Old Union Pacific Headquarters Lot

[Omaha Cowboy]

I think the safe route is to be all negative on this project and say it won’t get built, in the long run you will probably be right and can at least feel good about that. However I wish Omaha would look at building some medium size buildings downtown not just 25 or 30 story skyscrapers. Maybe a sharp looking 12 or 15 story building would look good on the grassy lot instead of building nothing.

I agree. You could build two buildings on that site....just one at 12-15 stories would still change the skyline.

Does Omaha have anything in the 10+ range proposed or in the works?

Other than this 15 month old Lanoha skyscraper proposal, there is really nothing in the hopper for downtown right now. And the reality is, until we get to the other side of this pandemic, any high rise proposal is likely a pipe dream anyway..

That said, there is much development going on in the downturn core from the GLM to the ConAgra Site, the riverfront, North Downtown etc.. there is so much potential, within the next 3-7 years, to have multiple high rise proposals spring up and possibly become reality. It’ll be interesting to see what downtown Omaha will look like in 5-10 years.. I remain optimistic...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Omahacritic]

Who is going to occupy such space?

I’m not in the crowd that believes the country is shifting to more “work from home”. But office high rises need major tenants. Omaha has to land a player first.

[Doctor Fate]

Who is going to occupy such space?

I’m not in the crowd that believes the country is shifting to more “work from home”. But office high rises need major tenants. Omaha has to land a player first.

Does Omaha need to land someone first or have somewhere for them to land? Kind of the chicken and the egg. Though if Omaha lands someone, do they wait for 3 years until their location is built? Or do they move somewhere temporary?

Out here in Salt Lake City, 111 Main (385 ft.) was built with no tenants in 2015 and then later filled up before and after completion. Currently 95 S. State is being built with no tenants.

[TitosBuritoBarn]

Who is going to occupy such space?

I’m not in the crowd that believes the country is shifting to more “work from home”. But office high rises need major tenants. Omaha has to land a player first.

Does Omaha need to land someone first or have somewhere for them to land? Kind of the chicken and the egg. Though if Omaha lands someone, do they wait for 3 years until their location is built? Or do they move somewhere temporary?

Out here in Salt Lake City, 111 Main (385 ft.) was built with no tenants in 2015 and then later filled up before and after completion. Currently 95 S. State is being built with no tenants.

Unless you’re in a particularly strong office market or just have a lot of faith, you start construction after you’ve pre-leased a certain amount of space to a certain caliber of tenants.

Companies usually don’t move or expand offices quickly. If we have offerings that are proposed but not built yet, that’s enough for most tenants. They’ll wait it out.

[nebugeater]

Who is going to occupy such space?

I’m not in the crowd that believes the country is shifting to more “work from home”. But office high rises need major tenants. Omaha has to land a player first.

Does Omaha need to land someone first or have somewhere for them to land? Kind of the chicken and the egg. Though if Omaha lands someone, do they wait for 3 years until their location is built? Or do they move somewhere temporary?

Out here in Salt Lake City, 111 Main (385 ft.) was built with no tenants in 2015 and then later filled up before and after completion. Currently 95 S. State is being built with no tenants.

There is sometimes a difference between no tenants and no announced tenants

[NEDodger]

Who is going to occupy such space?

I’m not in the crowd that believes the country is shifting to more “work from home”. But office high rises need major tenants. Omaha has to land a player first.

Does Omaha need to land someone first or have somewhere for them to land? Kind of the chicken and the egg. Though if Omaha lands someone, do they wait for 3 years until their location is built? Or do they move somewhere temporary?

Out here in Salt Lake City, 111 Main (385 ft.) was built with no tenants in 2015 and then later filled up before and after completion. Currently 95 S. State is being built with no tenants.

I think that’s a fair argument. Having the available space, especially an impressive looking one, can be part of the pitch to steer someone. To me, this is a beautiful building and I’m hoping it gets done. Having it completed with a portion attributed to residential, a portion to a hotel, may be what draws that anchor office tenant.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Who is going to occupy such space?

I’m not in the crowd that believes the country is shifting to more “work from home”. But office high rises need major tenants. Omaha has to land a player first.

