Let's play what if

[mrsticka]

Here's another what if: Rosenblatt Stadium isn't demolished. Instead, it's still there and the College World Series is still played there every year?

The answer to your “what if”, which trickles down to most all of your others- if Rosenblatt Stadium wasn’t demolished (and the downtown stadium not built), the CWS wouldn’t be playing exclusively every year in Omaha…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

I didn't say the downtown stadium doesn't get built. It does. It just doesn't host the College World Series. It hosts Creighton and the Storm Chasers. Just like how Haymarket Park in Lincoln hosts Nebraska baseball in the spring and the Saltdogs in the summer. I mean Werner Park in Southwest Omaha not getting built.

That was the "What if" I asked.

[Omaha Cowboy]

But the only reason the downtown stadium was built, was and is to host the CWS..So it really would not make any sense to build a baseball stadium that seats 25,000 downtown, if it wasn’t supposed to host the CWS..and keep Rosenblatt standing to continue to host the CWS..

The NCAA wanted out of Rosenblatt.. So that “what if” would never be a realistic possibility…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[mrsticka]

So that “what if” would never be a realistic possibility…

But that's what this thread is about; "What if" scenarios. We all have them. Who cares about "realistic possibilities"?

[Omaha Cowboy]

So that “what if” would never be a realistic possibility…

But that's what this thread is about; "What if" scenarios. We all have them. Who cares about "realistic possibilities"?

There is no point to your “what if” question. There would be absolutely no reason for a Large new downtown stadium and a dilapidated Rosenblatt to co exist..with Rosenblatt still hosting the CWS.. It doesn’t make any sense, lol..

But whatever- carry on…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[We Don’t Coast]

So that “what if” would never be a realistic possibility…

But that's what this thread is about; "What if" scenarios. We all have them. Who cares about "realistic possibilities"?

There is no point to your “what if” question. There would be absolutely no reason for a Large new downtown stadium and a dilapidated Rosenblatt to co exist..with Rosenblatt still hosting the CWS.. It doesn’t make any sense, lol..

But whatever- carry on…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

I’m with you Cowboy. A “what if” scenario should be grounded in some sort of realistic possibility that makes sense. An old, run down Rosenblatt Stadium still hosting the nationally televised, revenue producing monster that is the CWS/co-existing with a Large new, 25,000 seat (expandable up to 30,000 plus) stadium downtown and hosting the Storm Chasers and CU baseball? Sorry, but it does not compute. I don’t understand what the end game is with your specific ”what if” here mrsticka. Perhaps you can explain?

[mrsticka]

Boy, people's attitudes certainly have changed in 12 years. When they were demolishing Rosenblatt, practically everybody in Omaha was dead set against it. They complained how the city didn't care about its history and didn't want to preserve old buildings and landmarks. Not that Rosenblatt was a landmark to begin with. But now you're all like "It was the best decision they ever made." I just don't understand it.

I'm not angry, but I am sad.

[Louie]

Boy, people's attitudes certainly have changed in 12 years. When they were demolishing Rosenblatt, practically everybody in Omaha was dead set against it. They complained how the city didn't care about its history and didn't want to preserve old buildings and landmarks. Not that Rosenblatt was a landmark to begin with. But now you're all like "It was the best decision they ever made." I just don't understand it.

I'm not angry, but I am sad.

I was pro DT stadium from the start. But I definitely have seen the shift in thought around it. Just look at the Shatel article from this week.

[mrsticka]

Fenway Park in Boston was built in 1912. Wrigley Field in Chiacgo was built in 1914. But they're still standing today.

[Omaha Cowboy]

I was pro DT stadium from the start. But I definitely have seen the shift in thought around it. Just look at the Shatel article from this week.

I always was pro DT stadium from the start..most I knew were pro DT stadium due to securing the CWS for 30 years. I think at the time, it was very important to secure that revenue generating event for a generation..

I have fond memories of Going to Rosenblatt over the years. I grew up going to games there and watched the last sporting event ever held there- in November 2010, the UFL championship game. I loved the place. That said, the stadium was in bad state of repair..and nostalgia aside, it was time for it to go. That’s the way I feel about it today. Fond memories, but no lamenting the decision…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[mrsticka]

Boy, people's attitudes certainly have changed in 12 years. When they were demolishing Rosenblatt, practically everybody in Omaha was dead set against it. They complained how the city didn't care about its history and didn't want to preserve old buildings and landmarks. Not that Rosenblatt was a landmark to begin with. But now you're all like "It was the best decision they ever made." I just don't understand it.

