Surface Parking Downtown

[ita]

I just finished reading Jeff Speck's Walkable City and thought this might be an interesting discussion. In this book, Speck talks about the detriment surface parking lots are as 'missing teeth' in a downtown or main street, effectively breaking up otherwise congruent flows of walkable urbanscape (for that matter blank wall parking garages also fit the bill).

Omaha, like many American cities, suffers from an over abundance of parking in its downtown and has several 'missing teeth' spread throughout. I hope the City becomes more proactive in encouraging and incentivizing development of downtown surface parking lots, and thankfully we have seen some meet their end in recent projects. However, there are many still that could be potential development sites.

So, if you could choose one to put as top priority to develop, which surface parking lot would it be and why? What kind of building would you put there and what use(s) would that building serve? Let's say downtown, only for purposes of this discussion, is South of Cuming, North of Marcy and East of 480. I know the City has several identified as potential redevelopment sites in the 2009 master plan, but they have not really stuck to that very well. So what say you all eomahaforum city planners, where do we begin?

[Louie]

Like you said, there are many to choose from. But I think the top priority would be the lot on the south half of the block bounded by 10th, 11th, Harney and Farnam. It creates a defacto northern edge to the OM and if developed would help tie in the Cap District to the north and the Mall.

[Taco]

Like you said, there are many to choose from. But I think the top priority would be the lot on the south half of the block bounded by 10th, 11th, Harney and Farnam. It creates a defacto northern edge to the OM and if developed would help tie in the Cap District to the north and the Mall.

Agreed. Lot B as a distant second due to its ability to connect the two stadiums. A pedestrian paseo would do well to break up the superblock.

[Omaha Cowboy]

This is a slippery slope question. You ask many Omahans, and they’ll complain about the inconvenience of a lack of parking options downtown, lol.. I’ve read parts of “Walkability”.. I’ll do some re-reading of it..

I think right now- we have properties that need developing first..beyond a current downtown surface lot- The Old UP site (Lanoha) and the Civic site both come to mind as priorities in building up density within the downtown core.. Omaha’s core has been “missing teeth” with both those undeveloped site properties for years now...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[NEDodger]

This is a slippery slope question. You ask many Omahans, and they’ll complain about the inconvenience of a lack of parking options downtown, lol.. I’ve read parts of “Walkability”.. I’ll do some re-reading of it..

I think right now- we have properties that need developing first..beyond a current downtown surface lot- The Old UP site (Lanoha) and the Civic site both come to mind as priorities in building up density within the downtown core.. Omaha’s core has been “missing teeth” with both those undeveloped site properties for years now...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

That's a good point. A surface parking lot at least provides a minimal SERVICE of some sort - those empty fields are true useless, missing teeth.

[Linkin5]

This is a slippery slope question. You ask many Omahans, and they’ll complain about the inconvenience of a lack of parking options downtown, lol.. I’ve read parts of “Walkability”.. I’ll do some re-reading of it..

I think right now- we have properties that need developing first..beyond a current downtown surface lot- The Old UP site (Lanoha) and the Civic site both come to mind as priorities in building up density within the downtown core.. Omaha’s core has been “missing teeth” with both those undeveloped site properties for years now...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

That's a good point. A surface parking lot at least provides a minimal SERVICE of some sort - those empty fields are true useless, missing teeth.

I don’t know, I’d rather have it be completely worthless to the owner. If they are making money off of it through parking, they are even less likely to develop it into something useful.

[buildomaha]

This is a slippery slope question. You ask many Omahans, and they’ll complain about the inconvenience of a lack of parking options downtown, lol.. I’ve read parts of “Walkability”.. I’ll do some re-reading of it..

