Gene Leahy Mall Remodel

Downtown, Midtown, and all parts east of 72nd.

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Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

Post by Omaha Cowboy »

ita wrote: Fri Nov 06, 2020 9:59 am I love the new rendering of the outlay of the GLM and Heartland of America Park. I am also glad they are going with the extended pier. I like the interesting covering:

Image
I agree. I think it looks great..

Always said it will be a game changer for the downtown core once completed :thumb: ...

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Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

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Here is a slideshow of the new renderings from the KETV web site:

https://www.ketv.com/article/slideshow- ... t/34593277

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Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

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They didn't show where we can play lawn darts?
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Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

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Here is an update about what they are trying to finish before 2021 at GLM at the Riverfront, taken from the recent construction update letter.
In the coming weeks, the following steps will tentatively be completed before 2021:
 Three diseased trees surrounding the Gene Leahy Mall slides will be removed;
 Electrical and telecommunication conduits will be installed throughout Gene Leahy Mall;
 Special soils will be spread in Gene Leahy Mall to accommodate future plant life;
 The site wall for future playground equipment stabilization will be complete in Gene Leahy Mall;
 Walls will be poured for Gene Leahy Mall water features;
 Wood from the Lewis & Clark Landing board walk will be removed and salvaged for future use;

As a reminder, the process of ‘surcharging’ (or the long-term settlement of soils) is ongoing in Heartland of America
Park until approximately mid-2021.
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Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

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As a reminder, the process of ‘surcharging’ (or the long-term settlement of soils) is ongoing in Heartland of America
Park until approximately mid-2021.
It's been a while since we've had MTO on here calling these a Sir Charge.
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Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

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There has been quite a bit of GLM progress activity going on the past month or so..the Riverfront Twitter Page and their newsletters have really provided great feedback and visual snapshots..

A nice resource to follow...

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Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

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The Omaha Riverfront Twitter page posted an update an hour ago showing playground foundation work taking shape on the south side of GLM.. they’ve had several pic updates within the past 24 hours showing progress being made...

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Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

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Omaha Cowboy wrote: Thu Dec 10, 2020 11:43 am The Omaha Riverfront Twitter page posted an update an hour ago showing playground foundation work taking shape on the south side of GLM.. they’ve had several pic updates within the past 24 hours showing progress being made...
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Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

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What I noticed most in person (you can also see it in the tweet) are all the rocks and boulders along what appears to be a stream following the sidewalk along the entire north side.
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Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

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Brad wrote: Thu Dec 10, 2020 2:48 pm What I noticed most in person (you can also see it in the tweet) are all the rocks and boulders along what appears to be a stream following the sidewalk along the entire north side.
I never noticed a little stream in the flyover video, but checking the plan pdf it does look like a stream will run along the sculpture garden area.
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Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

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Linkin5 wrote: Thu Dec 10, 2020 3:46 pm
Brad wrote: Thu Dec 10, 2020 2:48 pm What I noticed most in person (you can also see it in the tweet) are all the rocks and boulders along what appears to be a stream following the sidewalk along the entire north side.
I never noticed a little stream in the flyover video, but checking the plan pdf it does look like a stream will run along the sculpture garden area.
I’m looking forward to the photo opportunities that will create!
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Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

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Brad wrote: Thu Dec 10, 2020 2:48 pm What I noticed most in person (you can also see it in the tweet) are all the rocks and boulders along what appears to be a stream following the sidewalk along the entire north side.
I agree, this will look great and create some nice photo opportunities once completed.. Progress is being made...

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Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

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It’s been a blessing we’ve had generally nice Fall weather..which really aided the progress we’re seeing along the GLM portion of the Riverfront Development Plan..

Let’s hope this latest predicted weekend snow event won’t be too much of a hindrance...

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Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

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I took some pictures on Tuesday (Dec. 15):Image

Image

Image
It looks like they are still working, even with the snow on the ground...
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Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

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stadsborgare wrote: Fri Dec 18, 2020 12:00 am I took some pictures on Tuesday (Dec. 15):Image

Image

Image
It looks like they are still working, even with the snow on the ground...
Progress being made!..

Thanks for the pic update :thumb: ...