Does Omaha need to land someone first or have somewhere for them to land? Kind of the chicken and the egg. Though if Omaha lands someone, do they wait for 3 years until their location is built? Or do they move somewhere temporary?

Out here in Salt Lake City, 111 Main (385 ft.) was built with no tenants in 2015 and then later filled up before and after completion. Currently 95 S. State is being built with no tenants.

I think that’s a fair argument. Having the available space, especially an impressive looking one, can be part of the pitch to steer someone. To me, this is a beautiful building and I’m hoping it gets done. Having it completed with a portion attributed to residential, a portion to a hotel, may be what draws that anchor office tenant.

I agree. A tenant or tenants are not always required for a significant building to get the green light. You dangle the carrot and nibbles many times come. It is chicken and the egg for sure. Ultimately, you’d like to have at least a significant tenant secured.. but it’s not always a perfect world set up. Sometimes a developer who believes in the community will need to roll the dice..

All said, I’d love to see this latest proposal come to fruition and I’m keeping my fingers (and toes) crossed ...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Cermak]

Omaha has traditionally not built large speculative office buildings downtown. They have built speculative buildings in the burbs but not DT. It would be a gamble for someone to do this in Omaha. From what I can tell with Omaha it’s rather easy to build office space out west of even AK village. But for some reason it’s like pulling teeth to get office space built DT. The only office space built DT in the last 10 years has been the building on the old World Herald block and the 3 story building just completed at Capitol district. While west Omaha And AK village have seen the bulk of new office space built in the city during the last 10 years.

[Omaha Cowboy]

That is true.. But it’s also why the Riverfront development plan is so important to the future of downtown along with north downtown development.. The goal would be to create a more usable, livable and vibrant downtown that would attract developers with financial backing to roll the dice and build downtown..with the hope it will lure tenants. Is it a guarantee? No. Is it a risk? Yes. But there is an element of risk with most every business decision made..

Let’s see what comes of downtown development over the next 5-7 years...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[ita]

Omaha has traditionally not built large speculative office buildings downtown. They have built speculative buildings in the burbs but not DT. It would be a gamble for someone to do this in Omaha. From what I can tell with Omaha it’s rather easy to build office space out west of even AK village. But for some reason it’s like pulling teeth to get office space built DT. The only office space built DT in the last 10 years has been the building on the old World Herald block and the 3 story building just completed at Capitol district. While west Omaha And AK village have seen the bulk of new office space built in the city during the last 10 years.

I think it has been brought up in prior posts about this topic, but many employees of companies that build out west, live out west. These office users that are building or relocating to where their employees are. Additionally, with Omaha's dependence on the automobile, without any serious investment in public transit or focused urban planning, office users need to be able to provide parking. That's much easier to do out west where you can easily accommodate large surface parking lots rather than having to build large parking structures downtown.

However, in the last decade, there have been strategies to help improve public transit, create more live-work-play communities downtown (see Millowork Commons and the Builders District), improving amenities (hello, Riverfront Revitalization project) and signs that more people are living in urban Omaha (rise of permits for housing east of 72nd and the eye test over the last few years of all the apartment projects, particularly downtown/midtown). I hope this will set us up this next decade to see more downtown development in terms of office users.

[Doctor Fate]

That is true.. But it’s also why the Riverfront development plan is so important to the future of downtown along with north downtown development.. The goal would be to create a more usable, livable and vibrant downtown that would attract developers with financial backing to roll the dice and build downtown..with the hope it will lure tenants. Is it a guarantee? No. Is it a risk? Yes. But there is an element of risk with most every business decision made..

