The Crossroads (72 & Dodge)

RockHarbor · Post by **RockHarbor** » Mon Dec 31, 2018 3:22 pm

GetUrban wrote: Mon Dec 31, 2018 11:05 am
FirebirdEngineer wrote: Sun Dec 30, 2018 8:58 pm
RockHarbor wrote: Sun Dec 30, 2018 1:37 pm Plus, that particular Crossroads store, which sat unremodeled from the 60's, year after year, decade after decade, only helped lead it to its "goin' out of business" destiny. (Who ever thinks a store/business is doing well, when a remodel is always withheld that long? Who is attracted to a store that looks like that on the outside?
I doubt a new coat of paint and some other structural improvements on a single store location would've done anything to improve the financial outlook for the entire company.
Coincidentally, certain aspects of the mid-century modern decor of the un-remodeled Sears are probably back in style again now. I'll never forget the look of the terrazzo floors in the stairways and lower level and the unique "Sears" smell the store had, and the pushy sales people in the appliance area, and their great tool selection. I'm surprised it lasted this long.

I know that smell you're talking about. I think Woolworths had the same whiff when you walked in. Don't get me wrong, I can fully appreciate the 60's & 70's wonky styles, but that doesnt mean you dont remodel w/ the times as a major retailer & department store near the city's busiest intersection.

thenewguy · Post by **thenewguy** » Tue Jan 01, 2019 10:41 am

We stopped in the crossroads last weekend and were going to check out the Czech museum (they weren't yet open), and we were going to walk the mall...but the guy smoking a cigar in the bathroom, the doors with cheap gate locks, water damage, graffiti carved into walls, and hand written signs on doors/pop machines, etc, we decided to leave and not come back.

Cermak · Post by **Cermak** » Tue Jan 01, 2019 5:18 pm

This mall is an embarrassment to the city. Was recently in Barnes and Nobles and the store seemed dirty and unkept.

BPHusker · Post by **BPHusker** » Wed Jan 02, 2019 9:25 am

With Sears closing, does that mean there is a better chance that Crossroads gets knocked down and rebuilt?

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Wed Jan 02, 2019 9:45 am

BPHusker wrote: Wed Jan 02, 2019 9:25 am With Sears closing, does that mean there is a better chance that Crossroads gets knocked down and rebuilt?

I think it helps but also don't think it had anything to do with the issues to date. Yates clearly wanted the city to cough up far more than they did. The landscape has changed so much to now so that what we get will be far different than initially proposed. Will be interesting to see if we have something new in the next 5 years.

Greg

bigredmed1 · Post by **bigredmed1** » Wed Jan 02, 2019 12:45 pm

Greg S wrote: Wed Jan 02, 2019 9:45 am
BPHusker wrote: Wed Jan 02, 2019 9:25 am With Sears closing, does that mean there is a better chance that Crossroads gets knocked down and rebuilt?

I think it helps but also don't think it had anything to do with the issues to date. Yates clearly wanted the city to cough up far more than they did. The landscape has changed so much to now so that what we get will be far different than initially proposed. Will be interesting to see if we have something new in the next 5 years.

Greg

Does the city have a way around Yates? Kind of hope that the city can find a new developer or simply find a way to bring down the unused parts of the mall and leave the land flat for parking. it would make a great transportation hub. MegaBus, Metro, parking for the area's businesses all there means transpo into the city with immediate connections for Metro, the BRT, the Uber/Lyft groups, and personal pick up.

RockHarbor · Post by **RockHarbor** » Wed Jan 02, 2019 2:42 pm

Cermak wrote: Tue Jan 01, 2019 5:18 pm This mall is an embarrassment to the city. Was recently in Barnes and Nobles and the store seemed dirty and unkept.

I love how you said that first line simply & forcefully. Lol. It sounds like a statement from a concerned mayor, or something, calling for action.

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Wed Jan 02, 2019 2:50 pm

bigredmed1 wrote: Wed Jan 02, 2019 12:45 pm Does the city have a way around Yates? Kind of hope that the city can find a new developer or simply find a way to bring down the unused parts of the mall and leave the land flat for parking. it would make a great transportation hub. MegaBus, Metro, parking for the area's businesses all there means transpo into the city with immediate connections for Metro, the BRT, the Uber/Lyft groups, and personal pick up.

