Dundee Theater

[iamjacobm]

From the World Herald:

RH Land Management Co., which is affiliated with Susie Buffett’s Sherwood Foundation, closed last week on its purchase of the Dundee Theater and surrounding properties.
The price tag? About $4 million, according to Douglas County property records.
The sale included the Dundee Theater and adjacent property, including the buildings that house Duggers Cafe and the Voila Blooms in Dundee flower shop.

Dugger's Cafe will be closing after New Years.

Wouldn't shock me if they end up tearing that building down for more parking eventually.

[Omaha Cowboy]

From the World Herald:

RH Land Management Co., which is affiliated with Susie Buffett’s Sherwood Foundation, closed last week on its purchase of the Dundee Theater and surrounding properties.
The price tag? About $4 million, according to Douglas County property records.
The sale included the Dundee Theater and adjacent property, including the buildings that house Duggers Cafe and the Voila Blooms in Dundee flower shop.

Dugger's Cafe will be closing after New Years.

Wouldn't shock me if they end up tearing that building down for more parking eventually.

My understanding, from a pretty reliable source, is the building will be demolished..for a parking lot for Dundee Theater..

It's too bad another local Omaha café, Dugger's, who has been solidly in business for years, will fall by the waste side. The owner of Dugger's is a 78 year old lady and I highly doubt she will relocate and reopen elsewhere...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[aaaron]

It sounds like a combination of the owner's son dying of cancer, and the loss of business during the theater renovation. I wonder if they explored selling?

http://www.omaha.com/go/dugger-s-cafe-n ... 544c7.html

The breakfast/lunch cafe at 4950 Dodge St. was owned and operated by Jeanette Dugger-Laitner and her son, Randy Dugger, along with his wife, Rhonda. Randy died from cancer in May, and his mother has run the restaurant since.

“The last six months have been really tough,” Dugger-Laitner said, noting that business dipped during construction on the nearby theater. “We thank you for the business we’ve had the last three years.”

...

There are no plans to open another restaurant in the Dugger family, Dugger-Laitner said.

Dugger's will be missed. We also really like having Dark Horse Salon in walking distance, so it would be sad for us if they have to move.

[Coyote]

Demolition is set for these apartments:

image.jpeg

[Brad]

That’s too bad. Is it for a Dundee Theater project or something else?

[Coyote]

They own both of those apartments and everything west of there,
I would not be surprise to see everything there demolished.

[bones]

They own both of those apartments and everything west of there,
I would not be surprise to see everything there demolished.

Hopefully it is for something more than just parking

[Dundeemaha]

I lived in that apartment building a few years ago. They were wonderful.

They're destroying the built infrastructure that made the area great. If I would've known they would tear down 3 great apartment buildings I would have much rather had the theater be torn down than bought by Susan Buffet.

[ita]

Based on some previous listings for that building, their rents are actually pretty affordable. I am guessing a large lot filling apartment building with much higher rents, but ground level retail/office.

[Joe_Sovereign]

Susie Buffet and her charity work is literally and figuratively a wrecking ball destroying anything and anyone who is in the way of her "Good Works". I know several struggling people who have had their businesses destroyed by her charity.

Warren Buffet has funneled over a billion dollars tax free into each of his kids charity slush funds. He talks about his kids not inheriting his wealth but they did inherit their mothers wealth already. He has funded their "charities" that they can use to cover any conceivable expense as part of their "charity work".

[Taco]

Omaha arts organizations and steamrolling history, name a more iconic duo...

[Dundeemaha]

Based on some previous listings for that building, their rents are actually pretty affordable. I am guessing a large lot filling apartment building with much higher rents, but ground level retail/office.

Yeah, the rents were silly low for the quality. Pictures from 5 yrs ago:

[skinzfan23]

Those do look like nice apts with some character as well.

[student]

I was told the demolition permit was for the garages behind the apartment buildings and not the actual buildings themselves. Also, the old Duggers cafe building is being torn down for more parking.

[Louie]

I was told the demolition permit was for the garages behind the apartment buildings and not the actual buildings themselves. Also, the old Duggers cafe building is being torn down for more parking.

Are the garages being torn down for surface parking, too?

[Dundeemaha]

They cut down the big ginko trees in the front as well, which seems unnecessary if they're just tearing down the garages.

[Louie]

They cut down the big ginko trees in the front as well, which seems unnecessary if they're just tearing down the garages.

Shame..

[Linkin5]

Wow I used to live right by these apartments. They are beautiful and the definition of good infill. This is terrible.

[GetUrban]

The renovation of the Dundee Theater (Filmstreams) was important, but not if it means destroying the character of the surrounding neighborhood to support it. I rather it stayed abandoned if this demolition is just for parking. I guess if you have a lot of money you can do whatever you want, however ill-advised, once the former owner sells.

[SaveOmaha]

The renovation of the Dundee Theater (Filmstreams) was important, but not if it means destroying the character of the surrounding neighborhood to support it. I rather it stayed abandoned if this demolition is just for parking. I guess if you have a lot of money you can do whatever you want, however ill-advised, once the former owner sells.

As stated by a reliable source close to the situation, the apartments themselves are not being demolished, but a set of garages on the property. The management owner is intending to renovate the apartments. Both apartment buildings are contributing members in the Dundee/Happy Hollow Historic District.

[ScrattyB]

As stated by a reliable source close to the situation, the apartments themselves are not being demolished, but a set of garages on the property. The management owner is intending to renovate the apartments. Both apartment buildings are contributing members in the Dundee/Happy Hollow Historic District.

