The Crossroads (72 & Dodge)

[Bob from Omaha]

I feel sorry for building 12.

That's the IKEA

[Dusty]

I feel sorry for building 12.

That's the IKEA

Hilarious! Must be a new IKEA discount store that sells broken furniture and boxes with missing screws!

[Dusty]

Now that Crossroads is getting developed, will developers pursue the Petco/Kinkos building on 72nd and Dodge?
it seems like every few years someone wants to demolish this building and build a multi-story building there. Of course, the ideas have always fizzled out. This could be a hot property now. If the city wants to create a town center vibe, building density on this corner could help.

Interesting note: This building has a full basement. I still remember shopping as a kid when it was Service Merchandise.

[NEDodger]

Now that Crossroads is getting developed, will developers pursue the Petco/Kinkos building on 72nd and Dodge?
it seems like every few years someone wants to demolish this building and build a multi-story building there. Of course, the ideas have always fizzled out. This could be a hot property now. If the city wants to create a town center vibe, building density on this corner could help.

Interesting note: This building has a full basement. I still remember shopping as a kid when it was Service Merchandise.

Yep! And before Service Merchandise, it was a Hinky Dinky. It DOES seem out of place now.

[Bob from Omaha]

I feel sorry for building 12.

That's the IKEA

Hilarious! Must be a new IKEA discount store that sells broken furniture and boxes with missing screws!

Nope. Just some screws

[S.O.Boy]

Now that Crossroads is getting developed, will developers pursue the Petco/Kinkos building on 72nd and Dodge?
it seems like every few years someone wants to demolish this building and build a multi-story building there. Of course, the ideas have always fizzled out. This could be a hot property now. If the city wants to create a town center vibe, building density on this corner could help.

Interesting note: This building has a full basement. I still remember shopping as a kid when it was Service Merchandise.

Yep! And before Service Merchandise, it was a Hinky Dinky. It DOES seem out of place now.

What was the grocery store just East of it?

[Greg S]

Now that Crossroads is getting developed, will developers pursue the Petco/Kinkos building on 72nd and Dodge?
it seems like every few years someone wants to demolish this building and build a multi-story building there. Of course, the ideas have always fizzled out. This could be a hot property now. If the city wants to create a town center vibe, building density on this corner could help.

Interesting note: This building has a full basement. I still remember shopping as a kid when it was Service Merchandise.

Yep! And before Service Merchandise, it was a Hinky Dinky. It DOES seem out of place now.

What was the grocery store just East of it?

Was it a Safeway? Then Famous Footwear and eventually Family Fun Center.

[S.O.Boy]

They are getting serious next to Cass st. Cass is one lane each direction, no left turns.

[Athomsfere]

Now that Crossroads is getting developed, will developers pursue the Petco/Kinkos building on 72nd and Dodge?
it seems like every few years someone wants to demolish this building and build a multi-story building there. Of course, the ideas have always fizzled out. This could be a hot property now. If the city wants to create a town center vibe, building density on this corner could help.

Interesting note: This building has a full basement. I still remember shopping as a kid when it was Service Merchandise.

Every few years?

I've been saying since I moved here all four corners and Dodge itself need to be redone here.

I'd also love for this to be the start of a drive-thru free city code.

[Dusty]

Now that Crossroads is getting developed, will developers pursue the Petco/Kinkos building on 72nd and Dodge?
it seems like every few years someone wants to demolish this building and build a multi-story building there. Of course, the ideas have always fizzled out. This could be a hot property now. If the city wants to create a town center vibe, building density on this corner could help.

Interesting note: This building has a full basement. I still remember shopping as a kid when it was Service Merchandise.

Every few years?

I've been saying since I moved here all four corners and Dodge itself need to be redone here.

I'd also love for this to be the start of a drive-thru free city code.

Give it some time. Once Crossroads is built, it will create momentum for more development in the area. I think the Petco/Kinkos building is vulnerable due to location and shape it's in. It's funny you mention developing all four corners. A long time ago someone proposed building 4 large towers on each corner. It was an interesting concept but didn't really fit the area. I couldn't find any pictures. Maybe someone can find one in the archive.

I would just be happy with better landscaping/streetscape to change the vibe. Less concrete jungle and more quaint town center. The one eyesore is that industrial structure spanning the intersection. Please replace it with something more decorative that adds charm.

[BRoss]

They are getting serious next to Cass st. Cass is one lane each direction, no left turns.

