Oak View Mall (144 & West Center Rd)

[daveoma]

Since Westroads and Oakview got bought out my Brookfield Asset Management what changes do you want to see to both malls besides remodeling. From what I read Brookfield is a good company and has helped out Macys and many other businesses. I think Oakview needs a better/updated food court. I think it would be nice to see one of the empty tenants at Westroads or Oakview get a big natural grocers store. It would be also nice to see Westroads and Oakview get an ice skating rink in the middle of the mall. More entertainment/ things for kids and family to do is really needed. We are way too oversaturated with retail and bars. One of my friends thinks that Westroads or Oakview could get a Macys. Thoughts?

I live near the Oakview area and would like to see some effort be put in revitalizing this mall. It is sad to see half of the big box stores at the mall and the bordering retail go out of business, at no fault of Oakview, at least not wholly (I am looking at you, Sears). In any case, I agree that Oakview and Westroads could do with some more entertainment options. However, I do not know if Oakview has shown that it can support more entertainment options, unless they are new to the area, as other posters have mentioned. Although the Oakview theater is doing fine, Sempecks Bowling, that used to be Alley V, that used to be something else, doesn't ever seem that occupied.

I can't see a future where Oak View is a mall anymore. I'm not sure what it should be re purposed as but it's days as a mall I think are numbered.

Greg

You're probably right, though I cannot imagine the area being redeveloped unless the retail ring around the mall is included. Additionally, if re-purposed in the non-mall scenario, I don't see it happening for several years. Crossroads is an example, though that may just be a specific case due to ownership.

I agree with you regarding the retail ring around the mall. It seems to me that the mall's parking lots could be infilled with mid-rise mixed use and the retail perimeter could be repurposed as low density residential and a park.

[Csmac]

I think Oakview could move forward as a mix used mall. Adding more big box retail won't help either malls for the long haul. A revamping of the food court and more entertainment options is what Oakview in particular needs. I was reading an article where Brookfield is big on revamping declining malls into winter hangouts with indoor ice skating rinks, fire pit, kid fun plexes etc. Let's be honest Omaha needs more family fun especially in the cold winter months. As far as the outer ring of the mall I think redoing AMC will drive traffic if it has a good incentive for people to go there. Look at 20 grand now Majestic once they remodeled that movie theatre it has to become one of the go to theaters again. I think where Dicks used to be they could put in a Sierra trading Post or something. The outer ring of the mall doesn't have to be 100% filled but stores will either need to be replaced or torn down eventually.

[Rehulk]

I think Oakview could move forward as a mix used mall. Adding more big box retail won't help either malls for the long haul. A revamping of the food court and more entertainment options is what Oakview in particular needs. I was reading an article where Brookfield is big on revamping declining malls into winter hangouts with indoor ice skating rinks, fire pit, kid fun plexes etc. Let's be honest Omaha needs more family fun especially in the cold winter months. As far as the outer ring of the mall I think redoing AMC will drive traffic if it has a good incentive for people to go there. Look at 20 grand now Majestic once they remodeled that movie theatre it has to become one of the go to theaters again. I think where Dicks used to be they could put in a Sierra trading Post or something. The outer ring of the mall doesn't have to be 100% filled but stores will either need to be replaced or torn down eventually.

Do you happen to know any projects this company as done? Very curious on what this company could do to help revive Oak View.

[Csmac]

They have done restructuring to Macy’s that has helped save a lot of stores . They are putting 15 billion into 125 malls throughout the US including Westroads and Oakview. They have put empty tenants and reused the malls with half retail and half with apartments, kids museums, movie theatres, entertainment places and upscale dining and more. Time will tell how they will handle Westroads and especially Oak view. Regardless, if they are spreading out 5 billion to 125 us malls it can only help Westroads and Oakview. I think they are really serious with going forward with the changes there was an news story on KETV last week talking about upcoming changes. A guy from Greater Omaha Chamber said It’s in Omaha’s best interest to remodel/revitalize both malls for mix use.

[nativeomahan]

A few days back we visited the Dillard’s store at Oak Park mall in Overland Park. (Actually 1 of 2 Dillard’s stores at that mall, which continues to baffle me). Anyway, a clerk was chatting with us and when we mentioned we were from Omaha he said that he heard there would be some significant changes coming to the Omaha retail market, involving Dillard’s. He did not specify what he was alluding to.

