The Crossroads (72 & Dodge)

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Fri Jan 08, 2021 6:45 pm

bigredmed1 wrote: Fri Jan 08, 2021 6:18 pm
Brad wrote: Fri Jan 08, 2021 3:30 pm
bldgengineer2015 wrote: Thu Jan 07, 2021 4:10 pm They have started tearing from the southwestern side of the building.
Wasting no time for sure. Here is a photo from this afternoon:

Sad. Lots of good memories from when this was a good store.

I used to spend a lot of time in the power tool section with my dad, pre-2000 when I was a kid. Seeing it torn down makes ya wish you made one last trip through the mall, though it was a shell of its former self. I hadn't been in there in several years.

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Sat Jan 09, 2021 10:14 am

Busguy2010 wrote: Fri Jan 08, 2021 6:45 pm

Sad. Lots of good memories from when this was a good store.
I used to spend a lot of time in the power tool section with my dad, pre-2000 when I was a kid. Seeing it torn down makes ya wish you made one last trip through the mall, though it was a shell of its former self. I hadn't been in there in several years.

I have a lot of the same sentiment for Mall of the Bluffs. I remember all the good times I had there with family and friends. I remember when I moved away and came back for Christmas, you could just go to the food court at the mall and see everyone that you hadn't seen in years. I just never get that same feeling for the outdoor markets that are getting built these days.

bigredmed1 · Post by **bigredmed1** » Sat Jan 09, 2021 11:33 am

That was the tool section where Sears honored their Craftsman replacement guarantee on a masonry bit. At that time, even drill bits were stood behind 100%.

S.O.Boy · Post by **S.O.Boy** » Mon Jan 18, 2021 5:26 pm

djc311 · Post by **djc311** » Tue Jan 19, 2021 9:49 am

Quite sad, TBH. I realize it's all about what people want and need now, but as someone that grew up in Dundee and went to L&C Jr High School across the street from Crossroads, it's just disappointing to see that place go. As a kid, going to Westroads was well, heading far west!

So Crossroads was the main stop for us. I'm sure many of you recall Mr Bulky's, Jolly Time, "REAL" restaurants in the food court (and not Billy Bob's burger joint with a paper banner for its sign, LOL).

Of course there was no salvaging it - would have taken millions upon millions to take it out of its 1980s-1990s vibe. Back when I had my brick and mortar chocolate stores I put one in Crossroads during Christmas season one year. It was just a pop up shop by Old Navy so if there was traffic to be had then we were in the right place. We sold one box in almost a month! Had to pull the plug on that.

I've posted before requesting for pics of the old Crossroads Santa Claus display - I remember in the 1980s he was towards one of the ends (I think Brandeis, but maybe Sears) and they had a little village scene you walked through. I swear they had some houses and animatronic elves hanging out of the windows. Not sure why I thought these were amazing but I don't have any pictures of them. Amazingly even Google can't help me out (seems like I can find 1960s Christmas pics of the mall and then a few here and there of 1990s). So if anyone has them please feel free to share! I would like to show my kids what it was like in the "olden days".

Post by **Brad** » Sat Jan 30, 2021 9:26 pm

Barns and Noble coming down. And the Iconic Triangle Roof is once again visible on the north side.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Sun Feb 07, 2021 3:55 pm

The Croosroads this week will be applying for TIF in amount of $79.4m.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Sun Feb 07, 2021 4:16 pm

image.jpeg

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Sun Feb 07, 2021 4:22 pm

image.jpeg

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Sun Feb 07, 2021 4:23 pm

image.jpeg

ita · Post by **ita** » Mon Feb 08, 2021 11:22 am

Coyote wrote: Sun Feb 07, 2021 4:16 pmimage.jpeg

Is the number of floors the aggregate amount of floors dedicated to each use?

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Mon Feb 08, 2021 12:41 pm

ita wrote: Mon Feb 08, 2021 11:22 am Is the number of floors the aggregate amount of floors dedicated to each use?

