Gene Leahy Mall Remodel

[Doctor Fate]

The original renderings and videos for the GLM renovation showed a residential tower that looked like it was close to 400 ft tall on the block directly to the east of the library. Updated renderings and videos no longer show the residential tower.

A director at MECA told me this is because the city has put plans for that on long-term hold due to the ConAgra redevelopment's residential component and because they want to see what residential demand and pedestrian and traffic flow look like after the GLM renovation.

[Omaha Cowboy]

The original renderings and videos for the GLM renovation showed a residential tower that looked like it was close to 400 ft tall on the block directly to the east of the library. Updated renderings and videos no longer show the residential tower.

A director at MECA told me this is because the city has put plans for that on long-term hold due to the ConAgra redevelopment's residential component and because they want to see what residential demand and pedestrian and traffic flow look like after the GLM renovation.

Interesting. We know for the new proposed Lanoha high rise, the residential component was taken completely out so they can focus on what is called “talent acquisition” (see the Omaha Magazine article link I posted in the Lanoha high rise thread)..

So this MECA response, I’d garner, assumes the proposed 400ft tower for the GLM will actually end up being residential. It does make sense to place that project on the back burner. But perhaps an adjustment will end up being made for this proposed tower to either be buisiness or a new hotel with a possible mixed use residential component kind of similar to Capitol District..

It’ll be very interesting to see how this all evolves...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[asherballa]

Looks like they took the red lattice structure down and put it on a flatbed truck. I wonder if they are re-purposing that somewhere in town.

I was wondering why they demoed everything on that block except that. Probably art that was commissioned back in the 70's or 80's.

My guess is this structure will land somewhere else in the metro.. Never to return to the GLM area...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

I can't quite recall where I read this (probably OWH), but my understanding is that the red lattice structure will be relocated to the Millworks Commons area. I think that will be a good fit for what should morph into an artsy area.

[Doctor Fate]

The original renderings and videos for the GLM renovation showed a residential tower that looked like it was close to 400 ft tall on the block directly to the east of the library. Updated renderings and videos no longer show the residential tower.

A director at MECA told me this is because the city has put plans for that on long-term hold due to the ConAgra redevelopment's residential component and because they want to see what residential demand and pedestrian and traffic flow look like after the GLM renovation.

Interesting. We know for the new proposed Lanoha high rise, the residential component was taken completely out so they can focus on what is called “talent acquisition” (see the Omaha Magazine article link I posted in the Lanoha high rise thread)..

So this MECA response, I’d garner, assumes the proposed 400ft tower for the GLM will actually end up being residential. It does make sense to place that project on the back burner. But perhaps an adjustment will end up being made for this proposed tower to either be buisiness or a new hotel with a possible mixed use residential component kind of similar to Capitol District..

It’ll be very interesting to see how this all evolves...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

What if they do the adjustment you are proposing and do some kind of mixed-use development with office/residential and a hotel with the hotel portion going to DoubleTree? That would allow 16th Street to be reconnected....

[buildomaha]

The original renderings and videos for the GLM renovation showed a residential tower that looked like it was close to 400 ft tall on the block directly to the east of the library. Updated renderings and videos no longer show the residential tower.

A director at MECA told me this is because the city has put plans for that on long-term hold due to the ConAgra redevelopment's residential component and because they want to see what residential demand and pedestrian and traffic flow look like after the GLM renovation.

Interesting. We know for the new proposed Lanoha high rise, the residential component was taken completely out so they can focus on what is called “talent acquisition” (see the Omaha Magazine article link I posted in the Lanoha high rise thread)..

So this MECA response, I’d garner, assumes the proposed 400ft tower for the GLM will actually end up being residential. It does make sense to place that project on the back burner. But perhaps an adjustment will end up being made for this proposed tower to either be buisiness or a new hotel with a possible mixed use residential component kind of similar to Capitol District..

It’ll be very interesting to see how this all evolves...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

What if they do the adjustment you are proposing and do some kind of mixed-use development with office/residential and a hotel with the hotel portion going to DoubleTree? That would allow 16th Street to be reconnected....

You might have just done something... Can we get some lawyers and architects on this ASAP!

[Omaha Cowboy]

Looks like they took the red lattice structure down and put it on a flatbed truck. I wonder if they are re-purposing that somewhere in town.

I was wondering why they demoed everything on that block except that. Probably art that was commissioned back in the 70's or 80's.

