Omaha Police and Omaha Fire Dept HQ (Crossroads)

OmahaFan · Post by **OmahaFan** » Thu Jun 03, 2021 11:33 pm

So I read in a article with the hiring of Tom Warren there is now a discussion about replacing the old Omaha PD HQ. If true where in Downtown do you think they will place it also curious how big it will be.

daveoma · Post by **daveoma** » Fri Jun 04, 2021 2:59 am

When I lived downtown, I found the fire station and the police station to be impediments to a good night's sleep. If I still lived there, I'd prefer both of them to be close to 480.

Athomsfere · Post by **Athomsfere** » Fri Jun 04, 2021 8:14 am

OmahaFan wrote: Thu Jun 03, 2021 11:33 pm So I read in a article with the hiring of Tom Warren there is now a discussion about replacing the old Omaha PD HQ. If true where in Downtown do you think they will place it also curious how big it will be.

Why would they want to replace it?

I mean, it looks small for a city of Omaha's size. But is it packed? Is it too old for modern policing?

Dundeemaha · Post by **Dundeemaha** » Fri Jun 04, 2021 10:59 pm

Athomsfere wrote: Fri Jun 04, 2021 8:14 am
OmahaFan wrote: Thu Jun 03, 2021 11:33 pm So I read in a article with the hiring of Tom Warren there is now a discussion about replacing the old Omaha PD HQ. If true where in Downtown do you think they will place it also curious how big it will be.
Why would they want to replace it?

I mean, it looks small for a city of Omaha's size. But is it packed? Is it too old for modern policing?

I don't think it has the needed parking with maintenance facilities for surplus armored personnel carriers and abrams tanks.

Jins123 · Post by **Jins123** » Sat Jun 05, 2021 8:32 am

Dundeemaha wrote: Fri Jun 04, 2021 10:59 pm
Athomsfere wrote: Fri Jun 04, 2021 8:14 am
OmahaFan wrote: Thu Jun 03, 2021 11:33 pm So I read in a article with the hiring of Tom Warren there is now a discussion about replacing the old Omaha PD HQ. If true where in Downtown do you think they will place it also curious how big it will be.
Why would they want to replace it?

I mean, it looks small for a city of Omaha's size. But is it packed? Is it too old for modern policing?
I don't think it has the needed parking with maintenance facilities for surplus armored personnel carriers and abrams tanks.

WILL SOMEONE PLEASE CONSIDER THE TANKS!!

jag42 · Post by **jag42** » Sat Jun 05, 2021 1:38 pm

How about on the big patch of green space where the Omaha Civic Auditorium stood?

jessep28 · Post by **jessep28** » Sat Jun 05, 2021 2:34 pm

You high rise enthusiasts wouldn't like it, but there's a nice lot that's been sitting empty for almost 15 years at 14th and Dodge. The city could use eminent domain to force a sale.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Sat Jun 05, 2021 10:03 pm

From the Friday W-H piece-

“Stothert and Warren also floated the possibility of the city pursuing construction of a new police headquarters over the next four years, a project that Stothert said has been discussed since she served on the City Council from 2009 to 2013. Those discussions remain in early stages, she said.

“We’ll study it very carefully, and then see how we would pay for it,” she said. “That’s the important part.””..

https://omaha.com/news/local/govt-and-p ... 98dd4.html

Sorry folks. Just like her posturing announcement 1 week before the election about the “proposal” at the Civic Site, this simply smacks of more rhetoric coming from the mayors office..

I would be highly surprised if this or the Civic proposal actually grow legs before the end of Stothert’s (hopefully) last term as mayor...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

NEDodger · Post by **NEDodger** » Sat Jun 05, 2021 10:21 pm

Omaha Cowboy wrote: Sat Jun 05, 2021 10:03 pm From the Friday W-H piece-

“Stothert and Warren also floated the possibility of the city pursuing construction of a new police headquarters over the next four years, a project that Stothert said has been discussed since she served on the City Council from 2009 to 2013. Those discussions remain in early stages, she said.

“We’ll study it very carefully, and then see how we would pay for it,” she said. “That’s the important part.””..

https://omaha.com/news/local/govt-and-p ... 98dd4.html

Sorry folks. Just like her posturing announcement 1 week before the election about the “proposal” at the Civic Site, this simply smacks of more rhetoric coming from the mayors office..

