Omaha Streetcar Discussion

[S.O.Boy]

$10 million a block.

[ita]

I posed this question to another member, but with the proposed streetcar, there is an expectation that development will occur all along that line. I think part of that development potential is possible pulling in businesses currently located in the suburbs to downtown/midtown. However, thinking about companies that have moved around in the last decade or so within the city, including Kiewit, Applied Underwriters (soon), Scoular, LinkedIn, Carson, and Valmont, among others, do you think there are any companies that could relocate to the urban core? Any guesses or companies that might fit the right profile?

[NEDodger]

I posed this question to another member, but with the proposed streetcar, there is an expectation that development will occur all along that line. I think part of that development potential is possible pulling in businesses currently located in the suburbs to downtown/midtown. However, thinking about companies that have moved around in the last decade or so within the city, including Kiewit, Applied Underwriters (soon), Scoular, LinkedIn, Carson, and Valmont, among others, do you think there are any companies that could relocate to the urban core? Any guesses or companies that might fit the right profile?

Mutual of Omaha, lol.

I don't know if they WOULD but one that I think SHOULD have a corporate presence downtown is Omaha Steaks. It's such an iconic connection.
Orion Advisor Solutions.

[Athomsfere]

I posed this question to another member, but with the proposed streetcar, there is an expectation that development will occur all along that line. I think part of that development potential is possible pulling in businesses currently located in the suburbs to downtown/midtown. However, thinking about companies that have moved around in the last decade or so within the city, including Kiewit, Applied Underwriters (soon), Scoular, LinkedIn, Carson, and Valmont, among others, do you think there are any companies that could relocate to the urban core? Any guesses or companies that might fit the right profile?

Mutual of Omaha, lol.

I don't know if they WOULD but one that I think SHOULD have a corporate presence downtown is Omaha Steaks. It's such an iconic connection.
Orion Advisor Solutions.

I just found their current HQ building, it looks like it seats somewhere around 300 employees (estimating on what building size looks like).

I think a great spot would be the surface lot at 10th and Harney. Take up half the lot, with ground retail: Make half that retail the flagship Omaha Steaks store. The building would likely have to be taller too. Maybe 2 below grade garage (Just enough to offset the burden a bit), 1 ground level retail, and ~6 stories for the offices. Or 7 above ground ( rough guess, 12,700 sq. ft / floor).

[ita]

I posed this question to another member, but with the proposed streetcar, there is an expectation that development will occur all along that line. I think part of that development potential is possible pulling in businesses currently located in the suburbs to downtown/midtown. However, thinking about companies that have moved around in the last decade or so within the city, including Kiewit, Applied Underwriters (soon), Scoular, LinkedIn, Carson, and Valmont, among others, do you think there are any companies that could relocate to the urban core? Any guesses or companies that might fit the right profile?

Mutual of Omaha, lol.

I don't know if they WOULD but one that I think SHOULD have a corporate presence downtown is Omaha Steaks. It's such an iconic connection.
Orion Advisor Solutions.

I just found their current HQ building, it looks like it seats somewhere around 300 employees (estimating on what building size looks like).

I think a great spot would be the surface lot at 10th and Harney. Take up half the lot, with ground retail: Make half that retail the flagship Omaha Steaks store. The building would likely have to be taller too. Maybe 2 below grade garage (Just enough to offset the burden a bit), 1 ground level retail, and ~6 stories for the offices. Or 7 above ground ( rough guess, 12,700 sq. ft / floor).

I thought about Orion as well. I have a neighbor that works for Orion. A lot of employees are full remote and there are no plans to change that, according to my friend. Additionally, from what I know what the people that work there, a lot of them live in West Omaha near the current HQ.

I worked for Fidelity National Title Group, currently located in the North Business Park. It's the company's claims center made up of primarily attorneys and assistants. Assistants tend to be young, recently graduated college students and attorneys are recently graduate law students. Some young attorneys tried to live close to the office, but a lot chose to live in downtown and midtown, particularly those who were not from Nebraska or Iowa. The office probably has about 250 employees and probably 200 fall into the abovementioned categories. That office could be moved downtown, but I know all the leadership tend to live in West Omaha.

Thinking about North Business Park, there might be some companies up there that could make a move downtown like Fusion Medical or Avantas.
I could even see NEI Global Relocation (moving service arms of NP Dodge) move closer to the urban core. I know call and/or customer service centers tend to be located in the suburbs, but maybe with better public transit and residential options, some may consider downtown/midtown. Maybe a tech company like Sojern would make the move? With Kiewit Plaza and Midtown Crossing now available for office users, I would like to see some movement to core by some of these local companies.

