The Crossroads (72 & Dodge)

[ita]

Drone flyover posted on KETV:

https://www.ketv.com/article/watch-dron ... e/35601727

[Brad]

Drone flyover posted on KETV:

https://www.ketv.com/article/watch-dron ... e/35601727

You can see the old basement that ran under the entire length of the original mall. I always wanted to see that.

[djc311]

Drone flyover posted on KETV:

https://www.ketv.com/article/watch-dron ... e/35601727

You can see the old basement that ran under the entire length of the original mall. I always wanted to see that.

I went down there when I had my short stint in CrossRoads for my store. They said there was an arcade down there at one time, I just remember the walls of that area being painted all black. I don't think I ever went there, however. And I definitely don't remember it!

I do remember they had a post office or treasurer's office... something to that affect, in the basement. As a kid I had to go down there with my parents a few times.

I understand this is being done to make way for progress and development but it is disappointing that it couldn't survive. Who would have ever thought people would prefer to shop outside when it's -10° in Nebraska and park a mile away... instead of shopping inside a controlled environment.

[S.O.Boy]

Who would have ever thought people would prefer to shop outside when it's -10° in Nebraska and park a mile away... instead of shopping inside a controlled environment.

But they are shopping, sitting on the couch while eating Cheetos.

[Coyote]

City Council approved $80m tif today.

[PWL73316]

7-0 vote. Some grumbling, from everybody, it's a lot of money, but I kind of felt like a few folks were really really hoping this one would cause some drama that just hasn't materialized.

[Cup of Cheese]

I drove by there this past week. Strange to see it half of it razed. Last time I was there was about 27 years ago. Used to walk down from UNO and have lunch.

[Brad]

The west side of Dillard's is coming down today.

[Greg S]

Drone flyover posted on KETV:

https://www.ketv.com/article/watch-dron ... e/35601727

You can see the old basement that ran under the entire length of the original mall. I always wanted to see that.

I went down there when I had my short stint in CrossRoads for my store. They said there was an arcade down there at one time, I just remember the walls of that area being painted all black. I don't think I ever went there, however. And I definitely don't remember it!

I do remember they had a post office or treasurer's office... something to that affect, in the basement. As a kid I had to go down there with my parents a few times.

I understand this is being done to make way for progress and development but it is disappointing that it couldn't survive. Who would have ever thought people would prefer to shop outside when it's -10° in Nebraska and park a mile away... instead of shopping inside a controlled environment.

The old arcade (and 2 screen movie theater) from a customers point of view were not connect to the main basement area (like where they had restrooms and the old DMV).

Greg

[jag42]

Crossroads demo as of 3-7-2021....in a couple pics, the escalators to food court are visible.

[Busguy2010]

For anybody who is into urban exploration, check this YouTube channel out : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcem9I ... LRUlkUO3sw

I guess it is both good and bad that Crossroads never really got to the point of abandoned. Good for the city that it didn't sit completely empty and unkept for any period of time, but also bad because these guys never had the chance to come and explore the inside so we have forever documentation of the mall before its demise.

[Brad]

Here are a few photos I took this weekend. There is also Video in my longer video in the Photography Section.

[omaha79]

Drone flyover posted on KETV:

https://www.ketv.com/article/watch-dron ... e/35601727

You can see the old basement that ran under the entire length of the original mall. I always wanted to see that.

I went down there when I had my short stint in CrossRoads for my store. They said there was an arcade down there at one time, I just remember the walls of that area being painted all black. I don't think I ever went there, however. And I definitely don't remember it!

I do remember they had a post office or treasurer's office... something to that affect, in the basement. As a kid I had to go down there with my parents a few times.

I understand this is being done to make way for progress and development but it is disappointing that it couldn't survive. Who would have ever thought people would prefer to shop outside when it's -10° in Nebraska and park a mile away... instead of shopping inside a controlled environment.

The old arcade (and 2 screen movie theater) from a customers point of view were not connect to the main basement area (like where they had restrooms and the old DMV).

Greg

I would have loved to see things like the basement in photos prior to the demolition. I'd heard people say there was still black paint and neon paint on the walls for the arcade and you could tell it was at one point an arcade/theater.

It is just disappointing that management was so heavy handed. I've watched videos from channels like Brick Immortar (which has tons of videos on abandoned Omaha retail) and even though he tried to give them a professional pitch to allow filming for posterity, they said no up to the very last day the place was open and would actively chase out anyone that came in with a camera. Just ridiculous. What kind of treasure did they think they were hiding in that place? Nearly none of the lost icons of Omaha like Crossroads and AkSarben Coliseum have any actual video documentation because no one involved wanted to deal with the bother of letting someone in with a camera.

Disappointing.

[jag42]

I for one, would love to see shots of the long vacant food court if they take the tents down first.

[Cup of Cheese]

So is that Target building going to remain there? Target is there in the final project renderings, but are they keeping the actual building?

