Mutual of Omaha Tower (14th & Farnam)

[nebport5]

So no apparent integration with the Leahy lot.

[ItsAllAboutMe]

I think the Leahy lot would be a great space for a downtown conservatory. Access could be part of any Zoo or Garden memberships. What a wonderful place to go during bad weather if you work or live downtown. Take a lunch break while sitting under a palm tree while it's snowing outdoors. Maybe crazy but I think it could be a wonderful venue.

[ita]

Good info on Project Beacon. Sucks for Apex/Central Park Plaza; not only will its view of the park be totally obscured by the parking garage, but they only get parking garage entrance and exits on the ground floor across the street.

[Fromaha]

Mayor Jean said 45-50 floors on GO this morning. Also - HVAC will be incorporated in the floor plates differently than the FNB building, so it may be taller even though the number of floors may be equal or less.

[buildomaha]

Planning board docs. Some interesting items regarding floor plans. Also apologies if this rendering was posted I don't remember if we had seen it yet.

https://planning.cityofomaha.org/images ... rch/12.pdf

https://planning.cityofomaha.org/images ... IF_App.pdf

That diagram says 1 inch equals 80 feet… assuming it’s meant to be printed on an 11 by 7 piece of paper, anyone wanna try to scale it out?

Typically rendered perspectives aren’t scaled (because perspectival drawings distort any scale).

[buildomaha]

Planning board docs. Some interesting items regarding floor plans. Also apologies if this rendering was posted I don't remember if we had seen it yet.

https://planning.cityofomaha.org/images ... rch/12.pdf

https://planning.cityofomaha.org/images ... IF_App.pdf

That diagram says 1 inch equals 80 feet… assuming it’s meant to be printed on an 11 by 7 piece of paper, anyone wanna try to scale it out?

Typically rendered perspectives aren’t scaled (because perspectival drawings distort any scale).

Did not see the elevations until right now haha

[Mapguy]

This project is seeking 68 million in TIF on an estimated cost of 443 million. Thats about 15% of the total project cost.

Is it fair to the Omaha Public schools to get no tax dollars from a half billion dollar development for 20 years?

Everyone likes to complain about property taxes in this town---it would be interesting to see how much lower the mill rate would be if TIF werent given out to every singe construction project east of 72nd st.

[nativeomahan]

I think the Leahy lot would be a great space for a downtown conservatory. Access could be part of any Zoo or Garden memberships. What a wonderful place to go during bad weather if you work or live downtown. Take a lunch break while sitting under a palm tree while it's snowing outdoors. Maybe crazy but I think it could be a wonderful venue.

Wow. That is a great idea. It needs to be conserved for use by the public as park space or something complimentary, such as this idea.

[Omaha Cowboy]

From the W-H (basically reinforcing what has already been reported)-

“Mutual of Omaha is requesting up to $68.6 million in tax-increment financing to help with construction of a new skyscraper in downtown Omaha.

If the city signs off on the request, it would enable Mutual to move forward with a project estimated to cost more than $433.1 million, according to documents submitted to the city’s Planning Department.

The building would dramatically reshape Omaha’s skyline and bring another one of the city’s Fortune 500 companies to the heart of downtown. Mutual’s skyscraper would rise at the current site of the W. Dale Clark Library.

The documents submitted to the city do not state exactly how tall the building will be, though Mutual CEO James Blackledge previously said it could rival the 45-story First National Bank of Omaha tower, which is the city’s tallest.

As Mutual’s new corporate headquarters, the building will need to be large enough to accommodate about 4,000 employees. The documents submitted to the city call for 800,000 gross square feet of office space in addition to a ground-floor lobby, “significant amenity space” and roughly 2,200 parking spaces.”..

The complete W-H story link-

https://omaha.com/news/local/govt-and-p ... r-homepage

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[OmahaOmaha]

I sure hope they build this tower. With that mega million dollar “world class” park being constructed across the street, this area has become “extremely blighted”.

[ItsAllAboutMe]

I think the Leahy lot would be a great space for a downtown conservatory. Access could be part of any Zoo or Garden memberships. What a wonderful place to go during bad weather if you work or live downtown. Take a lunch break while sitting under a palm tree while it's snowing outdoors. Maybe crazy but I think it could be a wonderful venue.

Wow. That is a great idea. It needs to be conserved for use by the public as park space or something complimentary, such as this idea.

What I envision is best seen in this link. https://longwoodgardens.org/components/ ... item/53094 A one block, iconic glass structure, 5-8 stories. MOF on the West, UP on the North side and something on the South side where that awful state building is.

[Omaha Cowboy]

I think the Leahy lot would be a great space for a downtown conservatory. Access could be part of any Zoo or Garden memberships. What a wonderful place to go during bad weather if you work or live downtown. Take a lunch break while sitting under a palm tree while it's snowing outdoors. Maybe crazy but I think it could be a wonderful venue.

