Omaha Central library (SWC 72 & Dodge)

[Athomsfere]

I'm probably in the minority again, but I do think the Clark is a much better looking building.

Swanson looks more like one of those trailer classroom schools on a very tight budget used to add classrooms.

My connection in the library said that the Swanson library will likely go. It’s hard to get in and out of. The library on North 90th is busier and the Millard Branch is the busiest branch between Chicago and Denver. Swanson will get sold.

Yes, that's been in the plan for years now... But I don't see the connection between that and my statement on the architecture.

[nebport5]

I'm probably in the minority again, but I do think the Clark is a much better looking building.

Swanson looks more like one of those trailer classroom schools on a very tight budget used to add classrooms.

My connection in the library said that the Swanson library will likely go. It’s hard to get in and out of. The library on North 90th is busier and the Millard Branch is the busiest branch between Chicago and Denver. Swanson will get sold.

Yes, that's been in the plan for years now... But I don't see the connection between that and my statement on the architecture.

I appreciate where you are coming from here and generally agree but Clark isn't worth saving over what's to come. I'm all for salvaging historic structures including Swanson. Swanson, however, I'd put at below average in the context of Omaha's history of mass slaughtering architecturally significant pieces. Even so, if they can repurpose it and and add some much needed cosmetics I'm all for it. I like Brad's idea of an architectural firm, they'd known what to do with it. Still, I don't have much faith that it'll be saved.

[GetUrban]

I'm probably in the minority again, but I do think the Clark is a much better looking building.

Swanson looks more like one of those trailer classroom schools on a very tight budget used to add classrooms.

My connection in the library said that the Swanson library will likely go. It’s hard to get in and out of. The library on North 90th is busier and the Millard Branch is the busiest branch between Chicago and Denver. Swanson will get sold.

Yes, that's been in the plan for years now... But I don't see the connection between that and my statement on the architecture.

I appreciate where you are coming from here and generally agree but Clark isn't worth saving over what's to come. I'm all for salvaging historic structures including Swanson. Swanson, however, I'd put at below average in the context of Omaha's history of mass slaughtering architecturally significant pieces. Even so, if they can repurpose it and and add some much needed cosmetics I'm all for it. I like Brad's idea of an architectural firm, they'd known what to do with it. Still, I don't have much faith that it'll be saved.

Regarding ease of access, looking at Google Earth, it’s not really that hard to get to. Coming from north-bound 90th st south of West Dodge is a little convoluted since you’d have to turn left on Davenport and go to 91st street to head north to the library from the neighborhood. Otherwise, access is easy to get to from the other directions once you figure it out. Traffic can get pretty heavy at 90th & Dodge though.

[Athomsfere]

I'm probably in the minority again, but I do think the Clark is a much better looking building.

Swanson looks more like one of those trailer classroom schools on a very tight budget used to add classrooms.

My connection in the library said that the Swanson library will likely go. It’s hard to get in and out of. The library on North 90th is busier and the Millard Branch is the busiest branch between Chicago and Denver. Swanson will get sold.

Yes, that's been in the plan for years now... But I don't see the connection between that and my statement on the architecture.

I appreciate where you are coming from here and generally agree but Clark isn't worth saving over what's to come. I'm all for salvaging historic structures including Swanson. Swanson, however, I'd put at below average in the context of Omaha's history of mass slaughtering architecturally significant pieces. Even so, if they can repurpose it and and add some much needed cosmetics I'm all for it. I like Brad's idea of an architectural firm, they'd known what to do with it. Still, I don't have much faith that it'll be saved.

That's basically where I have been on this whole project, since last year sometime when I started looking at all this. The Clark building is unique, good looking and worth considering saving. The exception was a major development that helps Omaha. The streetcar with the Mutual announcement trounced my minimum public "good" and I'm glad we have those.

Now, we just have to keep the new "main" branch downtown, or at worst midtown instead of at 72nd... And we would have done everything close enough to optimally.

[mcarch]

I'm probably in the minority again, but I do think the Clark is a much better looking building.

Swanson looks more like one of those trailer classroom schools on a very tight budget used to add classrooms.

My connection in the library said that the Swanson library will likely go. It’s hard to get in and out of. The library on North 90th is busier and the Millard Branch is the busiest branch between Chicago and Denver. Swanson will get sold.

Yes, that's been in the plan for years now... But I don't see the connection between that and my statement on the architecture.