I would be highly surprised if this or the Civic proposal actually grow legs before the end of Stothert’s (hopefully) last term as mayor...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Yeah, posturing. Because there are so many people out there that are so jazzed about the possibility of a new police HQ building. Gotta drag the people along on that one…..

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Sat Jun 05, 2021 10:37 pm

NEDodger wrote: Sat Jun 05, 2021 10:21 pm
Omaha Cowboy wrote: Sat Jun 05, 2021 10:03 pm From the Friday W-H piece-

“Stothert and Warren also floated the possibility of the city pursuing construction of a new police headquarters over the next four years, a project that Stothert said has been discussed since she served on the City Council from 2009 to 2013. Those discussions remain in early stages, she said.

“We’ll study it very carefully, and then see how we would pay for it,” she said. “That’s the important part.””..

https://omaha.com/news/local/govt-and-p ... 98dd4.html

Sorry folks. Just like her posturing announcement 1 week before the election about the “proposal” at the Civic Site, this simply smacks of more rhetoric coming from the mayors office..

I would be highly surprised if this or the Civic proposal actually grow legs before the end of Stothert’s (hopefully) last term as mayor...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Yeah, posturing. Because there are so many people out there that are so jazzed about the possibility of a new police HQ building. Gotta drag the people along on that one…..

I’m not. And I highly doubt many citizens are either. It’s simply/typical fodder.. Just like the Civic proposal the mayor announced one week before the election.. Would you like to wager that or a new police HQ’s building actually break ground within the next 4 years?..

I’ll take that bet and go with neither...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

NEDodger · Post by **NEDodger** » Sat Jun 05, 2021 11:18 pm

What’s she supposed to say if it’s brought up?

1. “It’s for sure”, which would be a lie.
2. “No way ever”, which is presumably a lie.
3. “Feasibility and cost are being looked at”, which is what she said.

How would Mayor Cowboy have responded?

Edit: My understanding was that this was asked about and not proactively brought up. My recollection was that this was being looked at because of asbestos in the current HQ.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Sun Jun 06, 2021 12:35 am

NEDodger wrote: Sat Jun 05, 2021 11:18 pm What’s she supposed to say if it’s brought up?

1. “It’s for sure”, which would be a lie.
2. “No way ever”, which is presumably a lie.
3. “Feasibility and cost are being looked at”, which is what she said.

How would Mayor Cowboy have responded?

Edit: My understanding was that this was asked about and not proactively brought up. My recollection was that this was being looked at because of asbestos in the current HQ.

The article quoting a possible new police HQ does not indicate that it was asked about.. Unless I’m missing something that the W-H piece didn’t indicate, how do you know if it was or wasn’t? The article indicated the mayor/Warren “floated the possibility”. That’s it..

And there was no indication in the W-H piece indicating the reasoning a new HQ’s was being looked at was because of current asbestos issues either..

Therefore, I wouldn’t bring it up at all..but that’s me. Perhaps you have intel to the contrary you could enlighten me with however...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

NEDodger · Post by **NEDodger** » Sun Jun 06, 2021 1:34 am

Well, from here:

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=11873

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Sun Jun 06, 2021 2:27 am

There was a renovation of the current Police HQ’s from, I think, dating back to 2010. That thread is from a decade ago (2011) and I believe there ended up being a renovation of the current HQ’s (I didn’t read through that old thread, so my timeline might be a bit off)..

Anywho-

It really has nothing to do with the W-H article from Friday, which indicates Stothert and Warren were “floating” the idea of a new police HQ’s only. The 6/4/2021 article makes no mention of what you’re insinuating- that she was asked about it/asbestos concerns.. Which, again, leads me to believe the comment was initiated by the mayor’s office. Simple rhetoric..

In any case, I don’t see a new police HQ’s happening anyway..at least within the 4 years remaining in her current (and likely final) term..as I stated 5 or so posts ago...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Cermak · Post by **Cermak** » Sun Jun 06, 2021 7:05 am

I’ve always thought the Police headquarters looks small for a city Omaha’s size. I would like to see what some other cities similar in size to Omaha looks like. To me both the fire and Police should be moved away from the Old market and placed away from residential developments, possibly north of 480.