[FirebirdEngineer]

Man, it's wild seeing the mall I spent so much time in as a little kid quickly demolished. Years of memories ground into the dust...

[Busguy2010]

So is that Target building going to remain there? Target is there in the final project renderings, but are they keeping the actual building?

Target is staying and is its own thing. Probably held/is an obstacle/is holding the whole project back, but they own every bit of what they occupy so can't say much about it.

[GetUrban]

I remember sneaking down to the Gizmos Arcade in the Crossroads basement from nearby Lewis & Clark Junior High, after school. There were some fights between black and white people that boiled over to Crossroads during the bussing era in the late 70’s. I was just a spectator but didn’t actually see any fights or violence. There were a lot of police cars in the lot acting as a deterrent. That was way before Dillards and the parking garage was there. I have many other childhood memories of the place, like the unique smell in Sears that must have been the combination of hardware, tires, tools, appliances, perfume, clothing, shoes, and roasting nuts at the candy counter. After the two tent structure went up in the food court area, Crossroads became known as “BreastRoads.”

[Busguy2010]

I have many other childhood memories of the place, like the unique smell in Sears

Its that Harbor Freight type smell. I know it well and love it. If you ever need a shock just walk in the Harbor Freight on 90th, its beautiful. Would love to know what makes that type of smell what it is.

[Brad]

I for one, would love to see shots of the long vacant food court if they take the tents down first.

I mentioned that in the comments on my Tweet. That was my hope, that the tents would be down and I could shoot straight down from the air.

[Omaha Cowboy]

So is that Target building going to remain there? Target is there in the final project renderings, but are they keeping the actual building?

Yes. Target remains. The new development project builds around it..Target retains the building...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[bbinks]

I for one, would love to see shots of the long vacant food court if they take the tents down first.

I mentioned that in the comments on my Tweet. That was my hope, that the tents would be down and I could shoot straight down from the air.

I'd think that the material would cover much of what's underneath once brought down.

[Greg S]

I remember sneaking down to the Gizmos Arcade in the Crossroads basement from nearby Lewis & Clark Junior High, after school. There were some fights between black and white people that boiled over to Crossroads during the bussing era in the late 70’s. I was just a spectator but didn’t actually see any fights or violence. There were a lot of police cars in the lot acting as a deterrent. That was way before Dillards and the parking garage was there. I have many other childhood memories of the place, like the unique smell in Sears that must have been the combination of hardware, tires, tools, appliances, perfume, clothing, shoes, and roasting nuts at the candy counter. After the two tent structure went up in the food court area, Crossroads became known as “BreastRoads.”

We might have overlapped some. I grew up off 68th and Dodge. Went to Lewis and Clark from 79-82. Spent a lot of time at Crossroads, including the arcade and movie theater down there. I don't think I ever saw one fight in the arcade, or the mall for that matter back then.

Greg

[GetUrban]

I remember sneaking down to the Gizmos Arcade in the Crossroads basement from nearby Lewis & Clark Junior High, after school. There were some fights between black and white people that boiled over to Crossroads during the bussing era in the late 70’s. I was just a spectator but didn’t actually see any fights or violence. There were a lot of police cars in the lot acting as a deterrent. That was way before Dillards and the parking garage was there. I have many other childhood memories of the place, like the unique smell in Sears that must have been the combination of hardware, tires, tools, appliances, perfume, clothing, shoes, and roasting nuts at the candy counter. After the two tent structure went up in the food court area, Crossroads became known as “BreastRoads.”

We might have overlapped some. I grew up off 68th and Dodge. Went to Lewis and Clark from 79-82. Spent a lot of time at Crossroads, including the arcade and movie theater down there. I don't think I ever saw one fight in the arcade, or the mall for that matter back then.

Greg

I started L&C in the fall of 75. We were the first group of students back in the newly remodeled building after the May 6 1975 tornado. We had to start the first few weeks over at Norris Jr High. The Norris students went in the morning and the L&C students went in the afternoon. I think it was late October before L&C opened back up. The building originally had glass curtain walls in the classrooms, but after the repairs they cut the windows down to just two 40” wide windows per classroom. But it was great being in the newly remodeled school. Anyway, I was there until spring of 1978, so we just missed. The racial unrest must have been around 1977 or 78, but it didn’t last long.

[omaha79]

I for one, would love to see shots of the long vacant food court if they take the tents down first.

You might appreciate this video...
[youtube]
[/youtube]

[bldgengineer2015]

As of this afternoon the covering for the southern tent has been completely removed.

[plaidguy]

The south tent structure tore apart in the strong winds today. Would assume that without any enclosed structure under it, the winds created an unintended effect that caused it to rip. The fabric whipping around was very loud. Took a picture of it. You can see part of it hanging down by the escalators.