[jomaha9]

I posed this question to another member, but with the proposed streetcar, there is an expectation that development will occur all along that line. I think part of that development potential is possible pulling in businesses currently located in the suburbs to downtown/midtown. However, thinking about companies that have moved around in the last decade or so within the city, including Kiewit, Applied Underwriters (soon), Scoular, LinkedIn, Carson, and Valmont, among others, do you think there are any companies that could relocate to the urban core? Any guesses or companies that might fit the right profile?

Mutual of Omaha, lol.

I don't know if they WOULD but one that I think SHOULD have a corporate presence downtown is Omaha Steaks. It's such an iconic connection.
Orion Advisor Solutions.

I just found their current HQ building, it looks like it seats somewhere around 300 employees (estimating on what building size looks like).

I think a great spot would be the surface lot at 10th and Harney. Take up half the lot, with ground retail: Make half that retail the flagship Omaha Steaks store. The building would likely have to be taller too. Maybe 2 below grade garage (Just enough to offset the burden a bit), 1 ground level retail, and ~6 stories for the offices. Or 7 above ground ( rough guess, 12,700 sq. ft / floor).

I thought about Orion as well. I have a neighbor that works for Orion. A lot of employees are full remote and there are no plans to change that, according to my friend. Additionally, from what I know what the people that work there, a lot of them live in West Omaha near the current HQ.

I worked for Fidelity National Title Group, currently located in the North Business Park. It's the company's claims center made up of primarily attorneys and assistants. Assistants tend to be young, recently graduated college students and attorneys are recently graduate law students. Some young attorneys tried to live close to the office, but a lot chose to live in downtown and midtown, particularly those who were not from Nebraska or Iowa. The office probably has about 250 employees and probably 200 fall into the abovementioned categories. That office could be moved downtown, but I know all the leadership tend to live in West Omaha.

Thinking about North Business Park, there might be some companies up there that could make a move downtown like Fusion Medical or Avantas.
I could even see NEI Global Relocation (moving service arms of NP Dodge) move closer to the urban core. I know call and/or customer service centers tend to be located in the suburbs, but maybe with better public transit and residential options, some may consider downtown/midtown. Maybe a tech company like Sojern would make the move? With Kiewit Plaza and Midtown Crossing now available for office users, I would like to see some movement to core by some of these local companies.

The bigger opportunity with new development will likely be residential or hospitality. With the ability to work remote and the limited pool of local businesses that would relocate downtown, I just don't see many major corporate offices building along the streetcar. There might be an opportunity to build a spec office building for smaller businesses that need a location downtown.

[JDJase]

I worked for Fidelity National Title Group, currently located in the North Business Park. It's the company's claims center made up of primarily attorneys and assistants. Assistants tend to be young, recently graduated college students and attorneys are recently graduate law students. Some young attorneys tried to live close to the office, but a lot chose to live in downtown and midtown, particularly those who were not from Nebraska or Iowa. The office probably has about 250 employees and probably 200 fall into the abovementioned categories. That office could be moved downtown, but I know all the leadership tend to live in West Omaha.

Fidelity was one of the original office tenants in Aksarben (when I graduated from law school in 2011, like half of my class got jobs there), seems if they ditched Aksarben for West Omaha they'd be unlikely to head downtown. Would certainly be nice if they did though.

[Athomsfere]

I thought about Orion as well. I have a neighbor that works for Orion. A lot of employees are full remote and there are no plans to change that, according to my friend. Additionally, from what I know what the people that work there, a lot of them live in West Omaha near the current HQ.

I worked for Fidelity National Title Group, currently located in the North Business Park. It's the company's claims center made up of primarily attorneys and assistants. Assistants tend to be young, recently graduated college students and attorneys are recently graduate law students. Some young attorneys tried to live close to the office, but a lot chose to live in downtown and midtown, particularly those who were not from Nebraska or Iowa. The office probably has about 250 employees and probably 200 fall into the abovementioned categories. That office could be moved downtown, but I know all the leadership tend to live in West Omaha.

Thinking about North Business Park, there might be some companies up there that could make a move downtown like Fusion Medical or Avantas.
I could even see NEI Global Relocation (moving service arms of NP Dodge) move closer to the urban core. I know call and/or customer service centers tend to be located in the suburbs, but maybe with better public transit and residential options, some may consider downtown/midtown. Maybe a tech company like Sojern would make the move? With Kiewit Plaza and Midtown Crossing now available for office users, I would like to see some movement to core by some of these local companies.

I personally would love to see some movement, like you said to north downtown. Or even to South Omaha, and North Omaha. Maybe some smaller offices making that move could help Omaha overall too.

It is insane to me that Omaha goes 20 miles due west. If we could plant more small to medium businesses in North Downtown, Little Italy, North Omaha etc. then maybe we could see some of the population moving to the downtown / midtown areas commute outward these businesses, against the mass commute West Omaha does.

I know everyone keeps saying WFH is going to be permanent for a lot of people, but I think a lot of people are overestimating those numbers. Regardless, whether the in office work force is 20% or 80%, it would be nice to see some more healthy infill for Omaha.