This is Tulsa’s. Omaha’s should be at least this big and possibly 8-12 floors.

daveoma · Post by **daveoma** » Sun Jun 06, 2021 10:32 pm

Dundeemaha wrote: Fri Jun 04, 2021 10:59 pm
Athomsfere wrote: Fri Jun 04, 2021 8:14 am
OmahaFan wrote: Thu Jun 03, 2021 11:33 pm So I read in a article with the hiring of Tom Warren there is now a discussion about replacing the old Omaha PD HQ. If true where in Downtown do you think they will place it also curious how big it will be.
Why would they want to replace it?

I mean, it looks small for a city of Omaha's size. But is it packed? Is it too old for modern policing?
I don't think it has the needed parking with maintenance facilities for surplus armored personnel carriers and abrams tanks.

Athomsfere · Post by **Athomsfere** » Mon Jun 07, 2021 12:27 pm

Cermak wrote: Sun Jun 06, 2021 7:05 am I’ve always thought the Police headquarters looks small for a city Omaha’s size. I would like to see what some other cities similar in size to Omaha looks like. To me both the fire and Police should be moved away from the Old market and placed away from residential developments, possibly north of 480.

This is Tulsa’s. Omaha’s should be at least this big and possibly 8-12 floors.

Yeah, I'm not so sure. I mean with the sprawl figured in Omaha would likely require bigger precincts and a headquarters (Omaha being 30% more dense).

But I'm also not sure in a modern Police force, how much of the force needs to be in one location. With everything digital I would assume less, and a distributed system would be better.

Everything considered though: If a new building is required, next to MTC seems like the best bet. ~1 minute to be on 480 and plenty of open lots that could be used (MoO not withstanding).

ita · Post by **ita** » Mon Jun 07, 2021 1:37 pm

Athomsfere wrote: Mon Jun 07, 2021 12:27 pm
Cermak wrote: Sun Jun 06, 2021 7:05 am I’ve always thought the Police headquarters looks small for a city Omaha’s size. I would like to see what some other cities similar in size to Omaha looks like. To me both the fire and Police should be moved away from the Old market and placed away from residential developments, possibly north of 480.

This is Tulsa’s. Omaha’s should be at least this big and possibly 8-12 floors.
Yeah, I'm not so sure. I mean with the sprawl figured in Omaha would likely require bigger precincts and a headquarters (Omaha being 30% more dense).

But I'm also not sure in a modern Police force, how much of the force needs to be in one location. With everything digital I would assume less, and a distributed system would be better.

Everything considered though: If a new building is required, next to MTC seems like the best bet. ~1 minute to be on 480 and plenty of open lots that could be used (MoO not withstanding).

I am sure MoO would rather not have a new Police HQ in Turner Park East. But I do like the idea of having the Police HQ near the highway. Maybe the Salvation Army site that's on sale; right off of Dodge.

As far as height, why not 8-12 floors? OPD is probably looking at the Justice Center and thinking that since the judges and lawyers are getting a new tower, why not them? /s

My question is if they move the Police HQ, what happens to the current one?

Athomsfere · Post by **Athomsfere** » Mon Jun 07, 2021 2:08 pm

ita wrote: Mon Jun 07, 2021 1:37 pm I am sure MoO would rather not have a new Police HQ in Turner Park East. But I do like the idea of having the Police HQ near the highway. Maybe the Salvation Army site that's on sale; right off of Dodge.

As far as height, why not 8-12 floors? OPD is probably looking at the Justice Center and thinking that since the judges and lawyers are getting a new tower, why not them? /s

My question is if they move the Police HQ, what happens to the current one?

Why would they not? It adds to the image of safety, adds some density / traffic to the buildings there, and adds people to swing through for lunch/ dinner.

For the existing building though, man is it ugly. I'd really expect a tear down for a 4 story building that just looks like a ~60's government building.

ita · Post by **ita** » Mon Jun 07, 2021 2:20 pm

Athomsfere wrote: Mon Jun 07, 2021 2:08 pm
ita wrote: Mon Jun 07, 2021 1:37 pm I am sure MoO would rather not have a new Police HQ in Turner Park East. But I do like the idea of having the Police HQ near the highway. Maybe the Salvation Army site that's on sale; right off of Dodge.

As far as height, why not 8-12 floors? OPD is probably looking at the Justice Center and thinking that since the judges and lawyers are getting a new tower, why not them? /s

My question is if they move the Police HQ, what happens to the current one?
Why would they not? It adds to the image of safety, adds some density / traffic to the buildings there, and adds people to swing through for lunch/ dinner.