I'm not angry, but I am sad.

I was pro DT stadium from the start. But I definitely have seen the shift in thought around it. Just look at the Shatel article from this week.

Is this what you meant?

https://omaha.com/sports/college/baseba ... 3088e.html

[Brad]

I was pro-Rosenblatt, because that's all I knew. After 11 years of going to The Chuck and Werner Park, Omaha 100% made the right decision. I'm glad I have great photos of Rosenblatt, and I am glad I have fond memories of Rosenblatt, but I am also glad we have two new beautiful ballparks. The new parks are so perfect for the teams, the fans, and the people that work the events.

So "what if" we kept Rosenblatt? The Chasers would still be in Papillion, the CWS would be out of Omaha, and we would have an empty ballpark in South Omaha.

[Linkin5]

Omaha 100% made the correct decision to build the ballpark downtown. I don’t think you’ll find too many people here that were against it being built at the time. The only thing that bothers me is there isn’t a replay screen in left field, as well as some kind of feature in the outfield that makes the stadium unique to Omaha.

[Busguy2010]

I don't think there was ever another option being considered other than downtown, correct me if I'm wrong... But another what if is if they had build the CWS stadium out in the suburbs? What a mistake that could have been IMO. And if Rosenblatt Stadium's lifetime had ended just 10-12 years earlier, before Omaha really started reinvesting in Downtown, I think a suburban ballpark could have been.

[Brad]

The only thing that bothers me is there isn’t a replay screen in left field, as well as some kind of feature in the outfield that makes the stadium unique to Omaha.

I have always thought the left field light tower is ready for a video board any time they want to add it.

I agree about a feature in the outfield. The Dome at Rosenblatt was an awesome feature. The CHI Center and Bob The Bridge are cool, but I always thought that the Center Field/Batters Eye at the Chuck is so boring and plain. At least they had trees in there the first year, but they took a very average center field and made it even worse. Center Field is my least favorite part of the Chuck.

[Greg S]

Boy, people's attitudes certainly have changed in 12 years. When they were demolishing Rosenblatt, practically everybody in Omaha was dead set against it. They complained how the city didn't care about its history and didn't want to preserve old buildings and landmarks. Not that Rosenblatt was a landmark to begin with. But now you're all like "It was the best decision they ever made." I just don't understand it.

I'm not angry, but I am sad.

There were a large number of Omahan’s, especially in South O but I am not sure they were a majority.

I definitely wanted a new stadium for the Chasers. Ideally it would have been downtown but I am good with it’s current location, especially with the growth taking off around it now.

The last 5 or so years at Rosenblatt for CWS we’re headed downhill. They were having to put up that awful fence around the parking lot because the event was now attracting thousands that were headed there that had no plans to attend the game. This is when the parking down there could no longer support the crowds. For out of towners not knowing the lay of the land I imagine it was a nightmare.

I do wish the NCAA had given the architects a little more freedom in the design of the stadium. TD/Schwab is nice and all but man it’s got absolutely zero personality. The foul ground is way too big. Keeps fans further from field. The changes to the ball at least have the offenses back now.

I really wish Creighton would build a stadium on campus. TD/Schwab is just wrong for them. Way too big for their crowds. The worst atmosphere for any local teams. Because of our company’s CWS club seats we also get them for CU. I go occasionally only because they are free and club level is nice, but unless they are playing Nebraska or give away military tickets, it’s dead there.


Greg

[Omaha Cowboy]

There were a large number of Omahan’s, especially in South O but I am not sure they were a majority.

Greg

They weren’t a majority then, and they certainly aren’t a majority now..

Most of the objection to the demo of Rosenblatt back in 2008, were folks in the surrounding neighborhoods who were losing extra income due to charging people to park in their driveways or on their property during the 2 week event..

Locking the CWS to stay in Omaha for 30 years was far, far more important for the city’s economy moving forward, than saving an old, outdated stadium which fell into a deep state of disrepair; and most Omahans realized this..