[ita]

I posed this question to another member, but with the proposed streetcar, there is an expectation that development will occur all along that line. I think part of that development potential is possible pulling in businesses currently located in the suburbs to downtown/midtown. However, thinking about companies that have moved around in the last decade or so within the city, including Kiewit, Applied Underwriters (soon), Scoular, LinkedIn, Carson, and Valmont, among others, do you think there are any companies that could relocate to the urban core? Any guesses or companies that might fit the right profile?

Mutual of Omaha, lol.

I don't know if they WOULD but one that I think SHOULD have a corporate presence downtown is Omaha Steaks. It's such an iconic connection.
Orion Advisor Solutions.

I just found their current HQ building, it looks like it seats somewhere around 300 employees (estimating on what building size looks like).

I think a great spot would be the surface lot at 10th and Harney. Take up half the lot, with ground retail: Make half that retail the flagship Omaha Steaks store. The building would likely have to be taller too. Maybe 2 below grade garage (Just enough to offset the burden a bit), 1 ground level retail, and ~6 stories for the offices. Or 7 above ground ( rough guess, 12,700 sq. ft / floor).

I thought about Orion as well. I have a neighbor that works for Orion. A lot of employees are full remote and there are no plans to change that, according to my friend. Additionally, from what I know what the people that work there, a lot of them live in West Omaha near the current HQ.

I worked for Fidelity National Title Group, currently located in the North Business Park. It's the company's claims center made up of primarily attorneys and assistants. Assistants tend to be young, recently graduated college students and attorneys are recently graduate law students. Some young attorneys tried to live close to the office, but a lot chose to live in downtown and midtown, particularly those who were not from Nebraska or Iowa. The office probably has about 250 employees and probably 200 fall into the abovementioned categories. That office could be moved downtown, but I know all the leadership tend to live in West Omaha.

Thinking about North Business Park, there might be some companies up there that could make a move downtown like Fusion Medical or Avantas.
I could even see NEI Global Relocation (moving service arms of NP Dodge) move closer to the urban core. I know call and/or customer service centers tend to be located in the suburbs, but maybe with better public transit and residential options, some may consider downtown/midtown. Maybe a tech company like Sojern would make the move? With Kiewit Plaza and Midtown Crossing now available for office users, I would like to see some movement to core by some of these local companies.

The bigger opportunity with new development will likely be residential or hospitality. With the ability to work remote and the limited pool of local businesses that would relocate downtown, I just don't see many major corporate offices building along the streetcar. There might be an opportunity to build a spec office building for smaller businesses that need a location downtown.

For sure, I am in agreement that residential development is the biggest opportunity along the streetcar line. However, as more people move into the urban core, employers will be more inclined to locate themselves to the urban core as well. Additionally, maybe it won't be current business in the city, but cities who choose to open a regional type office here in the future may see downtown/midtown as a more attractive locale than the suburbs.

[ita]

I thought about Orion as well. I have a neighbor that works for Orion. A lot of employees are full remote and there are no plans to change that, according to my friend. Additionally, from what I know what the people that work there, a lot of them live in West Omaha near the current HQ.

I worked for Fidelity National Title Group, currently located in the North Business Park. It's the company's claims center made up of primarily attorneys and assistants. Assistants tend to be young, recently graduated college students and attorneys are recently graduate law students. Some young attorneys tried to live close to the office, but a lot chose to live in downtown and midtown, particularly those who were not from Nebraska or Iowa. The office probably has about 250 employees and probably 200 fall into the abovementioned categories. That office could be moved downtown, but I know all the leadership tend to live in West Omaha.

Thinking about North Business Park, there might be some companies up there that could make a move downtown like Fusion Medical or Avantas.
I could even see NEI Global Relocation (moving service arms of NP Dodge) move closer to the urban core. I know call and/or customer service centers tend to be located in the suburbs, but maybe with better public transit and residential options, some may consider downtown/midtown. Maybe a tech company like Sojern would make the move? With Kiewit Plaza and Midtown Crossing now available for office users, I would like to see some movement to core by some of these local companies.

I personally would love to see some movement, like you said to north downtown. Or even to South Omaha, and North Omaha. Maybe some smaller offices making that move could help Omaha overall too.

It is insane to me that Omaha goes 20 miles due west. If we could plant more small to medium businesses in North Downtown, Little Italy, North Omaha etc. then maybe we could see some of the population moving to the downtown / midtown areas commute outward these businesses, against the mass commute West Omaha does.

I know everyone keeps saying WFH is going to be permanent for a lot of people, but I think a lot of people are overestimating those numbers. Regardless, whether the in office work force is 20% or 80%, it would be nice to see some more healthy infill for Omaha.

