Omaha Police and Omaha Fire Dept HQ (Crossroads)

[PWL73316]

Let Nustyle have the old building, they could make an old Police HQ cool somehow.

It says a lot about Omaha that our police station has one of the most prominent locations and facades in the city, while our transportation headquarters is on a half-abandoned row in the middle of nothing but the world's most dangerous McDonalds.

The police should have the most boring strip mall facade you can find. Put them at, like, 84th and Center in something that looks like it used to be a Shoney's.

[buildomaha]

Let Nustyle have the old building, they could make an old Police HQ cool somehow.

It says a lot about Omaha that our police station has one of the most prominent locations and facades in the city, while our transportation headquarters is on a half-abandoned row in the middle of nothing but the world's most dangerous McDonalds.

The police should have the most boring strip mall facade you can find. Put them at, like, 84th and Center in something that looks like it used to be a Shoney's.

I couldn’t agree more.

[Mapguy]

Id love to see the Max take over the police HQ. I can see it now jail cell mini bars, the "interogation room dance floor with double sided mirrors" a mural based on police squad everyone takes selfies in front of.

It would be amazing.

[buildomaha]

Id love to see the Max take over the police HQ. I can see it now jail cell mini bars, the "interogation room dance floor with double sided mirrors" a mural based on police squad everyone takes selfies in front of.

It would be amazing.

I think this is a hilariously great idea. Although I will say a police based mural would be the target of much vandalism (the police were the front line oppressors of the LGBT community for a long time).

[GrandpaaSmucker]

Id love to see the Max take over the police HQ. I can see it now jail cell mini bars, the "interogation room dance floor with double sided mirrors" a mural based on police squad everyone takes selfies in front of.

It would be amazing.

One room could be called the Firemans Lounge with shirtless bartenders wearing Fireman helmets and pole dancers using old Firehouse poles.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Id love to see the Max take over the police HQ. I can see it now jail cell mini bars, the "interogation room dance floor with double sided mirrors" a mural based on police squad everyone takes selfies in front of.

It would be amazing.

One room could be called the Firemans Lounge with shirtless bartenders wearing Fireman helmets and pole dancers using old Firehouse poles.

Considering their store layout..You could probably come close to achieving all of this, at a Firehouse Subs sandwich shop …

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[OmahaFan]

There’s quite the Anti Police bias on here I noticed. First off I believe the Omaha Police and Fire HQ will be under one roof if they decide to build a new HQ. That HQ should be somewhere in downtown with enough space to put in a below ground evidence room and a dedicated Forensic Lab , indoor shooting range with a parking garage for police employees and police cars. The building should also be large enough to hold the Fire Depts rigs and Ambulances. I’d assume since this is going to be a combine operation the building in my opinion should at least be 6 to 8 Stories tall. Maybe even build a helipad on the building for the police helicopter. The windows on the ground floor should be bullet and smash resistant as well to prevent unruly crowds breaking into the building. Personally would prefer outdoor tear gas dispensers as well.

[GrandpaaSmucker]

There’s quite the Anti Police bias on here I noticed. First off I believe the Omaha Police and Fire HQ will be under one roof if they decide to build a new HQ. That HQ should be somewhere in downtown with enough space to put in a below ground evidence room and a dedicated Forensic Lab , indoor shooting range with a parking garage for police employees and police cars. The building should also be large enough to hold the Fire Depts rigs and Ambulances. I’d assume since this is going to be a combine operation the building in my opinion should at least be 6 to 8 Stories tall. Maybe even build a helipad on the building for the police helicopter. The windows on the ground floor should be bullet and smash resistant as well to prevent unruly crowds breaking into the building. Personally would prefer outdoor tear gas dispensers as well.

Whats next? Are you going to try to tell us we got ANTIFA posting in here. Why would people want to break into the police building? How many rounds of ammo you got stocked in your basement anyways?

[buildomaha]

There’s quite the Anti Police bias on here I noticed.

Interesting trend to notice (I see the opposite if I’m being honest. Seeing this comment piqued my interest into the philosophy of police in our society. More specifically, I question the assumption that the police are inherently good. They’ve wreaked as much (if not more) havoc on our society as they have prevented. Why should it be seen as a negative personality trait to be anti-police?

[GetUrban]

Personally, I think there is actually a healthy wide variety of opinions on this site. If anything, there is a very consistent pro-downtown grocery store bias.

