What's missing in Downtown?

[ita]

I know everyone is excited about some of things happening in downtown, but I think we would all agree there are some things that are missing that could make downtown more livable and vibrant ( I kind of hate using this word, but go with it). What is one thing that you think is missing? Can be general or specific. Can be a service or type of restaurant. Whatever it is, I am interested to talk about it. Here's my thought, and some of you might hate it, but it's missing two way roads.

[Louie]

Hardware, grocery, more cheap dining.

[TitosBuritoBarn]

I would say density is the main thing. Downtown Omaha's density is ok, but to achieve a really great city center with a variety of activities, retail, restaurants, transit, etc., a high level of density mixed with good urban design is key. It's not possible to achieve a truly great downtown without it.

After that a decent sized grocery store would be beneficial. Doesn't necessarily have to be a full-size Hy-Vee or something, but a little bigger than Cubby's. I understand that the extensive growth and revitalization of downtown LA was initiated in part by a local grocery chain (Ralph's) opening a location downtown.

Other than that I would say useable transit and usable green space but both of those things are coming with the addition of ORBT and the Gene Leahy Mall project. The new Gene Leahy Mall may not be as photogenic as the previous iteration (though this remains to be seen), but the previous iteration couldn't be used for much. A good park finds balance in Instagram worthy views AND activities.

[Louie]

I would say density is the main thing. Downtown Omaha's density is ok, but to achieve a really great city center with a variety of activities, retail, restaurants, transit, etc., a high level of density mixed with good urban design is key. It's not possible to achieve a truly great downtown without it.

After that a decent sized grocery store would be beneficial. Doesn't necessarily have to be a full-size Hy-Vee or something, but a little bigger than Cubby's. I understand that the extensive growth and revitalization of downtown LA was initiated in part by a local grocery chain (Ralph's) opening a location downtown.

Other than that I would say useable transit and usable green space but both of those things are coming with the addition of ORBT and the Gene Leahy Mall project. The new Gene Leahy Mall may not be as photogenic as the previous iteration (though this remains to be seen), but the previous iteration couldn't be used for much. A good park finds balance in Instagram worthy views AND activities.

Also this ^^

[Bob from Omaha]

Something along this line. This is just an example but it seems to have pretty much everything.

https://www.theplazadsm.com/

[ita]

Something along this line. This is just an example but it seems to have pretty much everything.

https://www.theplazadsm.com/

High rise residential with for sale unit? Would love to see that. River's edge tower is scheduled for a summer start with some for sale units. Let's see how that goes.

[ita]

I would say density is the main thing. Downtown Omaha's density is ok, but to achieve a really great city center with a variety of activities, retail, restaurants, transit, etc., a high level of density mixed with good urban design is key. It's not possible to achieve a truly great downtown without it.

After that a decent sized grocery store would be beneficial. Doesn't necessarily have to be a full-size Hy-Vee or something, but a little bigger than Cubby's. I understand that the extensive growth and revitalization of downtown LA was initiated in part by a local grocery chain (Ralph's) opening a location downtown.

Other than that I would say useable transit and usable green space but both of those things are coming with the addition of ORBT and the Gene Leahy Mall project. The new Gene Leahy Mall may not be as photogenic as the previous iteration (though this remains to be seen), but the previous iteration couldn't be used for much. A good park finds balance in Instagram worthy views AND activities.

You guys a lot of the missing elements of our current iteration of downtown. I wonder if some of the vibrancy of the downtown core is lost when some areas directly adjacent, I am thinking like north downtown, north Omaha east of us-75, struggled with development having jobs and people leave the area. I am thinking the recent momentum of those areas and developments will bode well for the downtown core as we restore density to the outskirts of downtown.

[skinzfan23]

I don't think a residential high rise is the main thing missing. They are great to look at but usually they don't greatly impact density unless there are multiple buildings.

As mentioned above, density is definitely important as well as jobs. Jobs help with the vibrancy of the area during the work week and the residential brings more things like grocery stores with it.

[Omahomie]

Residential density, protected bike lanes, grocery/public market in that order.

[Linkin5]

Grocery, light rail, elimination of surface lots filled in with residential.