For the existing building though, man is it ugly. I'd really expect a tear down for a 4 story building that just looks like a ~60's government building.

The brutalist design has not aged well. If this and the downtown library are eventually replaced, we will be losing some quintessential examples of brutalist architecture.

Athomsfere · Post by **Athomsfere** » Mon Jun 07, 2021 2:25 pm

ita wrote: Mon Jun 07, 2021 2:20 pm
Athomsfere wrote: Mon Jun 07, 2021 2:08 pm
ita wrote: Mon Jun 07, 2021 1:37 pm I am sure MoO would rather not have a new Police HQ in Turner Park East. But I do like the idea of having the Police HQ near the highway. Maybe the Salvation Army site that's on sale; right off of Dodge.

As far as height, why not 8-12 floors? OPD is probably looking at the Justice Center and thinking that since the judges and lawyers are getting a new tower, why not them? /s

My question is if they move the Police HQ, what happens to the current one?
Why would they not? It adds to the image of safety, adds some density / traffic to the buildings there, and adds people to swing through for lunch/ dinner.

For the existing building though, man is it ugly. I'd really expect a tear down for a 4 story building that just looks like a ~60's government building.
The brutalist design has not aged well. If this and the downtown library are eventually replaced, we will be losing some quintessential examples of brutalist architecture.

Actually, strange counter example. I like the library building. Mostly how it feels like brutalist castle with concrete moat...

S.O.Boy · Post by **S.O.Boy** » Mon Jun 07, 2021 3:41 pm

Cermak wrote: Sun Jun 06, 2021 7:05 am I’ve always thought the Police headquarters looks small for a city Omaha’s size. I would like to see what some other cities similar in size to Omaha looks like. To me both the fire and Police should be moved away from the Old market and placed away from residential developments, possibly north of 480.

This is Tulsa’s. Omaha’s should be at least this big and possibly 8-12 floors.

There is a maintenance facility at 26 & Lake

ita · Post by **ita** » Tue Jul 20, 2021 2:33 pm

Excerpt from today's owh article on the mayor's proposed budget (https://omaha.com/news/local/govt-and-p ... op-story-1):

Reese Ristau
A new public safety headquarters — that could bring the city’s police and fire operations under one roof — has been included in Stothert's proposed 2022-27 capital improvement program.

The project would likely mean demolition of the current police headquarters, located off Howard Street between 14th and 15th Streets, and the main fire station near 16th and Jackson Streets.

But the plan is in its infancy, and the CIP does not list an estimated cost of the project, which is likely several years away from completion. Steve Curtiss, the city finance director, said it's possible philanthropic partners could help with the cost.
...
The police headquarters, which opened in 1970, and the downtown fire station both are aging, energy-inefficient and have problems with asbestos, Stothert said.

Razing both buildings would open two locations that are "prime real estate" for new development, Stothert said.

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Tue Jul 20, 2021 3:50 pm

The logical location would be the Civic Center site. I'd bet that ends up being part of that plan, or it should.

ita · Post by **ita** » Tue Jul 20, 2021 5:52 pm

Busguy2010 wrote: Tue Jul 20, 2021 3:50 pm The logical location would be the Civic Center site. I'd bet that ends up being part of that plan, or it should.

I thought about that to. However, do you want to have the police/fire HQ's there if there will also be residential buildings on the same property? That's more of an open inquiry. I guess the lanoha's apartment complex in Millard is adjacent to the police precinct, so maybe it's a non-issue. Maybe the fire department would be more of a nuisance to residents.

Also, if they do combine the HQ's, I would like to see another 8 or so floor tower on downtown.

Final thought, if the old HQ's are razed, what is the best outcome for redevelopment of those two city blocks?

nebraska · Post by **nebraska** » Tue Jul 20, 2021 6:07 pm

Build a decent 12 story HQ at Crossroads, right on Dodge Street. With the old lots downtown, build a grocery with parking on levels 2,3,4 and apartments for families above that.