I appreciate where you are coming from here and generally agree but Clark isn't worth saving over what's to come. I'm all for salvaging historic structures including Swanson. Swanson, however, I'd put at below average in the context of Omaha's history of mass slaughtering architecturally significant pieces. Even so, if they can repurpose it and and add some much needed cosmetics I'm all for it. I like Brad's idea of an architectural firm, they'd known what to do with it. Still, I don't have much faith that it'll be saved.

That's basically where I have been on this whole project, since last year sometime when I started looking at all this. The Clark building is unique, good looking and worth considering saving. The exception was a major development that helps Omaha. The streetcar with the Mutual announcement trounced my minimum public "good" and I'm glad we have those.

Now, we just have to keep the new "main" branch downtown, or at worst midtown instead of at 72nd... And we would have done everything close enough to optimally.

It needs to be at the Ugly Red State Building on 13th & Farnam - and designed by a Famous Architect. Having the components of a Do-Space, Library, enough storage (incorporating the new leased space at the Shopko on 84th), Art Center, Bookstore, Coffee Shop & Cafe - Lunch/Dessert (overlooking Leahy Mall, Privately owned, with outdoor seating), all with extended hours, so that the Main Library is a Go To Space for not only Book Lovers, but for Dates. Think about going later in the evening on a date, or having coffee after Skating during the winter months, or sitting in a window overlooking the Leahy Mall curled up with a Book and seeing the Christmas Lights and the lights of Downtown Omaha (if designed right).

[Athomsfere]

It needs to be at the Ugly Red State Building on 13th & Farnam - and designed by a Famous Architect. Having the components of a Do-Space, Library, enough storage (incorporating the new leased space at the Shopko on 84th), Art Center, Bookstore, Coffee Shop & Cafe - Lunch/Dessert (overlooking Leahy Mall, Privately owned, with outdoor seating), all with extended hours, so that the Main Library is a Go To Space for not only Book Lovers, but for Dates. Think about going later in the evening on a date, or having coffee after Skating during the winter months, or sitting in a window overlooking the Leahy Mall curled up with a Book and seeing the Christmas Lights and the lights of Downtown Omaha (if designed right).

That would be great in the new vacant lot that has been created from the redevelopment of the Leahy Mall then, IMO.

[JDJase]

Proposed $100 million main library seen as 'spectacular' addition to Omaha's crossroads

Plans are moving forward on what the City of Omaha and private partners envision as a world-class, 21st century public library at 72nd and Dodge Streets, creating a signature new civic institution and place for the public to gather at the city's historic crossroads.

Architects’ renderings for the proposed main city library released Thursday show a modular brick and glass structure, with angular, glassy entrances intended to connote a book being cracked open.

I love the looks of it. It would be iconic...downtown.

[TitosBuritoBarn]

Proposed $100 million main library seen as 'spectacular' addition to Omaha's crossroads

Plans are moving forward on what the City of Omaha and private partners envision as a world-class, 21st century public library at 72nd and Dodge Streets, creating a signature new civic institution and place for the public to gather at the city's historic crossroads.

Architects’ renderings for the proposed main city library released Thursday show a modular brick and glass structure, with angular, glassy entrances intended to connote a book being cracked open.

I love the looks of it. It would be iconic...downtown.

I agree wholeheartedly.

[Taco]

Proposed $100 million main library seen as 'spectacular' addition to Omaha's crossroads

Plans are moving forward on what the City of Omaha and private partners envision as a world-class, 21st century public library at 72nd and Dodge Streets, creating a signature new civic institution and place for the public to gather at the city's historic crossroads.

Architects’ renderings for the proposed main city library released Thursday show a modular brick and glass structure, with angular, glassy entrances intended to connote a book being cracked open.

I love the looks of it. It would be iconic...downtown.

Agreed. By all means, the building itself looks fantastic and will be done right. However, it retains the bitterness of missed opportunity by situating it here rather than downtown. Yes, the area will be better when the crossroads redevelopment is complete, but has anyone tried to cross this intersection on foot recently? Not for the faint of heart.

[Flyer14]

https://omaha.com/news/local/govt-and- ... b81d0.html

[legato9]

Can anyone post a pic of the renderings? I can’t find them anywhere, and I can’t see them on OWH’s site, because I don’t subscribe.

Thanks much!

[BRoss]

https://omaha.com/news/local/govt-and- ... b81d0.html

Merged into the main thread under Suburban.

[GetUrban]

Proposed $100 million main library seen as 'spectacular' addition to Omaha's crossroads

Plans are moving forward on what the City of Omaha and private partners envision as a world-class, 21st century public library at 72nd and Dodge Streets, creating a signature new civic institution and place for the public to gather at the city's historic crossroads.

Architects’ renderings for the proposed main city library released Thursday show a modular brick and glass structure, with angular, glassy entrances intended to connote a book being cracked open.