[Louie]

I would say density is the main thing. Downtown Omaha's density is ok, but to achieve a really great city center with a variety of activities, retail, restaurants, transit, etc., a high level of density mixed with good urban design is key. It's not possible to achieve a truly great downtown without it.

After that a decent sized grocery store would be beneficial. Doesn't necessarily have to be a full-size Hy-Vee or something, but a little bigger than Cubby's. I understand that the extensive growth and revitalization of downtown LA was initiated in part by a local grocery chain (Ralph's) opening a location downtown.

Other than that I would say useable transit and usable green space but both of those things are coming with the addition of ORBT and the Gene Leahy Mall project. The new Gene Leahy Mall may not be as photogenic as the previous iteration (though this remains to be seen), but the previous iteration couldn't be used for much. A good park finds balance in Instagram worthy views AND activities.

You guys a lot of the missing elements of our current iteration of downtown. I wonder if some of the vibrancy of the downtown core is lost when some areas directly adjacent, I am thinking like north downtown, north Omaha east of us-75, struggled with development having jobs and people leave the area. I am thinking the recent momentum of those areas and developments will bode well for the downtown core as we restore density to the outskirts of downtown.

Huge point. The less isolated that downtown feels the more likely people will move there. And when the downtown adjacent neighborhoods see growth, it only strengthens the liveability of the core.

[ita]

Residential density, protected bike lanes, grocery/public market in that order.

I like the idea of protected bike lanes. How would you have them implemented? Realistically, we initiate these on some choice roads. I like roads like Farnam having protected bike lanes since it connects so many destinations, one of the reasons it was eyed for the streetcar, and north and south arterials like 24th and 16th/13th to connect to where people live to downtown. I would like to see N 24th bike lane connect to the North Omaha Trail at 24th and Lake. The City has to stop pretending that bicyclists can safely share the road with Omaha drivers.

[buildomaha]

Residential density, protected bike lanes, grocery/public market in that order.

I like the idea of protected bike lanes. How would you have them implemented? Realistically, we initiate these on some choice roads. I like roads like Farnam having protected bike lanes since it connects so many destinations, one of the reasons it was eyed for the streetcar, and north and south arterials like 24th and 16th/13th to connect to where people live to downtown. I would like to see N 24th bike lane connect to the North Omaha Trail at 24th and Lake. The City has to stop pretending that bicyclists can safely share the road with Omaha drivers.

Honestly, there are so many automobile lanes downtown that you could convert half of them back to two-way traffic with a bike lane and not disrupt traffic too bad.

[Omahomie]

Residential density, protected bike lanes, grocery/public market in that order.

I like the idea of protected bike lanes. How would you have them implemented? Realistically, we initiate these on some choice roads. I like roads like Farnam having protected bike lanes since it connects so many destinations, one of the reasons it was eyed for the streetcar, and north and south arterials like 24th and 16th/13th to connect to where people live to downtown. I would like to see N 24th bike lane connect to the North Omaha Trail at 24th and Lake. The City has to stop pretending that bicyclists can safely share the road with Omaha drivers.

Both 13th and 24th are good initially then extend as far as Saddle Creek to the west eventually. If you want vibrancy in the core bikers need to feel safe and a painted line does not provide that. Also don't think you need a streetcar as an electric trackless tram can provide the same experience without the high cost. If you want to invest it would be put to better use in bus stop infrastructure.

[ita]

Residential density, protected bike lanes, grocery/public market in that order.

I like the idea of protected bike lanes. How would you have them implemented? Realistically, we initiate these on some choice roads. I like roads like Farnam having protected bike lanes since it connects so many destinations, one of the reasons it was eyed for the streetcar, and north and south arterials like 24th and 16th/13th to connect to where people live to downtown. I would like to see N 24th bike lane connect to the North Omaha Trail at 24th and Lake. The City has to stop pretending that bicyclists can safely share the road with Omaha drivers.

Honestly, there are so many automobile lanes downtown that you could convert half of them back to two-way traffic with a bike lane and not disrupt traffic too bad.