Honestly I no longer care what happens at this site and would rather see it razed for a blank slate. I would rather it be a corn field than what it is now. Like your idea for the near future.

iamjacobm · Post by **iamjacobm** » Wed Jan 02, 2019 3:38 pm

City pulled all the infrastructure funding they had set aside here and are using it elsewhere. I am not expecting anything much here for a while.

bbinks · Post by **bbinks** » Wed Jan 02, 2019 3:52 pm

How long has the Walgreens been on the SE corner of 72nd & Cass? Yet the wall next to Barnes and Noble still clearly shows where the sign was. Still says Walgreens with no sign there. The mall didn't keep up basic maintenance at all. A little paint now and then.....

Sears isn't the only one to not keep up basic maintenance. The mall as a whole was poorly maintained.

iamjacobm · Post by **iamjacobm** » Wed Jan 02, 2019 3:56 pm

bbinks wrote: Wed Jan 02, 2019 3:52 pm How long has the Walgreens been on the SE corner of 72nd & Cass? Yet the wall next to Barnes and Noble still clearly shows where the sign was. Still says Walgreens with no sign there. The mall didn't keep up basic maintenance at all. A little paint now and then.....

Holy |expletive|, I didn't even know Walgreens used to be there...

Assessor site says the 72nd and Cass location was built in 2000.

RockHarbor · Post by **RockHarbor** » Wed Jan 02, 2019 4:52 pm

I think with the wonky Sears packing up it's things, we are all hungry to hear the sound of the roaring bulldozer & crashing wrecking ball, eager to see the site razed. I almost wish I could be there to see the canvas tunnels topple & fall. Loved Crossroads in its heyday, but like a middle-aged, beer gut-sporting man's HS football glory days are now long over, so are Crossroads. It's time to say "goodbye" and move on, I think. I'm almost wondering if they should not think too much about it. Maybe they should just build a big, beefy "surban" apartment complex (likes ones going up in Vancouver, WA outside Portland, or ones in the suburban Bay Area), with retail at the base, sandwich shops with outdoor, railed-in seating, and maybe a small conference center, maybe a fun modern little bowling alley, a nice square park with a fountain or art sculpture, and a parking garage. Sometimes the best redevelopments are something practical and logical, and not something they tried too hard to be creative with, or fit too much into. Yes, it is a special lot with colorful history. Yet, developers can dream big, and continually stall trying to come up with the perfect thing for the coveted lot, and nothing really seems to fit. And, if the proposal is not safe & practical, the scary "risks in the air" keep everything frozen and not moving forward. Just tired if it all. I dont think you can really go wrong making Central Omaha more dense residential-wise. Nor, limited retail at the base. Nor a park or fountain. Nor special entertainment places to meet up -- if needed in the area. You typically cant go wrong with that stuff, I think. Nothing I can think of at Aksarben Village was some "big risk", imo.

RockHarbor · Post by **RockHarbor** » Thu Jan 03, 2019 12:20 am

I wanted to show this example of a retro neon sign of a ball & pins in Cleveland I saw while I was there. Just imagine coming down Dodge, then at 72nd, you run into major urban density lining right along Dodge (from maybe 4-5 stories of apartments & condos), and there'a retail at the base of the buildings. And, even though the store fronts are within the complex, they maybe have signs sticking out on their backsides along Dodge. For example, there could be a sharp, urban-style brick bowling alley with a sign like this sticking out, with the neon lighting up the ball, then the first pin, then the second, then the third... Then, they all flash several times in unison. Then, the pattern starts over... It would be neat seeing thoughtful designer things like that along Dodge, imo.

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Thu Jan 03, 2019 1:49 am

At least in the short term, they could raze the site from Dodge to Cass where BestBuy and Bag N' Save used to be, at least get a start. IMO, in hindsight, aspirations for this site have been too high, especially with one owner for the whole thing. I no longer think this place should be Aksarben X 2. If Target and Applebee's want to stay, that's okay. I'd find nothing wrong if this was re-aquired, then parceled out for organic, new-urban development. If that means urban single family homes or apartments is no problem with me. It doesn't need to be our next claim to urban fame.

bbinks · Post by **bbinks** » Thu Jan 03, 2019 4:50 am

Busguy2010 wrote: Thu Jan 03, 2019 1:49 am At least in the short term, they could raze the site from Dodge to Cass where BestBuy and Bag N' Save used to be, at least get a start. IMO, in hindsight, aspirations for this site have been too high, especially with one owner for the whole thing. I no longer think this place should be Aksarben X 2. If Target and Applebee's want to stay, that's okay. I'd find nothing wrong if this was re-aquired, then parceled out for organic, new-urban development. If that means urban single family homes or apartments is no problem with me. It doesn't need to be our next claim to urban fame.

Target owns their building and parking lot. They likely will not sell, no matter what plan ever develops.