Let’s see what comes of downtown development over the next 5-7 years...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

I agree. I'll use SLC as an example again because I've been out here for a couple years now and live downtown. City Creek Center was a catalyst of downtown SLC during the Great Recession in the same way I am hoping The Riverfront can be for Omaha. The mall cost over $1.5 billion and replaced a dead mall, with a thriving mall just a half mile away. But in the last 10 years or so it has led to an increase of 4,000 downtown residents, around 15,000 jobs, increased light rail lines/stations, more events and more walkability. These are the buildings that have been built, are under construction, or are proposed since City Creek was built:

Completed:
The Regent (265 ft. residential building)
222 Main (315 ft. office building)
111 Main (385 ft. office building)
99 West (375 ft. residential building)

Under construction:
95 S. State (395 ft. office building)
Convention Center Hotel (325 ft. Hyatt)
Liberty Sky (265 ft. residential)

Proposed:
Utah Theater Tower (375 ft. mixed use)
Kennsington Tower (440 ft. residential)

Several articles in The Salt Lake Tribune and KSL have noted that these office buildings were near vacant following their completion but are now all at historically low vacancy rates. This is all a long winded way of saying that I hope The Riverfront will have even a percentage of the impact on Omaha that City Creek has had on SLC

[Omahacritic]

Who is going to occupy such space?

I’m not in the crowd that believes the country is shifting to more “work from home”. But office high rises need major tenants. Omaha has to land a player first.

Does Omaha need to land someone first or have somewhere for them to land? Kind of the chicken and the egg. Though if Omaha lands someone, do they wait for 3 years until their location is built? Or do they move somewhere temporary?

Out here in Salt Lake City, 111 Main (385 ft.) was built with no tenants in 2015 and then later filled up before and after completion. Currently 95 S. State is being built with no tenants.

Yes, it’s a chicken and egg thing. Then again, Amazon isn’t exactly moving it’s 2nd HQ into a spec building.

Spec building an office high rise ... who will be on the hook for if? So long as it’s not taxpayer ... go for it. And yes, I like the drawings of the proposed building.

[OmahaJaysCU]

Speculative office construction isn’t happening on this site. Or anywhere else downtown for that matter. Note the completed and empty Capital District office building. I’m not saying someone won’t lease it but office tenants aren’t exactly lining up around the block with demand.

[Doctor Fate]

Speculative office construction isn’t happening on this site. Or anywhere else downtown for that matter. Note the completed and empty Capital District office building. I’m not saying someone won’t lease it but office tenants aren’t exactly lining up around the block with demand.

How long has the Capital District Office building been completed? 222 Main and 111 Main in SLC has near vacant for near a year before filling up after being competed? They are both over 300 ft tall. Companies were not coming downtown when those two buildings were finished, they were going to the Silicon Slopes and Point of the Mountain. But these buildings brought companies downtown.

[strangerthings]

Who is going to occupy such space?

I’m not in the crowd that believes the country is shifting to more “work from home”. But office high rises need major tenants. Omaha has to land a player first.

Does Omaha need to land someone first or have somewhere for them to land? Kind of the chicken and the egg. Though if Omaha lands someone, do they wait for 3 years until their location is built? Or do they move somewhere temporary?

Out here in Salt Lake City, 111 Main (385 ft.) was built with no tenants in 2015 and then later filled up before and after completion. Currently 95 S. State is being built with no tenants.

Kansas City has been passed up for large offices for companies like Starbucks because of a lack of immediately available space.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Now that Lanoha is dug in for The Row project at suburban Heartland Preserve, I think it begs the question- is this highrise proposal dead in the water or not? When the W-H interviewed Jason Lanoha for their HP piece Sunday , I would have loved it if they slipped in a question regarding this proposed highrise (fat chance there I know)..

This is a spot the city has been interested in developing for nearly 20 years.. It’s sat empty since it’s demolition in 2005.. Townsend famously failed us.. We haven’t heard a peep on this latest highrise proposal for 18 months..

Let’s revive a discussion on this one. Does this project have a pulse?.. Or is it completely dead in the water?...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[ita]

Now that Lanoha is dug in for The Row project at suburban Heartland Preserve, I think it begs the question- is this highrise proposal dead in the water or not? When the W-H interviewed Jason Lanoha for their HP piece Sunday , I would have loved it if they slipped in a question regarding this proposed highrise (fat chance there I know)..

This is a spot the city has been interested in developing for nearly 20 years.. It’s sat empty since it’s demolition in 2005.. Townsend famously failed us.. We haven’t heard a peep on this latest highrise proposal for 18 months

Let’s revive a discussion on this one. Does this project have a pulse?.. Or is it completely dead in the water?...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

This is a quote from the article:

The developer also controls the old Union Pacific block at 14th and Dodge, which still is vacant awaiting a tenant and structure.

