Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge (Part Two)

ita · Post by **ita** » Tue Jun 18, 2019 1:22 am

That looks great! I am glad they upgraded.

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Tue Jun 18, 2019 11:30 am

Thanks for the pictures Brad, I was hoping that you snagged a few.

GetUrban · Post by **GetUrban** » Tue Jun 18, 2019 12:30 pm

Great Pics! Thanks for posting. I'm so glad they upgraded the lighting.

Post by **Brad** » Tue Jun 18, 2019 3:33 pm

You bet. Hope to get some better more/better photos in the near future.

nativeomahan · Post by **nativeomahan** » Tue Jun 18, 2019 5:10 pm

The colors seem much more vibrant than I recall.

Post by **Brad** » Tue Jun 18, 2019 6:49 pm

nativeomahan wrote: Tue Jun 18, 2019 5:10 pm The colors seem much more vibrant than I recall.

Recently I’ve seen the electrical company trucks down there a couple times at night, may be they are still dialing them in.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Tue Jun 18, 2019 7:49 pm

Brad wrote: Tue Jun 18, 2019 3:33 pm You bet. Hope to get some better more/better photos in the near future.

Nothing wrong with those pics, thanks for posting.

Post by **Brad** » Wed Jul 03, 2019 9:17 am

I posted a bunch of fireworks photos in the photo section with the new lights on the bridge next to the fireworks. They go good together!

thread:
http://www.eomahaforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=19961

Doctor Fate · Post by **Doctor Fate** » Wed Jul 03, 2019 9:43 am

Brad wrote: Wed Jul 03, 2019 9:17 am I posted a bunch of fireworks photos in the photo section with the new lights on the bridge next to the fireworks. They go good together!

thread:
http://www.eomahaforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=19961

That is an awesome shot Brad!

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Wed Jul 03, 2019 11:58 am

Here is the story from the World Herald:
New LED lights will make Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge brighter and more festive

“The old system was 10 years old,” said Brook Bench, Omaha parks and recreation director. “It was getting to the point where we were having a lot of lights burn out.”

The upgrade cost $720,000, Bench said. The money came from a joint fund set up by Omaha and Council Bluffs to pay for such bridge-related expenses as the required annual underwater inspections, repainting and lights.

ita · Post by **ita** » Tue Sep 03, 2019 9:09 am

On Wednesday a new art installation will be unveiled at the Bob Kerrey Bridge. It is a troll named Omar, sculpted from bronze, and his concrete cottage. Additionally, a children's book about how Omar found his new home is being distributed to 3rd grade classes across the City. The Visit Omaha group has put this project together to help give the Bridge more interest. It think it is a fun, quirky concept that matches Bob's online personality.

https://www.omaha.com/news/metro/riverf ... 30838.html

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Tue Sep 10, 2019 7:34 pm

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iamjacobm · Post by **iamjacobm** » Tue Nov 19, 2019 4:15 pm

From MECA's October meeting:

Discussions have begun with the City of Omaha regarding the extension of the “Baby Bob”
Pedestrian Bridge from the riverfront, over the Union Pacific railroad tracks and onto the CHIHCO
campus sidewalk. Construction is anticipated to begin late 2020, ending in 2021. The completed
project will not cut off access to the backside of Lot D, but it may require redirection of some of
the ADA Pass users. It will have minimal impact on Lot D parking, with no loss of parking stalls.

Chairwoman Duren inquired if the funding is complete for this project, and if there was an issue
with utilities. Mr. Dixon responded that funds were previously allocated for this project under The
RiverFront plan. The pathway of the bridge is mostly clear of any major utility challenges.

ita · Post by **ita** » Tue Nov 19, 2019 4:56 pm

iamjacobm wrote: Tue Nov 19, 2019 4:15 pm From MECA's October meeting:

Discussions have begun with the City of Omaha regarding the extension of the “Baby Bob”
Pedestrian Bridge from the riverfront, over the Union Pacific railroad tracks and onto the CHIHCO
campus sidewalk. Construction is anticipated to begin late 2020, ending in 2021. The completed
project will not cut off access to the backside of Lot D, but it may require redirection of some of
the ADA Pass users. It will have minimal impact on Lot D parking, with no loss of parking stalls.