You speak only the truth. I would love to see the next adminstration take serious consideration of revamping downtown arterials. You really don't need high speed, one ways in downtown.

[ita]

Residential density, protected bike lanes, grocery/public market in that order.

I like the idea of protected bike lanes. How would you have them implemented? Realistically, we initiate these on some choice roads. I like roads like Farnam having protected bike lanes since it connects so many destinations, one of the reasons it was eyed for the streetcar, and north and south arterials like 24th and 16th/13th to connect to where people live to downtown. I would like to see N 24th bike lane connect to the North Omaha Trail at 24th and Lake. The City has to stop pretending that bicyclists can safely share the road with Omaha drivers.

Both 13th and 24th are good initially then extend as far as Saddle Creek to the west eventually. If you want vibrancy in the core bikers need to feel safe and a painted line does not provide that. Also don't think you need a streetcar as an electric trackless tram can provide the same experience without the high cost. If you want to invest it would be put to better use in bus stop infrastructure.

Thanks for the idea about the electric trackless tram. I like what I've seen so far in my brief reading of this emerging technology. Our streets can accommodate a dedicated ROW without the cost of tracks.

The city needs to consider some kind of barrier for bike lanes, or consider going with parked car boundaries. It's laughable how poor out bike infrastructure is.

[GetUrban]

Residential density, protected bike lanes, grocery/public market in that order.

I like the idea of protected bike lanes. How would you have them implemented? Realistically, we initiate these on some choice roads. I like roads like Farnam having protected bike lanes since it connects so many destinations, one of the reasons it was eyed for the streetcar, and north and south arterials like 24th and 16th/13th to connect to where people live to downtown. I would like to see N 24th bike lane connect to the North Omaha Trail at 24th and Lake. The City has to stop pretending that bicyclists can safely share the road with Omaha drivers.

Honestly, there are so many automobile lanes downtown that you could convert half of them back to two-way traffic with a bike lane and not disrupt traffic too bad.

You speak only the truth. I would love to see the next adminstration take serious consideration of revamping downtown arterials. You really don't need high speed, one ways in downtown.

After reading more on this subject, I totally agree. I think two-way traffic would greatly improve circulation and connectivity between businesses, hotels, residences, etc. within the downtown area itself. The way it is set-up now it just speeds up traffic too much making it more dangerous for pedestrians and bicycles. It encourages mass exodus of people out of downtown after 5:00. There are 50-60 examples of cities of different sizes that have gone back to two-way streets in their downtown cores, which enhances and creates new opportunities for higher density development. I also agree we need much higher density and a larger variety of different functions locating downtown. Omaha used to be much more dense until the a decline started in the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and even up into the 2000s, as the variety of individual smaller businesses has continued to decrease. I think more residential development may be the catalyst that helps drive the demand for other higher density service-oriented development to follow and eventually further increase demand and density.

[Taco]

Residential density, protected bike lanes, grocery/public market in that order.

I like the idea of protected bike lanes. How would you have them implemented? Realistically, we initiate these on some choice roads. I like roads like Farnam having protected bike lanes since it connects so many destinations, one of the reasons it was eyed for the streetcar, and north and south arterials like 24th and 16th/13th to connect to where people live to downtown. I would like to see N 24th bike lane connect to the North Omaha Trail at 24th and Lake. The City has to stop pretending that bicyclists can safely share the road with Omaha drivers.

Pre-pandemic, the city had announced a trial program of bidirectional protected bikelanes, one from Creighton's campus to the CenturyLink center on Burt and one on Harney connecting Blackstone to the old market. When I followed up in June, it appeared funding had fallen through, but these two routes seem like low hanging fruit for future plans.

[ita]

After reading more on this subject, I totally agree. I think two-way traffic would greatly improve circulation and connectivity between businesses, hotels, residences, etc. within the downtown area itself. The way it is set-up now it just speeds up traffic too much making it more dangerous for pedestrians and bicycles. It encourages mass exodus of people out of downtown after 5:00. There are 50-60 examples of cities of different sizes that have gone back to two-way streets in their downtown cores, which enhances and creates new opportunities for higher density development. I also agree we need much higher density and a larger variety of different functions locating downtown. Omaha used to be much more dense until the a decline started in the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and even up into the 2000s, as the variety of individual smaller businesses has continued to decrease. I think more residential development may be the catalyst that helps drive the demand for other higher density service-oriented development to follow and eventually further increase demand and density.