Wow. That is a great idea. It needs to be conserved for use by the public as park space or something complimentary, such as this idea.

What I envision is best seen in this link. https://longwoodgardens.org/components/ ... item/53094 A one block, iconic glass structure, 5-8 stories. MOF on the West, UP on the North side and something on the South side where that awful state building is.

I really like the idea as well..

With the increased employee presence Mutual will bring to downtown building their HQ tower, it would be a very popular place for downtown workers and residents alike…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Athomsfere]

Jean Stothert says the floor plates will be taller than the FNBO. Really, really good odds it's taller than FNBO I'd say.

[Mapguy]

Hopefully they pick a nice square design for the floor plates. We dont want another situation 20 years down the road where the City is expected to give out a 20 million dollar TIF grant to fix that design pitfall #blighted

[Omaha Cowboy]

Another hurdle cleared.. From the KETV website-

“Omaha City Council approves Mutual of Omaha's over $60 million tax-increment financing application for skyscraper
KETV-

City council members approved the allocation of almost $63 million to help Mutual of Omaha build its downtown skyscraper.

The tower, which officials call "Project Beacon," would be built at the current site of the W. Dale Clark library.”..

The story link:

https://www.ketv.com/article/omaha-city ... r/39574034

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Omaha Cowboy]

From the W-H-

“The Omaha City Council gave a unanimous go-ahead for Mutual of Omaha's request to use more than $60 million in tax-increment financing to build a new downtown skyscraper.

The decision followed nearly two hours of testimony and discussion Tuesday, with nine residents voicing opposition and council members largely defending the proposal and its role in the transformational vision of downtown.

The project, estimated to cost $443 million, would reshape Omaha's skyline and bring the Fortune 500 company to the heart of downtown. The skyscraper would sit on the current site of the W. Dale Clark Library at 15th and Douglas Streets”..

The complete W-H story link:

https://omaha.com/news/local/govt-and-p ... 65116.html

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Coyote]

City approves $60 million finance plan for Mutual of Omaha Skyscraper



City approves $60 million finance plan for Mutual of Omaha Skyscraper

[Doctor Fate]

What is the next step here?

[TransitOriented]

What is the next step here?

How specific are you looking for?

Rehab new library building, move materials over, demolish old library, build new tower.

[Busguy2010]

Closing and moving the library right? I think they already approved closing W Dale Clark. Moving the books and stuff, then demolishing the building seems pretty near.

[Busguy2010]

Rehab new library building.

You're right, that seems to be the most pertinent next step. I wonder how that's going.

[Doctor Fate]

What is the next step here?

How specific are you looking for?

Rehab new library building, move materials over, demolish old library, build new tower.

Nothing granular, just general. Like are there any more approvals that are needed? Or is it just, as you said, get the new library spot ready and then demo the current library?

I would guess that while that is going on, the final designs will be done, permits will get procured, and doing a geotech study for the foundation.

[Athomsfere]

Well, the weird thread of the day over on Reddit:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Omaha/comments ... _have_the/

I mean, I guess if you have to complain about a new building, why not complain about it's shadow.

[Big E]

Complaining about two hours of shade in the evening in July in Omaha?

People are stupid trash.

[Omaha Cowboy]

More proof that the Reddit Omaha page is one of most asinine places to waste your time..

A flock of whining, anti-Omaha b!tches for the most part. And I’m being kind…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Busguy2010]

What's a Reddit?

[Omaha Cowboy]

What is the next step here?

How specific are you looking for?

Rehab new library building, move materials over, demolish old library, build new tower.

Nothing granular, just general. Like are there any more approvals that are needed? Or is it just, as you said, get the new library spot ready and then demo the current library?

I would guess that while that is going on, the final designs will be done, permits will get procured, and doing a geotech study for the foundation.

A big step forward was taken yesterday when the City Council unanimously approved the TIF financing for the skyscraper..I believe the streetcar and tower are tied together and the City Council also laid groundwork for the streetcar system yesterday by approving up to $100k in fees for review of the projects financial plan..also, they’ll be voting next week to approve an Omaha Streetcar Authority..

Everything looks to be moving forward as planned. Unanimous City Council approval of the skyscraper TIF financing yesterday is VERY telling.The skyscraper and streetcar system look to be solidly in play. Exciting times for Omaha’s downtown and entire metropolitan area…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Athomsfere]

More proof that the Reddit Omaha page is one of most asinine places to waste your time..

A flock of whining, anti-Omaha b!tches for the most part. And I’m being kind…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

If you think that's bad...

The World Herald comment section on Facebook is even worse.

[Doctor Fate]

More proof that the Reddit Omaha page is one of most asinine places to waste your time..

A flock of whining, anti-Omaha b!tches for the most part. And I’m being kind…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

If you think that's bad...

The World Herald comment section on Facebook is even worse.

This is 100% accurate.

[Omaha Cowboy]

More proof that the Reddit Omaha page is one of most asinine places to waste your time..