My guess is this structure will land somewhere else in the metro.. Never to return to the GLM area...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

I can't quite recall where I read this (probably OWH), but my understanding is that the red lattice structure will be relocated to the Millworks Commons area. I think that will be a good fit for what should morph into an artsy area.

I would agree with this ...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Omaha Cowboy]

The original renderings and videos for the GLM renovation showed a residential tower that looked like it was close to 400 ft tall on the block directly to the east of the library. Updated renderings and videos no longer show the residential tower.

A director at MECA told me this is because the city has put plans for that on long-term hold due to the ConAgra redevelopment's residential component and because they want to see what residential demand and pedestrian and traffic flow look like after the GLM renovation.

Interesting. We know for the new proposed Lanoha high rise, the residential component was taken completely out so they can focus on what is called “talent acquisition” (see the Omaha Magazine article link I posted in the Lanoha high rise thread)..

So this MECA response, I’d garner, assumes the proposed 400ft tower for the GLM will actually end up being residential. It does make sense to place that project on the back burner. But perhaps an adjustment will end up being made for this proposed tower to either be buisiness or a new hotel with a possible mixed use residential component kind of similar to Capitol District..

It’ll be very interesting to see how this all evolves...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

What if they do the adjustment you are proposing and do some kind of mixed-use development with office/residential and a hotel with the hotel portion going to DoubleTree? That would allow 16th Street to be reconnected....

You might have just done something... Can we get some lawyers and architects on this ASAP!

I like that idea VERY much Ken. This would open back up free flow on 16th street- reconnecting through north and south Omaha.. It’s the way it was before.. and the way it should have always been, really..

Horrible planning idea to cut off 16th street north-south with that hotel in the late 1960’s...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[GenX]

The original renderings and videos for the GLM renovation showed a residential tower that looked like it was close to 400 ft tall on the block directly to the east of the library. Updated renderings and videos no longer show the residential tower.

A director at MECA told me this is because the city has put plans for that on long-term hold due to the ConAgra redevelopment's residential component and because they want to see what residential demand and pedestrian and traffic flow look like after the GLM renovation.

Interesting. We know for the new proposed Lanoha high rise, the residential component was taken completely out so they can focus on what is called “talent acquisition” (see the Omaha Magazine article link I posted in the Lanoha high rise thread)..

So this MECA response, I’d garner, assumes the proposed 400ft tower for the GLM will actually end up being residential. It does make sense to place that project on the back burner. But perhaps an adjustment will end up being made for this proposed tower to either be buisiness or a new hotel with a possible mixed use residential component kind of similar to Capitol District..

It’ll be very interesting to see how this all evolves...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

What if they do the adjustment you are proposing and do some kind of mixed-use development with office/residential and a hotel with the hotel portion going to DoubleTree? That would allow 16th Street to be reconnected....

You might have just done something... Can we get some lawyers and architects on this ASAP!

I like that idea VERY much Ken. This would open back up free flow on 16th street- reconnecting through north and south Omaha.. It’s the way it was before.. and the way it should have always been, really..

Horrible planning idea to cut off 16th street north-south with that hotel in the late 1960’s...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

I wholeheartedly agree with all of you. I’d like to see this happen!

[Omaha Cowboy]

The original renderings and videos for the GLM renovation showed a residential tower that looked like it was close to 400 ft tall on the block directly to the east of the library. Updated renderings and videos no longer show the residential tower.

A director at MECA told me this is because the city has put plans for that on long-term hold due to the ConAgra redevelopment's residential component and because they want to see what residential demand and pedestrian and traffic flow look like after the GLM renovation.

Interesting. We know for the new proposed Lanoha high rise, the residential component was taken completely out so they can focus on what is called “talent acquisition” (see the Omaha Magazine article link I posted in the Lanoha high rise thread)..

So this MECA response, I’d garner, assumes the proposed 400ft tower for the GLM will actually end up being residential. It does make sense to place that project on the back burner. But perhaps an adjustment will end up being made for this proposed tower to either be buisiness or a new hotel with a possible mixed use residential component kind of similar to Capitol District..

It’ll be very interesting to see how this all evolves...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

What if they do the adjustment you are proposing and do some kind of mixed-use development with office/residential and a hotel with the hotel portion going to DoubleTree? That would allow 16th Street to be reconnected....