As much as folks like me have fond memories of attending ball games and events at the ‘Blatt over the years- it was time…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[mrsticka]

Memorial Stadium in Lincoln was built in 1923. Rosenblatt was built in 1948. Memorial Stadium is older than Rosenblatt, but it's still standing today.

[We Don’t Coast]

Memorial Stadium in Lincoln was built in 1923. Rosenblatt was built in 1948. Memorial Stadium is older than Rosenblatt, but it's still standing today.

So now you’re comparing a University driven, financed and maintained College football stadium to a neighborhood baseball park which hosted AAA baseball and the CWS, and was maintained by the city itself? Apples and oranges. The NCAA basically gave the city of Omaha an ultimatum in 2007/2008- either build a state of the art ballpark with all the amenities to accommodate a growing national CWS event, or lose the opportunity to host it all together, with the $80 million dollars of revenue impact it brings to the Omaha economy. Most of Omaha back then and most of Omaha now appreciates the decision; and that the CWS is locked in to Omaha for years to come. Rosenblatt was demolished 12 years ago. The place has provided many Omahans fond memories. But now it’s 2022. We’ve moved on. Agree with it or not, this ship (and conversation) sailed long ago.

[Greg S]

Memorial Stadium in Lincoln was built in 1923. Rosenblatt was built in 1948. Memorial Stadium is older than Rosenblatt, but it's still standing today.

Rosenblatt isn’t gone because it was falling down. It would have needed a ton of work though to bring it up to standards the NCAA wanted. The dugouts were sub par. The concourses were absolutely awful with no air. The seats were terribly cramped (Nebraska will soon be spending millions to address this and the south stadium concourse after spending 10’s of millions on the concourses on the other 3 sides).

They have had some scary instances with concrete falling in Memorial stadium that they’ve had to address.

Greg

[mrsticka]

Okay, getting back to the original "What if" topic again, there's a section of eastbound I-80 just east of the 13th Street exit that's only 4 lanes. Just before crossing the Missouri River into Iowa, it becomes 5 lanes again. So here's the question; What if when they widened I-80 in that area in the late 2000s/early 2010s, they just widened eastbound I-80 to 5 lanes that whole entire distance? Have the onramp to eastbound I-80 from 13th Street become the 5th lane?

That would've made more sense.

[mrsticka]

Here's another "What If": In the late 80's and early 90's, "Jeopardy!" and "Wheel of Fortune" were both on KMTV. Then "Jeopardy!" moved to WOWT and "Wheel of Fortune" moved to KETV and that's where they've been ever since. So what if KMTV still carried them today?

[Garrett]

Then KMTV would still carry them today.

[NEDodger]

Here's another "What If": In the late 80's and early 90's, "Jeopardy!" and "Wheel of Fortune" were both on KMTV. Then "Jeopardy!" moved to WOWT and "Wheel of Fortune" moved to KETV and that's where they've been ever since. So what if KMTV still carried them today?

Since it's a syndication issue that would only have affected Omaha, audience focus for game shows remains intact. Omaha becomes known as a "game show hub" and our metro population today would hover around 1.63 million.

[Bob from Omaha]

I also wonder about the proposed West Freeway that would have been north of Dodge, at one point within 25 feet of Western Hills School.

[WorldStreet]

Here's another "What If": In the late 80's and early 90's, "Jeopardy!" and "Wheel of Fortune" were both on KMTV. Then "Jeopardy!" moved to WOWT and "Wheel of Fortune" moved to KETV and that's where they've been ever since. So what if KMTV still carried them today?

Since it's a syndication issue that would only have affected Omaha, audience focus for game shows remains intact. Omaha becomes known as a "game show hub" and our metro population today would hover around 1.63 million.

1.63 million is also the number I got when I did the calculations.

[mrsticka]

Maybe I chose the wrong words. "Jeopardy!" and "Wheel of Fortune" still AIRING on KMTV is what I meant. I was not asking what if they moved from Los Angeles to Omaha and taped at KMTV. They'd never do that. And I wouldn't want them to. Both shows are fine out in LA.

[NEDodger]

Here's another "What If": In the late 80's and early 90's, "Jeopardy!" and "Wheel of Fortune" were both on KMTV. Then "Jeopardy!" moved to WOWT and "Wheel of Fortune" moved to KETV and that's where they've been ever since. So what if KMTV still carried them today?