Oh really? That's all? I joke, but i don't know how they are landing additional projects (remember lanoha is attached to that large project in Dallas). Maybe it's more indicative of the state of interest in Downtown, when it comes to large employers, but hey have had the UP site for several years now and have made little progress.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Yes, but that’s hardly a question asked of and answered by Jason Lanoha.. We know Lanoha controls this still vacant site. But I suspect there was no specific question regarding his highrise proposal for this site; which we’ve heard nothing about for 18 months. That would require actual W-H reporting.. Of course, we don’t get any of that..

But I agree.. little progress. I would appreciate from Jason, some feedback on his proposal. It was big news when he announced it February of 2019- we even had highrise sketches of what the proposal would look like.. If it’s still alive or dead in the water, I’d be nice to at least hear something after a year and a half of crickets...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[ita]

Yes, but that’s hardly a question asked of and answered by Jason Lanoha.. We know Lanoha controls this still vacant site. But I suspect there was no specific question regarding his highrise proposal for this site; which we’ve heard nothing about for 18 months. That would require actual W-H reporting.. Of course, we don’t get any of that..

But I agree.. little progress. I would appreciate from Jason, some feedback on his proposal. It was big news when he announced it February of 2019- we even had highrise sketches of what the proposal would look like.. If it’s still alive or dead in the water, I’d be nice to at least hear something after a year and a half of crickets...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

I suspect Jason just doesn't have an update even if the question was asked. I went back to the Midland Business Journal article from October about the tower project. It did say construction would not start until 2022 at the earliest. That gives Lanoha some time to secure tenants and us a lot of time to ponder on what will become of this site. If they do not announce any progress on securing a tenant(s) by the end of 2021, I will be in the mindset that this will not be happening. If anything, there are other downtown projects that are progressing to look forward to. We have the Riverfront (and any future projects thereto adjacent), Conagra, Millwork, and the Builders district, in addition to some building renovations at the Logan and the Peregrine, and potential new mid rises with the Old Market hotel and DC justice center. I think those more than make up for the sites currently stalled like Lanoha tower and the Civic site.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Yes, but that’s hardly a question asked of and answered by Jason Lanoha.. We know Lanoha controls this still vacant site. But I suspect there was no specific question regarding his highrise proposal for this site; which we’ve heard nothing about for 18 months. That would require actual W-H reporting.. Of course, we don’t get any of that..

But I agree.. little progress. I would appreciate from Jason, some feedback on his proposal. It was big news when he announced it February of 2019- we even had highrise sketches of what the proposal would look like.. If it’s still alive or dead in the water, I’d be nice to at least hear something after a year and a half of crickets...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

I suspect Jason just doesn't have an update even if the question was asked. I went back to the Midland Business Journal article from October about the tower project. It did say construction would not start until 2022 at the earliest. That gives Lanoha some time to secure tenants and us a lot of time to ponder on what will become of this site. If they do not announce any progress on securing a tenant(s) by the end of 2021, I will be in the mindset that this will not be happening. If anything, there are other downtown projects that are progressing to look forward to. We have the Riverfront (and any future projects thereto adjacent), Conagra, Millwork, and the Builders district, in addition to some building renovations at the Logan and the Peregrine, and potential new mid rises with the Old Market hotel and DC justice center. I think those more than make up for the sites currently stalled like Lanoha tower and the Civic site.

Yeah, I know..and am grateful for these other projects, especially the ones that are underway..

But for us height obsessed folk- none of them satisfy quite like a ground clearing and steel in the ground 25 plus story highrise development..

Usually I’m cup half full as it relates to proposed developments.. But when it comes to highrise proposals and specifically this one, I think it’s dead in the water..

Hope I’m wrong. Maybe one of you can convince me I am ...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[ita]

Yes, but that’s hardly a question asked of and answered by Jason Lanoha.. We know Lanoha controls this still vacant site. But I suspect there was no specific question regarding his highrise proposal for this site; which we’ve heard nothing about for 18 months. That would require actual W-H reporting.. Of course, we don’t get any of that..