You might have just done something... Can we get some lawyers and architects on this ASAP!

I like that idea VERY much Ken. This would open back up free flow on 16th street- reconnecting through north and south Omaha.. It’s the way it was before.. and the way it should have always been, really..

Horrible planning idea to cut off 16th street north-south with that hotel in the late 1960’s...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

I wholeheartedly agree with all of you. I’d like to see this happen!

I think most all of us here are in agreement..

One things for sure, downtown Omaha will look much different 5 years from now. Let’s hope, within these 5 years, we see a couple new high rises either completed or under construction...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[GrandpaaSmucker]

Maybe what we see in LA and Portland is not some obscure phenom that happens only on the West Coast. Maybe in 5 years the West Coast has caught up to us and the flat dirt and grass field that now replaces the Gene Leahy Mall will be decorated with hundreds of tents full of the unemployed and broke.

[Coyote]

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[Omahacritic]

I’ve been gone for 32 years. And the Mall prompts my first post. Bit I’ll probably leave further posts along the theme on other topics. Will be far more than my 2 cents.

I took an apartment downtown so I see the mess every day. I don’t want to sound like a negative grandpa. But:

As I look at the “plans” only one word comes to mind .... Uninspiring
And one question ... 2 years of construction and that’s all you get?

Face it ... the biggest obstacle to any development and success is that god awful building on the south, The Great Wall of Blah by Landmark. Who can relax with a monolith of black staring at you for two solid blocks? I walk around it looking for the plaque that says “Mausoleum for Nikita Kruschev. Tear it down! Tear it down!
The design ... well, if you base your ideas on other parks, that’s just what you will get ... other parks.

Where is the vision? The new design is so Omaha.

A few ideas ... NO bluegrass. Find a turf like Bermuda.
Put steam pipes under the sidewalks.
A waffle ball/tee ball for the wee ones.
Take a lane from both Farnam and Dodge.
If you build light rail ... won’t you want a transit station close by?
If you build it, they will come!

And for the West end where the jail sits (you mean that’s a library?). ... get bold! Build something Like the Arc de la Defens in Paris. Think how that would frame the red brick twin towers.

[nebugeater]

I’ve been gone for 32 years. And the Mall prompts my first post. Bit I’ll probably leave further posts along the theme on other topics. Will be far more than my 2 cents.

I took an apartment downtown so I see the mess every day. I don’t want to sound like a negative grandpa. But:

As I look at the “plans” only one word comes to mind .... Uninspiring
And one question ... 2 years of construction and that’s all you get?

Face it ... the biggest obstacle to any development and success is that god awful building on the south, The Great Wall of Blah by Landmark. Who can relax with a monolith of black staring at you for two solid blocks? I walk around it looking for the plaque that says “Mausoleum for Nikita Kruschev. Tear it down! Tear it down!
The design ... well, if you base your ideas on other parks, that’s just what you will get ... other parks.

Where is the vision? The new design is so Omaha.

A few ideas ... NO bluegrass. Find a turf like Bermuda.
Put steam pipes under the sidewalks.
A waffle ball/tee ball for the wee ones.
Take a lane from both Farnam and Dodge.
If you build light rail ... won’t you want a transit station close by?
If you build it, they will come!

And for the West end where the jail sits (you mean that’s a library?). ... get bold! Build something Like the Arc de la Defens in Paris. Think how that would frame the red brick twin towers.

Welcome and please join in across the board!

[Joe_Sovereign]

I’ve been gone for 32 years. And the Mall prompts my first post. Bit I’ll probably leave further posts along the theme on other topics. Will be far more than my 2 cents.

I took an apartment downtown so I see the mess every day. I don’t want to sound like a negative grandpa. But:

As I look at the “plans” only one word comes to mind .... Uninspiring
And one question ... 2 years of construction and that’s all you get?

Face it ... the biggest obstacle to any development and success is that god awful building on the south, The Great Wall of Blah by Landmark. Who can relax with a monolith of black staring at you for two solid blocks? I walk around it looking for the plaque that says “Mausoleum for Nikita Kruschev. Tear it down! Tear it down!
The design ... well, if you base your ideas on other parks, that’s just what you will get ... other parks.

Where is the vision? The new design is so Omaha.

