New Downtown Library (1401 Jones Street)

[Vitruvius]

[PotatoeEatsFish]

It would be cool if they put the library in front of Mutual either as a dome or a pyramid

[OmahaFan]

Love the Calgary design

[Taco]

Love the Calgary design

The Joslyn expansion is designed by the same firm.

[thenewguy]

Very cool

[Coyote]

Omaha City Council to vote on library move Tuesday



Moving the Dale Clark Library from 14th and Farnam to the Old Market would allow Mutual of Omaha to move downtown. That vote is expected to occur on Feb. 1.

[Coyote]

Omaha City council votes 4-3 to move downtown library to 14th and Jones

[Coyote]

Omaha City Council members approve lease agreement moving Omaha Public Library's downtown branch

[Coyote]

Omaha library leaders seeking public input on main branch



Community members voice their ideas for the new downtown and central library locations

[Coyote]

Public gives input on the future of the downtown Omaha Public Library

[Coyote]

As construction continues on new Downtown Omaha library branch,
city set to open temporary location nearby

The City of Omaha will open a temporary downtown library branch for six months before opening up a replacement library at 1401 Jones St. The Jones Street library will replace the W. Dale Clark Library, which is set for demolition. The new space will be at 1410 Howard Street, and a press release from the Mayor’s office indicates it will open on September 1 and provide branch services including checkout/return, computer access, scanning, copying, printing and faxing. The branch will open for six months and will not have meeting rooms and children's programs.



The W. Dale Clark Library is seen from Douglas Street in downtown Omaha, Nebraska on March 1, 2022.

The mayor’s office said additional time is needed to complete structural improvements to the two-story building at 1401 Jones, with the expectation it will open in March of 2023. The executive director of the Omaha Public Library Laura Marlane mentioned this as a possibility in the Tuesday city council meeting. She said in a statement Friday that the interim space will “ensure that library service to downtown residents and patrons would not be interrupted." This paves the way for the W. Dale Clark library to be demolished, which is slated to begin on October 1. Mutual of Omaha plans to build a skyscraper in its place.

[ItsAllAboutMe]

I thought the demolition was not going to start until Dec-Jan time frame. Unless I didn't see the memo that seems like an accelerated schedule.

[Omaha Cowboy]

I thought the demolition was not going to start until Dec-Jan time frame. Unless I didn't see the memo that seems like an accelerated schedule.

It sure is accelerated if we believe this KMTV news piece..

Everything I’ve read and heard, is prep work and demolition of the W Dale Clark will start in December thru January..with the construction of the tower to start in February. Until I hear collaboration of this new October schedule, I’m sticking with the timeline which has been consistently communicated…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Coyote]

City announces plans for temporary downtown library branch



Omaha World-Herald

The temporary branch is set to open on Sept. 1, according to city officials.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Interesting- now the W-H is confirming demolition for the library to potentially begin Oct 1st..

Not that I’m complaining, but this it a pretty accelerated track on demo which, if we connect the dots, could mean an earlier start date for the Mutual Skyscraper to break ground (possibly December?)..

This is pretty big deal, sort of snuck in as an afterthought to both of these stories..

I guess we’ll see if it happens…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[ItsAllAboutMe]

Interesting- now the W-H is confirming demolition for the library to potentially begin Oct 1st..

Not that I’m complaining, but this it a pretty accelerated track on demo which, if we connect the dots, could mean an earlier start date for the Mutual Skyscraper to break ground (possibly December?)..

This is pretty big deal, sort of snuck in as an afterthought to both of these stories..

I guess we’ll see if it happens…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

I'm excited for this to get going on what seems like an extremely accelerated demo schedule. Bring on the final MOA renderings.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Interesting- now the W-H is confirming demolition for the library to potentially begin Oct 1st..

Not that I’m complaining, but this it a pretty accelerated track on demo which, if we connect the dots, could mean an earlier start date for the Mutual Skyscraper to break ground (possibly December?)..

This is pretty big deal, sort of snuck in as an afterthought to both of these stories..

I guess we’ll see if it happens…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

I'm excited for this to get going on what seems like an extremely accelerated demo schedule. Bring on the final MOA renderings.

Absolutely agree. Perhaps we’ll see something as early as mid August. That would be great …

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[NEDodger]

I’m wondering if the original timeframe was an estimate based on when they thought they could get the collection useable at another site? If that’s ready to go/they can get books moved over in time, there’s no reason to not go ahead and proceed with demolition.

