Grain elevators 35th & I80 to Vinton

[ita]

I think they should convert it into a mini Times Square and hang digital billboard signs and use it for advertising purposes. I think it would look really cool at night all lit up with billboards and advertisements. Then they could sell advertising time on the building and make some money off of it. I’m talking specifically about the Scoular tower. Does anyone know who owns it?

That would be kind of neat. I think if something similar was done on the grain silos, it would be sweet. Maybe instead of billboards, giant projections.

[Coyote]

Backlund Plumbing is behind Dirty Dan LLC

[hamburgbamberg]

Does anyone know what ever came of those climbing gym plans? As far as I know, there isn't one in that neighborhood, but I would be excited to find out that I'm wrong.

[Brad]

Does anyone know what ever came of those climbing gym plans? As far as I know, there isn't one in that neighborhood, but I would be excited to find out that I'm wrong.

It was there for a while but has since closed.

[Ersatz]

Has anyone heard a rumor that NuStyle was looking at this to covert into apartments and linear penthouses?

[Louie]

Has anyone heard a rumor that NuStyle was looking at this to covert into apartments and linear penthouses?

I certainly haven't but the investment in order to make that happen would be astronomical.

[RockHarbor]

It wouldnt surprise me. I almost think they would convert the Fort Calhoun Nuclear Power Plant or the Chalco grain elevator or an old, unused Eppley terminal to condos if you let them.

Lol. Kidding (kinda).

They actually do a lot of great things in Omaha...

[ita]

Has anyone heard a rumor that NuStyle was looking at this to covert into apartments and linear penthouses?

That would be great if true. Residents could have great views, I am guessing, from the tops of the silos. Like others said though highly unlikely due to potential costs, but I would love to see it happen.

[Ersatz]

They did it in Dallas. Left it raw and in it’s abandoned state, just cleaned it up and did cheap minimal kitchens and baths.

[ita]

They did it in Dallas. Left it raw and in it’s abandoned state, just cleaned it up and did cheap minimal kitchens and baths.

Considering what NuStyle was able to do with the Breakers and the Atlas, this type of project would fall right into their wheelhouse..

[RockHarbor]

I am almost surprised they would ever be willing to do that w/ that kind of structure. (The surpising Dallas photos really made it hit home for me, that this is actually a possible reality.) What about condo windows in those silos? What kind of people are attracted to live there? I cant imagine very cosmopolitan-type people.

[daveoma]

That's a fascinating development in Dallas.

[buildomaha]

Didn’t know where to put this so I figured I would use the thread talking about an ugly useless space that slightly has to do with 480.

Here’s potentially an idea for what to do with the space under the freeway cutting through downtown: a linear park like The Bentway in Toronto. https://www.thebentway.ca/about/
Not really a new idea just a proof of concept that this could be implemented in a city.

Although I think Omaha would have to find more unique uses for the land due to the fact that there will already be an abundance of great parkland in downtown with the GLM/Riverfront redo, it could still become a really cool space for the city and could help aid in making North Downtown and DT more tightly woven together rather than being a barrier.

[ScrattyB]

Here’s potentially an idea for what to do with the space under the freeway cutting through downtown: a linear park like The Bentway in Toronto. https://www.thebentway.ca/about/
Not really a new idea just a proof of concept that this could be implemented in a city.

Why not build under it like they do in Japan?
https://www.google.com/maps/@34.6920362 ... 8192?hl=en

[j4nu]

https://www.archdaily.com/879763/zeitz- ... ick-studio

Another cities reuse of a similar facility.

[ita]

https://www.archdaily.com/879763/zeitz- ... ick-studio

Another cities reuse of a similar facility.

That is a really cool use for a grain elevator. This got me thinking, instead of building in it, could you just build around it and use it as a fourth wall or on top of it?

Anyway, does anyone know why the Scoular branding was painted over on what's left of their grain elevator off of US-75?

[WBR_Tom]

https://www.archdaily.com/879763/zeitz- ... ick-studio

Another cities reuse of a similar facility.

That is a really cool use for a grain elevator. This got me thinking, instead of building in it, could you just build around it and use it as a fourth wall or on top of it?

Anyway, does anyone know why the Scoular branding was painted over on what's left of their grain elevator off of US-75?

Was wondering that myself. It happened last week -- one day it looked like they'd sandblasted that section of the elevator to remove the black letters, and the next day it was completely covered with white paint. But just the section where their name was! They didn't repaint the rest.

[ita]

https://www.archdaily.com/879763/zeitz- ... ick-studio

Another cities reuse of a similar facility.