Chairwoman Duren inquired if the funding is complete for this project, and if there was an issue
with utilities. Mr. Dixon responded that funds were previously allocated for this project under The
RiverFront plan. The pathway of the bridge is mostly clear of any major utility challenges.

It's a positive sign, but we've heard this before. I will believe it once I see construction crews start working on it.

RNcyanide · Post by **RNcyanide** » Wed Nov 20, 2019 11:32 am

CHIHCO??

Whoever greenlighted the name and acronym of the rebrand deserves a demerit.

Padre · Post by **Padre** » Wed Nov 20, 2019 1:05 pm

RNcyanide wrote: Wed Nov 20, 2019 11:32 am CHIHCO??

Whoever greenlighted the name and acronym of the rebrand deserves a demerit.

For that acronym, I was thinking more of tying them naked to a support pillar of the bridge, when the river is in flood stage. But we can do a demerit if you prefer!

lisanstan · Post by **lisanstan** » Sun Nov 24, 2019 12:31 pm

So, is it pronounced "chico"? How am I going to say that and not automatically put "... and the man" at the end?

bigredmed1 · Post by **bigredmed1** » Mon Nov 25, 2019 5:57 am

Sounds like a 1970s era AOR radio morning show:Chico and The Bob.

Omahacritic · Post by **Omahacritic** » Fri Nov 29, 2019 10:48 pm

Chico State, in Chico, California

ita · Post by **ita** » Tue Jun 09, 2020 1:35 pm

I found this informative page concerning some details of the Baby Bob project, including where funding comes from and where they are in the project:

https://mapacog.knack.com/2020-transpor ... eld_83|asc

Looks like they are currently working on secure right of ways (ROW). This page identifies construction and completion in 2021. I hope this comes to fruition. I think it has gone to far without a good connector between the Riverfront Plaza/Big Bob and North Downtown. Especially with Kiewit/Builder's District in the works, this should enhance the North Downtown experience for those who live, work, or visit the area.

The big issue now is whether they include some lettering on the bridge, like the pedestrian bridge in Lincoln by Pinnacle Bank Arena. As long as the north parking lot isn't developed, Baby Bob should be visible from Abbot Drive. It could be a welcome sign for people arriving from the airport.

Omahacritic · Post by **Omahacritic** » Tue Jun 09, 2020 7:29 pm

Interesting ... build the bridge from BOB all the way to 10th St. For $8 million . Will be interesting to see.

ita · Post by **ita** » Thu Jun 11, 2020 11:14 am

Omahacritic wrote: Tue Jun 09, 2020 7:29 pm Interesting ... build the bridge from BOB all the way to 10th St. For $8 million . Will be interesting to see.

For reference, the Heaney bridge over North 75 was built for $5.7 million. Per the HDR website, the two trusses are 240 feet long. So, in total about 500 feet? Anyway, per a MAPA survey with details of Baby Bob, it will about 1,250 feet in length. I really like the design of the Heaney Pedestrian Bridge so I hope Baby Bob is the same.

Louie · Post by **Louie** » Thu Jun 11, 2020 11:38 am

Yeah, the Heaney turned out really sharp.

ita · Post by **ita** » Thu Jun 11, 2020 12:02 pm

Louie wrote: Thu Jun 11, 2020 11:38 am Yeah, the Heaney turned out really sharp.

If the Baby Bob can look even as nice as the Haymarket Bridge, I will be happy. The is a 600 foot bridge, and based on what I read, cost about $3 million. I know money isn't everything when it comes to design, but I am confident they can come up with something really nice for Baby Bob considering the budget.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Thu Jun 11, 2020 12:33 pm

ita wrote: Thu Jun 11, 2020 12:02 pm
Louie wrote: Thu Jun 11, 2020 11:38 am Yeah, the Heaney turned out really sharp.
If the Baby Bob can look even as nice as the Haymarket Bridge, I will be happy. The is a 600 foot bridge, and based on what I read, cost about $3 million. I know money isn't everything when it comes to design, but I am confident they can come up with something really nice for Baby Bob considering the budget.