The proposed redevelopment plan only includes demolition and clearing of the Crossroads property.
Any building will have to go through its own city planning proposal including its height and floors.
This is just the proposal for the areas suggested redevelopment with its plating.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Mon Feb 08, 2021 12:45 pm

http://cityclerk.cityofomaha.org/images ... 1-0073.pdf

PWL73316 · Post by **PWL73316** » Mon Feb 08, 2021 1:58 pm

We might be way behind on this one but my wife and I noticed they redid the branding on the scoreboard-style sign on the 72nd and Dodge corner to be branded just 'Crossroads' and have the developer logos on it. I commented that aside from Target that sign might be the only thing on the property that makes money. Piqued my curiosity - anybody have experience with an ad on that sign? How costly is it to get your message up there?

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Mon Feb 08, 2021 2:34 pm

Coyote wrote: Sun Feb 07, 2021 4:22 pmimage.jpeg

I like this street layout wayyyy better than any of the previous ideas. Keep it simple. I hope it actually goes down like this.

Cermak · Post by **Cermak** » Tue Feb 09, 2021 7:44 am

This is another less than exciting project. I think the mayor was under pressure to do something about Crossroads so this is what we get. We are knee deep in lifestyle centers but what everyone really wants is a new highrise downtown. The mayor has yet to deliver on that.

PWL73316 · Post by **PWL73316** » Tue Feb 09, 2021 8:38 am

What planet did you just come in from? I couldn't disagree more with virtually every word in your post.

Cermak · Post by **Cermak** » Tue Feb 09, 2021 9:08 am

PWL73316 wrote: Tue Feb 09, 2021 8:38 am What planet did you just come in from? I couldn't disagree more with virtually every word in your post.

Planet “tired of lifestyle centers when we already have plenty “.

Maybe it will turn out good. Aksarben village exceeded expectations as did Sterling ridge.

Athomsfere · Post by **Athomsfere** » Tue Feb 09, 2021 9:12 am

PWL73316 wrote: Tue Feb 09, 2021 8:38 am What planet did you just come in from? I couldn't disagree more with virtually every word in your post.

LOL, I mean:

I do think this is a slight miss. It's a little too suburban, too much parking, not enough "cool".

BUT!

It's sorely needed to do something here.
And if we keep bumping density throughout midtown, another highrise is only more and more likely.

LetsBeReal22 · Post by **LetsBeReal22** » Tue Feb 09, 2021 9:29 am

I don't understand why they need that road on the left side of the development.

Redo this access road, build a coffee shop here with a nice open patio, and put that walkway to good use. Make the place walkable!

Post by **Brad** » Tue Feb 09, 2021 10:01 am

LetsBeReal22 wrote: Tue Feb 09, 2021 9:29 am I don't understand why they need that road on the left side of the development.

Redo this access road, build a coffee shop here with a nice open patio, and put that walkway to good use. Make the place walkable!

While that may seem ideal, there are just a bunch of challenges that would make that difficult.

1. That "access road" is a parking lot and only runs about 1/2 the block. It does not connect to either Cass or Dodge.
2. To be a public street, you would need a different owner (who is from out of state) give up part of their own property for a public right of way.
3. If you made it a public street, there would be setback issues with the existing buildings.
4. If it were a public street, you would need to find new homes for what appears to be 12 dumpsters in the latest aerial.
5. You would have to relocate utilities and probably find a new loading zone for some businesses.

To me the road makes sense, unless you were redeveloping the shopping center to the west too. If "The Crossroads" went all the way to 76th Street, then I would say this road is pointless.