That is a really cool use for a grain elevator. This got me thinking, instead of building in it, could you just build around it and use it as a fourth wall or on top of it?

Anyway, does anyone know why the Scoular branding was painted over on what's left of their grain elevator off of US-75?

Was wondering that myself. It happened last week -- one day it looked like they'd sandblasted that section of the elevator to remove the black letters, and the next day it was completely covered with white paint. But just the section where their name was! They didn't repaint the rest.

I thought the old lettering looked neat. I found that odd that it was only over the brand. Based on the county GIS, the plot is still owned by the same person since 1993. Maybe it will be used for advertisement?

[ita]

Does anyone know what's going on the east side of these grain elevators? It seems like there has been heavy machinery there for over a year, dirt being moved around, and other construction like activity, but I haven't seen any update or coverage on what's happening there. Is it just a pad site for other construction?

[Brad]

Does anyone know what's going on the east side of these grain elevators? It seems like there has been heavy machinery there for over a year, dirt being moved around, and other construction like activity, but I haven't seen any update or coverage on what's happening there. Is it just a pad site for other construction?

Its owned by "Dirty Dan LLC". I'm not 100% sure, but it seems like Dirty Dan's mailing address is Backlund Plumbing's owner's personal residence. Combine that with what I see on the aerial photos, and what I have experienced with another larger local plumbing company, its just a work site where they bring in busted concrete and other derbies as well as extra dirt and sort it out. Concrete probably gets recycled, dirt probably reused, and everything also goes to the landfill. Also looks like they might be storing stuff there as well. There are no building permits listed so I would guess my theory is right?

[Omahacritic]

Dirty Dan’s. ... at one time, there was a topless bar in San Diego with the name.

[ita]

His Lincoln elevator is officially worthless, but owner won’t let go

He’s had trouble at the top of the grain elevator before.

Last month, it was fresh graffiti -- more than 80 feet up, numbers and letters spray-painted so tall, broad and bright they could be seen from several blocks away.

But more than 40 years ago, when James Woolsoncroft bought the elevator on the edge of the Haymarket, it was the roof itself. The previous owner had let it fail, and rainwater had seeped into the silos, ruining the corn.

Woolsoncroft knew the property needed work. But he also considered it the Cadillac of grain elevators: A dozen concrete bins on the north side, 80 feet tall and 24 feet across with 7-inch steel-reinforced walls; and six smaller bins to the south.

It took him a year to clean out the old corn, he said. Then he replaced the roof and spent $120,000 installing a new rail scale.

Within a couple of years, he was loading up to seven train cars a day. The Lincoln elevator was helping support his father’s operation in Princeton, where they struggled to fill enough loads.

“We needed more railroad cars, so we bought this one here so we could ship more grain. The quicker you turn it, the better.”

The help didn’t last long. Five years after Woolsoncroft bought the elevator, he said, the railroad pulled up its tracks.
...
The Lancaster Board of Equalization ultimately agreed, and now Woolsoncroft owns what could be the county’s only officially worthless commercial property and building.

Which means he doesn’t pay property taxes on it. But he also doesn’t plan to part with it anytime soon -- because he has a dream.

“Everybody wants to knock it down,” he said. “I say, as long as I’m alive, it won’t come down.”
...
“Everybody thinks I need to get rid of it and tear it down. Why? You got a structure there that’s stronger than all get out.”
...
He asks: Have you ever heard of the hotel in Akron, Ohio, that used to be a grain elevator?

He stayed in that Hilton once, now an Akron University residence hall. It was converted from an old 36-silo Quaker Oats elevator into nearly 200 round rooms, with windows and balconies cut through its thick concrete walls.

He has a similar but smaller vision for Sixth and G: He can see his silos holding 72 condos or hotel rooms. Years ago, he even paid an architect in Minneapolis thousands of dollars to draw up the plans, he said. He talked to city officials, he said, though he recalled they kind of laughed at his plan.

He hasn’t given up on the idea. He doesn’t have the millions it would cost to convert the building, or to buy additional nearby property he’d need, so money is a problem. But confidence isn’t.

[Garrett]

His Lincoln elevator is officially worthless, but owner won’t let go

He’s had trouble at the top of the grain elevator before.

Last month, it was fresh graffiti -- more than 80 feet up, numbers and letters spray-painted so tall, broad and bright they could be seen from several blocks away.

But more than 40 years ago, when James Woolsoncroft bought the elevator on the edge of the Haymarket, it was the roof itself. The previous owner had let it fail, and rainwater had seeped into the silos, ruining the corn.