I’m with you guys on this. I think it’ll took really sharp as well..

We’ve been waiting on this one for awhile now..nice to see the needle starting to move...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Thu Jun 11, 2020 2:54 pm

Yeah I think they did a great job on the Haymarket Bridge.

Greg

Omahacritic · Post by **Omahacritic** » Thu Jun 11, 2020 8:06 pm

1/4 mile of total length. Hope they add some art to the architecture.

Perhaps they can do it for 8 million. No ROW to purchase. Little in the way of street closures. And no OPPD lines to worry about so it won’t take 4 years.

omahahawk · Post by **omahahawk** » Fri Jun 12, 2020 5:56 pm

ita wrote: Tue Jun 09, 2020 1:35 pm This page identifies construction and completion in 2021. I hope this comes to fruition.

Absolutely we can hope for a completion in 2021. I was under the impression it would most likely be completed in 2023 as part of the overall completion of the LC Landing. Hopefully we will get some news stories providing positive confirmation of this as I believe renderings and an official start date would not be far off in light of a planned 2021 completion.

ita · Post by **ita** » Tue Sep 22, 2020 2:33 pm

Modeshift had an interesting blog post about Baby Bob. The part I was most interested in was the financing. Here's what they had to say:

By the way, the money for the Baby Bob Bridge has been available for 7 years – 7 years of planning and talking but no construction.

The city didn’t use its allocated funds for 7 years and now nothing will be open until 2022 – which is 9 years after funds were first put into the CIP.

AND the city wasn’t even mostly spending its Omaha tax money. Most of the money to do the project comes from private local funds. Of the $8.2 million total cost, $3.5 million (43%) will come from private local; $2.5 million (30%) will come from local taxes, and $2.1 million (25%) will come from federal non-roadway funds.

If this is really the case, why hasn't the City started this already? It is a vital connection for North Downtown that is long overdue.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Tue Sep 22, 2020 6:11 pm

ita wrote: Tue Sep 22, 2020 2:33 pm Modeshift had an interesting blog post about Baby Bob. The part I was most interested in was the financing. Here's what they had to say:

By the way, the money for the Baby Bob Bridge has been available for 7 years – 7 years of planning and talking but no construction.

The city didn’t use its allocated funds for 7 years and now nothing will be open until 2022 – which is 9 years after funds were first put into the CIP.

AND the city wasn’t even mostly spending its Omaha tax money. Most of the money to do the project comes from private local funds. Of the $8.2 million total cost, $3.5 million (43%) will come from private local; $2.5 million (30%) will come from local taxes, and $2.1 million (25%) will come from federal non-roadway funds.
If this is really the case, why hasn't the City started this already? It is a vital connection for North Downtown that is long overdue.

This is yet another “suspicious” set of circumstances that leaves me scratching my head..and wondering what the he!l is going on down at City Hall..

I’ve intimated this in other topics in other threads, but I suspect cronyism and quid pro quo his barricaded this project to a goodly extent. I have no proof, just a gut feeling.. As this entire Baby Bob situation has never made much sense to me the entire time our current mayor has held office...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

omahahawk · Post by **omahahawk** » Tue Sep 22, 2020 9:43 pm

Thanks, very interesting. It does seem like this has been a VERY long time coming for probably the exact reasons Cowboy mentions. Would definitely like to get an actual confirmation with a planned date of completion from the World Herald or another news source.

ita · Post by **ita** » Fri May 07, 2021 8:21 am

'An incredible enhancement': Pedestrian connector will link Bob Kerrey bridge to downtown

For years, the city has been working on a plan to change that, and the project is moving forward.

It's a pedestrian bridge connector, known by some as the "Baby Bob."