A few ideas ... NO bluegrass. Find a turf like Bermuda.
Put steam pipes under the sidewalks.
A waffle ball/tee ball for the wee ones.
Take a lane from both Farnam and Dodge.
If you build light rail ... won’t you want a transit station close by?
If you build it, they will come!

And for the West end where the jail sits (you mean that’s a library?). ... get bold! Build something Like the Arc de la Defens in Paris. Think how that would frame the red brick twin towers.

The Landmark building's monolith is a combination parking garage, office space and data center with ground level retail on two of it's three sides. It is sad they didn't put anything on the mall side of the building but as Omaha parking garages go it is perhaps the best in the city.

Even with all the terrible parking garages in the city, City Leaders are still letting Peter Kiewit shut down a street for a super block and build a huge lowrise single use parking garage with no ground level activity. Sad

[Omahacritic]

I’ll leave merits of Landmark for that Landmark thread.

My point, the City needs to consider the Wall of Blah in relation to the Mall. Else, the patrons will think its purpose is to bounce tennis balls off of.

With a street level Mall one will get the sensation of walking into a tunnel. They have to figure a way to soften that Wall.

[U R my Helix]

The mall may be closed to the public, but did you know you can still go for a walk along the paths, visit the play ground and even go on the bridge?
Yes it's true. I did not know we had this in our area.
Here is the link on how to access this area.

[PWL73316]

With a street level Mall one will get the sensation of walking into a tunnel.

As opposed to the below grade Mall we had before that literally had multiple tunnels, and you were never able to move right or left while on the path?

Still waiting for the first objection that makes a lick of sense.

[ScrattyB]

Is this the Wall of Blah?

[Cermak]

That really doesn’t bother me much. Of course I would rather have a highrise. It’s Much better than a parking lot. Looks better than the orange Nebraska state office building next to it.

[Omahacritic]

With a street level Mall one will get the sensation of walking into a tunnel.

As opposed to the below grade Mall we had before that literally had multiple tunnels, and you were never able to move right or left while on the path?

Still waiting for the first objection that makes a lick of sense.

The below grade Mall had its detractors and supporters. But at least the Blah was hidden. The Nebraska building ... yes, a relic from the 70’s. But in its day, it blended in.

The Street level Mall can be a great thing .... if some vision is applied.
There 8 city blocks, Two are ruined. At least Holland Center had good sense to be set back and create a terraced effect.

High rises are not the answer.

[RockHarbor]

Aren't you all just happy, chirpy birds all lined up on a wire together? (Birds of a feather flock together.)

I've been talking about the "Wall of Blah" (as you call) it for years -- but it didn't make any of you perk up or sound welcoming to me. Funny, how "Omaha Critic" can be critical, and even call himself that "critic" alias, and none of you seem to mind -- at all.

I have a difficult time even making sense of what is being said here. Can somebody translate some of this stuff here? Is that why you're "OK" with what is being said, and it doesnt threaten, because it doesnt make great sense?

What does the mall look like nowadays? I'm curious of the progress.

I'm from Omaha, have great passion for my hometown, and I've even been in the paper before. I deserve to be here. Not sure if I wanna be, though.

[bigredmed1]

With a street level Mall one will get the sensation of walking into a tunnel.

As opposed to the below grade Mall we had before that literally had multiple tunnels, and you were never able to move right or left while on the path?

Still waiting for the first objection that makes a lick of sense.

To be fair, the tunnels in that part of Downtown connected banks to brothels when originally constructed. They were used to connect banks to the various shops there after industrial scale prostitution became illegal. They were not much and were not exactly safe. They were dug through fill dirt pulled off the bluffs and should they have continued might have made an interesting flood gauge, but they were good to be gone. Should we have replaced the water feature? Yes. It became a bum toilet and was usually trashed, especially in the east end. By moving to a flat strip one can hope we end up with something like the mall in DC.

[RockHarbor]

Huh? You guys make it sound like the Mall was nothing more than a dark & scuzzy "den of iniquity", something wrong for Omaha.

Ugh, what about the delightful postcard views of the city? What about happy laughter at the slides? What about the bridge? What about the swans? What about the picnic lunches?

Gimme a break.

[Omahacritic]

Nobody buys postcards anymore. Harbor, too late to argue the merits of the Mall as you remember it. It is now a big ravine.

But, my perception is that Omaha thought of the old Mall as a one trick pony.

Does anyone know where all the fill dirt is coming from? They were bringing some in this week, one dump truck at a time.
They must be digging one heck of a hole somewhere in west Omaha.