Woolsoncroft knew the property needed work. But he also considered it the Cadillac of grain elevators: A dozen concrete bins on the north side, 80 feet tall and 24 feet across with 7-inch steel-reinforced walls; and six smaller bins to the south.

It took him a year to clean out the old corn, he said. Then he replaced the roof and spent $120,000 installing a new rail scale.

Within a couple of years, he was loading up to seven train cars a day. The Lincoln elevator was helping support his father’s operation in Princeton, where they struggled to fill enough loads.

“We needed more railroad cars, so we bought this one here so we could ship more grain. The quicker you turn it, the better.”

The help didn’t last long. Five years after Woolsoncroft bought the elevator, he said, the railroad pulled up its tracks.
...
The Lancaster Board of Equalization ultimately agreed, and now Woolsoncroft owns what could be the county’s only officially worthless commercial property and building.

Which means he doesn’t pay property taxes on it. But he also doesn’t plan to part with it anytime soon -- because he has a dream.

“Everybody wants to knock it down,” he said. “I say, as long as I’m alive, it won’t come down.”
...
“Everybody thinks I need to get rid of it and tear it down. Why? You got a structure there that’s stronger than all get out.”
...
He asks: Have you ever heard of the hotel in Akron, Ohio, that used to be a grain elevator?

He stayed in that Hilton once, now an Akron University residence hall. It was converted from an old 36-silo Quaker Oats elevator into nearly 200 round rooms, with windows and balconies cut through its thick concrete walls.

He has a similar but smaller vision for Sixth and G: He can see his silos holding 72 condos or hotel rooms. Years ago, he even paid an architect in Minneapolis thousands of dollars to draw up the plans, he said. He talked to city officials, he said, though he recalled they kind of laughed at his plan.

He hasn’t given up on the idea. He doesn’t have the millions it would cost to convert the building, or to buy additional nearby property he’d need, so money is a problem. But confidence isn’t.

Different elevators. ;-)

[ita]

His Lincoln elevator is officially worthless, but owner won’t let go

He’s had trouble at the top of the grain elevator before.

Last month, it was fresh graffiti -- more than 80 feet up, numbers and letters spray-painted so tall, broad and bright they could be seen from several blocks away.

But more than 40 years ago, when James Woolsoncroft bought the elevator on the edge of the Haymarket, it was the roof itself. The previous owner had let it fail, and rainwater had seeped into the silos, ruining the corn.

Woolsoncroft knew the property needed work. But he also considered it the Cadillac of grain elevators: A dozen concrete bins on the north side, 80 feet tall and 24 feet across with 7-inch steel-reinforced walls; and six smaller bins to the south.

It took him a year to clean out the old corn, he said. Then he replaced the roof and spent $120,000 installing a new rail scale.

Within a couple of years, he was loading up to seven train cars a day. The Lincoln elevator was helping support his father’s operation in Princeton, where they struggled to fill enough loads.

“We needed more railroad cars, so we bought this one here so we could ship more grain. The quicker you turn it, the better.”

The help didn’t last long. Five years after Woolsoncroft bought the elevator, he said, the railroad pulled up its tracks.
...
The Lancaster Board of Equalization ultimately agreed, and now Woolsoncroft owns what could be the county’s only officially worthless commercial property and building.

Which means he doesn’t pay property taxes on it. But he also doesn’t plan to part with it anytime soon -- because he has a dream.

“Everybody wants to knock it down,” he said. “I say, as long as I’m alive, it won’t come down.”
...
“Everybody thinks I need to get rid of it and tear it down. Why? You got a structure there that’s stronger than all get out.”
...
He asks: Have you ever heard of the hotel in Akron, Ohio, that used to be a grain elevator?

He stayed in that Hilton once, now an Akron University residence hall. It was converted from an old 36-silo Quaker Oats elevator into nearly 200 round rooms, with windows and balconies cut through its thick concrete walls.

He has a similar but smaller vision for Sixth and G: He can see his silos holding 72 condos or hotel rooms. Years ago, he even paid an architect in Minneapolis thousands of dollars to draw up the plans, he said. He talked to city officials, he said, though he recalled they kind of laughed at his plan.

He hasn’t given up on the idea. He doesn’t have the millions it would cost to convert the building, or to buy additional nearby property he’d need, so money is a problem. But confidence isn’t.

Different elevators. ;-)

Oh yeah, I know. Haha. I just wanted to throw in a nearby example of one where the owner has bigger dreams for it. It doesn't seem like anything will happen with the one in Lincoln due to lack of financing, but at least the owner is aware of alternative uses for empty grain silos/elevators.