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Tue Jul 20, 2021 6:32 pm

There's next to zero chance that the city would both move the OPD and OFD out of Downtown, or have some sort of mixed use affiliated with either facility, which is why when you look at such available lots, the Civic site seems most logical. Put the OPD and OFD on the Civic site and swap whatever hypothetical plans there are to their former sites. I'd bet on them moving to the NW corner of 17th & Capitol, with most of everything north of Davenport up for grabs, with the library potentially moving there too. Just a feeling.

ita · Post by **ita** » Tue Jul 20, 2021 9:45 pm

nebraska wrote: Tue Jul 20, 2021 6:07 pm Build a decent 12 story HQ at Crossroads, right on Dodge Street. With the old lots downtown, build a grocery with parking on levels 2,3,4 and apartments for families above that.

12 story would be cool. What about the parking lot east of central high, NW corner of 19th and Dodge?

I would love a Vancouver like tower at the current police hq site. Although getting another highrise residential tower to go with Kensington tower would be nice as well.

Louie · Post by **Louie** » Tue Jul 20, 2021 9:46 pm

Busguy2010 wrote: Tue Jul 20, 2021 6:32 pm There's next to zero chance that the city would both move the OPD and OFD out of Downtown, or have some sort of mixed use affiliated with either facility, which is why when you look at such available lots, the Civic site seems most logical. Put the OPD and OFD on the Civic site and swap whatever hypothetical plans there are to their former sites. I'd bet on them moving to the NW corner of 17th & Capitol, with most of everything north of Davenport up for grabs, with the library potentially moving there too. Just a feeling.

Why the NW corner out of curiosity?

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Tue Jul 20, 2021 11:57 pm

Louie wrote: Tue Jul 20, 2021 9:46 pm
Busguy2010 wrote: Tue Jul 20, 2021 6:32 pm There's next to zero chance that the city would both move the OPD and OFD out of Downtown, or have some sort of mixed use affiliated with either facility, which is why when you look at such available lots, the Civic site seems most logical. Put the OPD and OFD on the Civic site and swap whatever hypothetical plans there are to their former sites. I'd bet on them moving to the NW corner of 17th & Capitol, with most of everything north of Davenport up for grabs, with the library potentially moving there too. Just a feeling.
Why the NW corner out of curiosity?

The existing city parking garage I my main thought.

NEDodger · Post by **NEDodger** » Wed Jul 21, 2021 12:10 am

Either the Civic Site or at about 22nd and Farnam. That stretch east of the Even Hotel is so embarrassing.

ita · Post by **ita** » Wed Jul 21, 2021 10:03 am

NEDodger wrote: Wed Jul 21, 2021 12:10 am Either the Civic Site or at about 22nd and Farnam. That stretch east of the Even Hotel is so embarrassing.

I know it's still only a possibility, but I would not want the Police/Fire HQ in that area of 22nd and Farnam because of the streetcar. Leave that area for multiuse buildings, particularly residential.

I thought of another spot; the Douglas County Correctional Facility parking lot on the SW corner of Jackson and 18th. There is enough space to do a multilevel garage and a decent size tower on top.

SunMan · Post by **SunMan** » Wed Jul 21, 2021 2:38 pm

Busguy2010 wrote: Tue Jul 20, 2021 6:32 pm There's next to zero chance that the city would both move the OPD and OFD out of Downtown, or have some sort of mixed use affiliated with either facility, which is why when you look at such available lots, the Civic site seems most logical. Put the OPD and OFD on the Civic site and swap whatever hypothetical plans there are to their former sites. I'd bet on them moving to the NW corner of 17th & Capitol, with most of everything north of Davenport up for grabs, with the library potentially moving there too. Just a feeling.

I like that idea. Maybe the State of Nebraska could join in and move there. That would free up the wasted space along the mall that's being used by their ugly building.

ita · Post by **ita** » Wed Jul 21, 2021 3:01 pm

SunMan wrote: Wed Jul 21, 2021 2:38 pm
Busguy2010 wrote: Tue Jul 20, 2021 6:32 pm There's next to zero chance that the city would both move the OPD and OFD out of Downtown, or have some sort of mixed use affiliated with either facility, which is why when you look at such available lots, the Civic site seems most logical. Put the OPD and OFD on the Civic site and swap whatever hypothetical plans there are to their former sites. I'd bet on them moving to the NW corner of 17th & Capitol, with most of everything north of Davenport up for grabs, with the library potentially moving there too. Just a feeling.
I like that idea. Maybe the State of Nebraska could join in and move there. That would free up the wasted space along the mall that's being used by their ugly building.