I’d rather see any new police/fire HQ stay close within the part of downtown that already has the justice-related functions near the new juvenile detention center with its connection to the courthouse. Perhaps the empty parking lot just southeast of the current HQ would be a good site. The Mid-City Loan Building on the southwest part of the block could be repurposed and incorporated into the design. The old police HQ could also be renovated after the new HQ is done. The existing 20-year old Douglas County Corrections center is not far away to the south also, part of the “justice corridor”

I’d rather see the 4-square block civic site become a more educational-related mixed used residential/office/retail development, mainly because of its relative close proximity to Omaha Central High and Creighton University. Maybe a full-serve grocery store could even be worked in garnering strong Eomaha support. A new Police HQ would just seem out of place on the former civic site, in my opinion.

[Coyote]

[OmahaFan]

Similar to the shoot or don’t shoot simulator. Omaha has had this tech for awhile but adding VR does bring a different dimension.

[nebport5]

From The Omaha Daily Record-

The City of Omaha Nebraska, Omaha Police Department and Omaha Fire Department are requesting qualifications for Architect/Engineering Programing and Master Planning, Design and Construction Administration Services for the construction of a new City of Omaha Police/Fire Headquarters.

Omaha Daily Record

[Athomsfere]

From The Omaha Daily Record-

The City of Omaha Nebraska, Omaha Police Department and Omaha Fire Department are requesting qualifications for Architect/Engineering Programing and Master Planning, Design and Construction Administration Services for the construction of a new City of Omaha Police/Fire Headquarters.

Omaha Daily Record

And there it is! lol
Also, that site is terrible and needs some work for readability.

[Doctor Fate]

From The Omaha Daily Record-

The City of Omaha Nebraska, Omaha Police Department and Omaha Fire Department are requesting qualifications for Architect/Engineering Programing and Master Planning, Design and Construction Administration Services for the construction of a new City of Omaha Police/Fire Headquarters.

Omaha Daily Record

And there it is! lol
Also, that site is terrible and needs some work for readability.

Awesome! Opening up the blocks that the existing HQs are on will hopefully lead to some (at a minimum) midrise residential buildings.

[Louie]

DO they have a location for the new HQs in mind?

And excellent opportunities for redevelopment with those two plots.

[CBJason]

This is quite interesting and something I’ve been pondering recently. What if they city, county and state consolidated all these offices and departments into one location opening up a few more prime downtown development sites? Where could they relocate everything to? I think it was previously mentioned here that the civc site would be a possibility, I agree with that as well. Another spot I thought about would be the large green space next physicians mutual if they needed even more land? Thoughts?

[iamjacobm]

This is quite interesting and something I’ve been pondering recently. What if they city, county and state consolidated all these offices and departments into one location opening up a few more prime downtown development sites? Where could they relocate everything to? I think it was previously mentioned here that the civc site would be a possibility, I agree with that as well. Another spot I thought about would be the large green space next physicians mutual if they needed even more land? Thoughts?

This what I think should happen if we could drop a few hundred million without it being a financing issue. Civic site frankly kind of stinks for residential and retail. Do a big civic center, police hq, fire hq, move state offices, move city hall and let the courts take the old city hall building for their space crunch they obviously failed to account for with the most recent expansion.

Open up some of the premier sites downtown for more dense development and solve the courthouse space question.

[CBJason]

This what I think should happen if we could drop a few hundred million without it being a financing issue. Civic site frankly kind of stinks for residential and retail. Do a big civic center, police hq, fire hq, move state offices, move city hall and let the courts take the old city hall building for their space crunch they obviously failed to account for with the most recent expansion.

Open up some of the premier sites downtown for more dense development and solve the courthouse space question.

I was wondering if it could be taken a step further and include a new courthouse there as well if space would allow?

[ita]

This is quite interesting and something I’ve been pondering recently. What if they city, county and state consolidated all these offices and departments into one location opening up a few more prime downtown development sites? Where could they relocate everything to? I think it was previously mentioned here that the civc site would be a possibility, I agree with that as well. Another spot I thought about would be the large green space next physicians mutual if they needed even more land? Thoughts?

This what I think should happen if we could drop a few hundred million without it being a financing issue. Civic site frankly kind of stinks for residential and retail. Do a big civic center, police hq, fire hq, move state offices, move city hall and let the courts take the old city hall building for their space crunch they obviously failed to account for with the most recent expansion.

Open up some of the premier sites downtown for more dense development and solve the courthouse space question.