[BRoss]

Article from the OWH about the temporary site:

City announces plans for temporary downtown Omaha library branch

City officials on Friday announced plans to open a temporary library in downtown Omaha that will allow for the demolition of the W. Dale Clark Library months before the new downtown branch opens.

The plan would see the city pay $27,000 to rent space at 1410 Howard St. for six months, per an agreement slated to go before the Omaha City Council on Tuesday. A separate agreement would pay an architecture and engineering firm $10,000 to design the temporary site.

According to the plan released by the Mayor’s Office on Friday, the Howard Street location would open Sept. 1 and maintain the same hours of the existing downtown library, the W. Dale Clark, which will close at the end of August.

The temporary site would allow the city to maintain library services between the closure of the W. Dale Clark — which will be demolished to make way for Mutual of Omaha’s new headquarters — and the opening of the new downtown library branch at 1401 Jones St.

An official in the Mayor’s Office previously said they hoped to have the Jones Street location up and running by Jan. 1, 2023. However, it is now on track to open March 1.

[Uffda]

Saw this story about Today’s libraries - hopefully the leaders of the new Omaha library look to see what other cities are doing.

Beyond books: The 21st century public library
No shushing here! The modern library is more than just a repository of books. Correspondent Conor Knighton checks out how today's libraries are public spaces designed to foster connections while keeping pace with technology and the needs of the community.

[Coyote]

Structural issues cause delay in opening of new downtown library

Omaha World-Herald
Emails obtained by The World-Herald through a records request offer a look at how structural issues within the historic building slotted for Omaha's new downtown library branch have delayed the project.

[skinzfan23]

According to the article:

Updated timeline:

1410 Howard St - expected to open Aug 29, 2022
W Dale Clark - closing on Aug 28, 2022
1201 Jones St - opening in March 2023.

[NEDodger]

How long to tear down the Clark? A month?

[Ben]

I don't get why the city is footing the bill for the structural repairs at 1401 Howard. Its the building skeleton, not like interior buildout. Nearly certain that should fall on the property owner /developer. $2M is no small overage...

[Omaha Cowboy]

How long to tear down the Clark? A month?

Im no expert, but from what I understand, a month to 6-8 weeks max. They’re starting demo October 1st per the latest timeline (originally it was December). So let’s say everything is completely cleared by Thanksgiving..If Mutual wanted to start earlier on the construction of their HQ’s skyscraper, they could start December 1st.. That’s at least a month earlier than originally planned…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Coyote]

Omaha City Council approves extra funds for downtown library move

Relocation costs are stacking up for Omaha’s new downtown library, but leaders trust there will be a happy ending.

[Coyote]

Omaha City Council approves extra $130k for downtown library move
Relocation costs are stacking up for Omaha’s new downtown library, but leaders trust there will be a happy ending.


At the W. Dale Clark Library, movers are loading up for Omaha Public Library's next chapter. "I don't think it's quite hit me yet. I keep seeing the giant boxes of books being moved out and it's a little startling sometimes," executive director Laura Marlane said. Omaha's City Council this week approved an extra $130,294.24 for library relocation. In the initial deal with HDR, the city agreed to pay $494,613.76. In an email, the mayor's deputy chief of staff for economic development said the original number was an estimate. KETV NewsWatch 7 asked the mayor’s office whether inflation contributed to the updated cost, but we did not receive a response.

"I think once we're there, everybody will realize this was the right thing to do," said Marlane, who is taking a page out of the Gene Leahy Mall book as she discusses the relocation. “Some ways, it's similar to the park project, people were reluctant to see this beautiful space change. And yet now we have this even more accessible, beautiful space." Marlane did not know about the added cost, but said her focus has been on moving into the new space – an interim downtown branch on 14th and Howard and the new administrative branch at 84th and Frederick. “We are just sort of the boots on the ground with the move itself," Marlane said. “We’ve learned a lot from this move.”

Marlane said there is no playbook for transporting 122,000 square feet worth of titles. The new space will have about 90,000 square feet, though Marlane said all the collections from W. Dale Clark will fit in the new building on 14th and Jones. "We have tried to plan out Plan B, Plan C," Marlane said. "I think we're going to have a nice space to use." Getting all the volumes where they need to go is not a task for the faint of heart, so they have booked a team specializing in moving libraries. "This building, while it's been wonderful and has done such an amazing service for the community, it doesn't work well with technology," said Marlane, referring to the building’s thick concrete, which was fashionable in the 1970s but inhibits the use of Wi-Fi, which is a leading reason people visit libraries in 2022. The new downtown branch is still on the books to open in March 2023. Shelves are stacked at the interim library. "It’s still a little early to see how well that collection is meeting the needs of the patrons," said Marlane, adding they are considering adding more seating in the winter when people use libraries as a refuge from the cold.