[ita]

Since Westroads and Oakview got bought out my Brookfield Asset Management what changes do you want to see to both malls besides remodeling. From what I read Brookfield is a good company and has helped out Macys and many other businesses. I think Oakview needs a better/updated food court. I think it would be nice to see one of the empty tenants at Westroads or Oakview get a big natural grocers store. It would be also nice to see Westroads and Oakview get an ice skating rink in the middle of the mall. More entertainment/ things for kids and family to do is really needed. We are way too oversaturated with retail and bars. One of my friends thinks that Westroads or Oakview could get a Macys. Thoughts?

I live near the Oakview area and would like to see some effort be put in revitalizing this mall. It is sad to see half of the big box stores at the mall and the bordering retail go out of business, at no fault of Oakview, at least not wholly (I am looking at you, Sears). In any case, I agree that Oakview and Westroads could do with some more entertainment options. However, I do not know if Oakview has shown that it can support more entertainment options, unless they are new to the area, as other posters have mentioned. Although the Oakview theater is doing fine, Sempecks Bowling, that used to be Alley V, that used to be something else, doesn't ever seem that occupied.

I can't see a future where Oak View is a mall anymore. I'm not sure what it should be re purposed as but it's days as a mall I think are numbered.

Greg

You're probably right, though I cannot imagine the area being redeveloped unless the retail ring around the mall is included. Additionally, if re-purposed in the non-mall scenario, I don't see it happening for several years. Crossroads is an example, though that may just be a specific case due to ownership.

I agree with you regarding the retail ring around the mall. It seems to me that the mall's parking lots could be infilled with mid-rise mixed use and the retail perimeter could be repurposed as low density residential and a park.

Boom, just saw this of Omaha's reddit page: https://www.reddit.com/r/Omaha/comments ... s_closing/. Sad news, yet again for the Oak View area.

[Csmac]

Sad news, but doesn’t surprise me. When I went in there to see it after the V moved out it seemed to have lost its appeal a little bit. Maybe some one else will come and buy it out doubtful though. Good thing West Farm will be developing down the street and Brookfield bought out Westroads and Oakview. Just another indication that the Oakview area needs a touch up. It will be interesting to see what happens in the next few months.

[omaha79]

So, the bowling alley is closing as well? Yet another hit for the Oak View area. At some point, some harsh realities will need to be faced. I honestly don't think it's healthy to keep saying things like "really none of these closings are the fault of Oak View itself". It sounds like "the fundamentals of Oak View are strong." Or, Baghdad Bob waving his hands around assuring everyone that everything is fine.

Yes, a lot of circumstances have led to a lot of businesses going under, but solid developments persevere and flourish in the face of adversity. They replace and grow. Oak View can't stem the tide of these losses and that is the most telling part of this in and of itself. Again, reminds me of Crossroads circa 2000.

[Csmac]

Does anyone know when AMC is putting a massive remodel into all of there theatres? I'm sure that can drive some traffic to oakview. I was thinking why don't they just tear town the vacant building around the mall and turn them into nice condo/apartments. With the mall put a natural grocer type store in one of the empty tenants and then take one tenant and put a nice gym/health club. They could also incorporate a KidZania in the mall too that would boost traffic. U still think an indoor ice skating rink wouldn't be a bad idea either.

[PotatoeEatsFish]

Does anyone know when AMC is putting a massive remodel into all of there theatres? I'm sure that can drive some traffic to oakview. I was thinking why don't they just tear town the vacant building around the mall and turn them into nice condo/apartments. With the mall put a natural grocer type store in one of the empty tenants and then take one tenant and put a nice gym/health club. They could also incorporate a KidZania in the mall too that would boost traffic. U still think an indoor ice skating rink wouldn't be a bad idea either.

Do people still go to movies?

[Omaha Cowboy]

Does anyone know when AMC is putting a massive remodel into all of there theatres? I'm sure that can drive some traffic to oakview. I was thinking why don't they just tear town the vacant building around the mall and turn them into nice condo/apartments. With the mall put a natural grocer type store in one of the empty tenants and then take one tenant and put a nice gym/health club. They could also incorporate a KidZania in the mall too that would boost traffic. U still think an indoor ice skating rink wouldn't be a bad idea either.

The AMC Oakview started their remodel late this spring. It will also extend into redeveloping the parking lot from what I understand...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Csmac]

With Brookfield taking over GGP. What does everyone want to see go into more with Westroads and especially Oak View? Walking through Westroads the other day I was thinking as nice as Westroads is lacking big time in entertainment good thing top golf is opening. I’m hoping with the empty tenants at both malls we can see an added entertainment that’s big especially for Oakview I think it would help Oakview tremendously. Maybe one tenant at Oakview can be condo or a very nice gym connected to the inner mall. For either mall I think mix used will be the only way to survive going forward especially for Oakview. At the common grounds at Westroads someone told me the empty Younkers will be Macy’s. Which I thought Macy’s was struggling. My friend thinks a Nordstrom to Omaha would be very nice. Thoughts?

