Interesting.

In the next 50 years, the 2050 master plan says it probably will.

[Omaha Cowboy]

It's so annoying since these street closings are all so unessisary. Just build up or build over the street.

On the bright side when the Double Tree is torn down Omaha should get a new hotel tower.

They're tearing down the Double Tree?!?! I never heard this before. What will the new one look like?? All these HDR grid closings have totally flown over my head, btw. Never noticed them. Interesting.

In the next 50 years, the 2050 master plan says it probably will.

This is FALSE NEWS RockHarbor..

I think “PotatoeEatsFish” was just trying to be funny...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[RockHarbor]

It's so annoying since these street closings are all so unessisary. Just build up or build over the street.

On the bright side when the Double Tree is torn down Omaha should get a new hotel tower.

They're tearing down the Double Tree?!?! I never heard this before. What will the new one look like?? All these HDR grid closings have totally flown over my head, btw. Never noticed them. Interesting.

In the next 50 years, the 2050 master plan says it probably will.

This is FALSE NEWS RockHarbor..

I think “PotatoeEatsFish” was just trying to be funny...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Gotcha. I read it as fact. Thanks.

[Garrett]

It's so annoying since these street closings are all so unessisary. Just build up or build over the street.

On the bright side when the Double Tree is torn down Omaha should get a new hotel tower.

They're tearing down the Double Tree?!?! I never heard this before. What will the new one look like?? All these HDR grid closings have totally flown over my head, btw. Never noticed them. Interesting.

In the next 50 years, the 2050 master plan says it probably will.

This is FALSE NEWS RockHarbor..

I think “PotatoeEatsFish” was just trying to be funny...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Gotcha. I read it as fact. Thanks.

Actually it is in the current master plan that the expect the Doubletree and old FNB to be torn down.

[Omaha Cowboy]

It's so annoying since these street closings are all so unessisary. Just build up or build over the street.

On the bright side when the Double Tree is torn down Omaha should get a new hotel tower.

They're tearing down the Double Tree?!?! I never heard this before. What will the new one look like?? All these HDR grid closings have totally flown over my head, btw. Never noticed them. Interesting.

In the next 50 years, the 2050 master plan says it probably will.

This is FALSE NEWS RockHarbor..

I think “PotatoeEatsFish” was just trying to be funny...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Gotcha. I read it as fact. Thanks.

Actually it is in the current master plan that the expect the Doubletree and old FNB to be torn down.

Honestly, unless something sweepingly dramatic happens.. I don't see the Double Tree Hotel getting torn down in my lifetime or maybe even yours either .. We shall see...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[RockHarbor]

It's so annoying since these street closings are all so unessisary. Just build up or build over the street.

On the bright side when the Double Tree is torn down Omaha should get a new hotel tower.

They're tearing down the Double Tree?!?! I never heard this before. What will the new one look like?? All these HDR grid closings have totally flown over my head, btw. Never noticed them. Interesting.

In the next 50 years, the 2050 master plan says it probably will.

This is FALSE NEWS RockHarbor..

I think “PotatoeEatsFish” was just trying to be funny...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Gotcha. I read it as fact. Thanks.

Actually it is in the current master plan that the expect the Doubletree and old FNB to be torn down.

Honestly, unless something sweepingly dramatic happens.. I don't see the Double Tree Hotel getting torn down in my lifetime or maybe even yours either .. We shall see...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

I dont mind the "good ole' Red Lion", although it is embarrasing that's still basically our one & only true lofty downtown hotel. (Well, the new Marriott is at least a step back in that direction.) When I was a kid, I was taken to the top restaurant for my birthday, so I could look out at the city. Good memories. To think, looking at Downtown Omaha from the 250' hieght was such a big deal to me back then.

https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnew ... 1200%2C820 (Even though I am so glad Omaha has a DoubleTree, as back when I was very young, cities like Dallas & Houston had DoubleTree Hotels, so I associated them with "higher tier" cities, I still liked Red Lion's logo at the top of it better.)

I keep looking at how nice this new building is. I almost think: "If you're naughty in Omaha, you get a nice, pretty, modern building to report downtown to, and a pretty Tudor mansion to live at out at Boys Town. NICE." (Lol... Growing up, I used to think: "Those naughty & rebellious boys in Boys Town get to live in a nicer house than I do." The reality is, in a more mature mindset: Some of those boys really come from troubled backgrounds, so I'm glad they have Boys Town and a nice house to get their lives straightened out.) This is more a justice center for judges, courtrooms, ect., if I'm looking at things correctly. They should get a nice environment to work in, and conduct their business in.

[Erik]

All I care about with this development is whether or not the k8ds get the treatment they need. In rare cases, including this one, I couldnt care less about what the building looks like.

[Omaha Cowboy]

All I care about with this development is whether or not the k8ds get the treatment they need. In rare cases, including this one, I couldnt care less about what the building looks like.

No doubt Erik, I agree. The kids/treatment is priority one..

At the end of the day, if the building ends up looking nice, that’s an added bonus...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[RockHarbor]

All I care about with this development is whether or not the k8ds get the treatment they need. In rare cases, including this one, I couldnt care less about what the building looks like.