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Tue Feb 09, 2021 11:59 am

I used to use that alley to get around as a kid. It was pretty disgusting seeing that the dumpsters were filled with rotting food from Chuck E Cheese and BWW. I don't know why I initially thought the new 75th street was going to be layed directly over this alley, but obviously you can see that's not the case. I will like it. Need to keep the alley for operational purposes. It'll work for accessibility as well... As it stood, there was a staircase from that alley to the old Best Buy that connected to a pass through that I believe is a bay or two north of BWW. I'm sure there will be some sort of pedestrian connection to the new street at that location.

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Tue Feb 09, 2021 12:04 pm

LetsBeReal22 wrote: Tue Feb 09, 2021 9:29 am I don't understand why they need that road on the left side of the development.

Redo this access road, build a coffee shop here with a nice open patio, and put that walkway to good use. Make the place walkable!

Actually that passthrough is pictured right in your post. I think it could work to dress up the alley a bit and make the passthrough more inviting by potentially putting more windows on those two walls.

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Tue Feb 09, 2021 12:09 pm

My guess is that plaza is due for a major remodel directly as a result of the Crossroads redevelopment within 5 years or so anyway.

LetsBeReal22 · Post by **LetsBeReal22** » Tue Feb 09, 2021 12:39 pm

Whoever develops Crossroads will likely just end up putting a wall or fence up here anyways. It's the Omaha way to not connect with other developments. It's tiring. (Aksarben is so bad at this)

ita · Post by **ita** » Tue Feb 09, 2021 1:10 pm

Coyote wrote: Mon Feb 08, 2021 12:41 pm
ita wrote: Mon Feb 08, 2021 11:22 am Is the number of floors the aggregate amount of floors dedicated to each use?
The proposed redevelopment plan only includes demolition and clearing of the Crossroads property.
Any building will have to go through its own city planning proposal including its height and floors.
This is just the proposal for the areas suggested redevelopment with its plating.

Thanks for the explanation.

I like that they have increased the residential component of this project. All of a sudden Dodge is getting a big increase in residential activity; between this, Furniture Row, and the Village Inn site, there are over 1000 planned residential units!

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Tue Feb 09, 2021 1:29 pm

ita wrote: Tue Feb 09, 2021 1:10 pm I like that they have increased the residential component of this project. All of a sudden Dodge is getting a big increase in residential activity; between this, Furniture Row, and the Village Inn site, there are over 1000 planned residential units!

I directly credit ORBT for that.

It looked like the buildings directly south of McDonald's were "planned residential" as well. Of course, we all know that means nothing until an actual project is planned.

ita · Post by **ita** » Tue Feb 09, 2021 1:49 pm

Busguy2010 wrote: Tue Feb 09, 2021 1:29 pm
ita wrote: Tue Feb 09, 2021 1:10 pm I like that they have increased the residential component of this project. All of a sudden Dodge is getting a big increase in residential activity; between this, Furniture Row, and the Village Inn site, there are over 1000 planned residential units!
I directly credit ORBT for that.

It looked like the buildings directly south of McDonald's were "planned residential" as well. Of course, we all know that means nothing until an actual project is planned.

Ah yeah, you're right. Blumpkin said that the floor and decor development is just the first phase and that potentially that area could have 200+ apartments.

ORBT plays a role. Developers are also building close to employers. J-Development did say they are targeting employees at Methodist and Children's for their apartment project at the old Village Inn site.

ita · Post by **ita** » Tue Feb 09, 2021 2:33 pm

I just visited the project's website. In the FAQ section, it says they are having discussions with some new-to-market retailers. For this project, what kinds of retail should there be or what do you hope will be there?

S.O.Boy · Post by **S.O.Boy** » Tue Feb 09, 2021 7:06 pm

ita wrote: Tue Feb 09, 2021 2:33 pm I just visited the project's website. In the FAQ section, it says they are having discussions with some new-to-market retailers. For this project, what kinds of retail should there be or what do you hope will be there?