Speaking of that, there are a couple new projects on KeepOmahaMoving for Crossroads -

• Cass Street - 76th to 72nd Street
  A center median will be constructed with dedicated left turn lanes at 74th Ave. The south side of Cass will be widened to provide enough space for the added median. Entrances for the Crossroads development will be constructed at 74th Ave and 75th Ave.
• Dodge Street - 75th Ave to 72nd St
  A second eastbound left turn to 74th Street will be added to create dual left turn lanes off Dodge. ... To construct the additional left turn lane all three west bound lanes of Dodge St will need to be removed and reconstructed between 75th Ave and 72nd St. The entrance to the Crossroads development at 74th will be widened as well to include additional turn lanes. Lastly a new traffic signal with be constructed at 74th & Dodge to accommodate the additional lanes.

[ita]

'We are well underway': Developers update Crossroads project construction

Matt Brown
At the Omaha City Council meeting on Tuesday, developers provided updates on the state of the Crossroads development near 72nd and Dodge streets.

"Right now, we are well underway and have been on the horizontal infrastructure for the project," Emily O'Connor, vice president, Lockwood Development, said.
...
The project is estimated to cost between $600 and $700 million.
...
"We anticipate going vertical and some construction which is what everybody's excited about and cares about in spring of 2024 with some openings likely early 2025 to the second quarter 2025," O'Connor said.

Some parts of the project are still being worked out, like the 2,200-stall parking garage.

"Originally, we had thought to keep it, but as we're starting to look at it again, we're running some analysis on maybe bringing that garage down and programming it to more of the development and then interjecting parking throughout the rest of the development," O'Connor said. "No decision yet."

Investors are also looking at ways to improve pedestrian access into the crossroads with the new library planned across the street.

[Garrett]

Interjecting parking through the rest of the development? That sounds… worrying

[Dusty]

It makes me wonder if the condition of the garage is worse than we thought. I have said before, we don't need all these garages anyway. Lowes and Hobby Lobby sit mostly under-utilized. Why can't people park here and walk one block?
Tons of parking at Aksarben Village with a bus that stops at both destinations. BRT station for transit riders.

As for intersection, I want to see Dutch style intersections built in Omaha. Wide crosswalks with stop line pushed back for cars to see pedestrians and cyclists. Maybe this could be a way to introduce something new, but not radically different than what we are use to.

[S.O.Boy]

It makes me wonder if the condition of the garage is worse than we thought. I have said before, we don't need all these garages anyway. Lowes and Hobby Lobby sit mostly under-utilized. Why can't people park here and walk one block?
Tons of parking at Aksarben Village with a bus that stops at both destinations. BRT station for transit riders.

As for intersection, I want to see Dutch style intersections built in Omaha. Wide crosswalks with stop line pushed back for cars to see pedestrians and cyclists. Maybe this could be a way to introduce something new, but not radically different than what we are use to.

The garage didn't look all that bad to me when I was in there before they boarded it up. Mainly a lot of trash.

The city and the developer need to get together and figure this all out before the city starts building double left hand turn lanes into there.

P.S. Lowes parking can be filled up. Hobby Lobby has lots of extra parking, but expecting people to walk

[Dusty]

The garage didn't look all that bad to me when I was in there before they boarded it up. Mainly a lot of trash.

The city and the developer need to get together and figure this all out before the city starts building double left hand turn lanes into there.

P.S. Lowes parking can be filled up. Hobby Lobby has lots of extra parking, but expecting people to walk

Maybe to us it's just trash and looks great. Maybe to a structural engineer it needs X amount of repairs. Who knows? It just seems like a 180 when we are this far into the project. It cost a TON of money to build or demolish a parking garage. If this developer has this much money to blow, then why can't they build more density/floors along Dodge Street? (Buildings 14-18)

P.S. If you want to encourage more walking, you have to stop giving them parking 5 feet from the storefront. Parking in the lots of Target, Lowes, and Hobby Lobby is the same distance (or close to it) as if you parked in the garage and walked to center of development. People probably walk more shopping for groceries than this distance.

[Brad]

Just to be fair....
Lowes 1/3 of a mile away (4 blocks) following traffic laws.
Hobby Lobby is 1/4 a mile away (3 blocks) following traffic laws.

And unless you get lowes or Hobby Lobby to grant Crossroads a parking easement, its not legal to park there.

Its not just about telling people where to park, there's a lot of legal road blocks too...

LOWES.jpg

[Dusty]

Just to be fair....
Lowes 1/3 of a mile away (4 blocks) following traffic laws.
Hobby Lobby is 1/4 a mile away (3 blocks) following traffic laws.