I love the looks of it. It would be iconic...downtown.

Agreed. By all means, the building itself looks fantastic and will be done right. However, it retains the bitterness of missed opportunity by situating it here rather than downtown. Yes, the area will be better when the crossroads redevelopment is complete, but has anyone tried to cross this intersection on foot recently? Not for the faint of heart.

I think the decision to locate the new Main Branch at 72nd & Dodge has been a done deal for quite a while, possibly 1-2 years at least. It is indeed an iconic design and obviously a huge upgrade to replace the current Do Space and parking lot on the site now. I like the idea of creating public plazas at the northeast and northwest entrances, plus quieter outdoor spaces on the southwest side away from the noisy intersection. I also like the proposed parking garage to the west with hopefully limited surface parking lots. I’ve expressed my preference for keeping the main branch downtown all along on the block east of the Dale Clark site/ upcoming MoO tower or as a replacement to the low rise red brick Kiewit center building. But this juggernaut of a project seems destined to happen, so I’m going to learn to accept it.

The building materials they’re showing are very intriguing and unusual. I hope they are able to make it water-tight with all of those joints and horizontal pigeon ledges. Maybe the exterior is just a breathable rain screen and the real weatherproofing happens under the intricate cladding.

[TitosBuritoBarn]

It reminds me of The Broad in LA

[Louie]

Love how the rendering has Five Guys still in it. Pointing out exactly why downtown would have been more apropos for a civic building like this.

[Athomsfere]

There is some I like here for sure.

I like the general aesthetic. It should fit the area design well, with all of the cross roads 2020s glass boxes that will rise across the street. I think its a good mix pushing the design boundaries of Omaha, but not so far that it's going to run most the city the wrong way. And I think it will age OK.

It would also look good downtown, where it really belongs. And that's where this falls apart a bit for me. That intersection is inhospitable for humans right now, and it would need a ton of work to make this an intersection people would be willing to walk around. Even the Crossroads development is a sea of parking lots (to be built).

If this gets built, I'd really like to see Omaha do some drastic changes here for multi-modal access. Maybe bury all through access for the intersection, and build one lane each way for access to the amenities, one way each way for the ORBT / future LRT, and a greenway to connect Elmwood and Memorial Park to the Keystone. Then fill in the rest of the new surface with trees.

[Linkin5]

This would have looked amazing downtown or midtown. It is an absolute blunder on the city’s part they are putting it here.

[ita]

I know I am one of the bigger fans of developments projects in Omaha, and I really try to see the positives of new redevelopment, but I just can't get over this location. It's at least an interesting design. It kills me that they show a person riding a bike there. It slays me when Rachel says that 72nd and Dodge is the town square of Omaha. I think she was a good choice to lead Heritage, but goodness. It's a great place to get exposure for a protest, sure, but it's no town square. #notmymainlibrary.

Edit: I am in agreement with many here, this would have looked even better downtown. Heck stick it in Midtown; would of been great.

[Athomsfere]

I know I am one of the bigger fans of developments projects in Omaha, and I really try to see the positives of new redevelopment, but I just can't get over this location. It's at least an interesting design. It kills me that they show a person riding a bike there. It slays me when Rachel says that 72nd and Dodge is the town square of Omaha. I think she was a good choice to lead Heritage, but goodness. It's a great place to get exposure for a protest, sure, but it's no town square. #notmymainlibrary.

Edit: I am in agreement with many here, this would have looked even better downtown. Heck stick it in Midtown; would of been great.

You know I agree with you. The Civic site, one of the plots from near MTC would have been great too. Especially with the lid. Being in Turner Park, or standing on the freeway lid this would look outstanding. Especially if the got rid of a little of the squatiness of the render and added a little height. I'm guessing this is about 40 feet tall? Add a story perhaps and use the existing ample MTC parking for the West O visitors. Get it on the street car line.

I know the Swanson branch sort of needs to move, and putting in the crossroads development, as another modern library would be a great move too. Make the development another "town square" that is walkable.

So many thoughts really. I try and see the positive in everything too. And there are some positives, but not nearly enough for the grandiose verbiage we are try to throw at this location.

[JDJase]

Love how the rendering has Five Guys still in it. Pointing out exactly why downtown would have been more apropos for a civic building like this.

I thought the exact same thing seeing the Five Guys as well lol. Yeah the other renderings show people casually strolling the sidewalk along Dodge as if it was downtown, which I just don't see as realistic regardless of how successful Crossroads ends up. The other renderings for those who can't see:

[Linkin5]

Love the picture of the people sitting in the grass. Would be awesome to just sit there with vehicles driving by so loud you couldn’t even hear each other.

