Juvenile Justice Center at 18th and Harney - 8 stories

ita · Post by **ita** » Wed Mar 27, 2019 9:32 am

The County Board voted on sending a new proposal to the Building Commission for approval. Hopefully this proposal goes through. One aspect that the dissenters on the Building Commission had was the number of proposed beds. The County Board wanted to keep them low due to possible future programming that would keep kids out of lock up, and, of course, that sweet Foundation money. However, this proposal starts at 64 beds with the possibility of scaling down as programs are established. It's a pretty good compromise and they were able to get the estimate down $6 million.

https://www.omaha.com/news/metro/dougla ... cd72b.html

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Wed Mar 27, 2019 11:29 am

Even if the building commission approves this latest proposal in May, there are still an additional hoop to hurdle- City Council approval (along with a final approval from the County Board)..

Still a ways to go, but we’ll see...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

ita · Post by **ita** » Wed Apr 03, 2019 1:22 pm

KETV ran a news story on a public hearing held yesterday concerning the project. Comments from the public that were publicized were negative. However, the short video includes some new pictures of the three building development.

https://www.ketv.com/article/public-get ... y/27024271

OmahaFan · Post by **OmahaFan** » Thu May 23, 2019 2:06 pm

What’s your views on the current proposal?

I think it’s a great idea and should make it happen. Anyone have design pics?

RockHarbor · Post by **RockHarbor** » Thu May 23, 2019 2:31 pm

I saw a critic said it was too "commercial" or something. I saw something recently on Omaha.com. I don't go there that often, but I did see something.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Thu May 23, 2019 2:43 pm

We already have a thread going for this topic. Please move your commentary here-

http://eomahaforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=19179

Thanks!...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Post by **nebugeater** » Thu May 23, 2019 5:12 pm

Merged the new thread here.

OmahaFan · Post by **OmahaFan** » Thu May 23, 2019 10:54 pm

Thank you I didn’t see this thread.

RockHarbor · Post by **RockHarbor** » Fri May 24, 2019 7:39 pm

Why is this project causing so much fuss? I don't get it.

Dundeemaha · Post by **Dundeemaha** » Fri May 24, 2019 8:44 pm

RockHarbor wrote: Fri May 24, 2019 7:39 pm Why is this project causing so much fuss? I don't get it.

1. It is a roughly $120 million project, paid for with public bonds => property taxes

2. It is a jail, people dislike spending money on facilities for criminals. Even if it's practically necessary

3. The original plans involved demolition of existing buildings downtown, which while sometimes necessary, has been done unnecessarily a lot in this city

RockHarbor · Post by **RockHarbor** » Fri May 24, 2019 9:01 pm

Dundeemaha wrote: Fri May 24, 2019 8:44 pm
RockHarbor wrote: Fri May 24, 2019 7:39 pm Why is this project causing so much fuss? I don't get it.
1. It is a roughly $120 million project, paid for with public bonds => property taxes

2. It is a jail, people dislike spending money on facilities for criminals. Even if it's practically necessary

3. The original plans involved demolition of existing buildings downtown, which while sometimes necessary, has been done unnecessarily a lot in this city

Got it. Thanks!

iamjacobm · Post by **iamjacobm** » Tue Jun 18, 2019 3:03 pm

Got through City Council 4-2. Last hurdle is the mayor, 4 votes is not enough to override a veto. If we did see one Palermo, who abstained for some reason, would become the deciding vote as they need 5 for a super-majority. If no veto its obviously a done deal.

ita · Post by **ita** » Tue Jun 18, 2019 3:17 pm

iamjacobm wrote: Tue Jun 18, 2019 3:03 pm Got through City Council 4-2. Last hurdle is the mayor, 4 votes is not enough to override a veto. If we did see one Palermo, who abstained for some reason, would become the deciding vote as they need 5 for a super-majority. If no veto its obviously a done deal.

Has there been any indication about how the Mayor is leaning on this project? Additionally, can we change the header to "8 stories" to update how many floors this will be?

iamjacobm · Post by **iamjacobm** » Tue Jun 18, 2019 3:28 pm

There will be a new courthouse addition and juvenile detention center in DTO.

ita · Post by **ita** » Tue Jun 18, 2019 4:51 pm

iamjacobm wrote: Tue Jun 18, 2019 3:28 pm
There will be a new courthouse addition and juvenile detention center in DTO.

