Omaha Streetcar Discussion

[Athomsfere]

I would really love to see it, but that would be very hard to maintain that growth, especially for CB. There are a ton of people from Omaha that have a big stigma about CB and I just don't see that kind of growth unless a bunch of people from Omaha move there. Sure, the re-development of Dodge-Riverside golf course will help, but for a city that has only grown 6,000 people since 1960, this doesn't seem attainable.

I also think about half our growth is from inflow / immigration. If you're relocating from Houston, and see great places to live and a streetcar to get to everything fun. Why wouldn't you pick CB?

Of CBs cited expectation of up to 500k in 30 years for the metro: That's only 10% of the growth that would need to pick CB. If the core can also grow 30k, it makes that choice even easier IMO.

Yeah, I think the catchment for the projected 500k population growth in 30 years will be lots of people who don't know squat about the stigma with CB. Having said that, people who might want to move here look to places like Reddit or people like realtors who currently perpetuate the stigma against CB and even east Omaha. That's a problem that I hope will change as we continue to see significant changes in the Core. I could see people's minds being changed if NP Dodge Golf Course starts transforming into a mid/high rise laden riverside, walkable community or all along First Ave apartments and townhomes start coming up.

Try to imagine 50k on the CB side and 30k in the urban core 30 years from now. That's like 50k residential units? That would make the corridor unrecognizable for the better. I think CB could build more family friendly housing and could really boost their numbers that way. In my layman's opinion, CB has lots of potential with the streetcar, so kudos for them for seemingly going all in on it.

Also, something I've been thinking about the last couple days, it's interesting there isn't any one, at least in the news, putting up a stink that CB is trying to get the streetcar over the River.

I generally recommend CB over west O, even on Reddit. lol.

[Athomsfere]

Part 2 of my dream plan is fill the rest of 480 with water and develop along both sides. Create a small version of San Antonio's riverwalk. If you want to keep the car lanes, then build a tunnel for traffic to pass through underneath and build a shallow canal on top. I believe a grand central station and riverwalk along 480 would push Omaha into a "real city" status.

Just for my own understanding, where exactly would the riverwalk run?

No park and rides! The point is to strengthen the network of transit. Ride the bus from West Omaha to 480 Depot.
Now I can switch modes: ride the streetcar to downtown, ride a line to airport via 75 North, ride a line to South Omaha/Bellevue via 75 South, or I can walk the riverwalk right next to it.

Lots of options to get around and have fun without a car.

Exactly why we don't want park and rides. Park and rides are terrible for transit. They disconnect the transit from the area, just forcing more people to drive to take transit.

Instead, make mini-destinations. Grocery stores, shopping, hotels. It can have parking, but it shouldn't be a sad train station in a sea of parking.

Examples:
How Japan does it:


Versus a park and ride




One of these is useful infrastructure. The other is just shifting car dependency.


Why park and rides are terrible:

[psyspoop]

No park and rides! The point is to strengthen the network of transit. Ride the bus from West Omaha to 480 Depot.

How does a person from another town get to West Omaha and what do they do with their car? There's quite a few people that do not live in Omaha but they do drive into work in Omaha. I think a Park N Ride around 210th-220th street would help them.

The short term options would to have them still just drive to work or to do park and rides out on the edges of the transit system. Ideally, if Omaha has a sufficient transit system for intracity travel, then the congestion would be low enough that the out of towners could easily get to their destinations or that they could park out on the edges of the city and ride in from there.

The ideal long term solution would be frequent commuter rail to the communities where people tend to commute into Omaha from. Probably a line to Fremont with optional stops in Waterloo and Valley, a line to Lincoln with optional stops in Gretna, Ashland, and Greenwood, and possibly lines to Nebraska City and Blair but I'm not sure if there's as much commuting from those places. Possibly some lines connecting smaller communities in Iowa into Council Bluffs. It's kind of a pipedream, but a system like that would tie the entire surrounding region together much more closely in terms of economics and culture.

[Athomsfere]

The short term options would to have them still just drive to work or to do park and rides out on the edges of the transit system. Ideally, if Omaha has a sufficient transit system for intracity travel, then the congestion would be low enough that the out of towners could easily get to their destinations or that they could park out on the edges of the city and ride in from there.

The ideal long term solution would be frequent commuter rail to the communities where people tend to commute into Omaha from. Probably a line to Fremont with optional stops in Waterloo and Valley, a line to Lincoln with optional stops in Gretna, Ashland, and Greenwood, and possibly lines to Nebraska City and Blair but I'm not sure if there's as much commuting from those places. Possibly some lines connecting smaller communities in Iowa into Council Bluffs. It's kind of a pipedream, but a system like that would tie the entire surrounding region together much more closely in terms of economics and culture.

NO PARK AND RIDES!

[almighty_tuna]

What if we made Ride and Parks instead?

[Louie]

What is the alternative to Park and Rides for Omaha currently? Have people walk miles in the suburbs to the nearest bus stop? Honest question.

[Garrett]

What is the alternative to Park and Rides for Omaha currently? Have people walk miles in the suburbs to the nearest bus stop? Honest question.

In a world where Omaha had rapid transit in some form out into the suburbs, it would also need a complementary bus system in order to get people to it. So a stop at 144th would need a bus line running up and down 144th. Making the areas around the hypothetical rapid transit stops dense and walkable is the most effective way to make sure transit is used.