Per my comment, jumping at the chance to show everyone you're a "saint", I see. People are always sooo predictable. By the way, I care what the building looks like in EVERY case, including one for juveniles that need to grow the heck up and get their act together -- and not afraid to state it. (So does the architect of any building. So do the owners of a building who hire the janitor. So does the janitor, if he/she cares about the quaility of their work.) Therefore, stating that doesn't make me a "sinner" or a "saint." It makes me logical, real & believable.

[GetUrban]

All I care about with this development is whether or not the k8ds get the treatment they need. In rare cases, including this one, I couldnt care less about what the building looks like.

Per my comment, jumping at the chance to show everyone you're a "saint", I see. People are always sooo predictable. By the way, I care what the building looks like in EVERY case, including one for juveniles that need to grow the heck up and get their act together -- and not afraid to state it. (So does the architect of any building. So do the owners of a building who hire the janitor. So does the janitor, if he/she cares about the quaility of their work.) Therefore, stating that doesn't make me a "sinner" or a "saint." It makes me logical, real & believable.

Well said. I'll add that a building CAN do both. They're not mutually exclusive. It can meet all of the user's functional and human needs while simultaneously being an important, exciting, and artful contribution to our built environment. Most architects get this and strive to achieve that goal. It's nice you care about the kids, but that doesn't mean the building has to be banal. The kids might actually get some enjoyment from their stay if the facility is a pleasant environment. Who knows, maybe it will even spark their interest in becoming an architect, engineer, skilled trades person, or contractor someday!

[RockHarbor]

All I care about with this development is whether or not the k8ds get the treatment they need. In rare cases, including this one, I couldnt care less about what the building looks like.

Per my comment, jumping at the chance to show everyone you're a "saint", I see. People are always sooo predictable. By the way, I care what the building looks like in EVERY case, including one for juveniles that need to grow the heck up and get their act together -- and not afraid to state it. (So does the architect of any building. So do the owners of a building who hire the janitor. So does the janitor, if he/she cares about the quaility of their work.) Therefore, stating that doesn't make me a "sinner" or a "saint." It makes me logical, real & believable.

Well said. I'll add that a building CAN do both. They're not mutually exclusive. It can meet all of the user's functional and human needs while simultaneously being an important, exciting, and artful contribution to our built environment. Most architects get this and strive to achieve that goal. It's nice you care about the kids, but that doesn't mean the building has to be banal. The kids might actually get some enjoyment from their stay if the facility is a pleasant environment. Who knows, maybe it will even spark their interest in becoming an architect, engineer, skilled trades person, or contractor someday!

Thanks. I stand by my point, although I probably got a little defensive. I was a little irritated to begin with yesterday... You're right; It can be all things at once -- it doesnt have to be one or the other. Of course, I want a nice building for anybody/everybody -- not a freaky or scary one. Sometimes, I know a nice environment can motivate & inspire -- like you mentioned. But, I dont think people should get it because people feel "soooo sorry" for them. We've all had challenges... Gosh, look at Walt Disney's childhood story. Nobody felt sorry him when he was put out delivering his dad's newspapers in three feet of snow every cold night... Some of these kids have had rough backgrounds, and lack of good authority, but some of them are lazy, think they can take & steal what doesnt belong to them, think they are entitled to things, yet play XBox all day... As long as people are making excuse after excuse in life, blaming everybody else, and not trying their best, I dont feel sorry for people. But, some people do need a helping hand to get their lives straightened out. As long as people are improving, learning & growing... (And, that includes me & all of us.) I'm a "mercy mixed with discipline" type.

[iamjacobm]

Is the five story building shown in the renderings on the south end part of this project? I was hoping that the existing building on that corner could remain. I think it has a lot of potential.

Otherwise beautiful project.

I was assuming that was the parking garage. As far as I know that owner didn't want to sell, but I imagine the county will get their way.

“It’s not for sale,” Perrin told The World-Herald. ... “I intend on using the building and continuing to use it, and make it a viable part of the community,” Perrin said.

http://www.omaha.com/news/plus/douglas- ... 784ae.html

https://www.omaha.com/money/development ... 074d2.html

The Douglas County Board will consider using eminent domain to acquire a property near 18th and Howard Streets for its proposed $120 million juvenile justice center.

The resolution to initiate acquisition proceedings — along with several other key steps forward for the justice center — will go before the board Tuesday morning.

The property’s owner, architect Bob Perrin, rejected the county’s offer to buy his four-story, 40,000-square-foot office building at 420 S. 18th St., for $900,000 back in May.

[Louie]

Sounds like Perrin is quite attached to that building.

[ricko]

Wouldn't it be cool if the city spent $120 million on early childhood development, parenting classes and mentoring programs for the city's dysfunctional population (rich and poor, BTW) so that we wouldn't have to worry about so many young people down the road ending up in a pretty warehouse like this? Just sayin'.

[Rehulk]

Wouldn't it be cool if the city spent $120 million on early childhood development, parenting classes and mentoring programs for the city's dysfunctional population (rich and poor, BTW) so that we wouldn't have to worry about so many young people down the road ending up in a pretty warehouse like this? Just sayin'.

Because, the city dies spend money on such programs and these problems are not just rooted in the lack of afternoon basketball camps. Kids and teenagers rebel against their parents and some just dint have then around so they do stupid |expletive|. With the city grown they need more space and some times random wearhouses need to be bulldozed so the city can function properly.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Sounds like Perrin is quite attached to that building.

I saw him on a KETV story early this morning..

He’s presenting his side to the County board today from what I understand...

Ciao..LiO...Peace