Barnes & Noble

Taco · Post by **Taco** » Tue Feb 09, 2021 7:31 pm

Originally this was rumored to have an REI...probably a pipe dream at this point.

swinquest · Post by **swinquest** » Tue Feb 09, 2021 10:44 pm

S.O.Boy wrote: Tue Feb 09, 2021 7:06 pm
ita wrote: Tue Feb 09, 2021 2:33 pm I just visited the project's website. In the FAQ section, it says they are having discussions with some new-to-market retailers. For this project, what kinds of retail should there be or what do you hope will be there?
Barnes & Noble

My son loved this location and was devistated that it closed. I hope they bring it back as the one at Oakview is NOTHING compared to what Crossroads was.

Athomsfere · Post by **Athomsfere** » Wed Feb 10, 2021 8:16 am

Taco wrote: Tue Feb 09, 2021 7:31 pm Originally this was rumored to have an REI...probably a pipe dream at this point.

This would be HEAVEN (sp?)

Barnes and Nobles would be great too.

Bob from Omaha · Post by **Bob from Omaha** » Wed Feb 10, 2021 9:13 am

When Crossroads opened it was an amazing idea. You didn't need to go "all the way downtown" to shop. It was similar but not exactly the same as The Center. When downtown was the hub of retail you had to park & then walk around downtown & then shlep all your purchases back to the car or to the bus. I know how people feel about downtown retail but back then it was all new and amazing. I lived a couple of blocks away & rode my bike there with my friends. I can't count the number of times we got kicked out of Youngtown (a toy store).

I know it killed downtown retail but you have to understand the times. More people than ever had cars and most households had more than one. We still went downtown but not nearly as often.

Remember one other thing. Brandeis built Crossroads and if they hadn't someone else would have. It was part of a national trend. Demand demands supply. They gave the public what it wanted.

ita · Post by **ita** » Wed Feb 10, 2021 9:50 am

Bob from Omaha wrote: Wed Feb 10, 2021 9:13 am When Crossroads opened it was an amazing idea. You didn't need to go "all the way downtown" to shop. It was similar but not exactly the same as The Center. When downtown was the hub of retail you had to park & then walk around downtown & then shlep all your purchases back to the car or to the bus. I know how people feel about downtown retail but back then it was all new and amazing. I lived a couple of blocks away & rode my bike there with my friends. I can't count the number of times we got kicked out of Youngtown (a toy store).

I know it killed downtown retail but you have to understand the times. More people than ever had cars and most households had more than one. We still went downtown but not nearly as often.

Remember one other thing. Brandeis built Crossroads and if they hadn't someone else would have. It was part of a national trend. Demand demands supply. They gave the public what it wanted.

I agree with you that Crossroads was inevitable in the context of history, as is it's second life. My hope is that with renewal of downtown residents, downtown retail will similarly see a revival. It may not be like the heyday of downtown retail, but it should improve dramatically as the downtown population grows.

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Wed Feb 10, 2021 10:05 am

ita wrote: Wed Feb 10, 2021 9:50 am
Bob from Omaha wrote: Wed Feb 10, 2021 9:13 am When Crossroads opened it was an amazing idea. You didn't need to go "all the way downtown" to shop. It was similar but not exactly the same as The Center. When downtown was the hub of retail you had to park & then walk around downtown & then shlep all your purchases back to the car or to the bus. I know how people feel about downtown retail but back then it was all new and amazing. I lived a couple of blocks away & rode my bike there with my friends. I can't count the number of times we got kicked out of Youngtown (a toy store).

I know it killed downtown retail but you have to understand the times. More people than ever had cars and most households had more than one. We still went downtown but not nearly as often.

Remember one other thing. Brandeis built Crossroads and if they hadn't someone else would have. It was part of a national trend. Demand demands supply. They gave the public what it wanted.
I agree with you that Crossroads was inevitable in the context of history, as is it's second life. My hope is that with renewal of downtown residents, downtown retail will similarly see a revival. It may not be like the heyday of downtown retail, but it should improve dramatically as the downtown population grows.