Cermak · Post by **Cermak** » Thu Jan 03, 2019 9:25 am

I agree, If they could at least start taking some sections down this year. That would be a start. This doesn’t need to be some great development. Clear the land, leave the Target. Maybe add some Apartments.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Thu Jan 03, 2019 9:45 am

Who is this "they" you are referring to?

GetUrban · Post by **GetUrban** » Thu Jan 03, 2019 11:41 am

Coyote wrote: Thu Jan 03, 2019 9:45 am Who is this "they" you are referring to?

That is a good question. In reality, it can only be the property owner(s) making such final decisions, not some secret consortium of planners, public officials, developers pulling strings behind the scenes, one would hope.

This does need to be some kind of great development eventually, in my opinion.

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Thu Jan 03, 2019 1:07 pm

Coyote wrote: Thu Jan 03, 2019 9:45 am Who is this "they" you are referring to?

Whoever owns it or whoever may still have a say as to what goes in there. I didn't care to go look and then state who owns it. I think one person owning the entire thing could be what's holding it back, along with aspirations being too high.

OmahaJaysCU · Post by **OmahaJaysCU** » Thu Jan 03, 2019 4:48 pm

I'm sure I've said this in the 20 some pages of this thread going back to pry 2009...but I've always envisioned a brand new Nebraska Furniture Mart Retail store along with as their office HQ on the Crossroads site. They could keep their existing (and expensive) warehouse infrastructure where it's and and give their current showroom buildings to Target in a trade. Then Target could demo mega mart and the shwroom and build a Super Target facing 72nd street. I would imagine would be a grand slam for both Target and NFM.

I'm sure this has been pursued before but that's my practical vision for the site.

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Thu Jan 03, 2019 5:47 pm

OmahaJaysCU wrote: Thu Jan 03, 2019 4:48 pm I'm sure I've said this in the 20 some pages of this thread going back to pry 2009...but I've always envisioned a brand new Nebraska Furniture Mart Retail store along with as their office HQ on the Crossroads site. They could keep their existing (and expensive) warehouse infrastructure where it's and and give their current showroom buildings to Target in a trade. Then Target could demo mega mart and the shwroom and build a Super Target facing 72nd street. I would imagine would be a grand slam for both Target and NFM.

I'm sure this has been pursued before but that's my practical vision for the site.

I like this idea too. I could definitely imagine a 72nd street location would have worked out better for them, and what could happen at the crossroads site. I imagine having to work Target into the plan puts a real damper on what they can do with it.

Unrelated to the quoted, I like the thought of running 75th street through the site and someone building a "Duke of Omaha" type project in that sliver between the plaza on 76th and what would be 75th. That plaza is actually pretty healthy, but could definitely use a major renovation and I think a good sized apartment project with pedestrian connections to it could spark some vitality into the existing plaza.

bbinks · Post by **bbinks** » Thu Jan 03, 2019 7:07 pm

OmahaJaysCU wrote: Thu Jan 03, 2019 4:48 pm I'm sure I've said this in the 20 some pages of this thread going back to pry 2009...but I've always envisioned a brand new Nebraska Furniture Mart Retail store along with as their office HQ on the Crossroads site. They could keep their existing (and expensive) warehouse infrastructure where it's and and give their current showroom buildings to Target in a trade. Then Target could demo mega mart and the shwroom and build a Super Target facing 72nd street. I would imagine would be a grand slam for both Target and NFM.

I'm sure this has been pursued before but that's my practical vision for the site.

I doubt Target would foot the bill for this scenario. Plus, they are not building Super Targets.

ProgKingHughesker · Post by **ProgKingHughesker** » Thu Jan 03, 2019 7:08 pm

well if the Asian Market keeps expanding the 76th plaza will be nothing but that, Best Buy, BDubs, and Charlestons (I have no issue with this)

OmahaJaysCU · Post by **OmahaJaysCU** » Thu Jan 03, 2019 8:17 pm

bbinks wrote: Thu Jan 03, 2019 7:07 pm
OmahaJaysCU wrote: Thu Jan 03, 2019 4:48 pm I'm sure I've said this in the 20 some pages of this thread going back to pry 2009...but I've always envisioned a brand new Nebraska Furniture Mart Retail store along with as their office HQ on the Crossroads site. They could keep their existing (and expensive) warehouse infrastructure where it's and and give their current showroom buildings to Target in a trade. Then Target could demo mega mart and the shwroom and build a Super Target facing 72nd street. I would imagine would be a grand slam for both Target and NFM.

I'm sure this has been pursued before but that's my practical vision for the site.
I doubt Target would foot the bill for this scenario. Plus, they are not building Super Targets.