I think as the population grows downtown/midtown due to the investments we are making in the next 5 years (riverfront/GLM revitalization, streetcar, pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure improvements), then we'll see businesses move to the urban core, including districts/neighborhoods near it. I really think residential comes first, but I read it in a book, so who knows! Hah.

I have heard contradicting evidence about whether full remote will be permanent, but it seems like most I've read indicate that at most hybrid will be the norm. In person work is not going away, at least that how I feel about it.

[ita]

I worked for Fidelity National Title Group, currently located in the North Business Park. It's the company's claims center made up of primarily attorneys and assistants. Assistants tend to be young, recently graduated college students and attorneys are recently graduate law students. Some young attorneys tried to live close to the office, but a lot chose to live in downtown and midtown, particularly those who were not from Nebraska or Iowa. The office probably has about 250 employees and probably 200 fall into the abovementioned categories. That office could be moved downtown, but I know all the leadership tend to live in West Omaha.

Fidelity was one of the original office tenants in Aksarben (when I graduated from law school in 2011, like half of my class got jobs there), seems if they ditched Aksarben for West Omaha they'd be unlikely to head downtown. Would certainly be nice if they did though.

Oh yeah, I had coworkers that worked in Aksarben. They indicated that the floorplan was poor for the organization and parking was an issue back then. For sure, it's highly unlikely they would move to the urban core, even if it made their office more attractive for the young people they try to hire.

[Athomsfere]

I personally would love to see some movement, like you said to north downtown. Or even to South Omaha, and North Omaha. Maybe some smaller offices making that move could help Omaha overall too.

It is insane to me that Omaha goes 20 miles due west. If we could plant more small to medium businesses in North Downtown, Little Italy, North Omaha etc. then maybe we could see some of the population moving to the downtown / midtown areas commute outward these businesses, against the mass commute West Omaha does.

I know everyone keeps saying WFH is going to be permanent for a lot of people, but I think a lot of people are overestimating those numbers. Regardless, whether the in office work force is 20% or 80%, it would be nice to see some more healthy infill for Omaha.

I think as the population grows downtown/midtown due to the investments we are making in the next 5 years (riverfront/GLM revitalization, streetcar, pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure improvements), then we'll see businesses move to the urban core, including districts/neighborhoods near it. I really think residential comes first, but I read it in a book, so who knows! Hah.

I have heard contradicting evidence about whether full remote will be permanent, but it seems like most I've read indicate that at most hybrid will be the norm. In person work is not going away, at least that how I feel about it.
[/quote]

I'd be curious the book, as I need some more fun reading.

Regardless, I'd agree with that. You need housing to support small businesses, grocers etc.. Then more residential see the perks, and move in. Bringing in more business, until there is enough local workforce to support larger, and larger offices with talent that prefers no to commute to the ex-burbs

[Coyote]

“Oh yeah, I had coworkers that worked in Aksarben.”

Where did you work in AV? I used to work at BCBS.

[ita]

“Oh yeah, I had coworkers that worked in Aksarben.”

Where did you work in AV? I used to work at BCBS.

I meant when I was at Fidelity National, some of my coworkers had been in the Aksarben office. When I started in 2015, I think they had been at the North Business Park for 1 or 2 years. They were located above of Microsoft, I think.

[Coyote]

Possible roadblock to Omaha streetcar funding; Legislature mulling TIF changes



Senator Justin Wayne introduced an amendment Tuesday that would require cities to make a plan on what specifically 20-year TIF can be used for, Wayne's examples include affordable housing and flood mitigation.

[Athomsfere]

Possible roadblock to Omaha streetcar funding; Legislature mulling TIF changes



Senator Justin Wayne introduced an amendment Tuesday that would require cities to make a plan on what specifically 20-year TIF can be used for, Wayne's examples include affordable housing and flood mitigation.

Interesting.

I don't know the letter of the law, or his proposal... But it sounds like it might not have teeth regardless as it only requires a plan for how TIF can be used?

Or do they mean the plan must include affordable housing?

Assuming the latter: Good on him for trying to breathe more life into north O. I don't think it's the right tool, time or project to try and do it though.

He was an attorney though, so I'll assume he is right on the letter of the law for what TIF was meant for. In spirit though: A massive infrastructure project to promote replacing lots and small decrepit buildings with healthier infill does feel like something TIF is appropriate for.

I think his real complaint is downtown / midtown which have some extremely affluent stretches needs the $8 million/ mile funding on average, less than North Omaha. Which would be fair. But I feel his time would be better spend on trying to rezone North O to TOD / ADU, and working with Omaha's philanthropic groups to build things would be a better use of his time...

[ita]

Interesting.

I don't know the letter of the law, or his proposal... But it sounds like it might not have teeth regardless as it only requires a plan for how TIF can be used?

Or do they mean the plan must include affordable housing?

Assuming the latter: Good on him for trying to breathe more life into north O. I don't think it's the right tool, time or project to try and do it though.

