Capitol Avenue Extension

[ita]

While looking into articles about Baby Bob, there was this old article about a study for extension of Capitol Avenue to the Riverfront.

Omaha looking at ways to extend Capitol Avenue to riverfront

City Council approved the study, but I don't think I saw a resultant study. Does anyone know what happened? Was it superseded by the Riverfront Revitalization project? I think an extension of Capitol Ave to the Riverfront would be nice, particularly when Lewis and Clark is reworked. However, that would split up Lot A for possible development. That wouldn't be too bad; maybe it would force more dense development, ie. more height, since there would be smaller lots.

[Omahacritic]

I don’t know what they call it, but Capital Avenue curves down to 9th street. There it meets a roadway that runs along Lewis and Clark down to Gallup and beyond, parallel to RR tracks.

[ita]

I don’t know what they call it, but Capital Avenue curves down to 9th street. There it meets a roadway that runs along Lewis and Clark down to Gallup and beyond, parallel to RR tracks.

Actually, I found that in the old renderings/layouts for the Lewis and Clark portion of the project, an extension of Capitol to connect to the park was included. See this overhead:



As you can see, they incorporate an extension that goes through Lot A. Additionally the rendering of L&C on this OJB page shows how the Lot A development would be built around the extension. I have not seen the extension in newer materials, but I imagine they would include an extension to continue to trend of dragging public thoroughfares to the Riverfront.

OJB Slideshow with Lot A Rendering: OJB Missouri Riverfront Revitalization

[Omahacritic]

OMG! Funny as heck!

Right now, Capital extends East past 10th, curves to 8th or 9th . Intersection with Riverfront Drive. It crosses the RR tracks and curves up to Lewis and Clark. (And the City, in beautiful lack of brains, stopped the sidewalk about 100’ before it gets to Park forcing people into the street.)

So looking at plans they want to drop Capital straight down the slope through existing LoT A. Build a new grade across the RR tracks, then continue on. Begs the question, who will be responsible for building/financing the public street section? Oh, and there’s an OPPD substation there. And isn’t there polluted soil there? Soil that will be dug up for the wind to carry away?

[GetUrban]

Has anyone heard anything new about this Capitol Ave extension lately?

[Busguy2010]

Not personally. But I can add that Capitol currently curves and turns south into 8th, which comes to an intersection with Riverfront Drive. Pretty simple. Some renderings I've seen other than the one above have Capitol extending straight east. Either way, it would have to be a viaduct over the railroad tracks. Just want to add that I don't understand how this change would help anybody other than cars not having to drive over the railroad tracks, which aren't that busy. There is a pedestrian bridge over the railroad tracks at Capitol, and there is a pedestrian bridge at Farnam, so to me this would really benefit the automobilist (which there is a finite parking and driving space for) and really isn't a necessary change. Cater too much to the car and you really defeat the goal of the riverfront all together.

[Omahacritic]

BusGuy, good points. And like I asked earlier ... outdoor the city taxpayers be on the hook for the work that would be necessary?