Curious as to what you think a revival of retail downtown looks like? I love the idea but I just don't see it happening in any sort of meaningful way. Best hope is some sort of grocery store(like KC has with Consentino's in Power and Light). With in person retail declining already do to on-line shopping I just don't see it coming back downtown.

Greg

ita · Post by **ita** » Wed Feb 10, 2021 10:48 am

Greg S wrote: Wed Feb 10, 2021 10:05 am
ita wrote: Wed Feb 10, 2021 9:50 am
Bob from Omaha wrote: Wed Feb 10, 2021 9:13 am When Crossroads opened it was an amazing idea. You didn't need to go "all the way downtown" to shop. It was similar but not exactly the same as The Center. When downtown was the hub of retail you had to park & then walk around downtown & then shlep all your purchases back to the car or to the bus. I know how people feel about downtown retail but back then it was all new and amazing. I lived a couple of blocks away & rode my bike there with my friends. I can't count the number of times we got kicked out of Youngtown (a toy store).

I know it killed downtown retail but you have to understand the times. More people than ever had cars and most households had more than one. We still went downtown but not nearly as often.

Remember one other thing. Brandeis built Crossroads and if they hadn't someone else would have. It was part of a national trend. Demand demands supply. They gave the public what it wanted.
I agree with you that Crossroads was inevitable in the context of history, as is it's second life. My hope is that with renewal of downtown residents, downtown retail will similarly see a revival. It may not be like the heyday of downtown retail, but it should improve dramatically as the downtown population grows.
Curious as to what you think a revival of retail downtown looks like? I love the idea but I just don't see it happening in any sort of meaningful way. Best hope is some sort of grocery store(like KC has with Consentino's in Power and Light). With in person retail declining already do to on-line shopping I just don't see it coming back downtown.

Greg

I suppose I was thinking retail that downtown residents would need or shop at, not destination type retail. So, your right things like a grocery store, maybe something like an amazon store. Essentially, retail that makes downtown more livable. I am interested to see how the Mercantile fills up though. I would like to think we could have some destination type retail in downtown, particularly with a development like the Conagra/Hines project, but I am not optimistic.

TitosBuritoBarn · Post by **TitosBuritoBarn** » Wed Feb 10, 2021 11:15 am

ita wrote: Wed Feb 10, 2021 10:48 am
Greg S wrote: Wed Feb 10, 2021 10:05 am
ita wrote: Wed Feb 10, 2021 9:50 am
Bob from Omaha wrote: Wed Feb 10, 2021 9:13 am When Crossroads opened it was an amazing idea. You didn't need to go "all the way downtown" to shop. It was similar but not exactly the same as The Center. When downtown was the hub of retail you had to park & then walk around downtown & then shlep all your purchases back to the car or to the bus. I know how people feel about downtown retail but back then it was all new and amazing. I lived a couple of blocks away & rode my bike there with my friends. I can't count the number of times we got kicked out of Youngtown (a toy store).

I know it killed downtown retail but you have to understand the times. More people than ever had cars and most households had more than one. We still went downtown but not nearly as often.

Remember one other thing. Brandeis built Crossroads and if they hadn't someone else would have. It was part of a national trend. Demand demands supply. They gave the public what it wanted.
I agree with you that Crossroads was inevitable in the context of history, as is it's second life. My hope is that with renewal of downtown residents, downtown retail will similarly see a revival. It may not be like the heyday of downtown retail, but it should improve dramatically as the downtown population grows.
Curious as to what you think a revival of retail downtown looks like? I love the idea but I just don't see it happening in any sort of meaningful way. Best hope is some sort of grocery store(like KC has with Consentino's in Power and Light). With in person retail declining already do to on-line shopping I just don't see it coming back downtown.

Greg
I suppose I was thinking retail that downtown residents would need or shop at, not destination type retail. So, your right things like a grocery store, maybe something like an amazon store. Essentially, retail that makes downtown more livable. I am interested to see how the Mercantile fills up though. I would like to think we could have some destination type retail in downtown, particularly with a development like the Conagra/Hines project, but I am not optimistic.