I think right now- we have properties that need developing first..beyond a current downtown surface lot- The Old UP site (Lanoha) and the Civic site both come to mind as priorities in building up density within the downtown core.. Omaha’s core has been “missing teeth” with both those undeveloped site properties for years now...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

As is the theme of many of my posts, I’m continuing to emphasize that that city needs to start prioritizing public transportation yesterday.
Many will complain about a lack of parking, and that’s a fair point for them given there isn’t any easy to use alternative to driving downtown.
Many Canadian cities are just as spread out as American cities, yet their bus routes make their way into the neighborhoods out there. It doesn’t even have to be THAT extensive either. Park and ride is a great transition solution. OBT at westroads is a great example! I know many in west o would love to pay half the Uber charge when going out downtown because they can just use orbt for half the trip. The benefits are endless!

[Busguy2010]

People either want to park at the front door of their destination, or have a bus stop at the end of their driveway... Those philosophies pull on one another as when there is more of one, there is less reason to have the other. ORBT is a great start and I believe it will turn the tides quite a bit, but people need to be willing to make some accommodations to use it, as with every transit in every city. Westroads may be the only designated Park & Ride, but there are many locations near other stops where one could park their car for an extended time. People could also walk to a station, ride a bike, or take another bus to any ORBT station.

[ita]

This is a slippery slope question. You ask many Omahans, and they’ll complain about the inconvenience of a lack of parking options downtown, lol.. I’ve read parts of “Walkability”.. I’ll do some re-reading of it..

I think right now- we have properties that need developing first..beyond a current downtown surface lot- The Old UP site (Lanoha) and the Civic site both come to mind as priorities in building up density within the downtown core.. Omaha’s core has been “missing teeth” with both those undeveloped site properties for years now...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

I am not going to argue that Lanoha and the Civic site, in particular, should be first priority for the City to push for redevelopment. I am with you that those should be first to get development dollars. My thinking was more of what parking lots that may be in walkable or potentially walkable areas or streets in downtown that could/should be filled in with development. Some areas need more than development to make it more walkable, but that's a given as our streets and infrastructure is still auto-focused.

As far as the mindset of the average Omahan, that can be changed. I haven't checked the Speck's notes, but he does talk about how doing things like changing the cost of street or surface lot parking and garage parking can help siphon people into garages even if it might not be right in front of the one place that person intends to go to, among other things. I think the City has not taken into consideration or just doesn't care about subtle changes that can help make downtown more conducive to the vibrancy they claim they want there.

[Busguy2010]

I think the City has not taken into consideration or just doesn't care about subtle changes that can help make downtown more conducive to the vibrancy they claim they want there.

I don't know the number, but ORBT lanes will remove a pretty substantial number of on street parking spaces along Dodge and Douglas between 10th and 30th. I don't really know if that is good and right or not... But that might mean a substantial number of people who may be forced to seek other options for parking or transportation.

[ita]

I think the City has not taken into consideration or just doesn't care about subtle changes that can help make downtown more conducive to the vibrancy they claim they want there.

I don't know the number, but ORBT lanes will remove a pretty substantial number of on street parking spaces along Dodge and Douglas between 10th and 30th. I don't really know if that is good and right or not... But that might mean a substantial number of people who may be forced to seek other options for parking or transportation.

True, I should give them credit there. They could have easily said no bus lanes, but they allowed removal of a lot of parking meters:

[Busguy2010]

Thanks for the pic, I lost track of it. I was going to say that I never really see anybody parked in most of those spots that are being removed, but then again I'm not downtown ever during the day.

[Omahacritic]

Ita ... it digressed into a Bus transportation discussion. And though the two are related, I don’t think it answers your question ... what do do with a surface lot.

The OM lot (Farnam to Harney) — not sure its a priority, but since it’s been addressed ... in another thread I mentioned the GLM redevelopment should arc over to this land. Dig down, build a one or two level parking structure, then put a deck on top to create a park extension.

RDG lot at 13th Howard — redevelop into 3 or 4 story building of office suites.

Numerous 1/4 block lots ... turn these into pocket parks. Because if you want Walkability give them a destination.