Yes, yes, and yes. This is one of the areas that I have little faith in the current administration to pursue; this type of 'radical' change to downtown would ruffle too many feathers. However, I think the future is not too far off where we see this type of change.

On the residential first comment, per Jeff Speck, if you are trying to rejuvenate a downtown area and make it more walkable, residential usual precedes additional office and retail and demand for walkability. We had decent momentum with residential projects downtown, but Covid has slowed it down some. I am heartened though by the Mercantile and Hello apartments in Millwork under construction and the nice project in the Flatiron District we recently saw new details on and the newly announced apartments in Little Bohemia. It all bodes well for making more housing available in Downtown, with a mix of areas and, hopefully, price points.

[nebraska]

I lived downtown for 2017-2018 before buying a house in Midtown. My number one issue was groceries.

But what's missing in downtown? Life. There is a distinct lack of human activity, bike lanes, pedestrian-scaled interaction between human beings and the built cityscape, and cheap eats. The old market is stale outside of nice spring weekends; the area north of Gene Leahy is dead. No amount of farmer's markets and summer arts festivals could make non-downtowners care about downtown. There's just no reason to be down there that doesn't involve a transaction with Ticketmaster.

[Louie]

I lived downtown for 2017-2018 before buying a house in Midtown. My number one issue was groceries.

But what's missing in downtown? Life. There is a distinct lack of human activity, bike lanes, pedestrian-scaled interaction between human beings and the built cityscape, and cheap eats. The old market is stale outside of nice spring weekends; the area north of Gene Leahy is dead. No amount of farmer's markets and summer arts festivals could make non-downtowners care about downtown. There's just no reason to be down there that doesn't involve a transaction with Ticketmaster.

And this ^ is the final hill to overcome. Once the tertiary items are addressed, it will be vibrant and full of life. But the infrastructure for it needs to be in place first.

[bigredmed1]

We have too many entertainment districts in town that are more convenient and have better infrastructure (except Benson) to make the downtown a big draw like it was. As said above, the OM is fading and the area north of Gene Leahy is pretty dead.

I would focus on things to make it an appealing living area for people who work in east Omaha and think of the stuff at Holland and the OM as gravy.

[buildomaha]

We have too many entertainment districts in town that are more convenient and have better infrastructure (except Benson) to make the downtown a big draw like it was. As said above, the OM is fading and the area north of Gene Leahy is pretty dead.

I would focus on things to make it an appealing living area for people who work in east Omaha and think of the stuff at Holland and the OM as gravy.

I would disagree with this wholeheartedly. I don’t think there is anything in a city that is equal with living “downtown.” I’m not saying that it is a better option in many people’s eyes, I’m just saying that it is a unique lifestyle that you can’t find elsewhere in a city. I think that is the draw of living downtown in Omaha, along with the foundation of our cultural draws, and ever increasing residential population give downtown a bright future.
There is more of what I would consider important development downtown right now than there has been really ever. I mean the residential happening all across downtown, the ever-expanding art and creative institutions, the parks projects, and many more. I don’t think that downtown turning into a neighborhood that competes with entertainment districts around town makes it obsolete, I think it will ultimately set it apart since it does have all of those draws that downtown has. It shouldn’t be a part of town that people drive into only for work, the old market, and CWS like it has been, and these newest developments are the beginning of changing that.

[ita]

We have too many entertainment districts in town that are more convenient and have better infrastructure (except Benson) to make the downtown a big draw like it was. As said above, the OM is fading and the area north of Gene Leahy is pretty dead.

I would focus on things to make it an appealing living area for people who work in east Omaha and think of the stuff at Holland and the OM as gravy.