That's a interesting idea, moving city hall to the Civic Site. Why not? There's an existing parking garage and plenty of land that will underutilized otherwise. If we moved OFD, OPPD, and the state offices, that is a good trade off with what is currently planned for Civic Site. Shucks, throw in the permanent downtown library branch while we are at it.

[Athomsfere]

This is quite interesting and something I’ve been pondering recently. What if they city, county and state consolidated all these offices and departments into one location opening up a few more prime downtown development sites? Where could they relocate everything to? I think it was previously mentioned here that the civc site would be a possibility, I agree with that as well. Another spot I thought about would be the large green space next physicians mutual if they needed even more land? Thoughts?

This what I think should happen if we could drop a few hundred million without it being a financing issue. Civic site frankly kind of stinks for residential and retail. Do a big civic center, police hq, fire hq, move state offices, move city hall and let the courts take the old city hall building for their space crunch they obviously failed to account for with the most recent expansion.

Open up some of the premier sites downtown for more dense development and solve the courthouse space question.

That's a interesting idea, moving city hall to the Civic Site. Why not? There's an existing parking garage and plenty of land that will underutilized otherwise. If we moved OFD, OPPD, and the state offices, that is a good trade off with what is currently planned for Civic Site. Shucks, throw in the permanent downtown library branch while we are at it.

The real central branch! Not that one in the suburbs of 72nd and Dodge!

[nebport5]

This is quite interesting and something I’ve been pondering recently. What if they city, county and state consolidated all these offices and departments into one location opening up a few more prime downtown development sites? Where could they relocate everything to? I think it was previously mentioned here that the civc site would be a possibility, I agree with that as well. Another spot I thought about would be the large green space next physicians mutual if they needed even more land? Thoughts?

This what I think should happen if we could drop a few hundred million without it being a financing issue. Civic site frankly kind of stinks for residential and retail. Do a big civic center, police hq, fire hq, move state offices, move city hall and let the courts take the old city hall building for their space crunch they obviously failed to account for with the most recent expansion.

Open up some of the premier sites downtown for more dense development and solve the courthouse space question.

That's a interesting idea, moving city hall to the Civic Site. Why not? There's an existing parking garage and plenty of land that will underutilized otherwise. If we moved OFD, OPPD, and the state offices, that is a good trade off with what is currently planned for Civic Site. Shucks, throw in the permanent downtown library branch while we are at it.

I think this was about half of my '22 development wishlist. It really makes sense particularly in giving up(selling)the existing government owned lots for future residential/retail development. Throwing in the state building besides the obvious location desirability might yield some additional state funding? The city hall structure/lot at this point may not be as desirable but maybe someone with better photoshop skills than myself can create a nice civic minded mid-rise rendering integrating police, fire, and city hall complete with a seductive executive floor!

And Yes, that central library rendering would look iconic downtown among the backdrop of a new mid-rise civic center perhaps adorned with a clocktower? Of course, I think most here would settle for some space here for a relocated DT branch as Heritage alas, will Do as they please.

[daveoma]

I love the idea of moving all of those buildings to the civic site, and the only disadvantage that I can think of is that it's further away from the corrections center.

I especially love any idea that involves the eventual redevelopment of the state government building south of Farmall
Farnam.

[NEDodger]

Land swap time.

Omaha Children's Museum -> Riverfront, near the Kiewit Luminarium
Police/Fire HQ -> the current Omaha Children's Museum site

Proceeds from the sale of the current police/fire HQ lots to the Omaha Children's Museum to assist in building the facility on the riverfront.


1.) You've now got a concentration of museums on the riverfront, which ideally gets more people going to them.
2.) Your new HQ's are now taking up what's not exactly prime downtown space, but is still close to the correctional facility.
3.) You get a little bit of height on the "edge" of downtown.
4.) Opens up two downtown spots for development.
5.) Renovated Children's Museum.

[Louie]

Land swap time.

Omaha Children's Museum -> Riverfront, near the Kiewit Luminarium
Police/Fire HQ -> the current Omaha Children's Museum site

Proceeds from the sale of the current police/fire HQ lots to the Omaha Children's Museum to assist in building the facility on the riverfront.


1.) You've now got a concentration of museums on the riverfront, which ideally gets more people going to them.
2.) Your new HQ's are now taking up what's not exactly prime downtown space, but is still close to the correctional facility.
3.) You get a little bit of height on the "edge" of downtown.
4.) Opens up two downtown spots for development.
5.) Renovated Children's Museum.

Doesn't utilize the Civic site, but this is certainly a decent idea.

[S.O.Boy]

Land swap time.