[S.O.Boy]

Oh yeah, I know. Haha. I just wanted to throw in a nearby example of one where the owner has bigger dreams for it. It doesn't seem like anything will happen with the one in Lincoln due to lack of financing, but at least the owner is aware of alternative uses for empty grain silos/elevators.

I am familiar with this site, I could see an apartment complex working.

[Busguy2010]

I think living in a grain elevator is a cool thought, but when it comes down to it, it would have to be sold to a developer with the ambition to convert them. As it stands, no current owner of a grain elevator is going to convert it to apartments. I'm sure the only reason they stick around unused is because they are a b!tch to take down. Probably would cost as much in demolition and site prep, as any remodel or redevelopment would, which is probably why they almost always sit and rot.

[S.O.Boy]

I think living in a grain elevator is a cool thought, but when it comes down to it, it would have to be sold to a developer with the ambition to convert them. As it stands, no current owner of a grain elevator is going to convert it to apartments. I'm sure the only reason they stick around unused is because they are a b!tch to take down. Probably would cost as much in demolition and site prep, as any remodel or redevelopment would, which is probably why they almost always sit and rot.

Yes, it will sit and rot, because it is in a mostly residential neighborhood which limit options.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Weyer ... 6203?hl=en

[Brad]

After seeing what NuStyle did to the old CU / St. Joseph's Hospital, they could pull this off easy.

[Garrett]

After seeing what NuStyle did to the old CU / St. Joseph's Hospital, they could pull this off easy.

They could build an interesting little development on all that extra land on the east side of the building too.

[jjjjhskr]

Here’s a pic of the Quaker Oats grain silo hotel in Akron, Ohio for perspective. Sorry I couldn’t get a better pic.

[Linkin5]

Man that is ugly as heck.

[ita]

https://urbanplanning.cityofomaha.org/i ... ber/12.pdf

These might be coming down. There was a request made by a Patrick Mason for the area to be designated as extremely blighted and a community redevelopment area. They have to look at the whole census tract, but the request is in connection to knocking down the grain elevators to built multifamily residential and maybe some commercial space.

[Athomsfere]

A ton of potential in that area. And access to the FC trail is always a great asset IMO.

[almighty_tuna]

Good luck to them. Though, as ugly as those elevators are as they stand now, I loved when whoever it was did the huge art banners on it. It really is a unique spot for that kind of thing and wish it was utilized as such.

[GenX]

Good luck to them. Though, as ugly as those elevators are as they stand now, I loved when whoever it was did the huge art banners on it. It really is a unique spot for that kind of thing and wish it was utilized as such.

They're currently in the process of painting a huge mural on the silos

[almighty_tuna]

Good luck to them. Though, as ugly as those elevators are as they stand now, I loved when whoever it was did the huge art banners on it. It really is a unique spot for that kind of thing and wish it was utilized as such.

They're currently in the process of painting a huge mural on the silos

Which side?? I drove downtown yesterday afternoon and must have completely missed it if it's on the west side.

[PotatoeEatsFish]

They better not tear them down, they’re cool as heck and anything they’d put on there would just be tiny buildings

[Louie]

Good luck to them. Though, as ugly as those elevators are as they stand now, I loved when whoever it was did the huge art banners on it. It really is a unique spot for that kind of thing and wish it was utilized as such.

They're currently in the process of painting a huge mural on the silos

Which side?? I drove downtown yesterday afternoon and must have completely missed it if it's on the west side.

East side

[almighty_tuna]

Good luck to them. Though, as ugly as those elevators are as they stand now, I loved when whoever it was did the huge art banners on it. It really is a unique spot for that kind of thing and wish it was utilized as such.

They're currently in the process of painting a huge mural on the silos

Which side?? I drove downtown yesterday afternoon and must have completely missed it if it's on the west side.

East side

Ah, okay. Hope they do the west side, too! I'll have to take the interstate back home some time and take a look.

[GenX]

Good luck to them. Though, as ugly as those elevators are as they stand now, I loved when whoever it was did the huge art banners on it. It really is a unique spot for that kind of thing and wish it was utilized as such.

They're currently in the process of painting a huge mural on the silos

Which side?? I drove downtown yesterday afternoon and must have completely missed it if it's on the west side.

East side

Ah, okay. Hope they do the west side, too! I'll have to take the interstate back home some time and take a look.

https://www.ketv.com/article/south-omah ... l/45363796