Ask and you shall receive, thanks for the update!

nativeomahan · Post by **nativeomahan** » Tue Jun 18, 2019 5:07 pm

Finally, this project can move forward. I agree that it isn’t large enough but it’s much better than doing nothing.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Tue Jun 18, 2019 8:40 pm

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lisanstan · Post by **lisanstan** » Tue Jun 18, 2019 10:36 pm

Now they need to figure out the trash contract. I worry we're gonna get the small unit from MN that is going to crumble in a crisis.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Wed Jun 19, 2019 5:34 pm

Like I stated when I started this thread 1 year ago.. From a purely developmental standpoint, this 8 story low rise development is absolutely nothing earth shattering..

But the discourse that’s unfolded over the actual intent of the development has been a fairly interesting drama to follow...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

RockHarbor · Post by **RockHarbor** » Wed Jun 19, 2019 10:12 pm

Im so glad something finally was decided.

iamjacobm · Post by **iamjacobm** » Sun Jun 23, 2019 8:43 pm

So maybe I missed it, but none of the recent articles have said if the garage on 19th is still a part of the plan. There were plans for a 5 floor parking garage there originally, that is a fairly substantial number of stalls they felt they needed previously.

The county also now controls the old housing authority building, the authority has already moved into the old library building. It will be interesting to see if they just flatten that building and the other one they own on the block or if they rehab them for county use or put out an RFP.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Thu Jun 27, 2019 7:19 pm

Editorial from the Wednesday W-H-

“The Douglas County Courthouse annex and juvenile justice center have now received the go-ahead. This project — approved by the County Board, the Omaha-Douglas Public Building Commission and the Omaha City Council — can bring important improvements, with more efficient courthouse services and more effective treatment and supports for juveniles.

The project, across the street from the courthouse, will help relieve a major space crunch and provide a far better building configuration for courthouse offices. Judicial agencies that in some cases are spread out among different buildings, for example, will be consolidated, improving services.

Some critics criticize this approach by saying it will require juveniles and their families to come downtown. But youths and their families involved in the system already are coming downtown, since that’s where the court facilities are.“..

The complete link:

https://www.omaha.com/opinion/editorial ... 4605e.html

Ciao..LiO...Peace

RockHarbor · Post by **RockHarbor** » Fri Jun 28, 2019 12:55 am

I'm so glad all the drama and ruckus is over. Now, just unroll those blueprints, gather the workers, get your hard hats, and walkie talkies, and build the dang thing...

Kidding. (I do look forward to it all being done, of course, though.)

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Tue Jul 09, 2019 9:19 pm

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Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Tue Jul 09, 2019 9:39 pm

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daveoma · Post by **daveoma** » Tue Jul 09, 2019 11:26 pm

I'm so glad they're emphasizing therapy instead of incarceration, and I'm very thankful and relieved that he mentions it's going to be less expensive in the long term. Thumbs up Omaha, nicely done!

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Tue Jul 23, 2019 6:59 pm

Yet another bump in the road..

From today’s W-H-

“A former Nebraska Supreme Court justice from Omaha filed an 11th-hour lawsuit to stop the sale of bonds for the proposed Douglas County Justice Center, putting the $120 million project on hold again.

David Lanphier’s lawsuit hit Douglas County District Court on Monday, the day before the bond sale was to be finalized. Investors had agreed to purchase the bonds, and the sale was scheduled for closing on Thursday. The Douglas County Board and Omaha City Council, having previously approved the bond issues, were scheduled to take what normally are routine procedural votes Tuesday to approve the final bond rates and terms.”..

The complete story link:

https://www.omaha.com/news/courts/forme ... a4d8d.html

Ciao..LiO...Peace

PWL73316 · Post by **PWL73316** » Tue Jul 23, 2019 10:16 pm

Let the murderers go free, but heaven forbid we use some old rich white guy's tax money to improve things.

iamjacobm · Post by **iamjacobm** » Tue Jul 23, 2019 10:22 pm

PWL73316 wrote: Tue Jul 23, 2019 10:16 pm Let the murderers go free, but heaven forbid we use some old rich white guy's tax money to improve things.

I don't think you have a grasp on the goals of this project.

bigredmed1 · Post by **bigredmed1** » Wed Jul 24, 2019 6:56 am

iamjacobm wrote: Tue Jul 23, 2019 10:22 pm
PWL73316 wrote: Tue Jul 23, 2019 10:16 pm Let the murderers go free, but heaven forbid we use some old rich white guy's tax money to improve things.
I don't think you have a grasp on the goals of this project.

Perhaps not even a grasp on reality. The point of this project was to improve the space for juvenile offenders and the efficiency of the juvenile court system. The debate has centered wholly on whether the building on 18th was the right call given value for dollar. There was a second alternative proposed and after analysis, the 18th and Jackson street site was chosen.