The Big One — the lot along Farnam starting at 20th and extending West. 15-20 story HQ building on this lot(s).

[Louie]

Ita ... it digressed into a Bus transportation discussion. And though the two are related, I don’t think it answers your question ... what do do with a surface lot.

The OM lot (Farnam to Harney) — not sure its a priority, but since it’s been addressed ... in another thread I mentioned the GLM redevelopment should arc over to this land. Dig down, build a one or two level parking structure, then put a deck on top to create a park extension.

RDG lot at 13th Howard — redevelop into 3 or 4 story building of office suites.

Numerous 1/4 block lots ... turn these into pocket parks. Because if you want Walkability give them a destination.

The Big One — the lot along Farnam starting at 20th and extending West. 15-20 story HQ building on this lot(s).

That lot on 20th and Farnam is probably the ugliest place in all of Downtown.

[SiliconFarmer]

Building a parking structure under GLM was missed opportunity IMO, the hole was already there and would have reduced the amount of fill needed.

[Doctor Fate]

Ita ... it digressed into a Bus transportation discussion. And though the two are related, I don’t think it answers your question ... what do do with a surface lot.

The OM lot (Farnam to Harney) — not sure its a priority, but since it’s been addressed ... in another thread I mentioned the GLM redevelopment should arc over to this land. Dig down, build a one or two level parking structure, then put a deck on top to create a park extension.

RDG lot at 13th Howard — redevelop into 3 or 4 story building of office suites.

Numerous 1/4 block lots ... turn these into pocket parks. Because if you want Walkability give them a destination.

The Big One — the lot along Farnam starting at 20th and extending West. 15-20 story HQ building on this lot(s).

Pocket parks are a great idea.

[ita]

Ita ... it digressed into a Bus transportation discussion. And though the two are related, I don’t think it answers your question ... what do do with a surface lot.

The OM lot (Farnam to Harney) — not sure its a priority, but since it’s been addressed ... in another thread I mentioned the GLM redevelopment should arc over to this land. Dig down, build a one or two level parking structure, then put a deck on top to create a park extension.

RDG lot at 13th Howard — redevelop into 3 or 4 story building of office suites.

Numerous 1/4 block lots ... turn these into pocket parks. Because if you want Walkability give them a destination.

The Big One — the lot along Farnam starting at 20th and extending West. 15-20 story HQ building on this lot(s).

Sometimes we can't help where the conversation goes, not that I don't enjoy talking about public transportation.

I am with you of the RDG lot; I would like that and the one across the street to be developmed to stretch OM on Howard another half block. The parking garage next to RDG could serve as an 'anchor' for that strip. Is that garage open to the public? Any more offices around the Old Market would be nice

There is a grassy lot next to the Bemis Center that was turned into a community garden. I like that conversion. Pocket parks would be awesome. Are there any particular quarter lots or odd ball parking lots you see that could be utilized that way.

Yes, the one on Farnam and 20th is a behemoth. I didn't know, until a couple days ago, that is a Park Omaha lot. I would like to see a Vancouver-like building, with mixed used mid-rise pedestal with a high rise residential tower. It would be nice just to have a building(s) with some height to even out the skyline in the area.

[Omahacritic]

My street corners are a little fuzzy this time of night ... but small sections of open lots ..

15th St across from police HQ ... but it’s a bit large.
14th Harney ... A small lot used by tenants of Wilson Washburn .
10th Douglas .. currently used as a hotel parking lot.
Several others between Farnam to Jones, 15th to 20th.

The parking structure aside RDG is Omaha Park 2.

Two other bigger parking lots ... 12th and Jones ... really only good for more residential but if your dream of removing cars from OM comes to pass a parking structure would be a good idea.
And the Embassy Suites lot on east side of 10th St viaduct.

The area around Flatiron has some but until the Youth Detention is finished it’s difficult to think about.