Community Alliance (72nd & Mercy)

S.O.Boy · Post by **S.O.Boy** » Sat Mar 12, 2022 4:13 am

Fencing has gone up at 7171 Mercy Rd

garyomaha · Post by **garyomaha** » Sat Mar 12, 2022 1:41 pm

S.O.Boy wrote: Sat Mar 12, 2022 4:13 am Fencing has gone up at 7171 Mercy Rd

I saw that. Is the existing building coming down, or...?

Post by **Brad** » Tue Mar 15, 2022 2:54 am

Looks like the fence is actually around 7171 and 7130.

I don't see any building or demo permit, and I didn't see anything on the old planning board agendas.

7171.png

S.O.Boy · Post by **S.O.Boy** » Tue Mar 15, 2022 3:08 am

Brad wrote: Tue Mar 15, 2022 2:54 am Looks like the fence is actually around 7171 and 7130.

I don't see any building or demo permit, and I didn't see anything on the old planning board agendas.

7171.png

Wouldn't 7130 Mercy be across the street?

Post by **Brad** » Tue Mar 15, 2022 2:24 pm

S.O.Boy wrote: Tue Mar 15, 2022 3:08 am Wouldn't 7130 Mercy be across the street?

Its
7171 MERCY RD
and
7130 ARBOR ST

MadJack · Post by **MadJack** » Tue Mar 15, 2022 9:07 pm

I thought I heard a non-profit was moving its offices into this building.

Post by **Brad** » Wed Mar 16, 2022 1:59 am

MadJack wrote: Tue Mar 15, 2022 9:07 pm I thought I heard a non-profit was moving its offices into this building.

Owner is listed as "COMMUNITY ALLIANCE INC" which sounds non-profit.

hatwate · Post by **hatwate** » Wed Mar 16, 2022 3:21 am

Brad wrote: Wed Mar 16, 2022 1:59 am
MadJack wrote: Tue Mar 15, 2022 9:07 pm I thought I heard a non-profit was moving its offices into this building.
Owner is listed as "COMMUNITY ALLIANCE INC" which sounds non-profit.

It’s a mental health agency that currently is housed at 40th & Leavenworth.

nativeomahan · Post by **nativeomahan** » Fri Mar 18, 2022 9:13 pm

I wonder why the huge security fence perimeter for a remodel job? Sounds a bit much!
Haussmann Construction is the contractor.

hatwate · Post by **hatwate** » Mon Apr 11, 2022 3:02 pm

In WH today, an article says the current bldg will be demolished and a new building constructed for Community Alliance. https://omaha.com/news/local/omahas-com ... d2569.html

TreeKiid · Post by **TreeKiid** » Mon Apr 11, 2022 3:38 pm

Based on the rendering, it’s going to be a Very underwhelming use of that property. I’m puzzled by the cost effectiveness of this decision. Maybe tearing down a 5 story building is not as costly as I would assume.

Athomsfere · Post by **Athomsfere** » Mon Apr 11, 2022 3:57 pm

This is maybe the weirdest development in a long time.

Why are they knocking down a serviceable, denser looking building to build a smaller building? Seems like a waste of money, and urban design...

I can only hope they had a real need to do this, like small floor plates...

Trips1 · Post by **Trips1** » Mon Apr 11, 2022 4:04 pm

I like the exterior look of the existing building much better. The new will be 120,000 sqft vs. 139,000 for the existing. It was built in 1968 so that may be a big negative for them.

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Mon Apr 11, 2022 7:25 pm

I think we were all hoping for a little more than this for this site.

nativeomahan · Post by **nativeomahan** » Wed Apr 13, 2022 2:40 am

I have nothing against the new occupants of this site, but the existing building has a lot more class than most Omaha office buildings of that era, and a lot more than the renderings of the replacement building would demonstrate.
Two steps back, one forward,

Athomsfere · Post by **Athomsfere** » Wed Apr 13, 2022 12:47 pm

nativeomahan wrote: Wed Apr 13, 2022 2:40 am I have nothing against the new occupants of this site, but the existing building has a lot more class than most Omaha office buildings of that era, and a lot more than the renderings of the replacement building would demonstrate.
Two steps back, one forward,

I think everyone is pretty much in agreement here.

As best as I can gather: They need a building that is built more like a hospital than the current building that is obviously an office space. At least, if I assume everything in their press announcement is honest and to the point:

https://community-alliance.org/were-bui ... dquarters/

About the building
Our brand-new facility is expected to open in late 2023, and is being designed in direct response to needs identified through conversations with a range of mental health and community stakeholders. Major features include:

Primary Care services integrated with Psychiatric and Counseling Services
A dedicated Health and Wellness area
Expanded access to Employment, Rehabilitation, Family Education and Care Coordination services
A centralized location on 72nd Street near public transit and interstate
By expanding our space and customizing our environment, Community Alliance will be able to increase access and serve more people: the plan is to more than triple our capacity over the next five years. Whether someone is facing a short-term challenge or long-term serious mental illness, we want to be here for them with quality, respectful care that helps each person served to achieve their unique potential.