But I agree.. little progress. I would appreciate from Jason, some feedback on his proposal. It was big news when he announced it February of 2019- we even had highrise sketches of what the proposal would look like.. If it’s still alive or dead in the water, I’d be nice to at least hear something after a year and a half of crickets...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

I suspect Jason just doesn't have an update even if the question was asked. I went back to the Midland Business Journal article from October about the tower project. It did say construction would not start until 2022 at the earliest. That gives Lanoha some time to secure tenants and us a lot of time to ponder on what will become of this site. If they do not announce any progress on securing a tenant(s) by the end of 2021, I will be in the mindset that this will not be happening. If anything, there are other downtown projects that are progressing to look forward to. We have the Riverfront (and any future projects thereto adjacent), Conagra, Millwork, and the Builders district, in addition to some building renovations at the Logan and the Peregrine, and potential new mid rises with the Old Market hotel and DC justice center. I think those more than make up for the sites currently stalled like Lanoha tower and the Civic site.

Yeah, I know..and am grateful for these other projects, especially the ones that are underway..

But for us height obsessed folk- none of them satisfy quite like a ground clearing and steel in the ground 25 plus story highrise development..

Usually I’m cup half full as it relates to proposed developments.. But when it comes to highrise proposals and specifically this one, I think it’s dead in the water..

Hope I’m wrong. Maybe one of you can convince me I am ...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

At this point the only person who can do that is Jason Lanoha. Unfortunately he has not said or done anything to assuage our concerns about the likelihood this project goes vertical. As far as height goes, I don't think we see that until the Riverfront nears completion and/or a major change to public transit comes to fruition resulting in higher density developments and less parking spaces needed.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Yes, but that’s hardly a question asked of and answered by Jason Lanoha.. We know Lanoha controls this still vacant site. But I suspect there was no specific question regarding his highrise proposal for this site; which we’ve heard nothing about for 18 months. That would require actual W-H reporting.. Of course, we don’t get any of that..

But I agree.. little progress. I would appreciate from Jason, some feedback on his proposal. It was big news when he announced it February of 2019- we even had highrise sketches of what the proposal would look like.. If it’s still alive or dead in the water, I’d be nice to at least hear something after a year and a half of crickets...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

I suspect Jason just doesn't have an update even if the question was asked. I went back to the Midland Business Journal article from October about the tower project. It did say construction would not start until 2022 at the earliest. That gives Lanoha some time to secure tenants and us a lot of time to ponder on what will become of this site. If they do not announce any progress on securing a tenant(s) by the end of 2021, I will be in the mindset that this will not be happening. If anything, there are other downtown projects that are progressing to look forward to. We have the Riverfront (and any future projects thereto adjacent), Conagra, Millwork, and the Builders district, in addition to some building renovations at the Logan and the Peregrine, and potential new mid rises with the Old Market hotel and DC justice center. I think those more than make up for the sites currently stalled like Lanoha tower and the Civic site.

Yeah, I know..and am grateful for these other projects, especially the ones that are underway..

But for us height obsessed folk- none of them satisfy quite like a ground clearing and steel in the ground 25 plus story highrise development..

Usually I’m cup half full as it relates to proposed developments.. But when it comes to highrise proposals and specifically this one, I think it’s dead in the water..

Hope I’m wrong. Maybe one of you can convince me I am ...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

At this point the only person who can do that is Jason Lanoha. Unfortunately he has not said or done anything to assuage our concerns about the likelihood this project goes vertical. As far as height goes, I don't think we see that until the Riverfront nears completion and/or a major change to public transit comes to fruition resulting in higher density developments and less parking spaces needed.

Minus hearing from Lanoha himself, I’m looking for other forum members’ opinions on this project. Given the intensively written and detailed article in the Sunday W-H about Lanoha’s direct involvement in the Row project at suburban Heartland Preserve, now does that, if at all, affect this proposed highrise development at the continually non-developed UP site.. Lanoha purchased this parcel back in 2012..and it’s been crickets for over 8 years..