[RockHarbor]

With our camera phones able to take vacation pics and quick & convenient texting where we can send people those vacation pics, sure, I can understand why you state "Nobody buys postcards anymore." However, technically, people still buy them, and that is why they are sold in hotel gift shops and airport news/giftshops. In fact, I just bought two 3D/hologram postcards of Dallas awhile back. (I have to say, though: I see some of the same ole' postcards of Dallas & Houston sold, even ones sold 20 years ago, though. One Dallas gift shop, at the Reunion Tower, had a Blakeway panoramic poster of Dallas, one that was sold even around 20+ years ago -- and that was their one noninspirational Dallas poster you could buy. I thought to myself: "My goodness. Get some new merchandise, please. Dallas has several new buildings/features." In many ways, yes, it is not the business it used to be -- just like maps and phonebooks.)

The "postcard shot" simply means the most perfect, photogenic, widely-liked view of the city. I wasn't meaning actual postcards, although most of Omaha's skyline postcards were taken in that park. And, I'm simply pointing out that the park served for the good for many, including for the good in general for the city of Omaha, as a whole. There are a lot of good times and memories there. I'll miss how the buildings looked taller in the sunken dip, the serenity of the water, grass, trees, and swans, the pedestrian bridge offering fun & unique views, and how the buildings of Omaha seemed to congregate around the park, like it was a very defined, centralized point to see & soak in & celebrate the city of Omaha, Nebraska.

I can understand why they are changing it, though. However, like anything, there are pros and cons with the former design, and with the new design.

[bigredmed1]

Huh? You guys make it sound like the Mall was nothing more than a dark & scuzzy "den of iniquity", something wrong for Omaha.

Ugh, what about the delightful postcard views of the city? What about happy laughter at the slides? What about the bridge? What about the swans? What about the picnic lunches?

Gimme a break.

Those happened and the fun times on the slides will continue. The picnics faded, the swans are still fun to see, but now elsewhere, the limestone has been wisely repurposed to other parks, and the bum toilets are now not in the middle of "family fun zone" Gene Leahy mall. The mall fell apart and the resources needed to clean it up and keep it so were prohibitive given the restrictions placed on homeless management. Had we been able to tell people that they could not camp out there and use it as their personal restroom, and made it stick, then maybe it would have been worth cleaning it up and going forward. We can't. We have too many lefties and bleeding hearts that will screech a jello-haired shriek if we ever tried to force the homeless out of downtown. This is not the only city to have this problem, thus you see spikes on the sidewalks and bus bench hand rails every 20 inches (so you can't lay down on them). Even in lefty cities.

[Omaha Cowboy]

I get the sentiment RockHarbor is communicating though.. and I agree with him...

I loved the Gene Leahy Mall. I lived close to the downtown area for a great portion of my 20’s and 30’s and have many fond memories of just walking around GLM with my girlfriend after dinner..or just hanging out with friends. I too enjoyed how the sunken park made the downtown skyline “pop” even more..made it seem more pronounced, etc..

I am excited now, about this new plan, and how it will strongly reconnect Omaha with its riverfront. I’m also anxious to see the increased livability and street level activity the new redesign creates..and the new developments it will spur. I’ve said it before on this forum- in a mere 5 years, downtown Omaha (including North Downtown) will look so much different..

And I look forward to the results...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Omahacritic]

I wasn’t around for the decline of the Mall. I’ve no opinion on the demolition but wha5 is done is done.

Cowboy, I just don’t share your enthusiasm. The plan as outlined on the city’s website is underwhelming. Perhaps better than what it replaces, but is that good enough?

I’ve got skin in the game downtown. I hope your 5 year goal is met but I am not so certain. I’m looking to be Wowed by a plan for the Mall.

Now, where is the dirt coming from? That is a big hole to fill in. Just curious. Like a 10 story building.

[RockHarbor]

Bigredmed1: Gotcha. Now I see where you are coming from. I guess I never realized the homeless issue w/ that park, other than cautious moments I had sometimes at night when the walkway would take you under a street bridge. Yet, it was lit up.