I would disagree with this wholeheartedly. I don’t think there is anything in a city that is equal with living “downtown.” I’m not saying that it is a better option in many people’s eyes, I’m just saying that it is a unique lifestyle that you can’t find elsewhere in a city. I think that is the draw of living downtown in Omaha, along with the foundation of our cultural draws, and ever increasing residential population give downtown a bright future.
There is more of what I would consider important development downtown right now than there has been really ever. I mean the residential happening all across downtown, the ever-expanding art and creative institutions, the parks projects, and many more. I don’t think that downtown turning into a neighborhood that competes with entertainment districts around town makes it obsolete, I think it will ultimately set it apart since it does have all of those draws that downtown has. It shouldn’t be a part of town that people drive into only for work, the old market, and CWS like it has been, and these newest developments are the beginning of changing that.

Downtown should be the heart of our City. It should be lively and livable. While not the center geographically, it continues to be the center culturally, politically, and economically. Improving our downtown all-around enhances the livability and quality of the whole City. It's the only area that all citizens gather for recreation or business and is what the City presents to visitors and citizens to show off it's vibrancy, or at least it should be. I like the improvements in recent in years to the downtown core, but there is still much more we can do to improve it. I think one of the neat things about downtown is there there is the increased development in the outskirts of Downtown. I think with better multi-modal options to get around the urban core, 'downtown' will feel much bigger and accessible. I would like to think creating better connections to Midtown, North Downtown and Little Italy/Bohemia will lend to that vision.

[bigredmed1]

It might be a cool spot to live in, but it is not now. To get that way, you have to have living spaces that are affordable, but not section 8 or dorms for the spoiled trustfund babies at our local jesuit school. You have to have pleasantly upscale but not so expensive that 90% of the population can't afford it. But in Omaha's case, you have to have a drug store, dry cleaners, and a grocery store. You need a place to buy some socks and other day to day sundries. Buying stuff from the exotic cool import locales is cool, but most people don't want to buy that kind of image wear when it comes down to staplers, socks and underwear as well as the random stuff of life. I used to live downtown and the need to drive somewhere to get a bottle of tylenol or a roll of scotch tape got old fast. If I have to drive to the Westroads to get socks and underwear, I will be driving past a lot of places that are nice places to live in and I am going to start thinking about why I am not living closer to work and closer to the stores and other infrastructure that I need.

So, downtown needs a real grocery store, a drycleaner, and a pharmacy. Could Walmart, HyVee, or some other grocery store corp do all three? Sure. The other thing it needs is to have these things open on a Sunday and open after 2-3 pm during the week. I remember needing some item on a weekend and basically having no access point for this kind of stuff in DT. One of the big reasons I moved (beyond the decline in the quality of life in my apartment building).

[Busguy2010]

For sure, a lot of what's missing from Downtown could be solved by a single Hy-Vee or Walmart Neighborhood Market, both of which include food and pharmacy sections. With everything we are already paying for, I'd easily no contest for the city/taxpayers to allocate whatever amount to completely fund a downtown grocery store (if it is just a regular grocery store, no apartments, no baggage). I'd be totally on board if the city government reached out to Walmart or Hy-Vee and said "Hey, we'll give you the lot and we'll even fund the construction of your building". All they have to do is operate. I feel like the grocery situation is the tipping point for Downtown.

[Cermak]

Jobs,jobs,jobs. If you have people driving downtown 5 days a week. They will spend money downtown and maybe live downtown. It’s just a snowball effect. Most of the best downtowns across the country have good employment bases. I’m not sure how many people work in DT Omaha now. Would be interesting to see how we stack up next to our peer cities.

[Garrett]

Jobs,jobs,jobs. If you have people driving downtown 5 days a week. They will spend money downtown and maybe live downtown. It’s just a snowball effect. Most of the best downtowns across the country have good employment bases. I’m not sure how many people work in DT Omaha now. Would be interesting to see how we stack up next to our peer cities.

http://www.robertmanduca.com/projects/jobs.html

It's not super clear on numbers but this is a good map just for seeing distribution.

[Cermak]

Incredible map Garrett, Thanks, I could look at that thing for hours.

[Garrett]

Incredible map Garrett ! thanks, I could look at that thing for hours.

This OWH article from 2013 also doesn't paint the rosiest of pictures for downtown Omaha job growth.