Interesting your take that major change in public transportation is needed before another highrise downtown is built. I don’t know if I agree with that completely. Of course, it wouldn’t hurt.. But major change in PT could take another 10-20 years..especially if we’re considering light rail/streetcar as that “driver”..This mode has been stuck in (and continues to be) stuck in “study mode” for the past 15+ years..and I see no reason to believe that will change anytime soon..and why would a highrise at the UP site have to wait until the Riverfront Project nears completion? There is a “dotted line” connection there I suppose..but they are 2 separate projects. I don’t think one is necessarily tied to the other..

In the end, I think Lanoha is nearing the end of its run in trying to develop the UP site. It’s embarrassing really that nothing has come to fruition in over 16 years since the building demolition. I remember the city, at that time, considered the UP site it’s most important area for highrise development downtown and that the city wishes for a significant highrise to be built there..and I believe they still do..

Of course, we have a pandemic to consider, along with good old fashioned supply/demand.. But I also wonder how bullish and how much drive/passion this developer has in seeing his current proposal to reality..if the last 18 months of silence are any indication, I have little confidence..

My instinct tells me this latest proposal is dead in the water (it’s possible Lanoha’s involvement in The Row is the nail in the coffin).. And if that’s truly the case, perhaps it’s time for Lanoha to shop this site to a new developer. One who has the time, passion, resources and belief in the core to see a highrise development to completion. It really needs to get done already...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[ita]

Minus hearing from Lanoha himself, I’m looking for other forum members’ opinions on this project. Given the intensively written and detailed article in the Sunday W-H about Lanoha’s direct involvement in the Row project at suburban Heartland Preserve, now does that, if at all, affect this proposed highrise development at the continually non-developed UP site.. Lanoha purchased this parcel back in 2012..and it’s been crickets for over 8 years..

Interesting your take that major change in public transportation is needed before another highrise downtown is built. I don’t know if I agree with that completely. Of course, it wouldn’t hurt.. But major change in PT could take another 10-20 years..especially if we’re considering light rail/streetcar as that “driver”..This mode has been stuck in (and continues to be) stuck in “study mode” for the past 15+ years..and I see no reason to believe that will change anytime soon..and why would a highrise at the UP site have to wait until the Riverfront Project nears completion? There is a “dotted line” connection there I suppose..but they are 2 separate projects. I don’t think one is necessarily tied to the other..

In the end, I think Lanoha is nearing the end of its run in trying to develop the UP site. It’s embarrassing really that nothing has come to fruition in over 16 years since the building demolition. I remember the city, at that time, considered the UP site it’s most important area for highrise development downtown and that the city wishes for a significant highrise to be built there..and I believe they still do..

Of course, we have a pandemic to consider, along with good old fashioned supply/demand.. But I also wonder how bullish and how much drive/passion this developer has in seeing his current proposal to reality..if the last 18 months of silence are any indication, I have little confidence..

My instinct tells me this latest proposal is dead in the water (it’s possible Lanoha’s involvement in The Row is the nail in the coffin).. And if that’s truly the case, perhaps it’s time for Lanoha to shop this site to a new developer. One who has the time, passion, resources and belief in the core to see a highrise development to completion. It really needs to get done already...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

I don't know if public transportation matters for this particular project. I was alluding to public transportation being an important factor for greater height in downtown generally. Here's a good video I saw in an older post (note, it is older and a presentation by Modern Streetcar Advocates, so it could be biased a bit, but it's instructive nonetheless):

[youtube][/youtube]
From 6 months ago but an interesting video with some analysis of what downtown could look like with less surface/structured parking and how that could affect the projected number of jobs returning to downtown.

Concerning the Lanoha tower site, I have said all I know about this one. If it's dead in the water, I accept it, but I agree with you that Lanoha needs to move it on to someone if that's the case.

[TitosBuritoBarn]

Minus hearing from Lanoha himself, I’m looking for other forum members’ opinions on this project. Given the intensively written and detailed article in the Sunday W-H about Lanoha’s direct involvement in the Row project at suburban Heartland Preserve, now does that, if at all, affect this proposed highrise development at the continually non-developed UP site.. Lanoha purchased this parcel back in 2012..and it’s been crickets for over 8 years..