[Big E]

Windows in. Sign up. Jones street between 14th and 15th open for car traffic again.

Library demolition/MoO debate aside, it can not be overstated what a major, major improvement this is for the long derelict corner.

Can't wait for the first person to get run over trying to cross 3 lanes of 14th street with no lights, stop sign, or street lights.

[jjjjhskr]

Windows in. Sign up. Jones street between 14th and 15th open for car traffic again.

Library demolition/MoO debate aside, it can not be overstated what a major, major improvement this is for the long derelict corner.

Can't wait for the first person to get run over trying to cross 3 lanes of 14th street with no lights, stop sign, or street lights.

Much better than people putting their lives at risk using public transportation (which the city is trying to encourage) crossing 72nd St or Dodge.

[Big E]

At least there’s no essential-for-life-as-we-know-it truck traffic on 14th and Jones.

Fwiw that intersection and 13th and jones need at LEAST a yellow flashing light of some kind, if not a straight four way stop. Trying to cross 13th at jones can be a nightmare.

[skinzfan23]

New downtown Omaha library opening delayed again

[OracleOfOmaha]

New downtown Omaha library opening delayed again

Is it bad that I think this actually looks pretty cool for a library?

Aside from all the shenanigans.

[Louie]

I have no complaints about the outdoor visuals. Especially considering how the building looked prior.

[ita]

Hawt. It's turning out to be a really nicely done building, based on these pics. I need to see it in person.

[Coyote]

Omaha Public Library's new downtown branch

Omaha Public Library will soon be opening its new downtown branch and gave KETV NewsWatch 7 an inside look.

[TitosBuritoBarn]

I like this a lot. I just wish that the main branch elements for 72nd and Dodge would be here instead. Ideally they could acquire the building at 15th and Leavenworth for this purpose, but that's a pipe dream.

[Coyote]

Omaha’s new downtown library opens its doors for a tour



Downtown Omaha’s newest library is set to open in just a few months. 6 News tagged along today with some excited students to get a first look at what the location’s looking like so far. “We wanted to invite at least a class over to come and see this space so that the school and the community know that your library is almost ready to be reopened again,” said Stacy Lickteig with Omaha Public Libraries. The two-story, 30,000-square-foot library was supposed to open this month.

“The more we dug in, the more rot we found so we have to replace the structure. So that kind of took a little longer than we anticipated,” a manager from the construction crew told 6 News. Now, it’s set for some time in May, though an exact date was not given. The design features exposed brick and beamed ceilings. There will be a story house for kids and a teen section for the big kids.

It will also include a reading room with curated collections, six meeting rooms, and two Zoom rooms. The furniture isn’t yet in place, but they say it’ll be flexible. “All of our shelving, all of our furniture, we can move it around so we can have all kinds of events here. While we had events at W. Dale Clark, we always had to think about the size. It was always kind of a struggle,” said Lickteig. This will be considerably smaller because it’s a local branch, not the central location. The kids Wednesday didn’t seem fazed by that. “What’s your favorite part of the library?” asked a librarian on the tour.

“My favorite part of the library is everything. I can’t wait for it to be open,” replied a student.

[Omaha Cowboy]

New downtown Omaha library opening delayed again

These pics are really cool. Well done ..

I really like the looks of the exterior…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[halgy]

I like this a lot. I just wish that the main branch elements for 72nd and Dodge would be here instead. Ideally they could acquire the building at 15th and Leavenworth for this purpose, but that's a pipe dream.

I'm not sure that the main branch needs to be downtown, but almost anything would be better than 72nd and Dodge. The concept renders look cool, but it would be a shining new building surrounded by parking lots and traffic. A library like that should be an anchor for a walkable neighborhood, with lots of other activities to do as well. But at that intersection, there's no neighborhood to be had. Just cars.

[JDJase]

I like this a lot. I just wish that the main branch elements for 72nd and Dodge would be here instead. Ideally they could acquire the building at 15th and Leavenworth for this purpose, but that's a pipe dream.

I'm not sure that the main branch needs to be downtown, but almost anything would be better than 72nd and Dodge. The concept renders look cool, but it would be a shining new building surrounded by parking lots and traffic. A library like that should be an anchor for a walkable neighborhood, with lots of other activities to do as well. But at that intersection, there's no neighborhood to be had. Just cars.

100% agree