Downtown Omaha's core need: more jobs

[ita]

Jobs,jobs,jobs. If you have people driving downtown 5 days a week. They will spend money downtown and maybe live downtown. It’s just a snowball effect. Most of the best downtowns across the country have good employment bases. I’m not sure how many people work in DT Omaha now. Would be interesting to see how we stack up next to our peer cities.

In my opinion only, I think jobs follow infrastructure and people moving in (ie. residential development). We don't have to look very far to see that pattern in urban development; see the history of the streetcar, West Dodge corridor.

I am hoping the trend of people wanting to live in the urban core rebounds post-covid. Omaha needs to be ready with better infrastructure (or actionable plans) in the form of improved mass transit, pedestrian enhancements, and more bicycle lanes. People who want to live in urban centers take multi-modal transportation very seriously; the City has not caught on quite yet or at least is not fully invested in that idea.

[ita]

I lived downtown for 2017-2018 before buying a house in Midtown. My number one issue was groceries.

But what's missing in downtown? Life. There is a distinct lack of human activity, bike lanes, pedestrian-scaled interaction between human beings and the built cityscape, and cheap eats. The old market is stale outside of nice spring weekends; the area north of Gene Leahy is dead. No amount of farmer's markets and summer arts festivals could make non-downtowners care about downtown. There's just no reason to be down there that doesn't involve a transaction with Ticketmaster.

And this ^ is the final hill to overcome. Once the tertiary items are addressed, it will be vibrant and full of life. But the infrastructure for it needs to be in place first.

To build off this line of issues with Old Market, OWH had this decent article about some of the issues faced by Old Market through the pandemic and what might help it get back on track:

Omaha's Old Market faces challenges, shows its age as well as its resilience

Omaha’s Old Market, the downtown business area known for its old brick buildings, uneven brick streets and mishmash of shops and restaurants, looks old indeed.

Vacant bays and buildings spatter the area. Since last year, the coronavirus pandemic and Black Lives Matter protests and violence have taken a toll. The fire at M’s Pub five years ago left its mark, and the downtown core faces competition from Midtown, Blackstone, Aksarben and Near North Omaha.

One aspect of the article is that the author, people they interviewed, including Hal Daub, have very little to offer of how to help Old Market. They do mention the Jones St. rebricking, which is a very good infrastructure project for the Old Market especially with the condo project at the Fairmont building, and the Riverfront Parks project as possible catalysts for renewal in the Old Market. I think the Mercantile will be a big boon for the Old Market, if they get the right retail tenants. There are other things that could be done by the City and I hope they have a better idea than the people associated to this article. Otherwise, Old Market will continue to struggled even after the pandemic.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Omaha's Old Market faces challenges, shows its age as well as its resilience

Omaha’s Old Market, the downtown business area known for its old brick buildings, uneven brick streets and mishmash of shops and restaurants, looks old indeed.

Vacant bays and buildings spatter the area. Since last year, the coronavirus pandemic and Black Lives Matter protests and violence have taken a toll. The fire at M’s Pub five years ago left its mark, and the downtown core faces competition from Midtown, Blackstone, Aksarben and Near North Omaha.

One aspect of the article is that the author, people they interviewed, including Hal Daub, have very little to offer of how to help Old Market. They do mention the Jones St. rebricking, which is a very good infrastructure project for the Old Market especially with the condo project at the Fairmont building, and the Riverfront Parks project as possible catalysts for renewal in the Old Market. I think the Mercantile will be a big boon for the Old Market, if they get the right retail tenants. There are other things that could be done by the City and I hope they have a better idea than the people associated to this article. Otherwise, Old Market will continue to struggled even after the pandemic.

It’s a typical “gloom and doom” cup half empty article the W-H, for whatever reason, sometimes feels the need to put out there. I’ve read similar themed articles about the “shaky ground” of the Old Market since 1983. Of course, the OM continued to evolve and flourish.. The pandemic though, has been the biggest challenge. Not just for the OM, but everywhere there is a concentration of retail/entertainment/restaurants..