Make sure to follow our progress here and on social media.

daveoma · Post by **daveoma** » Fri Apr 15, 2022 6:40 pm

Athomsfere wrote: Mon Apr 11, 2022 3:57 pm This is maybe the weirdest development in a long time.

Why are they knocking down a serviceable, denser looking building to build a smaller building? Seems like a waste of money, and urban design...

I can only hope they had a real need to do this, like small floor plates...

It seems to me that any new mid rise buildings that are built on the old shark club site (higher elevation) would have a better view of Aksarben and beyond without the pesky 5 storey building in the way.

Cermak · Post by **Cermak** » Tue Apr 26, 2022 9:34 pm

Sort of bummed this is being torn down, while not a great building it is a fine example of class “A” suburban office space from the late 60’s. When it was new it was probably one of the better suburban office building’s in Omaha. I wonder if it had some structural or mold issues.

damonhynes · Post by **damonhynes** » Tue Apr 26, 2022 11:57 pm

Cermak wrote: Tue Apr 26, 2022 9:34 pm Sort of bummed this is being torn down, while not a great building it is a fine example of class “A” suburban office space from the late 60’s. When it was new it was probably one of the better suburban office building’s in Omaha. I wonder if it had some structural or mold issues.

Or asbestos?

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Mon May 23, 2022 12:25 pm

7171 Mercy RD Omaha, Nebraska (getting gutted to be demo)

Omaha Air Drone Service

7171 Mercy RD building is being knocked down to make way for new Community Alliance ( center for mental health) headquarters.

Post by **Brad** » Tue May 24, 2022 2:08 am

Took this one down quick!

vvindows11 · Post by **vvindows11** » Tue May 24, 2022 4:04 am

Perhaps it’s just me but I am going to say what I think. I don’t understand nonprofits spending $40,000,000 of tax payer funded grants on a new headquarters.
Meanwhile if you visit their website https://community-alliance.org/ways-to-support-us/ they encourage you to send items such as:

Bottles of water, hand warmers, blankets, toilet paper
Twin size bed linens, bed pillows, blankets, pots, pans, dinnerware, cleaning supplies
Personal care items such as soap, shampoo, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, shaving supplies, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and toilet paper.
New or gently used adult sized hats, gloves, scarves, ear muffs, and coats

How much toilet paper and bottled water could they have purchased with that 40 million?

That being said, I believe that their goal of helping those in need of mental health services is needed. Their choice to use the funds this way appear self-serving and wasteful to me.

Lastly as they are a nonprofit, they pay no taxes. Removing this building also removes $210,000 in taxes annually from the district 66 tax base.

daveoma · Post by **daveoma** » Tue May 24, 2022 4:14 am

vvindows11 wrote: Tue May 24, 2022 4:04 am Perhaps it’s just me but I am going to say what I think. I don’t understand nonprofits spending $40,000,000 of tax payer funded grants on a new headquarters.
Meanwhile if you visit their website https://community-alliance.org/ways-to-support-us/ they encourage you to send items such as:
Bottles of water, hand warmers, blankets, toilet paper
Twin size bed linens, bed pillows, blankets, pots, pans, dinnerware, cleaning supplies
Personal care items such as soap, shampoo, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, shaving supplies, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and toilet paper.
New or gently used adult sized hats, gloves, scarves, ear muffs, and coats
How much toilet paper and bottled water could they have purchased with that 40 million?

That being said, I believe that their goal of helping those in need of mental health services is needed. Their choice to use the funds this way appear self-serving and wasteful to me.

Lastly as they are a nonprofit, they pay no taxes. Removing this building also removes $210,000 in taxes annually from the district 66 tax base.

I wish local media would investigate this.

nativeomahan · Post by **nativeomahan** » Tue May 24, 2022 4:50 pm

Yeah, it just doesn’t seem to make sense, financially.

Athomsfere · Post by **Athomsfere** » Tue May 24, 2022 6:26 pm

nativeomahan wrote: Tue May 24, 2022 4:50 pm Yeah, it just doesn’t seem to make sense, financially.

Especially to tear down, what appeared to be, an even better project.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Thu Nov 10, 2022 9:53 pm

Omaha's Community Alliance new headquarters being constructed.

nativeomahan · Post by **nativeomahan** » Sat Nov 12, 2022 11:53 pm

Still a giant (well, smallish) head scratcher.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Fri Apr 21, 2023 12:11 pm

Community Alliance expands space for Omaha’s mental health needs

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - A campaign is launching Thursday that could help people struggling with their mental health. Community Alliance is building a new 127,000-square-foot facility where the entire community can benefit. One man says the current clinic has helped him manage his mental disability and so much more. “I have what’s called bipolar schizophrenia. I’m schizo-effective, which means I’m not full-blown schizophrenia, I am bipolar and have depression,” says mental health advocate Tobias Tomasek.

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