And unless you get lowes or Hobby Lobby to grant Crossroads a parking easement, its not legal to park there.

Its not just about telling people where to park, there's a lot of legal road blocks too...

Thanks for the picture, Brad! Visually, it looks like one giant block. Regardless, 4 blocks is still not very far. I'm just saying we need to be more resourceful with our projects. Work a deal with Lowes and Hobby Lobby as overflow parking. Not saying Crossroads won't have parking options, but we don't need to go crazy with excessive garages. As Crossroads takes off, it will attract developers to build more along the corridor. Crossroads will become more than a single development. It will be more of a community/district of businesses working together.

[Athomsfere]

Just to be fair....
Lowes 1/3 of a mile away (4 blocks) following traffic laws.
Hobby Lobby is 1/4 a mile away (3 blocks) following traffic laws.

And unless you get lowes or Hobby Lobby to grant Crossroads a parking easement, its not legal to park there.

Its not just about telling people where to park, there's a lot of legal road blocks too...

LOWES.jpg

Just thinking outloud but:

But it would be nice to see that Hobby Lobby parking lot go. Replace it with a garage, and better pedestrian access across 76th there. That Asian Market parking lot is usually overflowing, so adding parking there and letting the lots for the Asian Market, BB, BWW, and Chuck E Cheese reconfigure over time to grow over those lots and provide an arcade for access or walking through to the Crossroads.

[thenewguy]

Just to be fair....
Lowes 1/3 of a mile away (4 blocks) following traffic laws.
Hobby Lobby is 1/4 a mile away (3 blocks) following traffic laws.

And unless you get lowes or Hobby Lobby to grant Crossroads a parking easement, its not legal to park there.

Its not just about telling people where to park, there's a lot of legal road blocks too...

Thanks for the picture, Brad! Visually, it looks like one giant block. Regardless, 4 blocks is still not very far. I'm just saying we need to be more resourceful with our projects. Work a deal with Lowes and Hobby Lobby as overflow parking. Not saying Crossroads won't have parking options, but we don't need to go crazy with excessive garages. As Crossroads takes off, it will attract developers to build more along the corridor. Crossroads will become more than a single development. It will be more of a community/district of businesses working together.

I get what you are saying, but the unfortunate part of it all is that people will shy away from having to cross the busiest intersection in the state of Nebraska, kids in tow, with whatever goods they have purchased. I, too, would love it if it were set up to be more pedestrian friendly, but just based on where it is located, they would probably want to consider putting a pedestrian walk way over dodge if they were expecting people to park and walk, rather than waiting at stop lights to cross 8 lanes of traffic in 30 seconds.

[Greg S]

Interjecting parking through the rest of the development? That sounds… worrying

Isn't that what the did at Ak Sar Ben Village?

[Louie]

Interjecting parking through the rest of the development? That sounds… worrying

Isn't that what the did at Ak Sar Ben Village?

Well, I think this version of interjecting would be parking lots scattered through. Aksarben has just a couple surface parking lots (thankfully). I'd imagine this would be more reliant on lots.

[Greg S]

Interjecting parking through the rest of the development? That sounds… worrying

Isn't that what the did at Ak Sar Ben Village?

Well, I think this version of interjecting would be parking lots scattered through. Aksarben has just a couple surface parking lots (thankfully). I'd imagine this would be more reliant on lots.

So they won't be doing garages?

[ita]

Interjecting parking through the rest of the development? That sounds… worrying

Isn't that what the did at Ak Sar Ben Village?

Well, I think this version of interjecting would be parking lots scattered through. Aksarben has just a couple surface parking lots (thankfully). I'd imagine this would be more reliant on lots.

So they won't be doing garages?

The way I interpreted "interjecting parking" was that they would add more underground parking garages and/or incorporating parking garages in the multistory buildings. The current plan already incorporates that type of parking based on the recent plans, but maybe they add more levels if they decide to take down the existing garage. I didn't think more surface parking.

[Dusty]

The way I interpreted "interjecting parking" was that they would add more underground parking garages and/or incorporating parking garages in the multistory buildings. The current plan already incorporates that type of parking based on the recent plans, but maybe they add more levels if they decide to take down the existing garage. I didn't think more surface parking.