[ryan311]

Get a lego store and an American Girl store into the Westroads like the Oak Park mall in K.C. has. As far as Oakview, the only way I can see it surviving is to draw destination type retailers in. Put in an Academy Sports and an IKEA. Then people would have reasons to start going there again and other businesses would follow. However, that scenario is never going to happen so a repurpose of the mall into something different is almost a certainty.

[Bomaha]

The mall itself is essentially dead for retail. I don't really know how smart it would be to gear the building towards office considering West Farm, West Dodge etc. Maybe make it another hub of medical offices with Nebraska Orthopedic right there.

Honestly, adding some midrise apartment buildings adjacent to the existing structure would at least provide a boost to the outer ring. Whether you like it or not, there's actually a housing shortage and the apartment market shows no signs of stopping. It would add valuable housing stock along the West Center corridor even with West Farm right there. Might as well add a midrise retirement community as well. The Greater Oakview area could be revived, but not in it's original form.

Anyway, rambling complete.

[damonhynes]

Do people still go to movies?

The popcorn, brah--the popcorn! Twin Creek is the best. Alamo @ Southport the worst--artisanal, half-butter stuff that ruins the experience.

[Csmac]

I think Oakview needs to be transformed into a Work, Live and Play environment which I heard is Brookfields plan. I think some of the empty stores on the outer ring could be filled as nice apartments or condos. I hopethe plan to keep West Farm 1/3 vacant land for bike trails and recreational Is still a go!!! I might get hate for this but the last thing Omaha need is more and more retail in today's age there is way too much!

[TitosBuritoBarn]

I think Oakview needs to be transformed into a Work, Live and Play environment which I heard is Brookfields plan. I think some of the empty stores on the outer ring could be filled as nice apartments or condos. I hopethe plan to keep West Farm 1/3 vacant land for bike trails and recreational Is still a go!!! I might get hate for this but the last thing Omaha need is more and more retail in today's age there is way too much!

I think you're right and there is too much retail. As much as I enjoyed going to Oak View as a kid and I think it has aged gracefully (in contrast to the big boxes surrounding it) it may have to be the sacrificial goat to the retail gods. Unfortunately, if we can't get anything going at Crossroads, redeveloping Oak View may be even more tricky.

[Csmac]

Yah Omaha needs to adapt to non traditional retail in this day and age. Regardless of West Farm coming or not I think Omaha needs to look at revitalizing old malls into mix use/live work and play environments. There was an article where Harvey Oaks resident are concerned about Oakview turning into an eyesore. Even though malls are struggling it doesnt mean we should let them die. It's about adapting and having new things for Omaha residents to do instead of the usual shopping and eating out. We need more entertainment. Just my two cents.

[ita]

Just got an email from AMC that the remodeling is done at the Oakview Location. I think others have mentioned previously that other AMC remodels included new seats. In any case, probably the only good news coming out of Oakview as of late.

[TitosBuritoBarn]

It's kind of weird to me that AMC is sticking it out at this location given that its tucked away in the the bowls of a dying retail area and has kind of odd access points.

[GrandpaaSmucker]

It's kind of weird to me that AMC is sticking it out at this location given that its tucked away in the the bowls of a dying retail area and has kind of odd access points.

Actually it is a great location deep in the heart of safe SW Omaha. What more could you ask for. That place is a concrete bomb shelter that will last forever if they just keep updating the movie screens and sound systems once in awhile. Holy cash cows batman.

[TitosBuritoBarn]

It's kind of weird to me that AMC is sticking it out at this location given that its tucked away in the the bowls of a dying retail area and has kind of odd access points.

Actually it is a great location deep in the heart of safe SW Omaha. What more could you ask for. That place is a concrete bomb shelter that will last forever if they just keep updating the movie screens and sound systems once in awhile. Holy cash cows batman.

That’s not....that’s not how commercial real estate works. Bomb shelter?

[Garrett]

It's kind of weird to me that AMC is sticking it out at this location given that its tucked away in the the bowls of a dying retail area and has kind of odd access points.

Actually it is a great location deep in the heart of safe SW Omaha. What more could you ask for. That place is a concrete bomb shelter that will last forever if they just keep updating the movie screens and sound systems once in awhile. Holy cash cows batman.