Interesting your take that major change in public transportation is needed before another highrise downtown is built. I don’t know if I agree with that completely. Of course, it wouldn’t hurt.. But major change in PT could take another 10-20 years..especially if we’re considering light rail/streetcar as that “driver”..This mode has been stuck in (and continues to be) stuck in “study mode” for the past 15+ years..and I see no reason to believe that will change anytime soon..and why would a highrise at the UP site have to wait until the Riverfront Project nears completion? There is a “dotted line” connection there I suppose..but they are 2 separate projects. I don’t think one is necessarily tied to the other..

In the end, I think Lanoha is nearing the end of its run in trying to develop the UP site. It’s embarrassing really that nothing has come to fruition in over 16 years since the building demolition. I remember the city, at that time, considered the UP site it’s most important area for highrise development downtown and that the city wishes for a significant highrise to be built there..and I believe they still do..

Of course, we have a pandemic to consider, along with good old fashioned supply/demand.. But I also wonder how bullish and how much drive/passion this developer has in seeing his current proposal to reality..if the last 18 months of silence are any indication, I have little confidence..

My instinct tells me this latest proposal is dead in the water (it’s possible Lanoha’s involvement in The Row is the nail in the coffin).. And if that’s truly the case, perhaps it’s time for Lanoha to shop this site to a new developer. One who has the time, passion, resources and belief in the core to see a highrise development to completion. It really needs to get done already...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

I think downtown Omaha and Boys Town are different enough markets that one should not have a high impact on the other. That said, I don't fully comprehend the downtown Omaha market forces and what drives them.

Lanoha is taking on more projects of increasing scale (including diving into other markets) but I"m sure they could fill any staffing needs to handle all these projects fairly easily.

[NEDodger]

My thoughts:

1.) The timing is pretty horrific for movement on this. I disagree that there is no connection between what's going on in Riverfront Place vis-a-vis this - there's going to be finite demand (especially during a period of economic uncertainty). As Riverfront Place has office space that will be available sooner than the Lanoha site, you have to consider them being at an advantage.

2.) However....I believe that Lanoha's involvement in Heartwood is a positive for this. As the article states, they are going to be in talks with other companies/retailers nationwide to try to get them to relocate/open a branch in West Omaha. If that site is NOT what some of these places are looking for, this spot may be a location that DOES interest some of these places. The fact that Lanoha is presumably going to be in active talks with a large number of businesses can only be a positive in trying to find clients that would match a downtown highrise?

[Omahacritic]

Put it to bed until 2025.

Omaha will have to attract a Class A company to fill a Class A tower. That will require changes to tax law. I don’t see that happening.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Pandemic notwithstanding, if there’s still no word from Lanoha on this proposal within the next 6-7 months (give it through March/2021), then I believe it’s time for Lanoha to shop this property to another developer who is more bullish on delivering a proposal and seeing it through completion..

By that time Lanoha will have had 9 or so years to make good on seeing a proposed plan through to completion with zero result..

This prime property has been sitting vacant for going on 17 years. Delivery time Is long past imminent...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Busguy2010]

Pandemic notwithstanding, if there’s still no word from Lanoha on this proposal within the next 6-7 months (give it through March/2021), then I believe it’s time for Lanoha to shop this property to another developer who is more bullish on delivering a proposal and seeing it through completion..

By that time Lanoha will have had 9 or so years to make good on seeing a proposed plan through to completion with zero result..

This prime property has been sitting vacant for going on 17 years. Delivery time Is long past imminent...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

On top of that, it's hard to believe somebody wouldn't have come through and repurposed the old building by now. That Townsend guy really got us.

[Louie]

Pandemic notwithstanding, if there’s still no word from Lanoha on this proposal within the next 6-7 months (give it through March/2021), then I believe it’s time for Lanoha to shop this property to another developer who is more bullish on delivering a proposal and seeing it through completion..

By that time Lanoha will have had 9 or so years to make good on seeing a proposed plan through to completion with zero result..