I think we are all interpreting it differently. If it's surface parking, what buildings are you cutting to get this? Watering down the density will get us fired up and upset. Tearing down one garage to build a new one 1-2 blocks away doesn't make financial sense. I'm just shocked they are bringing this up this late in the project. I would be fine if they built into sections like Aksarben Village. Slow down and figure out what you want. I would rather build it slow and do it right verses overbuilding parking options on speculation.

[Louie]

SOMEONE PLEASE DEFINE 'INTERJECTING PARKING' ASAP. WE ARE LOSING IT.

[Athomsfere]

SOMEONE PLEASE DEFINE 'INTERJECTING PARKING' ASAP. WE ARE LOSING IT.

Def: Interjecting Parking (adverb). Marketing puffery used to describe an in-process evaluation of parking designs when a project is overall on schedule and the parking designs are behind schedule.

[S.O.Boy]

Interjecting parking through the rest of the development? That sounds… worrying

Isn't that what the did at Ak Sar Ben Village?

Well, I think this version of interjecting would be parking lots scattered through. Aksarben has just a couple surface parking lots (thankfully). I'd imagine this would be more reliant on lots.

So they won't be doing garages?

But the city is widening Dodge for all the traffic that will be going there.

[ita]

Work on Crossroads development continues with last week's $80 million TIF approval

Jessica Wade
The long-awaited redevelopment of Crossroads Mall is well underway with nearby lane closures and heavy equipment rolling through the roughly 40-acre area of dirt that was once home to the shopping center.

As crews make progress on the underground infrastructure needed for the project, the Omaha City Council last week finalized an important financial tool to move the redevelopment forward.

Council members received an update from project developers before they approved $80 million in tax-increment financing (TIF) for The Crossroads.

Though the redevelopment plan won city approval in 2021, the project’s redevelopment agreement and TIF weren’t settled until recently.
...
Project documents estimate The Crossroads to cost $600 million, but an increase in construction costs and materials will push the eventual price tag north of that, O’Connor told council members during a public hearing last month.
...
The Lockwood-Century team expects to break ground on buildings in spring 2024.

[Dusty]

Investors are also looking at ways to improve pedestrian access into the crossroads with the new library planned across the street.

Good street design can go a long way. I mentioned before wide crosswalks with stop line pushed back. I personally like the ladder style or zebra pattern. Most of our crosswalks now are standard design (parallel lines). I posted a picture of the ladder style.

Also, I'm a big fan of Dutch style intersections and separated bike lanes. Most designs we see involve crossing through the bike lane to get to right turn lane. This is dangerous for cyclists. Dutch design puts the lane to the right. Cyclists and pedestrians cross farther up into the intersection so drivers can see them. I will post a picture of this as well.

Current lane configuration: drive lane, bike lane, parked lane or right turn, curb, grassy buffer, sidewalk
Should be: drive lane, parked lane or right turn lane, curb, grassy buffer if room, bike lane, sidewalk

Simple changes can make our city more bikable and walkable.

[skip]

100% agree with Dusty's comment above. Problem is that the intersection is 9 lanes wide on all sides lol. Ridiculous. Idk about all of you, but walking across 9 LANES doesn't make me feel very safe. Truly don't know what will make this more pedestrian friendly because they are adding lanes to nearby intersections, not taking any away. That is why I mentioned pedestrian bridge before - I don't know of any other pedestrian friendly solutions that will accomodate 9 lanes wide of traffic.

[Dusty]

100% agree with Dusty's comment above. Problem is that the intersection is 9 lanes wide on all sides lol. Ridiculous. Idk about all of you, but walking across 9 LANES doesn't make me feel very safe. Truly don't know what will make this more pedestrian friendly because they are adding lanes to nearby intersections, not taking any away. That is why I mentioned pedestrian bridge before - I don't know of any other pedestrian friendly solutions that will accomodate 9 lanes wide of traffic.

I get it. It's a long intersection to cross. You almost have to speed walk to cross before the time runs out. it doesn't help people are bad to run red arrow's. This cuts into your cross time and that makes it dangerous.

This is a unique intersection due to the size of it. I'm sure planners would have some good ideas too! I just wanted to bring up some design ideas we could implement into the city streets as a whole. Build a better bike infrastructure, safer configurations for pedestrians and cyclists, while maintaining good traffic flow.

[Athomsfere]

100% agree with Dusty's comment above. Problem is that the intersection is 9 lanes wide on all sides lol. Ridiculous. Idk about all of you, but walking across 9 LANES doesn't make me feel very safe. Truly don't know what will make this more pedestrian friendly because they are adding lanes to nearby intersections, not taking any away. That is why I mentioned pedestrian bridge before - I don't know of any other pedestrian friendly solutions that will accomodate 9 lanes wide of traffic.