The biggest thing that will help the Old Market, is getting to the other side of this pandemic..and that’s likely a solid year away. I’m confident the OM will continue to hold ground until then. This district will survive and continue to flourish...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Cermak]

Old Market will continue to do well. It’s just having a rough patch right now like most entertainment districts are having. This is one of Omaha’s Crown Jewels. And I don’t see it going away anytime soon.

[ita]

Omaha's Old Market faces challenges, shows its age as well as its resilience

Omaha’s Old Market, the downtown business area known for its old brick buildings, uneven brick streets and mishmash of shops and restaurants, looks old indeed.

Vacant bays and buildings spatter the area. Since last year, the coronavirus pandemic and Black Lives Matter protests and violence have taken a toll. The fire at M’s Pub five years ago left its mark, and the downtown core faces competition from Midtown, Blackstone, Aksarben and Near North Omaha.

One aspect of the article is that the author, people they interviewed, including Hal Daub, have very little to offer of how to help Old Market. They do mention the Jones St. rebricking, which is a very good infrastructure project for the Old Market especially with the condo project at the Fairmont building, and the Riverfront Parks project as possible catalysts for renewal in the Old Market. I think the Mercantile will be a big boon for the Old Market, if they get the right retail tenants. There are other things that could be done by the City and I hope they have a better idea than the people associated to this article. Otherwise, Old Market will continue to struggled even after the pandemic.

It’s a typical “gloom and doom” cup half empty article the W-H, for whatever reason, sometimes feels the need to put out there. I’ve read similar themed articles about the “shaky ground” of the Old Market since 1983. Of course, the OM continued to evolve and flourish.. The pandemic though, has been the biggest challenge. Not just for the OM, but everywhere there is a concentration of retail/entertainment/restaurants..

The biggest thing that will help the Old Market, is getting to the other side of this pandemic..and that’s likely a solid year away. I’m confident the OM will continue to hold ground until then. This district will survive and continue to flourish...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

I don't know if it qualifies as doom and gloom, but it does point out some of the struggles of Old Market as of late. And as others have pointed out, while a decent tourist attraction, for those living in Downtown, it may feel stale. I think the expansion of south Old Market with recent projects will help shake it up and introduce fresh areas to explore and should create new businesses, so I am hopeful.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Omaha's Old Market faces challenges, shows its age as well as its resilience

Omaha’s Old Market, the downtown business area known for its old brick buildings, uneven brick streets and mishmash of shops and restaurants, looks old indeed.

Vacant bays and buildings spatter the area. Since last year, the coronavirus pandemic and Black Lives Matter protests and violence have taken a toll. The fire at M’s Pub five years ago left its mark, and the downtown core faces competition from Midtown, Blackstone, Aksarben and Near North Omaha.

One aspect of the article is that the author, people they interviewed, including Hal Daub, have very little to offer of how to help Old Market. They do mention the Jones St. rebricking, which is a very good infrastructure project for the Old Market especially with the condo project at the Fairmont building, and the Riverfront Parks project as possible catalysts for renewal in the Old Market. I think the Mercantile will be a big boon for the Old Market, if they get the right retail tenants. There are other things that could be done by the City and I hope they have a better idea than the people associated to this article. Otherwise, Old Market will continue to struggled even after the pandemic.

It’s a typical “gloom and doom” cup half empty article the W-H, for whatever reason, sometimes feels the need to put out there. I’ve read similar themed articles about the “shaky ground” of the Old Market since 1983. Of course, the OM continued to evolve and flourish.. The pandemic though, has been the biggest challenge. Not just for the OM, but everywhere there is a concentration of retail/entertainment/restaurants..

The biggest thing that will help the Old Market, is getting to the other side of this pandemic..and that’s likely a solid year away. I’m confident the OM will continue to hold ground until then. This district will survive and continue to flourish...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

I don't know if it qualifies as doom and gloom, but it does point out some of the struggles of Old Market as of late. And as others have pointed out, while a decent tourist attraction, for those living in Downtown, it may feel stale. I think the expansion of south Old Market with recent projects will help shake it up and introduce fresh areas to explore and should create new businesses, so I am hopeful.