Renderings show where people could hop on the pedestrian connector near 10th and Mike Fahey and make their way onto the Bob Kerrey bridge.

"We're just trying to find the ways to allow people to engage more, allow it to be a safer experience," said Matt Kalcevich, Omaha's Director of Parks and Recreation.

The Omaha City Council just approved land acquisition in April, and the Planning Department said the project is slated for completion in summer 2023.

"I think from a full city standpoint, there's just a lot of opportunities," Kalcevich said.

Wow, I wish we have mayoral elections every year with everything that is getting announced. Haha. Anyway, here are the renderings. Rather ho hum but hopefully there is more design planned beyond what's shown here.

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Fri May 07, 2021 8:46 am

Glad to see this finally happening. If they include the plantings and lighting as shown, it should be a great addition. The other smaller bridge south of here over the tracks is pretty minimalist. It would be awesome if they could incorporate some sort of sprire/tower like the Bob over the river.

Louie · Post by **Louie** » Fri May 07, 2021 8:57 am

Extremely utilitarian, but will elevate the foot traffic by a huge margin. Happy to see the riverfront getting the necessary infrastructure to be a magnet for people.

Athomsfere · Post by **Athomsfere** » Fri May 07, 2021 9:30 am

It's hard to see what they are really trying to do. But it looks like more of a pedestrian avenue, which would be nice. Kiewit employees can walk down to the river for lunch

ita · Post by **ita** » Fri May 07, 2021 9:42 am

I agree with everyone's comments. Also, I think they purposely released these renderings that have a far vantage. I have hope that they will have come decent design for railings, lighting and other elements to at least make it cohesive with Big Bob. This will really elevate North Downtown and the Builder's District and even Riverfront Plaza, as they have long been seemingly cut off from the rest of town.

ita · Post by **ita** » Sat May 08, 2021 10:34 am

'Baby Bob' will link Omaha's Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge to North Downtown

Jessica Wade
With the completion of “Baby Bob,” pedestrians would be able to walk onto the connector bridge just north of the event center and east of the baseball stadium. It’s now about a 20-minute walk to reach the Missouri River bridge from that location, if pedestrians go south around the CHI Health Center.

According to a map included in city materials, the bridge extension would make it a 10-minute walk.

The project, which went before the Omaha City Council last month, is estimated to cost $6.4 million and is expected to be completed in 2023.

Here's the map the City released, and oh look at them teasing Lot B again:

Here is another angle of the rendering:

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Sat May 08, 2021 11:33 am

Wish this was part of the original plan and it got done with the regular bridge. It could have been much more cohesive and looked like part of the bridge. This is just so stitched in. Oh well, it'll serve its purpose. Finally.

Post by **Brad** » Sat May 08, 2021 2:17 pm

Busguy2010 wrote: Sat May 08, 2021 11:33 am Wish this was part of the original plan and it got done with the regular bridge. It could have been much more cohesive and looked like part of the bridge. This is just so stitched in. Oh well, it'll serve its purpose. Finally.

Is this the final design or just a rendering to get it going? I would also point out that the half mile of bridge on the Iowa side doesn't look much different.

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Sat May 08, 2021 4:15 pm

Brad wrote: Sat May 08, 2021 2:17 pm
Busguy2010 wrote: Sat May 08, 2021 11:33 am Wish this was part of the original plan and it got done with the regular bridge. It could have been much more cohesive and looked like part of the bridge. This is just so stitched in. Oh well, it'll serve its purpose. Finally.
Is this the final design or just a rendering to get it going? I would also point out that the half mile of bridge on the Iowa side doesn't look much different.

Since they showed us I think three options to consider a couple/few years ago, assuming this is the one they selected. The other two options incorporated the curves to match the actual bridge. I personally don't like how this design ties into the existing bridge. Like if they were designed, planned, and constructed concurrently, the physical location where this ties into the existing bridge probably would have been much more fluid. This is an obvious afterthought and the lack of effort in making it not look like one is clear.

That said, having this is better than having nothing.