Dillard’s is just a few days away from being gone. It’s just down to a few sections at the east and south ends. In the close up photo you can see two columns that were at the entrance to the third floor home store, one where Waterford crystal was and the other in Ralph Lauren bedding. Won’t be there much longer. At over 200,000 sq ft, it was a huge store, larger than either Sears or Younkers. Note the fourth floor mechanical penthouse that ran the south end of the mall. Lots of air handling for a store that big.

[bbinks]

I'm surprised that tent, bra structure lasted as long as it did with the wind, snow and hail that its subjected to.

[jag42]

I'm surprised that tent, bra structure lasted as long as it did with the wind, snow and hail that its subjected to.

Or a bolt of lightning never sliced through

[Greg S]

I'm surprised that tent, bra structure lasted as long as it did with the wind, snow and hail that its subjected to.

Yeah because it's around 35 years old.

Greg

[mcarch]

Brad, love the Aerial!

[jag42]

Amazing and eerie pic of Crossroads Mall food court with half the roof ripped away...

[jag42]

And now here is a drone flyover video over the former Crossroads Mall food court:
[youtube][/youtube]

[skinzfan23]

Do they actually tear out and reuse some of the materials? I think the railing on the upper level would be easy to remove and its gotta be worth something. I still wish these spaces could be used. I feel like it is such a waste of resources, but I understand it definitely better than something sitting vacant.

[djc311]

Do they actually tear out and reuse some of the materials? I think the railing on the upper level would be easy to remove and its gotta be worth something. I still wish these spaces could be used. I feel like it is such a waste of resources, but I understand it definitely better than something sitting vacant.

I agree regarding reusing the materials - I'm not a tree-hugger, but I do believe in trying to use things that aren't broke. I think the most amazing part of this situation is how long this place sat more or less idle. Sure you could say there was a shop here or there, but the upstairs had been closed off for years... maybe almost a decade. Why couldn't they sell off, donate, etc some of this? I'm guessing the elevators are getting destroyed, the escalators, all of the store gates, fixtures remaining, etc. Parts and pieces like steel structure, signage, flooring, duct work, etc is probably not worth the effort. But I think just trashing everything including parts and pieces that can easily come apart is a waste.

But I'm not an engineer, I'm not in construction management and I didn't buy the property so to each their own I suppose.

I do feel it was pretty silly that they denied anyone access that wanted to cover the mall in a story or video.

Maybe I'm still bitter it's getting torn down - going to L&C across the street meant I could walk over there often. Then I worked at the Mart for about 10 years so I'd hit their food court for lunch.

[schumatt]

Do they actually tear out and reuse some of the materials? I think the railing on the upper level would be easy to remove and its gotta be worth something. I still wish these spaces could be used. I feel like it is such a waste of resources, but I understand it definitely better than something sitting vacant.

A lot (no pun intended) of those elements, like the upper level railings, were part of the auction if I recall. Apparently no bidders

[Brad]

Do they actually tear out and reuse some of the materials? I think the railing on the upper level would be easy to remove and its gotta be worth something. I still wish these spaces could be used. I feel like it is such a waste of resources, but I understand it definitely better than something sitting vacant.

A lot (no pun intended) of those elements, like the upper level railings, were part of the auction if I recall. Apparently no bidders

I cant remember if it was Chip from Lockwood or Trenton from Grow Omaha, but one of them mentioned its interesting to see what sells and what doesn't sell at these types of auctions. That said, the things that don't sell do get recycled according to the mayor. I was up there today and you could clearly see the piles of different materials, metal, concrete, etc.

Pick from today:

[GetUrban]

Those huge steel truss-columns are so cool. That would be great if they could be saved intact and incorporated into a new building or engineered tent structure somewhere on-site or elsewhere in Omaha. I’d hate to see them get chopped-up into scrap. They could remain symbolic of an important part of Omaha history. The hundreds of feet of stainless steel handrails with steel mesh panels could be fairly easily repurposed too.

[nebport5]

It would be nice to see some sort of a pedestrian overpass for this area. This whole shopping corridor(including furniture row) is already so congested with traffic and not particularly walking friendly. Imagine when this project is finished with a hotel, apartments, The Clove and The Swivel apartments across 72nd how congested this area will be on a Saturday afternoon. A circular bridge over the 72nd & Dodge intersection would allow easier access to each intersection corner minimizing the issue of pedestrians waiting for cars and cars waiting for pedestrians.

Something like this perhaps...hovenring. This is apparently for bikes but why not for people too? I think it is also a good idea to connect to the Keystone Trail, however, the trail isn't particularly useful for pedestrians moving from one retail campus to another across Dodge and 72nd St. E.g. imagine walking from NFM to Crossroads or vice versa.

And yeah, yeah, who's going to pay for it? A joint venture between the developer and the city?

[Busguy2010]

That would be sweet. Basically an elevated trail over the intersection. I had previously thought just an X would be fine. Doesn't have to be pretty or anything. We seemingly have enough room to do it. Crossing Dodge or 72nd, while definitely doable, is not a comfortable experience. If you have to cross both, it could take 4+ minutes.