OmahaCowboy: Glad you get what I mean. The buildings did look extra tall in that dip, and the buildings came together in a photogenic way, almost like the city could say to a visitor: "I look good from here, don't I? And, you thought Nebraska didn't have big cities... Yeah, shut up, and take my picture. And, show Omaha to people back home. For sure, they'll be impressed." (Lol) Yes, it was also a romantic zone of Omaha, a place to take a walk w/ a new date, or to reflect. Any city that has a nice, clean landscaped walkway near water (from London to Omaha) becomes a "romance zone."

The bottom line is: If you're a native Omahan, the Mall is in your heart, in some way or another. It is a big time, downtown civic park that is a defining part of Downtown Omaha nowadays, after around 40 years of existence, just as much as the boxy, capped Woodmen Tower is. We all have different reactions and moods and perspectives towards the Mall, and its current revamping, and that's understandable -- and makes this convo interesting, imo.

I'll totally miss aspects of the original park, but I'm also excited about the change. I follow enough urban design that I see this as Omaha's chance to get current, en vogue urban park design that is big-time popular right now, and throwing out elements that are now out of style. It's almost like remodeling the living room in a house, and throwing the old couch and rug out, while still loving the room, and still congregating there often. It is merely a cosmetic change. Believe me, I think Omaha needs that freshening up. If even bigger cities, like Denver and Dallas, hadnt added a new building or two, or maybe a new park or bridge, and had the same skyline/look they had 20-30 years ago, I practically would want to barf looking at them. But, thankfully...they have some new elements.

[nativeomahan]

As someone who grew up long before the Central Park Mall was even a glimmer in the eye of the City Planning director, or Gene Leahy, who was an acquaintance of mine, I can remember going to see the latest Disney films on Sunday afternoons at the old State Theater (torn down for the mall). As a young man I recall walking along the newly constructed first block of the mall (where the giant flags flew) with the widow of the former city attorney, who were family friends, and praising how excited I was to see urban renewal come to downtown. She voiced sage skepticism at all the viable businesses that were torn down to create this giant empty space. But she also hoped aloud that something better would come as a result.
Now I find myself trading places with my late friend. I express a ton of skepticism that this latest reincarnation of a strip of downtown will rise, like the Phoenix, to be better than what came before. I just don’t see it happening. But this plan has the backing of Omaha’s movers and shakers, so whether the public likes it or not, it is going to be shoved down our throats, one dead tree at a time.
It will be up to another generation to decide if this is all just one giant folly, like the Jobbers Canyon/ConAgra debacle, or something truly inspiring and transformative.

[GrandpaaSmucker]

......and while they are shoving this sure fail scheme down are throats they are throwing in the youth detention center on top. While they are wasting all this money they mutter out of the other side of there mouths that maybe we should Double the Restaurant Tax. They say they can make another 30 million if they double the Restaurant Tax and they will use that to fix up our streets. If they did Double the Restaurant Tax that 30 million would not begin to fix the streets. I think the city has said in the past they need more like a billion to fix the streets. Its all smoke and mirrors designed to fleece the public.

[Omahacritic]

Doesn’t have to be a failure.

If they make it the same thing every other city has, yes it will be just that.

If they turn it into something other cities are jealous of ... that is a success.

Sadly, I see more of the former.

[mistergutierrez]

Is the park going to be fenced? I mean, it will be open 24/7 or it will be closed at night?

That´s pretty normal in a lot of urban parks.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Doesn’t have to be a failure.

If they make it the same thing every other city has, yes it will be just that.

If they turn it into something other cities are jealous of ... that is a success.

Sadly, I see more of the former.

So much skepticism here.. Honestly, how can you *really* see more of what you call “the former”? Seriously??..

Listen, I get people’s negative skepticism of the plan.. But this is a $290 million plan. You don’t see this type of ambition in most major metropolitan areas in the 2-3 million population range, let alone a 1 million population metro like Omaha. Yes, city “movers and shakers” are behind it.. Contrary to certain negative postings, not one Omaha citizen will see their taxes raised for the construction of this plan- Look that up if you don’t believe me..

I’ve lived a little too.. in 6 days I’ll turn 58 years old. I remember what downtown looked like before, during and after the Gene Leahy Mall (originally named Central Park Mall) was constructed. I really enjoyed it. But this negativity toward taking that old park, and attempting something new and bold; being met with negativity and skepticism is leaving me scratching my head a bit ..

I respect others opinions here. We all can’t agree. And that’s what makes for spirited Omaha forum discussion..

But I’d ask this- maybe try giving this plan a chance..let it percolate a bit, perhaps see the mold and shape of it.. before casting gloom and doom over it..