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Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

Post by stadsborgare »

In the foreground here I think are plumbing pipes for the future restroom facility.
Image
It is close to the sidewalk along Farnam.
Image
It's going to be exciting to see all the construction progress this summer. At this point there are a lot of pipes sticking out of the ground, so all that underground stuff is being finished now.
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Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

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Image
This little portion of the park along Douglas is all done but the tree planting. You can see or imagine now the pioneers statue in its new setting.
Image
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Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

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stadsborgare wrote: Thu Dec 24, 2020 2:06 pm Image
This little portion of the park along Douglas is all done but the tree planting. You can see or imagine now the pioneers statue in its new setting.
Image
Thanks for the pic update :thumb: ..

It’s good to see progress continue. The mall component looks to be coming along nicely...

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Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

Post by mgoett »

those pipes look electrical conduit to me
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Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

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Couple photos from yesterday:
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Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

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I took these before/after pics on Monday. Progress...
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Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

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I'm trying to figure out what's happening here. One wall goes straight out and stops, and the other curves inward, not quite meeting the other....
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Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

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Brad wrote: Sun Dec 27, 2020 7:47 pm Couple photos from yesterday:
Glad to see the progress :thumb: ..,

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Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

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stadsborgare wrote: Tue Dec 29, 2020 10:44 am I'm trying to figure out what's happening here. One wall goes straight out and stops, and the other curves inward, not quite meeting the other....
Image
Interesting. Perhaps someone who has knowledge on this will chime in...

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Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

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Omaha Cowboy wrote: Tue Dec 29, 2020 12:36 pm
stadsborgare wrote: Tue Dec 29, 2020 10:44 am I'm trying to figure out what's happening here. One wall goes straight out and stops, and the other curves inward, not quite meeting the other....
Image
Interesting. Perhaps someone who has knowledge on this will chime in...

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I wasn’t expecting such major retaining wall structures, but I’m not really familiar with exactly what the end product is going to be, other than what the renderings are showing. The footings look to be designed to resist some substantial overturning or sliding forces. Perhaps the gap between walls is to help relieve some expected sub grade hydrostatic pressures exerted by ground water. Not sure.
He said "They are some big, ugly red brick buildings"
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Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

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GetUrban wrote: Tue Dec 29, 2020 1:05 pm
Omaha Cowboy wrote: Tue Dec 29, 2020 12:36 pm
stadsborgare wrote: Tue Dec 29, 2020 10:44 am I'm trying to figure out what's happening here. One wall goes straight out and stops, and the other curves inward, not quite meeting the other....
Image
Interesting. Perhaps someone who has knowledge on this will chime in...

Ciao..LiO...Peace
I wasn’t expecting such major retaining wall structures, but I’m not really familiar with exactly what the end product is going to be, other than what the renderings are showing. The footings look to be designed to resist some substantial overturning or sliding forces. Perhaps the gap between walls is to help relieve some expected sub grade hydrostatic pressures exerted by ground water. Not sure.
Thanks for the insight..

The positive news is we continue to have good progress on the GLM component of the Riverfront Development plan. Things are pointing to being right on schedule..maybe even a bit ahead :) ...

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Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

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I like the plans that they have in place for this. When will it be finished?
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Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

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strangerthings wrote: Thu Dec 31, 2020 11:20 am I like the plans that they have in place for this. When will it be finished?
It’s a 3 phase $280 million Riverfront Development plan- $230 million privately funded with $50 million kicked in from the city of Omaha. The Gene Leahy Mall (GLM) being the first component. The Heartland of America part is 2nd and Lewis and Clark Landing is 3rd..

The GLM should be completed by mid 2022, the other two by the end of 2023 with the entire project completed by 2024..

Here is their web site link- You can subscribe to their email newsletter for free and get updates:

https://riverfrontrevitalization.com/

Their OmahaRiverfront Twitter page is great too as they give pic updates at least once, if not 2 or 3 times a week...

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Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

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Nice photo update of progress from Wednesday, 1/20/21-

Image

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Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

Post by skinzfan23 »

That is a great photo, but I can't wait to get some color or green space in there, it looks so bland right now.
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Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

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I agree..

Luckily, the GLM phase of the Riverfront plan is scheduled for completion mid 2022. So we’ll hopefully see color/greenage during this process soon enough...

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Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

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skinzfan23 wrote: Sat Jan 23, 2021 11:18 am That is a great photo, but I can't wait to get some color or green space in there, it looks so bland right now.
Classic January Nebraska colors ha. Brown and grey.
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Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

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With all the silly rhetoric that there was no progress being made in Phase I of the Riverfront Development Plan (The GLM portion) behind us (hopefully).. We can see the reality of this plan coming together on schedule..