He was an attorney though, so I'll assume he is right on the letter of the law for what TIF was meant for. In spirit though: A massive infrastructure project to promote replacing lots and small decrepit buildings with healthier infill does feel like something TIF is appropriate for.

I think his real complaint is downtown / midtown which have some extremely affluent stretches needs the $8 million/ mile funding on average, less than North Omaha. Which would be fair. But I feel his time would be better spend on trying to rezone North O to TOD / ADU, and working with Omaha's philanthropic groups to build things would be a better use of his time...

I think the senator's efforts is to make the letter (the legislation as drafted) match the spirit (the intention behind the legislation) to match better. He intended to have the 20 year TIF be used for redevelopment efforts neighborhoods like North and South Omaha, not to fund a streetcar. The Chamber and City was able to use the legislation, as drafted, in a way Senator Wayne didn't anticipate, thus violating the spirit of the law.

My issue with his attack is that his focus is on his district and South Omaha. I understand that narrow focus. However, midtown and downtown, areas that will be served by the streetcar, aren't just populated by rich folks and young professionals. There are a lot of economically disadvantaged citizens throughout. Additionally, a lot of more recent affordable housing projects are being located adjacent to or near the proposed streetcar line. I know that Clarity, the one building the Flatiron district and repurposing the Service Life building for low income/mixed income housing is planning to build more within the urban core.

If they make the legislation more narrow, by excluding project like a streetcar, (ie. public transit infrastructure), they could negatively affect a lot of low income residents currently living in downtown and midtown and hundreds of other that will live in low income housing currently under construction.

Furthermore, he was quoted to say he would look for other ways to help fund the streetcar project like a regional transit authority. So, instead of relying of TIF funds that will be paid by developers directly benefitting by the streetcar, he wants a regional transit authority that will have tax levying authority on property taxes on all property owners in whatever the defined region to be, including his own constituents, to pay for it? I guess the transit authority could levy a special tax specifically on areas around the streetcar, but we don't even have a RTA in place yet, and by all accounts, we won't for a couple years.

He opened pandora's box by helping extend the payback period of TIF to 20 years. Now that someone is utilizing it for something he, personally, didn't intend, he's going to have a hard time walking it back.

[Athomsfere]

He opened pandora's box by helping extend the payback period of TIF to 20 years. Now that someone is utilizing it for something he, personally, didn't intend, he's going to have a hard time walking it back.

The good news, it sounds like we shouldn't expect any change of course right this minute. Hopefully we have steel in the ground before anyone can make a real attempt to change anything with the street car.

[ita]

Maybe someone else was there, but Stephen Osberg from the Chamber mentioned that the multi-modal bridge that is part of ConnectGO's 10+M goals is indeed contemplated to run the streetcar across into Council Bluffs. CB really wants it specifically for developing the Dodge Riverside Golf Course into a residential district. Seems sad to lose a historical golf course, but holy cow that is a lot of land to develop! If CB is planning to develop the whole course, it has to be over 100 acres. Anyway, CB is pushing the extension and bridge very hard, from what it sounds like.

[iamjacobm]

Maybe someone else was there, but Stephen Osberg from the Chamber mentioned that the multi-modal bridge that is part of ConnectGO's 10+M goals is indeed contemplated to run the streetcar across into Council Bluffs. CB really wants it specifically for developing the Dodge Riverside Golf Course into a residential district. Seems sad to lose a historical golf course, but holy cow that is a lot of land to develop! If CB is planning to develop the whole course, it has to be over 100 acres. Anyway, CB is pushing the extension and bridge very hard, from what it sounds like.

There was talk a while back of moving the golf course further south to some vacant land the city has to provide room for more riverfront development.

A proposed bridge south of 480 would also align up with the 1st Ave Corridor in CB. Would be a cool amenity for their city if they run it down that route as it would be just transit and pedestrian trails, no vehicle traffic.

[Busguy2010]

A proposed bridge south of 480 would also align up with the 1st Ave Corridor in CB. Would be a cool amenity for their city if they run it down that route as it would be just transit and pedestrian trails, no vehicle traffic.

I've always favored that idea. Seems like an Iowa thing to do, too.

[Athomsfere]

Maybe someone else was there, but Stephen Osberg from the Chamber mentioned that the multi-modal bridge that is part of ConnectGO's 10+M goals is indeed contemplated to run the streetcar across into Council Bluffs. CB really wants it specifically for developing the Dodge Riverside Golf Course into a residential district. Seems sad to lose a historical golf course, but holy cow that is a lot of land to develop! If CB is planning to develop the whole course, it has to be over 100 acres. Anyway, CB is pushing the extension and bridge very hard, from what it sounds like.

That would be the perfect use IMO. I'd really love to see CB fill in, and something that uses the Omaha transit would be even better. Through some density over there, keep the downtown / midtown developments more accessible.