I'm more trying to figure out a way to get a new NFM like other markets as opposed to our crappy metal building conglomerate. Their warehouse infrastructure is too expensive to ever relocate so that's the only location I envision that working. Target isn't already the problem anyway. Swapping sites is a better solution that asking them to close a store because it doesn't fit the new concept.

Cermak · Post by **Cermak** » Thu Jan 03, 2019 9:30 pm

Just wish this would get knocked down ASAP. Maybe we don’t need retail at this location anymore and it could become Apartments or a new Library.

. A nice clean B&N

RockHarbor · Post by **RockHarbor** » Thu Jan 03, 2019 9:46 pm

I agree...I just want to see it cleared. It's gonna be so strange to see a big empty lot through there -- the homes along Cass being in full view from Dodge. I'm annoyed the Target doesnt allow a blank slate, but I don't think the parking garage would have been razed anyways. Does Target even own the parking lot out front (because Im not sure Younkers ever officially did)? I just want them to mostly build on the Target front parking lot, mostly boxing it in, and making people park in the garage behind it. Then, we can have high density & retail signage & pizzaz right against Dodge. (If you look at Lakewood Commons in Lakewood, CO, the Target is mostly boxed in). Ive mentioned this before; Maybe they should use that Lakewood 'surban' development as a sort of guide for what the Crossroads area should look/feel like. Also, there really isnt hardly any space in Central Omaha to build big & extensive high density housing, but the Crossroads site opens big sections of land up. What is the "Duke of Omaha?" Also, NE Furniture Mart would be cool, too. (I can picture "NE Furniture Mart" under the glass peak entrance at Oak View. But, maybe that mall is way too big?) I love NE Furniture Mart, and am.proud of it, but I do not like -- I do not like -- their clunky & chaotic- feeling Omaha campus painted white & hunter green. We need more style at the HQ.

RockHarbor · Post by **RockHarbor** » Thu Jan 03, 2019 9:52 pm

Cermak wrote: Thu Jan 03, 2019 9:30 pm Just wish this would get knocked down ASAP. Maybe we don’t need retail at this location anymore and it could become Apartments or a new Library.
. A nice clean B&N

Lol. You are so against that "smelly B&N" as you called it. A new library is a great idea. Then they can knock down the 90th & Dodge one, and build an office building there. I am kinda embarrased for Omaha by Crossroads in general. Seriously, if I were visiting from out of state, and I was in the Crossroads parking lot, I would probably look around & think: "THIS is Warren Buffet's town?"

Cermak · Post by **Cermak** » Thu Jan 03, 2019 10:01 pm

With projects like AK village and Heartwood Preserve going full force it seems Crossroads chances for redevelopment have dwindled in recent years. It has now entered into almost a crisis situation. Rotting in the middle of town. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s all fenced off and boarded up in a few years. The Mayor needs to take action! Omaha deserves better.

RockHarbor · Post by **RockHarbor** » Thu Jan 03, 2019 10:25 pm

Even if they simply built a big, PHAT Dave & Busters next to a nice, shimmery, sharp office building -- like at I-25 and Colorado in Denver -- it would be cool. Anything would be better than the depressing eyesore that is now standing there. Frankly, Crossroads was Omaha's first real taste of a suburban shopping mall, but it originally was just a rectangular, one-story strip with a zig-zagging roofline, and anchor boxy department stores. No big deal. It all was a step towards the true "mother ship mall" of Omaha that would come just years later: Westroads. Let's not make Crossroads and its "special lot" TOO darn important. Sometimes, I think we almost get nerdy in Omaha about local things and memories. For crying out loud, our beloved, fun Peony Park now holds a boring HyVee and a keno restaurant and a bank -- and all of us have carried on, and are just fine. I dont think they should think much about redeveloping it.

Cermak · Post by **Cermak** » Thu Jan 03, 2019 11:15 pm

Right ,times change, time to find another use for that land. The office tower would be a nice quick fix. But then again I would rather see a tower Downtown or Old Mill. I think Omaha like alot of other cities is still adjusting to the relatively quick demise of malls. And it may just be a eyesore for a while.

NEDodger · Post by **NEDodger** » Thu Jan 03, 2019 11:55 pm

Cermak wrote: Thu Jan 03, 2019 10:01 pm The Mayor needs to take action! Omaha deserves better.

And do what with that private property? The city gave incentives which were probably overly charitable as-is.