[Greg S]

Love the picture of the people sitting in the grass. Would be awesome to just sit there with vehicles driving by so loud you couldn’t even hear each other.

I went to Central. We used to sit out front on the grass all the time with Dodge right in front of us.


Greg

[Linkin5]

Love the picture of the people sitting in the grass. Would be awesome to just sit there with vehicles driving by so loud you couldn’t even hear each other.

I went to Central. We used to sit out front on the grass all the time with Dodge right in front of us.


Greg

Completely different than 72nd and dodge

[Busguy2010]

I like the design, and I actually like the practical location better than Downtown, but I share in others' concern for pedestrian access, with the eastbound ORBT station on the other side of 72nd, and the westbound station on the other side of Dodge. I think this is a great reason to float that idea of that halo pedestrian bridge over the intersection, as well as extending actual trail connectors to the nearby Keystone trail exits of 77th & Dodge and 72nd & Pacific. Putting the main library here is really going to up the necessity for better pedestrian amenities.

[PotatoeEatsFish]

The design ties into the crossroads redevelopment really well. I also agree a pedestrian bridge is 100% needed here. Hopefully we can get 4 around that intersection but atleast one across dodge would help a lot.

[Busguy2010]

Somebody posted a picture, might have been in this thread or the crossroads thread, but there's a bridge somewhere, its literally a halo shape, and its purpose is exactly what their solution is to our similar problem. I really, really want it to happen.

[zippy]

Somebody posted a picture, might have been in this thread or the crossroads thread, but there's a bridge somewhere, its literally a halo shape, and its purpose is exactly what their solution is to our similar problem. I really, really want it to happen.

I think it was this: Hovenring

[Garrett]

If we’re going full speed ahead on this library location, I hope the area continues to urbanize more. Even with Crossroads developing there’s still gonna be a pretty large parking lot right across from this. The NFM campus is prime if the city could ever convince them to develop it.

[OmahaFan]

New design was released today and I gotta say it looks quite nice.

[Busguy2010]

Somebody posted a picture, might have been in this thread or the crossroads thread, but there's a bridge somewhere, its literally a halo shape, and its purpose is exactly what their solution is to our similar problem. I really, really want it to happen.

I think it was this: Hovenring

Yep, that's it. What a dream that would be. It would work absolutely perfect there at 72nd & Dodge. Well, if we pull off something as progressive as the streetcar, I think this wouldn't be too far fetched.

[Busguy2010]

If we’re going full speed ahead on this library location, I hope the area continues to urbanize more. Even with Crossroads developing there’s still gonna be a pretty large parking lot right across from this.

That really is the major scar on this site. Knowing the ultimate fate of Crossroads, and that the Target didn't for a second help save the mall, I would definitely go back in time and tell Targhetto to forget it.

[buildomaha]

I am not going to waste time sharing the same sentiment that almost everyone has already mentioned.

I do really hope that they give pedestrians (and bikes and public transit) actual attention at the intersection. A pedestrian bridge over the intersection is an lazy solution that paints the picture of Omaha’s priority to cars. A pedestrian overpass also has accessibility issues without four expensive elevators on each corner.

Induced demand is a very real phenomenon, and the area would benefit from lane reductions. Starting a “Complete Dodge Street” at the unofficial edge of urban Omaha and moving east would do wonders for ORBT, the neighborhoods and institutions along dodge, and help bring the city’s vision of an urban walkable core even closer to reality.

[S.O.Boy]

If we’re going full speed ahead on this library location, I hope the area continues to urbanize more. Even with Crossroads developing there’s still gonna be a pretty large parking lot right across from this.

That really is the major scar on this site. Knowing the ultimate fate of Crossroads, and that the Target didn't for a second help save the mall, I would definitely go back in time and tell Targhetto to forget it.

I think the fate was sealed by the time Target moved there.

[Busguy2010]

I think the fate was sealed by the time Target moved there.

Yes, I definitely think the mall's fate was sealed by the time Target came around. I'm not saying the Target caused it, I'm saying I wish there hadn't been an attempt to save or string along the mall by adding the Target as an anchor. And even worse yet, they own all that building and parking lot, so it will stick around as long as the location makes them money or starts to crumble down, which presumably will be a very, very long time.

Even as I say the above, maybe the Target is also simply the mall operator/owner acknowledging that the mall was dying, and they made a land sale trying to make up as much as possible. That would have been the smart business move, but a bad move for Omaha. I guess we can look back at the city leaders of the time and blame them for approving such a use.