Pedestrian bridges aren't for pedestrians, they are to somewhat placate pedestrians while not inconveniencing drivers.

My hope is we eventually tear most of Dodge out, or at least bury it. Then we can enjoy this area and remanence over when 72nd and Dodge was a wasteland serving only the suburbanites and West O coming into the core.

[skip]

100% agree with Dusty's comment above. Problem is that the intersection is 9 lanes wide on all sides lol. Ridiculous. Idk about all of you, but walking across 9 LANES doesn't make me feel very safe. Truly don't know what will make this more pedestrian friendly because they are adding lanes to nearby intersections, not taking any away. That is why I mentioned pedestrian bridge before - I don't know of any other pedestrian friendly solutions that will accomodate 9 lanes wide of traffic.

Pedestrian bridges aren't for pedestrians, they are to somewhat placate pedestrians while not inconveniencing drivers.

My hope is we eventually tear most of Dodge out, or at least bury it. Then we can enjoy this area and remanence over when 72nd and Dodge was a wasteland serving only the suburbanites and West O coming into the core.

Right, my hope is that the lane number reduces on the 72nd/Dodge intersection. But if they are expanding lanes in nearby intersections (i.e. 74th and Dodge, 74th and Cass), I have a bad feeling they will not be reducing any lanes on 72nd and Dodge any time soon. So, by the time the library is built in 2026 or so, they will need a solution for pedestrians feeling comfortable to cross this intersection. Hopefully the urban planners are able to get creative...

[Athomsfere]

100% agree with Dusty's comment above. Problem is that the intersection is 9 lanes wide on all sides lol. Ridiculous. Idk about all of you, but walking across 9 LANES doesn't make me feel very safe. Truly don't know what will make this more pedestrian friendly because they are adding lanes to nearby intersections, not taking any away. That is why I mentioned pedestrian bridge before - I don't know of any other pedestrian friendly solutions that will accomodate 9 lanes wide of traffic.

Pedestrian bridges aren't for pedestrians, they are to somewhat placate pedestrians while not inconveniencing drivers.

My hope is we eventually tear most of Dodge out, or at least bury it. Then we can enjoy this area and remanence over when 72nd and Dodge was a wasteland serving only the suburbanites and West O coming into the core.

Right, my hope is that the lane number reduces on the 72nd/Dodge intersection. But if they are expanding lanes in nearby intersections (i.e. 74th and Dodge, 74th and Cass), I have a bad feeling they will not be reducing any lanes on 72nd and Dodge any time soon. So, by the time the library is built in 2026 or so, they will need a solution for pedestrians feeling comfortable to cross this intersection. Hopefully the urban planners are able to get creative...

Yeah, we are definitely moving in the wrong direction out there still. And with what Omaha is willing to do, I suspect we won't see anything good happen out there.

A pedestrian bridge is a terrible compromise, but likely the best we will get.

[Brad]

A pedestrian bridge is a terrible compromise, but likely the best we will get.

When is the last time a pedestrian bridge was actually built over a city street in Omaha? I feel like its been decades?

[ChadJK]

When is the last time a pedestrian bridge was actually built over a city street in Omaha? I feel like its been decades?

I can think of so many places that would benefit from pedestrian bridges, but like you said we don't seem to build them anymore.

[Athomsfere]

A pedestrian bridge is a terrible compromise, but likely the best we will get.

When is the last time a pedestrian bridge was actually built over a city street in Omaha? I feel like its been decades?

The baby bob count?

[Brad]

A pedestrian bridge is a terrible compromise, but likely the best we will get.

When is the last time a pedestrian bridge was actually built over a city street in Omaha? I feel like its been decades?

The baby bob count?

No, over a city street. Like all the pedestrian bridges they built by schools back in the day.

The main point of the Baby Bob is to get over the Railroad Tracks.

[ita]

A pedestrian bridge is a terrible compromise, but likely the best we will get.

When is the last time a pedestrian bridge was actually built over a city street in Omaha? I feel like its been decades?

The baby bob count?

No, over a city street. Like all the pedestrian bridges they built by schools back in the day.

The main point of the Baby Bob is to get over the Railroad Tracks.

I don't know which is the most recently constructed pedestrian bridge over a street, but there is the one in the works planned to go over Pacific at the Heartwood Preserved project. It'll be near-ish to Millard North.