Since it's a syndication issue that would only have affected Omaha, audience focus for game shows remains intact. Omaha becomes known as a "game show hub" and our metro population today would hover around 1.63 million.

1.63 million is also the number I got when I did the calculations.

Thank you for confirming. I sometimes forget to carry the asterisk.

[Garrett]

Maybe I chose the wrong words. "Jeopardy!" and "Wheel of Fortune" still AIRING on KMTV is what I meant. I was not asking what if they moved from Los Angeles to Omaha and taped at KMTV. They'd never do that. And I wouldn't want them to. Both shows are fine out in LA.

Well that does change things.

Metro population 2.69420 million.

[Linkin5]

I don’t want to live in a world where both those shows are on KMTV. We really dodged a bullet.

[Busguy2010]

I also wonder about the proposed West Freeway that would have been north of Dodge, at one point within 25 feet of Western Hills School.

I think that would have dramatically changed the trajectory of the city. That's probably one of the biggest "what ifs", and not in a good way. And to think it really almost happened. I think Midtown Omaha would have been more like Midtown Detroit

[mrsticka]

Here's how the I-80/I-480/US 75 interchange was built back in the 60's when it was originally built:

Road colors are as follows:
Brown-1 lane
Green-2 lanes
Red-3 lanes



What if it was built like this at the time? Considering how rapidly Omaha grew in the decades following, they probably could've done this:

Road colors are as follows:
Brown-1 lane
Green-2 lanes
Red-3 lanes
Purple-4 lanes



Also, when the Giles/Harrison exit was built in the early 90's, what if they redid the whole area in La Vista like this at the time?



Or this?



Here's the original unedited map of the area in case someone wants to make their own version of how they think it should've been done in the early 90's.

[Greg S]

I also wonder about the proposed West Freeway that would have been north of Dodge, at one point within 25 feet of Western Hills School.

I think that would have dramatically changed the trajectory of the city. That's probably one of the biggest "what ifs", and not in a good way. And to think it really almost happened. I think Midtown Omaha would have been more like Midtown Detroit

Yeah that would have really ruined the midtown area and had ill effects as far as Dundee and possibly Fairacres. I just don't think those areas would have stayed as nice as they have.

Greg

[Bob from Omaha]

Not for nothing but midtown Detroit is pretty cool.

[Busguy2010]

Not for nothing but midtown Detroit is pretty cool.

Maybe I don't know the lay of the land well enough, but I meant the areas just outside Downtown that are basically just dilapidated, burnt out homes, and vacant lots. What is that area called?

[TransitOriented]

What if, during that last big flood, Eppley Airfield was flooded with 2 feet of water? Would people demand that we relocate it? Would that stall efforts to modernize it? I would imagine it would be closed for months, all the underground fuel systems would be in trouble. We would all have to fly out of Lincoln, or another neighbor.

[Linkin5]

Not for nothing but midtown Detroit is pretty cool.

Maybe I don't know the lay of the land well enough, but I meant the areas just outside Downtown that are basically just dilapidated, burnt out homes, and vacant lots. What is that area called?

I think you just need explained all of Detroit.

[Garrett]

Not for nothing but midtown Detroit is pretty cool.

Maybe I don't know the lay of the land well enough, but I meant the areas just outside Downtown that are basically just dilapidated, burnt out homes, and vacant lots. What is that area called?

Midtown is where Wayne State University is, along with a few museums and cultural institutions like the Little Caesars Arena. It has a pretty big nightlife scene, and has a Whole Foods even, so not quite what you’re envisioning.

[Busguy2010]

Midtown is where Wayne State University is, along with a few museums and cultural institutions like the Little Caesars Arena. It has a pretty big nightlife scene, and has a Whole Foods even, so not quite what you’re envisioning.

What is the part of town I'm speaking of then?

[mrsticka]

I asked what if I-29 ran through Nebraska instead of Iowa. Here's what I came up with:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewe ... 020015&z=8

[Doctor Fate]

How do you think downtown Omaha (or Omaha in general) would be impacted if it had the flagship University of Nebraska campus instead of Creighton AND the state capital and associated buildings?