What I'd really love to see, is an Aksarben over 100 acres with only pedestrian and cycling routes in the interior. A pedestrian mall basically in the center, and deliveries / parking structures around the edges and at the external corners. Let the street car bring people right to the center though, into the development's downtown. Omaha's 1st street car suburb in a century!

[ita]

Maybe someone else was there, but Stephen Osberg from the Chamber mentioned that the multi-modal bridge that is part of ConnectGO's 10+M goals is indeed contemplated to run the streetcar across into Council Bluffs. CB really wants it specifically for developing the Dodge Riverside Golf Course into a residential district. Seems sad to lose a historical golf course, but holy cow that is a lot of land to develop! If CB is planning to develop the whole course, it has to be over 100 acres. Anyway, CB is pushing the extension and bridge very hard, from what it sounds like.

There was talk a while back of moving the golf course further south to some vacant land the city has to provide room for more riverfront development.

A proposed bridge south of 480 would also align up with the 1st Ave Corridor in CB. Would be a cool amenity for their city if they run it down that route as it would be just transit and pedestrian trails, no vehicle traffic.

I like that idea as well. Looking at the CB side, the apartments and highway interchange would make it hard to get to Avenue 1.

That would be the perfect use IMO. I'd really love to see CB fill in, and something that uses the Omaha transit would be even better. Through some density over there, keep the downtown / midtown developments more accessible.

What I'd really love to see, is an Aksarben over 100 acres with only pedestrian and cycling routes in the interior. A pedestrian mall basically in the center, and deliveries / parking structures around the edges and at the external corners. Let the street car bring people right to the center though, into the development's downtown. Omaha's 1st street car suburb in a century!

I wonder if they run the streetcar across the river and south towards Harrah's, right through the middle of where the golf course is. I am not sure what the best course would be, but yeah, CB and developer could plan a whole Aksarben-like community around the streetcar and other multimodal transit.

[Athomsfere]

I wonder if they run the streetcar across the river and south towards Harrah's, right through the middle of where the golf course is. I am not sure what the best course would be, but yeah, CB and developer could plan a whole Aksarben-like community around the streetcar and other multimodal transit.

I mean, to me it would be. But I'm pretty focus-minded on things that are better for the Urban fabric... Is that course at least public? Maybe there is some other cool idea though, like a 9 hole course? I don't know if those are a thing.

[nebport5]

Maybe someone else was there, but Stephen Osberg from the Chamber mentioned that the multi-modal bridge that is part of ConnectGO's 10+M goals is indeed contemplated to run the streetcar across into Council Bluffs. CB really wants it specifically for developing the Dodge Riverside Golf Course into a residential district. Seems sad to lose a historical golf course, but holy cow that is a lot of land to develop! If CB is planning to develop the whole course, it has to be over 100 acres. Anyway, CB is pushing the extension and bridge very hard, from what it sounds like.

There was talk a while back of moving the golf course further south to some vacant land the city has to provide room for more riverfront development.

A proposed bridge south of 480 would also align up with the 1st Ave Corridor in CB. Would be a cool amenity for their city if they run it down that route as it would be just transit and pedestrian trails, no vehicle traffic.

I like that idea as well. Looking at the CB side, the apartments and highway interchange would make it hard to get to Avenue 1.

That would be the perfect use IMO. I'd really love to see CB fill in, and something that uses the Omaha transit would be even better. Through some density over there, keep the downtown / midtown developments more accessible.

What I'd really love to see, is an Aksarben over 100 acres with only pedestrian and cycling routes in the interior. A pedestrian mall basically in the center, and deliveries / parking structures around the edges and at the external corners. Let the street car bring people right to the center though, into the development's downtown. Omaha's 1st street car suburb in a century!

I wonder if they run the streetcar across the river and south towards Harrah's, right through the middle of where the golf course is. I am not sure what the best course would be, but yeah, CB and developer could plan a whole Aksarben-like community around the streetcar and other multimodal transit.

If we take the latest streetcar map route at face value it would suggest an extension from Farnam into C.B. I'm sure that would be the least expensive option. I prefer the idea of a bridge further south at least crossing near Harrah's and possible future development as opposed to an apartment complex. This would also give Akrsarben Yard another reason to come to fruition and justification for an actual transit hub station near Amtrak.

[Doctor Fate]

I posed this question to another member, but with the proposed streetcar, there is an expectation that development will occur all along that line. I think part of that development potential is possible pulling in businesses currently located in the suburbs to downtown/midtown. However, thinking about companies that have moved around in the last decade or so within the city, including Kiewit, Applied Underwriters (soon), Scoular, LinkedIn, Carson, and Valmont, among others, do you think there are any companies that could relocate to the urban core? Any guesses or companies that might fit the right profile?

Mutual of Omaha, lol.

I don't know if they WOULD but one that I think SHOULD have a corporate presence downtown is Omaha Steaks. It's such an iconic connection.
Orion Advisor Solutions.