Omaha Children's Museum -> Riverfront, near the Kiewit Luminarium
Police/Fire HQ -> the current Omaha Children's Museum site

Proceeds from the sale of the current police/fire HQ lots to the Omaha Children's Museum to assist in building the facility on the riverfront.


1.) You've now got a concentration of museums on the riverfront, which ideally gets more people going to them.
2.) Your new HQ's are now taking up what's not exactly prime downtown space, but is still close to the correctional facility.
3.) You get a little bit of height on the "edge" of downtown.
4.) Opens up two downtown spots for development.
5.) Renovated Children's Museum.

Doesn't utilize the Civic site, but this is certainly a decent idea.

That is a not bad idea.

[Big E]

Also when are we bulldozing the DCCC and moving it to Waterloo or Valley?

[nebport5]

There are some good thoughts here Dodger.

At this point it's difficult to speculate, beyond the obvious elevation gain, how much skyline contribution would be gained at the C.M. site given the current structures and lack of new renderings. It's reasonable to think from at least a southeast view point something comparable there would add a little density. I like the general idea. Still, it's hard to imagine Stohert wouldn't again defer to White Lotus at the Civic site for a new police/fire headquarters. They've even hinted at a potential civic project there so I'm not sure what else that would be since it's clearly not a library.

The Children's Museum next to the Luminarium makes sense. Maybe they'd even co-op a multi pass discount. Perhaps the updated streetcar route would even boost attendance on the riverfront?

My greatest concern would be selling the current Police/Fire lots for nothing to a developer who fails to develop anything within say 30-60 months...or in the case of the Civic site, two developers and 72 months and counting. I can't even remember how long the old UP site has sat empty? I think the police/fire lots are indeed ripe for redevelopment(along with the adjacent pawn shop lot) however, let's hope city leaders have learned from the foolish development failures of the past twenty years.

[ita]

My greatest concern would be selling the current Police/Fire lots for nothing to a developer who fails to develop anything within say 30-60 months...or in the case of the Civic site, two developers and 72 months and counting. I can't even remember how long the old UP site has sat empty? I think the police/fire lots are indeed ripe for redevelopment(along with the adjacent pawn shop lot) however, let's hope city leaders have learned from the foolish development failures of the past twenty years.

That is a reasonable concern. I think the OPD HQ is in a better position for redevelopment than the civic site because 1) it's smaller and 2) it's going to be 1-2 bocks from a streetcar spot. That second point was mentioned in this past grow Omaha show. That should get it redeveloped pretty easily if/when OPD moves. Maybe the OFD HQ is not as desirable a lot, but the even getting something at the police HQ would be worth moving those two elsewhere.

[nebport5]

My greatest concern would be selling the current Police/Fire lots for nothing to a developer who fails to develop anything within say 30-60 months...or in the case of the Civic site, two developers and 72 months and counting. I can't even remember how long the old UP site has sat empty? I think the police/fire lots are indeed ripe for redevelopment(along with the adjacent pawn shop lot) however, let's hope city leaders have learned from the foolish development failures of the past twenty years.

That is a reasonable concern. I think the OPD HQ is in a better position for redevelopment than the civic site because 1) it's smaller and 2) it's going to be 1-2 bocks from a streetcar spot. That second point was mentioned in this past grow Omaha show. That should get it redeveloped pretty easily if/when OPD moves. Maybe the OFD HQ is not as desirable a lot, but the even getting something at the police HQ would be worth moving those two elsewhere.

The likely smaller scope of a project there is reason for more optimism. The streetcar, as stated, is having W.L. rethink the Civic site as well. As they should. Perhaps the consolidation of a new police/fire HQ at the Civic will be the first spin-off project since the Mutual/streetcar announcement.

[Athomsfere]

I love all of this discussion! But I still think Turner Park East is the best site for this. Easy access to downtown, midtown, and the interstate. As well as tons of empty lots that need development.
I also think there is nowhere in the core that would be a terrible choice for moving the HQ to. It should get a cool name though. "The obelisk of public safety"...

[ita]

The likely smaller scope of a project there is reason for more optimism. The streetcar, as stated, is having W.L. rethink the Civic site as well. As they should. Perhaps the consolidation of a new police/fire HQ at the Civic will be the first spin-off project since the Mutual/streetcar announcement.