It’s a cup half empty article which has been rolled out by our newspaper in the past. The Old Market has always had these “struggles” but has course corrected, stayed relevant (for visitors and locals alike) and remained a point of destination. If anything, locals might struggle with the higher price of a meal or drinks at many Old Market area restaurants/bars compared to other districts around the city.. But, imo, that doesn’t make the OM “stale”. What’s making most every entertainment/shopping/restaurant district in Omaha and across the country stale is the Pandemic. I’m confident once we get to the other side of that, places like the OM etc will, eventually, return to is pre-pandemic vibrancy..

I know people who live in the Old Market area and none I’ve talked to have intimated any staleness or signs of struggle, other than what the pandemic has brought on with its limitations. I lived very close to the Old Market myself for many years and have watched it change and course correct throughout the 80’s, 90’s and into this century. I’m certain that will continue. I agree that the expansion of the Old Market to the south is a big positive. But not because the traditional boundaries of the OM are in some sort of new “struggle”..but rather a positive in expanding its point of destination footprint..which may help stir other beneficial development connectivity (like..wait for it.. Streetcars! )..

In the end, the Old Market will be just fine...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[nebport5]

A Transit Hub? Yes at this point that would largely be a bus hub. Thinking into the future...streetcars?(perhaps in our lifetime), airport accessibility?...there's already train line that runs from the Amtrak station right past the zoo?(a zoo that has rivaled and beat Disney parks in attendance) Ingenuity city "leaders"/ urban planers? I'm all for the Harney/Farnam Street car proposal, but I also like the 10th St North/South line proposal too. It would certainly buttress the Old Market.

[bigredmed1]

A Transit Hub? Yes at this point that would largely be a bus hub. Thinking into the future...streetcars?(perhaps in our lifetime), airport accessibility?...there's already train line that runs from the Amtrak station right past the zoo?(a zoo that has rivaled and beat Disney parks in attendance) Ingenuity city "leaders"/ urban planers? I'm all for the Harney/Farnam Street car proposal, but I also like the 10th St North/South line proposal too. It would certainly buttress the Old Market.

The 10th street north south route was planned by Hal Daub. Don’t know what killed it. It would be a great way to tie downtown and the zoo together as would it tie the Hispanic areas in and make it easier to visit from other parts of the city. I think 13th street would be better than 10th street.

[nebport5]

A Transit Hub? Yes at this point that would largely be a bus hub. Thinking into the future...streetcars?(perhaps in our lifetime), airport accessibility?...there's already train line that runs from the Amtrak station right past the zoo?(a zoo that has rivaled and beat Disney parks in attendance) Ingenuity city "leaders"/ urban planers? I'm all for the Harney/Farnam Street car proposal, but I also like the 10th St North/South line proposal too. It would certainly buttress the Old Market.

The 10th street north south route was planned by Hal Daub. Don’t know what killed it. It would be a great way to tie downtown and the zoo together as would it tie the Hispanic areas in and make it easier to visit from other parts of the city. I think 13th street would be better than 10th street.

Mike Fahey winning an election with a pothole platform. Actually I don't believe it was so much scrapped as much as the Farnam/Harney route took precedence favoring everyday riders over tourist usage. I believe that may have come from one of the infinite studies.

[ita]

A Transit Hub? Yes at this point that would largely be a bus hub. Thinking into the future...streetcars?(perhaps in our lifetime), airport accessibility?...there's already train line that runs from the Amtrak station right past the zoo?(a zoo that has rivaled and beat Disney parks in attendance) Ingenuity city "leaders"/ urban planers? I'm all for the Harney/Farnam Street car proposal, but I also like the 10th St North/South line proposal too. It would certainly buttress the Old Market.

The 10th street north south route was planned by Hal Daub. Don’t know what killed it. It would be a great way to tie downtown and the zoo together as would it tie the Hispanic areas in and make it easier to visit from other parts of the city. I think 13th street would be better than 10th street.

Agreed on 13th Street being a better route for a streetcar with a direct connection between downtown and the Zoo and now we have a resurging Little Bohemia and Vinton Street District to fill in the gaps.