That’s not....that’s not how commercial real estate works. Bomb shelter?

Did you miss the class where they discussed a building's viability as a retail space is directly related to it's ability to survive a nuclear blast? Sure, all of the textbooks were from 1963 but it was very informative!

[tomapo]

Oakview Mall will no longer be part of Brookfields stable. It is being sold again on 1 November 2018. It was announced at the tenant meeting last week. No other information such as to whom it was sold or what they plan to do with the mall.

[ita]

Oakview Mall will no longer be part of Brookfields stable. It is being sold again on 1 November 2018. It was announced at the tenant meeting last week. No other information such as to whom it was sold or what they plan to do with the mall.

I wonder how it will be marketed? Slowly dying mall, ripe for redevelopment? I feel bad for the tenants who have to go through ownership changes like this with an uncertain future for the mall.

[GrandpaaSmucker]

Oakview Mall will no longer be part of Brookfields stable. It is being sold again on 1 November 2018. It was announced at the tenant meeting last week. No other information such as to whom it was sold or what they plan to do with the mall.

Odds are they sold it for a quick profit. Thats what they do.....liquidate, renovate, wheel and deal and anything else that can do to turn a tidy profit.

[Csmac]

Ugh Brookfield backed out?? I really don't want to see the Oakview Mousetrap turn into a further eyesore. Maybe the plans the buyer have on Nov 1 will turn things around. We are already dealiing with Crossroads now this. Hope they can redevelop the mall somehow.

[Joe_Sovereign]

The City needs to work with the new owners and the existing owners and tenants on a new master plan. City paying to change the traffic pattern.

Make the entire area walkable. Parking Garages. Apartment buildings. Ground level small retail with the parking, condos, and apartments on top. Make the entire area from 144 and Center to AMC an Entertainment District. Grocery Store. Office or Medical for the empty anchor stores in the Mall. Bars, Restaurants, Music inside the mall. Indoors area can be a cold weather and hot weather destination. Tear down the empty big box stores around the perimeter for residential. Take a chunk of the mall parking lot for a park and surround it with residential.

[zippy]

I've always hated the traffic light by B&N and the former HyVee, and the way it doesn't connect directly cleanly to the road that goes behind the AMC theater and connects to 132nd.

[Csmac]

Any news on who bought out Oakview on Thursday?

[Coyote]

This pad site is being marketed for a hotel, going for $1.6m

image.jpeg

[Coyote]

Or, for $3.7m you could get the bowling alley.

image.jpeg

[ita]

Here's a professional take on what could happen with Oak view:

https://morningsky.com/omaha/posts/james-maenner-report

[TitosBuritoBarn]

This pad site is being marketed for a hotel, going for $1.6m


image.jpeg

I feel like we've got to be over-saturated with hotels by now. I'm not sure that this location would be too attractive to too many hotelers anyway.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Here's a professional take on what could happen with Oak view:

https://morningsky.com/omaha/posts/james-maenner-report

That’s an interesting and more realistic take on what may very well end up being the future for the Oakview Mousetrap..

Thanks for sharing the article ...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[GrandpaaSmucker]

This pad site is being marketed for a hotel, going for $1.6m


image.jpeg

I feel like we've got to be over-saturated with hotels by now. I'm not sure that this location would be too attractive to too many hotelers anyway.

Many of the hotels out here that have been around for years have been bought out by foreigners and have been ran into the dirt or are in the process of being trashed and are ready for the wrecking ball. There is plenty of room out here for hotels that are ran by decent and legit operators.

[Csmac]

Hmmm a hotel on the end of the southeast part of the mall parking lot? Might not be a thing!! Where did you find this?

[Csmac]

Any news on what will happen to Oakview? I think the city needs to focus on areas that need redevelopment instead of digging up new space since we are in a retail apocalypse just my two cents. Heck West farm original plans are already not going through. Way too much retail!

[Cermak]

Really hard to say what will happen to this mall. It may end up sitting vacant. It Won’t be the first mall to do that. Very little interest in these anymore. Maybe a community college will buy it or find some office use or health club. The mall had about 20 good years then started to die, for a while it was the best mall in Omaha.

[Csmac]

Hope it doesn’t sit vacant for too long!!! The parking lot was full tonight so I think something can be done. Omaha needs to be looking at doing something whether it’s tearing down the sears and younkers and making into different business or an entertainment center. There is a space in the parking of the sears portion/south east parking lot being marketed for a hotel. Maybe there is a redevelopment project that is slowly in the works . I do know the residents around Harvey oaks are not wanting it to become an eyesore.