I love that idea! The State should give up their downtown location for future development. If the State and the Police/Fire HQ combine, they could have a nice civic facility. It would be nice if we could get some of that prime downtown space currently inhabited by the Federal Reserve Bank and Federal Courthouse parking lots.

GrandpaaSmucker · Post by **GrandpaaSmucker** » Wed Jul 21, 2021 5:45 pm

I'm just not feeling it. What is so good and so great about yet another downtown project that is funded by the government? I'm not with Black Lives Matter on everything but yes lets do defund the police. We don't need a new police station coming out of the pandemic. I apologize for interrupting your movie with this reality check enjoy the rest of your show.

mistergutierrez · Post by **mistergutierrez** » Wed Jul 21, 2021 6:11 pm

If the cost of the new police HQ is less than the profit of the development in downtown, the government actually would be making a profit, isn't it?

GrandpaaSmucker · Post by **GrandpaaSmucker** » Wed Jul 21, 2021 8:00 pm

mistergutierrez wrote: Wed Jul 21, 2021 6:11 pm If the cost of the new police HQ is less than the profit of the development in downtown, the government actually would be making a profit, isn't it?

No it would not somehow magically somehow cause the city to make money by building a new police station

At the end of the day when you got your new police station and your new Juvenile Jail and your Baby Bob and your new riverfront development and your new library all you really got is a bunch of government funded projects and higher taxes. I don't see any big companies roaring downtown because the government buildings were shuffled around. It is nonsense and it isn't going to work.

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Wed Jul 21, 2021 8:45 pm

Residential would fit better at 15th & Howard than 17th & Capitol anyway. I really like that idea and I hope it is being mulled. Hope others at the decision making level like that idea too. Heck that could even open the door more for a downtown grocer at the heart of where all the people actually are.

daveoma · Post by **daveoma** » Thu Jul 22, 2021 1:11 am

ita wrote: Tue Jul 20, 2021 5:52 pm
Busguy2010 wrote: Tue Jul 20, 2021 3:50 pm The logical location would be the Civic Center site. I'd bet that ends up being part of that plan, or it should.
I thought about that to. However, do you want to have the police/fire HQ's there if there will also be residential buildings on the same property? That's more of an open inquiry. I guess the lanoha's apartment complex in Millard is adjacent to the police precinct, so maybe it's a non-issue. Maybe the fire department would be more of a nuisance to residents.

Also, if they do combine the HQ's, I would like to see another 8 or so floor tower on downtown.

Final thought, if the old HQ's are razed, what is the best outcome for redevelopment of those two city blocks?

Relocating the headquarters to the old Civic site is brilliant.

I hope there's a healthy political and financial analysis into the size of the headquarters takes place before they're built.

If noise is a concern, could it not be mitigated by having openings to the north toward the interstate? Only the southern side of the site contains residential.

I think that the vacated blocks could easily be sold to developers, because both of those blocks are in very good locations. I really hope they don't become parking garages.

Louie · Post by **Louie** » Thu Jul 22, 2021 11:07 am

daveoma wrote: Thu Jul 22, 2021 1:11 am
ita wrote: Tue Jul 20, 2021 5:52 pm
Busguy2010 wrote: Tue Jul 20, 2021 3:50 pm The logical location would be the Civic Center site. I'd bet that ends up being part of that plan, or it should.
I thought about that to. However, do you want to have the police/fire HQ's there if there will also be residential buildings on the same property? That's more of an open inquiry. I guess the lanoha's apartment complex in Millard is adjacent to the police precinct, so maybe it's a non-issue. Maybe the fire department would be more of a nuisance to residents.

Also, if they do combine the HQ's, I would like to see another 8 or so floor tower on downtown.

Final thought, if the old HQ's are razed, what is the best outcome for redevelopment of those two city blocks?
Relocating the headquarters to the old Civic site is brilliant.

I hope there's a healthy political and financial analysis into the size of the headquarters takes place before they're built.

If noise is a concern, could it not be mitigated by having openings to the north toward the interstate? Only the southern side of the site contains residential.

I think that the vacated blocks could easily be sold to developers, because both of those blocks are in very good locations. I really hope they don't become parking garages.

Agreed 100%. Feels much more inviting on the south side of DT there.