NEDodger · Post by **NEDodger** » Wed Jul 24, 2019 8:19 am

PWL73316 wrote: Tue Jul 23, 2019 10:16 pm Let the murderers go free, but heaven forbid we use some old rich white guy's tax money to improve things.

Are you implying that old, rich, white guys are the only people that pay taxes?

buildomaha · Post by **buildomaha** » Wed Jul 24, 2019 3:15 pm

NEDodger wrote: Wed Jul 24, 2019 8:19 am
PWL73316 wrote: Tue Jul 23, 2019 10:16 pm Let the murderers go free, but heaven forbid we use some old rich white guy's tax money to improve things.
Are you implying that old, rich, white guys are the only people that pay taxes?

Man I wish!

jk haha

PWL73316 · Post by **PWL73316** » Wed Jul 24, 2019 4:57 pm

Judge Lanphier was infamous for allowing 2nd degree murderers to go free after ruling their juries had received inadequate jury instructions (along with other Nebraska Supreme Court justices), and he was the only supreme court judge ever voted out in Nebraska, to my knowledge.

The old rich white guy comment was intended to convey that the only people who ever seem to object to spending money on needed services are old rich white guys who take but do not want to give.

bigredmed1 · Post by **bigredmed1** » Wed Jul 24, 2019 5:23 pm

Old rich white guy? Bigoted much?

Lots of people of various pigment and chromosomal content pay lots of taxes. To object to this plan is not wholly unreasonable but seems kind of late. The matter was discussed thoroughly and old rich white men voted to move forward.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Wed Jul 24, 2019 6:18 pm

bigredmed1 wrote: Wed Jul 24, 2019 5:23 pm The matter was discussed thoroughly and old rich white men voted to move forward.

They weren’t all white weren’t all men and they weren’t all rich, but this is mostly true, lol...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

RockHarbor · Post by **RockHarbor** » Wed Jul 24, 2019 6:54 pm

There's been nothing but problem after problem with this project.

U R my Helix · Post by **U R my Helix** » Wed Jul 24, 2019 7:38 pm

I know many will not agree with this but ….. when it comes to our current court system it is outdated and needs to change with the times. We gather the judge, jury, defendants, and accusers all together in one spot, this used to make a lot of sense but in today’s world not so much. I don’t believe it is necessary to have jails, juvenile facilities, and courtrooms all in the same proximity; (when in large cities).

The costs involved to transport, protect, mediate and build new facilities so we can continue these antiquated gatherings could be eliminated by using a few high-tech cameras and re-configuring courtrooms to resemble modern high-tech boardrooms.
Unless a jury needs to touch and smell the items in evidence there is no reason to continue this practice.
(1) A safe comfortable hotel/jury building can host those that are called for service.
(2) The accused, when incarcerated can appear live on screen without the need for transport and the related security issues. Defendants in lesser
matters could have a fast-track location as well where they gather with attorney’s and present their case live on screen.
(3) Witnesses can still appear and be questioned and viewed by all in attendance and it need not be in the same room with the defendant.

Our courts are bogged down and inefficient. Most often these are due to logistical issues within the courthouse that can easily be overcome by today’s technology.

I am not for or against the new facility that is being proposed. I do think our justice system would benefit greatly by a new view on how the system overall operates.

bigredmed1 · Post by **bigredmed1** » Thu Jul 25, 2019 12:07 pm

Omaha Cowboy wrote: Wed Jul 24, 2019 6:18 pm
bigredmed1 wrote: Wed Jul 24, 2019 5:23 pm The matter was discussed thoroughly and old rich white men voted to move forward.
They weren’t all white weren’t all men and they weren’t all rich, but this is mostly true, lol...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

My point was that "old rich white men" didn't all oppose this. Some actually voted for it. And others made cogent arguments in it's favor while others made cogent arguments in favor of the alternative location.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Thu Jul 25, 2019 2:19 pm

bigredmed1 wrote: Thu Jul 25, 2019 12:07 pm
Omaha Cowboy wrote: Wed Jul 24, 2019 6:18 pm
bigredmed1 wrote: Wed Jul 24, 2019 5:23 pm The matter was discussed thoroughly and old rich white men voted to move forward.
They weren’t all white weren’t all men and they weren’t all rich, but this is mostly true, lol...

Ciao..LiO...Peace
My point was that "old rich white men" didn't all oppose this. Some actually voted for it. And others made cogent arguments in it's favor while others made cogent arguments in favor of the alternative location.

I understand that. I was just having some fun with your comment, lol...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Fri Nov 15, 2019 8:07 pm

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