This prime property has been sitting vacant for going on 17 years. Delivery time Is long past imminent...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

On top of that, it's hard to believe somebody wouldn't have come through and repurposed the old building by now. That Townsend guy really got us.

Agreed, I can't imagine it sitting empty for this long.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Pandemic notwithstanding, if there’s still no word from Lanoha on this proposal within the next 6-7 months (give it through March/2021), then I believe it’s time for Lanoha to shop this property to another developer who is more bullish on delivering a proposal and seeing it through completion..

By that time Lanoha will have had 9 or so years to make good on seeing a proposed plan through to completion with zero result..

This prime property has been sitting vacant for going on 17 years. Delivery time Is long past imminent...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

On top of that, it's hard to believe somebody wouldn't have come through and repurposed the old building by now. That Townsend guy really got us.

Agreed, I can't imagine it sitting empty for this long.

Right!..

Friends, I hate to bring up bad memories..

But-

I verified the date- December 14th, 2005.. Then mayor Mike Fahey selected the RFP submitted by Townsend and the 32 story Wallstreet Tower was born.. It was to be completed at this site by 2008.. Then for nearly 3 years, it kept getting pushed back and redesigned.. Until 2010, when the Wallstreet Tower was officially 86’d (or “Minarded”, a term used by us long time forum members relating to failed project proposals).. So Townsend bailed on this site by 2011.. Then in 2012, in came Lanoha.. Several proposals and nearly 9 years later.. Still nothing..

For those of us who’ve followed this on the forum for all this time, it’s been particularly frustrating and embarrassing to say the least. Nothing has been developed to completion in nearly 15 years..

The city still holds true that it wants a significant highrise built on this site..

As I stated in my last post- imo, if Lanoha remains silent on this latest proposal until end of March 2021, I think it’s dead in the water and time for Lanoha to shop the site to a new developer. By then, they’d have 9 years to see a development to completion..and not delivered..

At that point, it’s time for Lanoha to move on...

[Brad]

On Grow Omaha this past Saturday, we didn't get time to talk about the Lanoha Site on the air, but after the show Jeff and Trenton said they have heard nothing new.

[BIGO88]

No new information but at least a new article saying it’s still a go.

https://www.investorsomaha.com/uncatego ... s-skyline/

[Omaha Cowboy]

No new information but at least a new article saying it’s still a go.

https://www.investorsomaha.com/uncatego ... s-skyline/

Thanks for posting that..

It’s good to at least hear the proposal is still on the table and in the works..

This would be a fantastic development for a prime, iconic spot in our downtown core..and definitely a welcome skyline addition...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Busguy2010]

Only been vacant for 12 or 13 years now, right?

[Omaha Cowboy]

Only been vacant for 12 or 13 years now, right?

The old UP building cane down in 2005- so you’re close- about 14-15 years as a vacant, sometimes weed-growing lot...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Cermak]

That’s what I was thinking more like 15 years, unbelievable. Wish the city or someone would pave it and make a convenient downtown parking lot. I might park there.

[Omaha Cowboy]

That’s what I was thinking more like 15 years, unbelievable. Wish the city or someone would pave it and make a convenient downtown parking lot. I might park there.

Not when there’s a still alive proposal for a pair of high rises (30 and 27 stories each) on the table..

And a surface parking lot would never be the intent for this block parcel anyway.. The city is directing the developer to erect a significant high rise on this property. That task has never changed over the last 15 years..

It’s time to get this done already...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Doctor Fate]

Clicking though the links in that article take you to this official website for 1416 Dodge. It has a snip from the Lanoha website and then "Website Coming Soon".

https://lanoharealestate.com/wp-conten ... g-Soon.jpg

[Busguy2010]

Only been vacant for 12 or 13 years now, right?

The old UP building cane down in 2005- so you’re close- about 14-15 years as a vacant, sometimes weed-growing lot...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Bahaha, even worse than I thought. And here I thought it was more like 07 or 08. And I was being sarcastic about it only being that long. Obviously the humor s lost since it is even longer.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Obviously the humor s lost since it is even longer.

The humor’s been lost since Townsend and the Wallstreet Tower failed a decade ago...

Ciao..LiO...Peace