A flock of whining, anti-Omaha b!tches for the most part. And I’m being kind…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

If you think that's bad...

The World Herald comment section on Facebook is even worse.

This is 100% accurate.

Historically, for about 20 plus years now, any comment section related to the W-H is bad..It’s a known place to avoid. Omaha’s Reddit page is quickly getting to that point imo..

In any case, nice to see hurdles being cleared for Mutual’s new skyscraper and the new streetcar line as well…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[WBR_Tom]

Well, the weird thread of the day over on Reddit:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Omaha/comments ... _have_the/

I mean, I guess if you have to complain about a new building, why not complain about it's shadow.

It's hilarious to me that this person spent all that time researching it, typing out that post, and patting themselves on the back...only to forget to change the unit of measurement from meters to feet, which made their simulated building about 3x taller than it (likely) will be, and the impact of the shadow they're so concerned with about 3x bigger than it (presumably) will be. Whoops

[Omaha Cowboy]

You know what is funny, is over the years on the forum, on April 1st, someone would start a “spoof thread” about a new 50 story tower to be built downtown..It’s kind of nice knowing we actually have a meat and potatoes proposal in place from Mutual..which with confident certainty, will become reality..

No spoof thread needed this year for April Fools Day..

Now if someone wants to start one in the Bar and Grill about a Neiman Marcus or IKEA coming to the Omaha metro for “sure”.. Be my guest, lol…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Coyote]

Happy April Fools Day!

[Omaha Cowboy]

Happy April Fools Day!

Lol …

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[ItsAllAboutMe]

Geotechnical drilling taking place today around the library

[ita]

Mutual of Omaha to spread downtown footprint beyond library site, sell midtown garages to city

Cindy Gonzalez
Insurance giant Mutual of Omaha not only intends to relocate its corporate headquarters to the downtown site currently occupied by the W. Dale Clark Library, but it also plans to acquire the city-owned block of land to the east.

Lately, that spot — bounded by 13th, 14th, Farnam and Douglas Streets — has been used to park construction equipment and store material used for the redo of the Gene Leahy Mall.

Under a just-released proposed agreement with the City of Omaha, Mutual would acquire the additional land at “fair market value” and use it as a staging area during construction of its planned $443 million, 800,000-square-foot Mutual office tower.

Mutual has agreed, upon completion of the tower, to landscape and maintain the property across the street in a way that complements the Gene Leahy Mall, according to a spokesperson for Mayor Jean Stothert. The tower is to be built at 215 S. 15th St. by the end of 2026.

In the past, city and business officials have called that city land east of the library a prime spot for business, commerce or other activity to fit in with the remake of that area of downtown Omaha.

Details on the land transaction are among others laid out in the proposed agreement that will be on next week’s Omaha City Council agenda. A public hearing is to be held May 10. The council vote on accepting the agreement is scheduled for May 17.

Italics added to emphasize my disappointment.

[Louie]

Mutual of Omaha to spread downtown footprint beyond library site, sell midtown garages to city

Cindy Gonzalez
Insurance giant Mutual of Omaha not only intends to relocate its corporate headquarters to the downtown site currently occupied by the W. Dale Clark Library, but it also plans to acquire the city-owned block of land to the east.

Lately, that spot — bounded by 13th, 14th, Farnam and Douglas Streets — has been used to park construction equipment and store material used for the redo of the Gene Leahy Mall.

Under a just-released proposed agreement with the City of Omaha, Mutual would acquire the additional land at “fair market value” and use it as a staging area during construction of its planned $443 million, 800,000-square-foot Mutual office tower.

Mutual has agreed, upon completion of the tower, to landscape and maintain the property across the street in a way that complements the Gene Leahy Mall, according to a spokesperson for Mayor Jean Stothert. The tower is to be built at 215 S. 15th St. by the end of 2026.

In the past, city and business officials have called that city land east of the library a prime spot for business, commerce or other activity to fit in with the remake of that area of downtown Omaha.

Details on the land transaction are among others laid out in the proposed agreement that will be on next week’s Omaha City Council agenda. A public hearing is to be held May 10. The council vote on accepting the agreement is scheduled for May 17.

Italics added to emphasize my disappointment.

So the mall won't be fully complete until the tower is complete?

[BRoss]

Well technically that block is not part of the mall anymore. They had wanted to build something on it.

[Doctor Fate]

Mutual of Omaha to spread downtown footprint beyond library site, sell midtown garages to city

Italics added to emphasize my disappointment.

So that block will no longer have mid-rises on it? That is disappointing.

[GetUrban]

Mutual of Omaha to spread downtown footprint beyond library site, sell midtown garages to city

Italics added to emphasize my disappointment.

So that block will no longer have mid-rises on it? That is disappointing.

Maybe there is still a chance they will put a new “main” branch library on that site instead of 72nd and Dodge. Otherwise, disappointing.