RockHarbor · Post by **RockHarbor** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 12:06 am

Cermak wrote: Thu Jan 03, 2019 11:15 pm Right ,times change, time to find another use for that land. The office tower would be a nice quick fix. But then again I would rather see a tower Downtown or Old Mill. I think Omaha like alot of other cities is still adjusting to the relatively quick demise of malls. And it may just be a eyesore for a while.

I'm just meaning: If it became a line-up of a cheery Target, a parking garage, a big & fun Dave & Busters, a big & beefy, gleamy office building, a Starbucks, and a couple of urban residential blocks -- it would still look nice, and feel good, and I'd personally be happy. It doesnt have to bear the name "Crossroads this or that", imo. (I'm not against that either, though. I just dont like "Crossroads Village" up the road from "Aksarben Village." Really?) I think Omaha is a "small enough big city" that we can almost get obsessive and nerdy and too sentimental & warm-hearted (including me) about things about our "fine city", making some things more special than they really are. If Crossroads was sooooo special, why did it have to be big-time remodeled in 1987 to remind people it was there, and why did people again start turning their backs on it 15-20 years ago, leading to its demise? Obviously, whatever all the reasons, it wasnt special enough for locals to keep it going. So, now we are soo sad that part of Omaha history is over, and feel like we have to pay homage to this special & beloved Omaha Crossroads Mall, and name the new development "Crossroads something?" And, we better put something very, very special on that very, very special lot. Whatever... We can enjoy looking back at Crossroads in pictures in Pepperjack Grill.

Cermak · Post by **Cermak** » Thu Mar 07, 2019 10:42 pm

How about a casino on this site, can use the revenue to help pay for pothole repair.

Louie · Post by **Louie** » Fri Mar 08, 2019 1:59 pm

Cermak wrote: Thu Mar 07, 2019 10:42 pm How about a casino on this site, can use the revenue to help pay for pothole repair.

No casino can make enough to fix this year's pothole yield haha.

Post by **BRoss** » Sat Mar 09, 2019 11:01 am

Crossroads Mall owner not ready to 'pull the trigger' just yet on redevelopment project

Kent Sievers/The World-Herald wrote:The owner of the Crossroads Mall said it’s premature to talk about any new effort to revive the site, but he left open the possibility that he’d have news in as soon as six months.

Yeah, just another 60-90 days...

Linkin5 · Post by **Linkin5** » Sat Mar 09, 2019 10:15 pm

Premature to talk about development of a mall that’s been dead over a decade on probably the most prime retail land in Omaha? This ain’t it chief.

daveoma · Post by **daveoma** » Sat Mar 09, 2019 11:57 pm

HR Paperstacks wrote: Sat Mar 09, 2019 11:01 am Crossroads Mall owner not ready to 'pull the trigger' just yet on redevelopment project

Kent Sievers/The World-Herald wrote:The owner of the Crossroads Mall said it’s premature to talk about any new effort to revive the site, but he left open the possibility that he’d have news in as soon as six months.
Yeah, just another 60-90 days...

Uh huh, I think they're waiting for a change in the mayoral administration, so they can get more tax money to pay them to develop it.

bigredmed1 · Post by **bigredmed1** » Sun Mar 10, 2019 2:23 pm

RockHarbor · Post by **RockHarbor** » Sun Mar 10, 2019 5:09 pm

Lol. Just put a freakin' rose garden & baby residential fountain from Home Depot there -- for all I care. Just get rid of the depressing eyesore. Tear it down. Hang a b&w picture of it in Pepperjacks Grill so Omahans will always remember, and never forget... If you're gonna miss it, then maybe you should walk up to it, hug one of the walls, and get a picture of it with a loved one -- and put it on your shelf or mantel. Time for the city to move forward... Let's face it: Omaha's Crossroads Mall is a thing of the past. It ain't ever coming back -- probably. And, you can thank yourself for contributing to it all, the minute you & I decided to stop shopping there, along with all the other Omahans. How is that for sensitivity & sentiment? I'm just being real here.

I think most are ready to see it go... And, tired of hearing about it. I almost can't stand hearing the name "Crossroads" anymore, personally. This has dragged on way too long... (But, its not our money, so...)

GrandpaaSmucker · Post by **GrandpaaSmucker** » Sun Mar 10, 2019 6:14 pm

RockHarbor wrote: Sun Mar 10, 2019 5:09 pm Lol. Just put a freakin' rose garden & baby residential fountain from Home Depot there -- for all I care.

I think Crossroads wore the fountain thing out with the bogus sculpture fountain that was located for years in Brandies between the elevators. I must of walked into Brandeis 100 times hearing people make smart remarks about the glorious Brandeis fountain. It was a running joke. They used to brag that fountain up like it was a work of art and it just was not so.