Just a thought...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[PWL73316]

People on here just look for something to be mad about. We are extremely blessed to have very wealthy private donors who are putting up hundreds of millions of dollars to improve the park and downtown Omaha, and all many people want to do is complain that it wasn't there 40 years ago.

They'll repeat long debunked lies, frankly, about dead trees or taxes or whatever else they can conjure up to try to put a pox on the whole thing, completely regardless of the actual facts.

[Doctor Fate]

Doesn’t have to be a failure.

If they make it the same thing every other city has, yes it will be just that.

If they turn it into something other cities are jealous of ... that is a success.

Sadly, I see more of the former.

So much skepticism here.. Honestly, how can you *really* see more of what you call “the former”? Seriously??..

Listen, I get people’s negative skepticism of the plan.. But this is a $290 million plan. You don’t see this type of ambition in most major metropolitan areas in the 2-3 million population range, let alone a 1 million population metro like Omaha. Yes, city “movers and shakers” are behind it.. Contrary to certain negative postings, not one Omaha citizen will see their taxes raised for the construction of this plan- Look that up if you don’t believe me..

I’ve lived a little too.. in 6 days I’ll turn 58 years old. I remember what downtown looked like before, during and after the Gene Leahy Mall (originally named Central Park Mall) was constructed. I really enjoyed it. But this negativity toward taking that old park, and attempting something new and bold; being met with negativity and skepticism is leaving me scratching my head a bit ..

I respect others opinions here. We all can’t agree. And that’s what makes for spirited Omaha forum discussion..

But I’d ask this- maybe try giving this plan a chance..let it percolate a bit, perhaps see the mold and shape of it.. before casting gloom and doom over it..

Just a thought...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

I agree with you Cowboy. I think at the very least, we are getting a more usable park. Events can actually be held and other amenities can be actively used instead of just walked through and looked at a couple times.

A more positive outlook would forecast more people attracted to live and visit downtown because of the park and riverfront redevelopments, which would, along with the park itself, attract more businesses, a full-service grocery store, and more restaurants and retail.

[Cermak]

I never saw another sunken park like ours in other cities. Besides looking at it or walking in it their wasn’t much to do. It was underused. It’s my understanding they are leaving the slides which was maybe the best thing about the place. This new version GLH should be better. Yes the buildings might look a little shorter.

[Coyote]

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[Omahacritic]

So much skepticism here.. Honestly, how can you *really* see more of what you call “the former”? Seriously??..

Cowboy .. good question.

Covered pavilion ... gee, that’s Turner Park. As common as grass.
Whack-a-mole fountains ... Omaha has at least already. Probably more. Common
West Lawn ... a big green area. Where have I seen that before? Oh, the East Lawn. Or any other park.
Then, it gets to 10th St and they try to squeeze it around several huge buildings.

On the other hand, I will admit the skate rink has promise ... but where is skate board park to complement?
And the areas East of 8th street hold promise.

The drawings are misleading. They make it look like this wide strip of land. It’s a narrow ribbon. Everything they drew would be much narrower.

A major city park is more than trees and grass. A major city park is part of the destination. Add cultural institutions to the environs along surrounding streets. Balboa Park in San Diego, Forest Park in St Louis and Golden Gate in San Francisco stand out.

And where the library now stands ... you lace an architectural masterpiece. Something that will upset off the locals.
https://www.google.com/maps/uv?hl=en&pb ... erState=lb#

[Omaha Cowboy]

Well, critic, I appreciate your response..

Can’t say I agree with much of it. Your opinion is purely speculative.. As is everyone else’s..

Parhaps all those things you mention will happen. There is a good possibility NONE of it will...

So what we’ve come to is this- cup half full or cup half empty. I believe in giving this plan a chance. I believe it will firmly be an improvement over the sunken, never fully realized Central Lark Mall of the early 80’s. You don’t. And that’s fine and dandy..

5 or so years from now, if the new redevelopment plan is trending towards a flop, I’ll be the first here to admit I was sold down the river.. If the plan is a success- spurs additional development and becomes the envy of other metropolitan areas nationwide in the 1 to 3 million population range, I’d expect you to come here and admit the same..

Time will tell. But for me, I feel pretty darn good about what this plan will mean, and bring to downtown Omaha...

Ciao..LiO...Peace