I agree with that. I’ll add that I believe the future of downtown retail will be similar to what’s found in the Old Market - generally local stores and restaurants that offer merchandise from smaller companies or independent manufacturers as well as unique shopping experiences. So instead of stopping off at Walmart to buy a Hallmark birthday card that could be found in a variety of retailers across the country, you might instead stop at a local stationary store featuring cards from local or regional card designers that have a more personalized touch to them. This sort of retail could draw people regionally, but more so are of benefit to people living downtown and are part of the essence of downtown living. There would also be a small mix of chains like Walgreens, City Target, or DGX, but for the most part businesses are likely to be local or regional.

Bob from Omaha · Post by **Bob from Omaha** » Wed Feb 10, 2021 11:37 am

More info

Brandeis History

ita · Post by **ita** » Wed Feb 10, 2021 3:20 pm

TitosBuritoBarn wrote: Wed Feb 10, 2021 11:15 am
ita wrote: Wed Feb 10, 2021 10:48 am
Greg S wrote: Wed Feb 10, 2021 10:05 am
ita wrote: Wed Feb 10, 2021 9:50 am
Bob from Omaha wrote: Wed Feb 10, 2021 9:13 am When Crossroads opened it was an amazing idea. You didn't need to go "all the way downtown" to shop. It was similar but not exactly the same as The Center. When downtown was the hub of retail you had to park & then walk around downtown & then shlep all your purchases back to the car or to the bus. I know how people feel about downtown retail but back then it was all new and amazing. I lived a couple of blocks away & rode my bike there with my friends. I can't count the number of times we got kicked out of Youngtown (a toy store).

I know it killed downtown retail but you have to understand the times. More people than ever had cars and most households had more than one. We still went downtown but not nearly as often.

Remember one other thing. Brandeis built Crossroads and if they hadn't someone else would have. It was part of a national trend. Demand demands supply. They gave the public what it wanted.
I agree with you that Crossroads was inevitable in the context of history, as is it's second life. My hope is that with renewal of downtown residents, downtown retail will similarly see a revival. It may not be like the heyday of downtown retail, but it should improve dramatically as the downtown population grows.
Curious as to what you think a revival of retail downtown looks like? I love the idea but I just don't see it happening in any sort of meaningful way. Best hope is some sort of grocery store(like KC has with Consentino's in Power and Light). With in person retail declining already do to on-line shopping I just don't see it coming back downtown.

Greg
I suppose I was thinking retail that downtown residents would need or shop at, not destination type retail. So, your right things like a grocery store, maybe something like an amazon store. Essentially, retail that makes downtown more livable. I am interested to see how the Mercantile fills up though. I would like to think we could have some destination type retail in downtown, particularly with a development like the Conagra/Hines project, but I am not optimistic.
I agree with that. I’ll add that I believe the future of downtown retail will be similar to what’s found in the Old Market - generally local stores and restaurants that offer merchandise from smaller companies or independent manufacturers as well as unique shopping experiences. So instead of stopping off at Walmart to buy a Hallmark birthday card that could be found in a variety of retailers across the country, you might instead stop at a local stationary store featuring cards from local or regional card designers that have a more personalized touch to them. This sort of retail could draw people regionally, but more so are of benefit to people living downtown and are part of the essence of downtown living. There would also be a small mix of chains like Walgreens, City Target, or DGX, but for the most part businesses are likely to be local or regional.

I like that example of buying a card as I went to the Old Market the last couple years for Valentine/Birthday cards. I also think there are other retail or service oriented retail voids that can be filled. I am thinking like a flower shop, art supply, beauty/health care, pet shop. Even a UPS or FedEx; I don't think I have ever found one downtown. There might be one of those at the Hilton by CHI, but I don't know if you can get to it.