Who to believe, you or the forum moderator?

[Coyote]

I only saw the address in the demolition list, it didn't say what was being torn down. Others have filled in the details. SaveOmaha is right.

[ita]

The renovation of the Dundee Theater (Filmstreams) was important, but not if it means destroying the character of the surrounding neighborhood to support it. I rather it stayed abandoned if this demolition is just for parking. I guess if you have a lot of money you can do whatever you want, however ill-advised, once the former owner sells.

As stated by a reliable source close to the situation, the apartments themselves are not being demolished, but a set of garages on the property. The management owner is intending to renovate the apartments. Both apartment buildings are contributing members in the Dundee/Happy Hollow Historic District.

That's good news. Thanks for the insight. Are the garages just going to be surface parking?

[ScrattyB]

I only saw the address in the demolition list, it didn't say what was being torn down. Others have filled in the details. SaveOmaha is right.

Might want to edit your post then, it still shows the apartments as the target

[Garrett]

I only saw the address in the demolition list, it didn't say what was being torn down. Others have filled in the details. SaveOmaha is right.

Might want to edit your post then, it still shows the apartments as the target

I mean as people keep reading they’ll see SaveOmaha’s contribution and realize that the sky is not falling

[iamjacobm]

https://www.ketv.com/article/plans-subm ... t/27500165

According to Omaha's Planning Department, RH Land Management, which owns the property, submitted a plan to demolish the building and replace it with 54 parking spots. The plan did not meet city code, failing to include required green space and buffer areas. For that reason, the department recommended denial.

"It was a design choice so they could maximize the site," said David Fanslau, Planning Department director.

Because the plan did not meet city code, it went to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Despite concerns expressed in the meeting, the board approved waivers of code requirements.

[ScrattyB]

I only saw the address in the demolition list, it didn't say what was being torn down. Others have filled in the details. SaveOmaha is right.

Might want to edit your post then, it still shows the apartments as the target

I mean as people keep reading they’ll see SaveOmaha’s contribution and realize that the sky is not falling

But SaveOmaha didn't post until 3 days later. Emails were already sent, people were already made angry.

[Coyote]

4950 Dodge set for demolition.

image.jpeg

[Louie]

Any thoughts on what this will be?

[OmahaJaysCU]

How could 2 blocks of parking adjacent to an urban theater on the primary corridor with BRT coming be good land use? I'm shocked Susie is doing this to the area...

[Louie]

How could 2 blocks of parking adjacent to an urban theater on the primary corridor with BRT coming be good land use? I'm shocked Susie is doing this to the area...

Is that what this is going to be?

[omaha79]

wouldn't shock me if they added on something small like another lounge area or another microtheater to keep the continuity of building along Dodge St. but made everything behind parking.

[Taco]

Per OWH this is officially a parking lot. Gross to see the Dundee Neighborhood association capitulate to wealth and the OWH not say a peep. So much for TOD and density along Dodge.

[Padre]

Per OWH this is officially a parking lot. Gross to see the Dundee Neighborhood association capitulate to wealth and the OWH not say a peep. So much for TOD and density along Dodge.

Don’t know about the association, but I think we know why OWH wouldn’t say anything. Not with the Buffet connection.

[Coyote]

At 49th and Dodge, owner is clearing former cafe and more to put up a parking lot

Peter Manhart of the Dundee Memorial Neighborhood Association said that while board members typically might cringe at seeing a building torn down, they also recognize that Dundee is growing and is a place many want to live and do business in. He was supportive of Susie Buffett's work and improvements in the neighborhood.

Reporter phone calls to Buffett's office were not returned.

[daveoma]

How is building a parking lot an example of creative destruction? You're just destroying a homes and businesses and creating traffic. How is that going to encourage development of the sort that's in the character of Dundee?

[Busguy2010]

How is building a parking lot an example of creative destruction? You're just destroying a homes and businesses and creating traffic. How is that going to encourage development of the sort that's in the character of Dundee?

I think they're trying to create a warm fuzzy smokescreen by saying "its okay, its in the name of the creative arts community". Its a lie saying they care about the buildings, and that they have to be torn down to create the vibe they want. Lemme see, how many years has the neighborhood been fine before they came in and renovated the Dundee theater? They've been there an awfully short amount of time claim they have the best interest of the neighborhood. Not like everybody in Dundee is coming in droves to the theater, and this necessary parking lot is proof that the members of this niche community are coming from OUTSIDE Dundee.

For the record, I couldn't care less about 4950 Dodge, but the other buildings didn't need to go. The silver lining is this could still be developed into a worthwhile replacement some day, though, I won't be holding my breath on that.

[buildomaha]

Really disappointing. I guess it is true that this will probably end up being developed in the future, especially with ORBT, but I’m pretty anti-tearing down buildings unless you’re replacing it with something bigger and better.

[PWL73316]

The actual theater is extremely underwhelming IMO. If they think parking is the reason folks aren't going, I don't think that's it at all. Very pretentious place that sure wrings it out of you like any big chain if you want to simply go see a movie and have a soda and a popcorn. The movies they show outside of the microtheater almost always have one of the 20 other local theaters showing them, and I'd usually rather just go to the chain, to be honest. They aren't as quirky for the sake of being quirky, and have more options.

[cdub]

Disappointed to see whats going on here. Lends credence to the notion that the theater wasn't necessarily best to save. I didn't think this was why at the time though!