I just found their current HQ building, it looks like it seats somewhere around 300 employees (estimating on what building size looks like).

I think a great spot would be the surface lot at 10th and Harney. Take up half the lot, with ground retail: Make half that retail the flagship Omaha Steaks store. The building would likely have to be taller too. Maybe 2 below grade garage (Just enough to offset the burden a bit), 1 ground level retail, and ~6 stories for the offices. Or 7 above ground ( rough guess, 12,700 sq. ft / floor).

America First Investment Advisors and the Greater Omaha Chamber say that Omaha Steaks has between 1,000 and 2,500 employees.

What about Baxter Auto Group, Intrado, PayPal, Yahoo, Physicians Mutual or Bank of the West? Are any of them ready for a new building? I think I saw that Leo A Daly had about 700 employees, maybe they are a possibility?

[Athomsfere]

I posed this question to another member, but with the proposed streetcar, there is an expectation that development will occur all along that line. I think part of that development potential is possible pulling in businesses currently located in the suburbs to downtown/midtown. However, thinking about companies that have moved around in the last decade or so within the city, including Kiewit, Applied Underwriters (soon), Scoular, LinkedIn, Carson, and Valmont, among others, do you think there are any companies that could relocate to the urban core? Any guesses or companies that might fit the right profile?

Mutual of Omaha, lol.

I don't know if they WOULD but one that I think SHOULD have a corporate presence downtown is Omaha Steaks. It's such an iconic connection.
Orion Advisor Solutions.

I just found their current HQ building, it looks like it seats somewhere around 300 employees (estimating on what building size looks like).

I think a great spot would be the surface lot at 10th and Harney. Take up half the lot, with ground retail: Make half that retail the flagship Omaha Steaks store. The building would likely have to be taller too. Maybe 2 below grade garage (Just enough to offset the burden a bit), 1 ground level retail, and ~6 stories for the offices. Or 7 above ground ( rough guess, 12,700 sq. ft / floor).

America First Investment Advisors and the Greater Omaha Chamber say that Omaha Steaks has between 1,000 and 2,500 employees.

What about Baxter Auto Group, Intrado, PayPal, Yahoo, Physicians Mutual or Bank of the West? Are any of them ready for a new building? I think I saw that Leo A Daly had about 700 employees, maybe they are a possibility?

I was going off of the current building only. I also saw their employment totals, but their current HQ couldn't possibly sit that many. That bigger number is going to include store employees, distribution centers, call centers, and any other sites / ops they have sprinkled where ever...

[Doctor Fate]

I posed this question to another member, but with the proposed streetcar, there is an expectation that development will occur all along that line. I think part of that development potential is possible pulling in businesses currently located in the suburbs to downtown/midtown. However, thinking about companies that have moved around in the last decade or so within the city, including Kiewit, Applied Underwriters (soon), Scoular, LinkedIn, Carson, and Valmont, among others, do you think there are any companies that could relocate to the urban core? Any guesses or companies that might fit the right profile?

Mutual of Omaha, lol.

I don't know if they WOULD but one that I think SHOULD have a corporate presence downtown is Omaha Steaks. It's such an iconic connection.
Orion Advisor Solutions.

I just found their current HQ building, it looks like it seats somewhere around 300 employees (estimating on what building size looks like).

I think a great spot would be the surface lot at 10th and Harney. Take up half the lot, with ground retail: Make half that retail the flagship Omaha Steaks store. The building would likely have to be taller too. Maybe 2 below grade garage (Just enough to offset the burden a bit), 1 ground level retail, and ~6 stories for the offices. Or 7 above ground ( rough guess, 12,700 sq. ft / floor).

America First Investment Advisors and the Greater Omaha Chamber say that Omaha Steaks has between 1,000 and 2,500 employees.

What about Baxter Auto Group, Intrado, PayPal, Yahoo, Physicians Mutual or Bank of the West? Are any of them ready for a new building? I think I saw that Leo A Daly had about 700 employees, maybe they are a possibility?

I was going off of the current building only. I also saw their employment totals, but their current HQ couldn't possibly sit that many. That bigger number is going to include store employees, distribution centers, call centers, and any other sites / ops they have sprinkled where ever...

Good point. For some reason, I didn't think of that lol.

[Athomsfere]

Good point. For some reason, I didn't think of that lol.

No problem, we all have Mondays! lol

[ita]

I posed this question to another member, but with the proposed streetcar, there is an expectation that development will occur all along that line. I think part of that development potential is possible pulling in businesses currently located in the suburbs to downtown/midtown. However, thinking about companies that have moved around in the last decade or so within the city, including Kiewit, Applied Underwriters (soon), Scoular, LinkedIn, Carson, and Valmont, among others, do you think there are any companies that could relocate to the urban core? Any guesses or companies that might fit the right profile?