I think Civic Site should be reconsidered altogether in light of the urban core master planning. As you mentioned, the streetcar is in play now, but also, if there is serious consideration of freeing up the three lots at the I-480 20th street off ramp in the next 5-10 years, the Civic Site should be built with redevelopment of those lots in mind. In my opinion, if those lots get dense residential or other development, the Civic Site could then serve as an anchor for that whole district. If that's the case, maybe don't put the OPD/OFD HQ there.

I love all of this discussion! But I still think Turner Park East is the best site for this. Easy access to downtown, midtown, and the interstate. As well as tons of empty lots that need development.
I also think there is nowhere in the core that would be a terrible choice for moving the HQ to. It should get a cool name though. "The obelisk of public safety"...

TPE is a good option except it's kind of far from the correctional facility. Definitely, several options downtown though. As far as a name, what about First Responders Tower.

[nebport5]

As far as the accessibility to streets/interstate, the Civic site already has that. I still have big reservations about building housing directly adjacent to a f'ing interstate. Put the civic and government buildings there as a buffer. I still prefer that that stretch of I-480 be eliminated but that possible reality is unlikely in the near future.

As for Turner Park? Sorry, don't love that idea. I mean we could just move all of downtown's civic and governments services to 72nd & Dodge to help the central library not look out of place. Or better yet let's move it all to Elkhorn.

[ita]

As far as the accessibility to streets/interstate, the Civic site already has that. I still have big reservations about building housing directly adjacent to a f'ing interstate. Put the civic and government buildings there as a buffer. I still prefer that that stretch of I-480 be eliminated but that possible reality is unlikely in the near future.

As for Turner Park? Sorry, don't love that idea. I mean we could just move all of downtown's civic and governments services to 72nd & Dodge to help the central library not look out of place. Or better yet let's move it all to Elkhorn.

Not to get too far away from the thread topic, how does the push towards electric vehicles affect your view of housing near highways, such as I-480? Presumably clean with no emissions and much less noise (road noise will always be an issue) make living near a highway in an electric future less of a nuisance/hazard. Notwithstanding, I agree with your assessment that civic/office space could/should front the interstate at the Civic site.

I still like the Children's museum swap idea. I think it would help that area. There are some Paladino housing projects by Drake Court that might benefit with the OPD HQ nearby. Another forum member suggested the Hines Mercantile as a possible destination for the Children's museum. I think it could work; put it at the end of the Farnam Promenade where that event center is supposed to be. It could help retail on the promenade and help bring more people to the HOA park. Make it a 3-4 stories and call it done.

[Athomsfere]

As for Turner Park? Sorry, don't love that idea. I mean we could just move all of downtown's civic and governments services to 72nd & Dodge to help the central library not look out of place. Or better yet let's move it all to Elkhorn.

I don't think the locations are even close to comparable. MTC feels as much a part of downtown as some of the downtown lots. It's also within easy walking distance of even the old market.

[swgiust]

I don't think either one should be downtown. Move them to an area more midtown and give them space. Like 2 blocks.

[ita]

After the disappointing news about the admin tower at UNMC, I started to look at some designs and recent projects for public safety headquarters. These are bigger counties/cities, but the Jersey City one serves a population of about 1/4 million. Anyway, each project has different components, priorities, etc. The mayor mentioned dispatch may stay in current location. It's at 850 Jones St. downtown, so that reduces need for additional space. Anyway, based on these projects, the biggest component seems to be garage space. I would like to see a podium design so wherever it's ultimately built, it doesn't take up a huge lot (and I want some height!).

Knoxville - sprawling public safety campus that has been expanded upon over decades, includes small courthouse



Atlanta - 5 story building, housing police and fire HQ. 700+ space parking structure. Also, brought to you by Turner Construction, corporate sponsor of Grow Omaha



Fairfax County, VA - 8 story, $100M facility. Houses "county’s police, fire and rescue departments, and the primary data center for the Department of Information Technology."



San Antonio - 6 story office building, 9 story parking structure. Fire and police HQ.



Jersey City - 11 story building. Police, Fire, and Dispatch. Located in municipal hub.

[OmahaFan]

Hearing rumblings that the Omaha Police and Fire dept will share a new HQ. Any good juicy info out there on this? Any idea where they would build it?

[Linkin5]

The conceptual rendering they used is like a carbon copy of the building proposed in Lincoln.

https://www.ketv.com/article/omaha-city ... s/43797577

[Stvbec74]

The conceptual rendering they used is like a carbon copy of the building proposed in Lincoln.

https://www.ketv.com/article/omaha-city ... s/43797577

My thoughts exactly! I thought it was a mistake at first.