[S.O.Boy]

I think the fate was sealed by the time Target moved there.

Yes, I definitely think the mall's fate was sealed by the time Target came around. I'm not saying the Target caused it, I'm saying I wish there hadn't been an attempt to save or string along the mall by adding the Target as an anchor. And even worse yet, they own all that building and parking lot, so it will stick around as long as the location makes them money or starts to crumble down, which presumably will be a very, very long time.

Even as I say the above, maybe the Target is also simply the mall operator/owner acknowledging that the mall was dying, and they made a land sale trying to make up as much as possible. That would have been the smart business move, but a bad move for Omaha. I guess we can look back at the city leaders of the time and blame them for approving such a use.

I understand better what you are saying. Agree Target won't leave but Target's parking lot near Dodge may become more attractive to small ventures once the NEW crossroads is going.

[Busguy2010]

I understand better what you are saying. Agree Target won't leave but Target's parking lot near Dodge may become more attractive to small ventures once the NEW crossroads is going.

Big question is how attractive would that be to Target? My bet is unlikely, but they do have a huge connected parking garage to work with that could be an option for them. They could make the back door connecting to the garage the front door... And hypothetically, would their selling price for the lot fronting Dodge be enough to sell for some sort of other development? All good questions that may be answered as the Crossroads redevelopment progresses... But my bet is the Target would stay as-is for at least 10-15 years.

[nebport5]

I understand better what you are saying. Agree Target won't leave but Target's parking lot near Dodge may become more attractive to small ventures once the NEW crossroads is going.

Big question is how attractive would that be to Target? My bet is unlikely, but they do have a huge connected parking garage to work with that could be an option for them. They could make the back door connecting to the garage the front door... And hypothetically, would their selling price for the lot fronting Dodge be enough to sell for some sort of other development? All good questions that may be answered as the Crossroads redevelopment progresses... But my bet is the Target would stay as-is for at least 10-15 years.

If I'm representing Target selling off the parking lot for other retail that may potentially block the building from street view wouldn't be appealing. I like the thought of using the existing parking structure. What I'd like better, perhaps with Crossroads developer influence, would be a new Super Target rebuilt above a parking garage. There's a Target in the Denver area like this where you park underneath and take an escalator to get to the store entrance.


Or maybe Jean & Co would be interested in moving the eyesore that is City Hall here to the "Town Square of Omaha".


I digress...it is a beautiful rendering however out of place it may be and look among the milieu of fast food and asphalt.

[Busguy2010]

If I'm representing Target selling off the parking lot for other retail that may potentially block the building from street view wouldn't be appealing.

Yup, that's why I think it probably will stick around as-is for at least most of our lifetimes. That's why it is a big scar on the corner. Stuck with it for 50 some odd years, for what?

[JDJase]

If I'm representing Target selling off the parking lot for other retail that may potentially block the building from street view wouldn't be appealing.

Yup, that's why I think it probably will stick around as-is for at least most of our lifetimes. That's why it is a big scar on the corner. Stuck with it for 50 some odd years, for what?

A lot of Targets in the metro (and the country) have no street view. The Twin Creek Target in Bellevue and the Target on 180th and center both have virtually no street view at all with the only indication a Target being in the area is the sign, and the rest around the metro have at least some storefronts blocking the view from the main road. Target's target demographic is generally repeat customers who already know where it is. People driving 45+ mph on Dodge St being able to see the actual building is of minimal concern to them. If nothing is built in the lot along dodge it's because Target doesn't want to give up the surface parking space (because Omahans love surface parking and are allergic to parking garages).

[ita]

If I'm representing Target selling off the parking lot for other retail that may potentially block the building from street view wouldn't be appealing.

Yup, that's why I think it probably will stick around as-is for at least most of our lifetimes. That's why it is a big scar on the corner. Stuck with it for 50 some odd years, for what?

A lot of Targets in the metro (and the country) have no street view. The Twin Creek Target in Bellevue and the Target on 180th and center both have virtually no street view at all with the only indication a Target being in the area is the sign, and the rest around the metro have at least some storefronts blocking the view from the main road. Target's target demographic is generally repeat customers who already know where it is. People driving 45+ mph on Dodge St being able to see the actual building is of minimal concern to them. If nothing is built in the lot along dodge it's because Target doesn't want to give up the surface parking space (because Omahans love surface parking and are allergic to parking garages).

I agree, I don't think street view for the Target is important. Wasn't there some render or plan before that had some development fronting Dodge right in front of Target? If the initial phase succeeds, maybe we some of Target's parking lot redeveloped adjacent to Dodge.