An update from today’s W-H-

“When Omaha’s Gene Leahy Mall reopens to the public Memorial Day weekend of 2022, it will bustle with life in a way no Omaha park has before.

The park will host daily, weekly and monthly events such as yoga and kickboxing classes, storytelling times for children, book clubs, nature walks and art demonstrations. Food trucks are expected to be on-site daily.

It will also offer seasonal and specialty programs, including movie nights, concert series, holiday events and festivals and markets. Many areas of the revamped park will be available for rent for events like family reunions, private parties and weddings.

Officials overseeing renovations of Omaha’s three downtown and riverfront parks call such a space “highly activated,” which means there will be a flurry of activity designed to bring more people into the park, spur nearby development and offer something fun for anyone who stops by“..

The complete W-H story link:

https://omaha.com/news/local/omahas-gen ... op-story-1

When someone asks me why I’m excited for the future of the Omaha metropolitan area, I point to this riverfront redevelopment plan.. It will be a game changer for our urban core and out..and will really help to spur development options..

When people talk about “brain drain” as it relates to Omaha, I point to a massive urban core development such as this..because it’s appeal is not limited to “family”..it stretches to combined interest which will be attractive to college age students all the way to people aged 65 and older..

Game changer. I’ve said it a million times about this project. It will help enhance the size, scope and perception of downtown for generations to come...

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Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

Post by GetUrban »

The scope of things actually being built in this makeover of GLM/Heartland/LCL is much more extensive than I had ever imagined. It is much more than simply filling-in the GLM lagoon and resculpting the landscape. The amenities going in will be fantastic and will likely draw more people downtown and possibly even result in more people choosing to live nearby. I passed through the the area on 10th street earlier this week and couldn’t believe the amount of construction activity going on. I can’t wait to see all of this come together over the next few years!
He said "They are some big, ugly red brick buildings"
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Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

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GetUrban wrote: Sat Mar 27, 2021 10:26 am The scope of things actually being built in this makeover of GLM/Heartland/LCL is much more extensive than I had ever imagined. It is much more than simply filling-in the GLM lagoon and resculpting the landscape. The amenities going in will be fantastic and will likely draw more people downtown and possibly even result in more people choosing to live nearby. I passed through the the area on 10th street earlier this week and couldn’t believe the amount of construction activity going on. I can’t wait to see all of this come together over the next few years!
Indeed.. it’s awesome to see it happening and realize in about 1 year, we’ll begin to start enjoying this redevelopment phase..

The misperception of some, is that the Riverfront Development Plan was a simple face lift..it’s much MUCH more than that..and I believe more and more people are starting to realize this now..And once we get closer to completion date, the point will completely be driven home..

Like I stated earlier, whenever I get into a discussion about Omaha and “brain drain”, I explain this is NOT your 1980’s/1990’s Omaha..when the first Angst filled thought for young people (which I was in the 80’s and 90’s) was to head for “greener pastures”- “when the he!l can I get out of Omaha”.. Many of my friends back in the day did just that, then ended up returning in 2004 after the new arena was built and said “dang”, if that was here before, I’d have never left in the first place” lol.. There has definitely been a shift in young people’s perception of how “cool” Omaha is.. Sure, there are still some in the 18-30 crowd who will always b!tch and complain (check the Omaha Reddit page for a good laugh at that BS)..yearning for those greener pastures..but many in that age group have been opening up their minds and really seeing how “cool” Omaha is becoming..and it’s commitments to our urban core- like this massive Riverfront Plan- which is part of that coolness uptick..I’m always boosting the importance and size/scope relevance of it...

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Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

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Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

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stadsborgare wrote: Sat Mar 27, 2021 10:24 pm Image
Yes! I was downtown today and took some time looking over the plan progress and noticed new trees planted as well..

Thanks for posting that pic :thumb: ...

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Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

Post by Brad »

I went down today and took a bunch of photo. Really starting to come together.

Image
Image
Image
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Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

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Brad wrote: Sun Mar 28, 2021 7:36 pm I went down today and took a bunch of photo. Really starting to come together.

Image
Image
Image
Thank you Brad.. Those pic look great! They really showcase the progress that’s been made within Phase 1, the GLM part of the Riverfront Development Plan :thumb:...

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Re: Official: Gene Leahy Mall

Post by GetUrban »

Great Pics! It was certainly a nice day to be outside. Does anyone know what that statue is? Was it relocated from somewhere?
He said "They are some big, ugly red brick buildings"
...and then they were gone.