Mutual of Omaha, lol.

I don't know if they WOULD but one that I think SHOULD have a corporate presence downtown is Omaha Steaks. It's such an iconic connection.
Orion Advisor Solutions.

I just found their current HQ building, it looks like it seats somewhere around 300 employees (estimating on what building size looks like).

I think a great spot would be the surface lot at 10th and Harney. Take up half the lot, with ground retail: Make half that retail the flagship Omaha Steaks store. The building would likely have to be taller too. Maybe 2 below grade garage (Just enough to offset the burden a bit), 1 ground level retail, and ~6 stories for the offices. Or 7 above ground ( rough guess, 12,700 sq. ft / floor).

America First Investment Advisors and the Greater Omaha Chamber say that Omaha Steaks has between 1,000 and 2,500 employees.

What about Baxter Auto Group, Intrado, PayPal, Yahoo, Physicians Mutual or Bank of the West? Are any of them ready for a new building? I think I saw that Leo A Daly had about 700 employees, maybe they are a possibility?

Baxter just moved to Village Pointe Auto Complex a few years ago. Physicians Mutual could be a possibility. I think Leo A Daly's numbers are spread out across regional offices. It's hard to figure out how many employees they have locally. I think if they moved downtown, it would be more of a panache thing. They have an HQ built in 1960, so maybe it's time for them to move to something new and shiny.

The mayor said 6 companies were interested in the Library spot. MoO and Fiserv are two, it would be awesome to see Fiserv or any of the four others pursue other spots in downtown.

[Coyote]

Metro transit charts course for the future of transportation in Omaha



Metro transit charts course for the future of transportation in Omaha

[ita]

Just read the Chamber of Commerce section in this week's Midland Business Journal. Stephen Osberg from the Omaha Chamber wrote about the streetcar. I think it has been said before, but the streetcar is expected to spur at least $3 billion in development within 3 blocks of the line. I know that I kind of glazed over it before, but when I thought about it more, that's absolutely transformational. The major developments downtown, Millwork, Conagra/Hines, and the Builder's District, total an estimated $1.1 billion, once they're built out. Imagine three times that in the next 15 years! That's a total redux of the MoO HQ, new development in Turner Park East, Lots A and B, the UP site, on and on. And that's not including UNMC NExT being its own thing at $2.6-4 billion. I plan to be still be around in 2040, so I am looking forward to the future of the urban core.

[TransitOriented]

the streetcar is expected to spur at least $3 billion in development within 3 blocks of the line. I know that I kind of glazed over it before

Yeah, it's difficult to get people to understand this concept. A BRT is helpful, but not as helpful as a permanent transport system.

[ita]

The City is updating their current webpage about the streetcar: https://www.cityofomaha.org/total-mobility-system, including an update from this past Planning Board meeting.

[ita]

Draft financial plan says Omaha streetcar could spur $3 billion in development

Jessica Wade
The City of Omaha continues to explore the financial plans for a proposed streetcar system, but a draft analysis obtained by The World-Herald points to multiple funding avenues and new details.

The analysis also indicates the streetcar’s financing will rely heavily on an anticipated surge of new development surrounding the proposed route.

Those details largely match a rough outline of the project first shared by Mayor Jean Stothert during a press conference on Jan. 26. At the conference, Stothert shared plans for the streetcar and a new Mutual of Omaha headquarters set to rise in downtown.

This is a decent article on some of the specifics of HDR's financial analysis of the streetcar project. It includes assessments of the financial plan under certain scenarios, including an economic recession.

[Louie]

Draft financial plan says Omaha streetcar could spur $3 billion in development

Jessica Wade
The City of Omaha continues to explore the financial plans for a proposed streetcar system, but a draft analysis obtained by The World-Herald points to multiple funding avenues and new details.

The analysis also indicates the streetcar’s financing will rely heavily on an anticipated surge of new development surrounding the proposed route.

Those details largely match a rough outline of the project first shared by Mayor Jean Stothert during a press conference on Jan. 26. At the conference, Stothert shared plans for the streetcar and a new Mutual of Omaha headquarters set to rise in downtown.

This is a decent article on some of the specifics of HDR's financial analysis of the streetcar project. It includes assessments of the financial plan under certain scenarios, including an economic recession.

I think that's the wrong link

[ita]

I think that's the wrong link

You're right! I corrected the link in my original post.

[Athomsfere]

I'm really looking forward to seeing the designs for the streets, I know my dream would be something like this for Farnam:

[Louie]

I'm really looking forward to seeing the designs for the streets, I know my dream would be something like this for Farnam:

I dunno, that bulding design is pretty meh

[Athomsfere]

I'm really looking forward to seeing the designs for the streets, I know my dream would be something like this for Farnam:

I dunno, that bulding design is pretty meh

LOL, it has flowers in the window. So +1,000 for a European Village vibe