[Busguy2010]

What is the alternative to Park and Rides for Omaha currently? Have people walk miles in the suburbs to the nearest bus stop? Honest question.

In a world where Omaha had rapid transit in some form out into the suburbs, it would also need a complementary bus system in order to get people to it. So a stop at 144th would need a bus line running up and down 144th. Making the areas around the hypothetical rapid transit stops dense and walkable is the most effective way to make sure transit is used.

Really the only decent fixed bus route in west omaha is the 15. The 14 and 55 barely run anymore.

They might extend ORBT into west Omaha, though I think that's more of a job for a light rail system. But we probably have to just take what we can get. If they extended ORBT to say Village pointe, there logically should be regular fixed routes running along 120th, 132nd, 144th, 156th, and 168th. I don't believe they'd be nearly as well ridden as say the 24 or the 18, but maybe they could have a bus run every half hour. on those north/south. LONG way off though.

I would actually love to see some infrastructure such as I-35W in Minneapolis.

[Dusty]

What is the alternative to Park and Rides for Omaha currently? Have people walk miles in the suburbs to the nearest bus stop? Honest question.

In a world where Omaha had rapid transit in some form out into the suburbs, it would also need a complementary bus system in order to get people to it. So a stop at 144th would need a bus line running up and down 144th. Making the areas around the hypothetical rapid transit stops dense and walkable is the most effective way to make sure transit is used.

Give it some more time. Good news is METRO just upgraded their authority to expand beyond the city limits. This means potential for expansions into Bellevue, Papillion, and West Omaha. The city has mentioned Center, Dodge, and Maple or strong corridors we could expand Westbound. I would also like to see 144th route added.

As the network grows, residents become closer to a stop where they can ride. It's important we are building strong density around the stations. You could walk, ride a bike, or get a ride from someone to drop you off. Sometimes called kiss and ride....basically a car drop off zone.

The city's focus and creating a strong network in the urban core right now. Anything 72nd and East. I suggested the 480 transit center because it falls in the middle of that and ties everything together. A hub and spoke concept.

I added an article about park and rides. Good in theory, but fails in practice
https://www.greaterauckland.org.nz/2014 ... 20transit.

[Dusty]

Why does the Streetcar doubleback on Farnam until Midtown Crossing? I would think to cut over to Harney at 42nd street to cover more ground. Plus, this would open up more options for street configurations. For example, expanding Farnam's one way status to 42nd. Limiting traffic to 1-2 lane and a transit lane. Trying to minimize collisions and make it more pedestrian friendly. I have never been down Farnam where the traffic was so hectic it needed 2 drive lanes.

[Garrett]

Why does the Streetcar doubleback on Farnam until Midtown Crossing? I would think to cut over to Harney at 42nd street to cover more ground. Plus, this would open up more options for street configurations. For example, expanding Farnam's one way status to 42nd. Limiting traffic to 1-2 lane and a transit lane. Trying to minimize collisions and make it more pedestrian friendly. I have never been down Farnam where the traffic was so hectic it needed 2 drive lanes.

Farnam WAS one way until Blackstone really got going about 8 or so years ago. The point was to calm traffic by making it two way. Having a transit line run on one street over a couplet like we’re going to have in downtown is also broadly better.

[Athomsfere]

What is the alternative to Park and Rides for Omaha currently? Have people walk miles in the suburbs to the nearest bus stop? Honest question.

MY post 4 above your question. Mini districts that have at least basic amenities and don't cut off the transit for anyone not in a car.

[TitosBuritoBarn]

I think realistically there aren't going to be too many people who are going to go through the effort of riding a feeder line to a commuter rail to get to downtown Omaha. There's the issue with being able to get to the feeder line from the low-density and winding subdivisions of west Omaha, which would be a trek in itself for many people. Then you'd have to transfer from that line to the commuter rail. Where the city is pretty easy for driving this isn't going to work too well.

Something that has worked pretty well in Chicago and could apply fairly well with less effort in Omaha is...now hear me out... park and rides that are also centers in their own right. Many of the Metra commuter rail stops in the Chicago area are in the downtowns of the suburbs they serve. Many of those suburban downtowns have significant retail/commercial and multifamily developments. This makes the commuter stations walkable for these suburban downtown residents, creates a destination for people to easily get to from downtown Chicago or another suburb, and the parking, which is often a mixture of surface parking and garage parking, doubles as being for both commuters and those living, working, or shopping in that suburb. Elmhurst, Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, La Grange, and Downers Grove are a few suburbs I'm particularly familiar with where this configuration is at its best, but most of the stops on any Metra line are set up this way. Most Metra stations have local bus service too, so they are also multimodal stations of sorts.

Here's Downers Grove's station area: https://goo.gl/maps/q8QPP2DiuPFx6Q7n7

For Omaha to pull that off, we would essentially need a Heartwood Preserve, a La Vista City Centre, or an Aksarben near each stop.

[Louie]

What is the alternative to Park and Rides for Omaha currently? Have people walk miles in the suburbs to the nearest bus stop? Honest question.

MY post 4 above your question. Mini districts that have at least basic amenities and don't cut off the transit for anyone not in a car.

But there would still be parking there without an even grander transit system to deliver people to it?

[Athomsfere]

What is the alternative to Park and Rides for Omaha currently? Have people walk miles in the suburbs to the nearest bus stop? Honest question.

MY post 4 above your question. Mini districts that have at least basic amenities and don't cut off the transit for anyone not in a car.

But there would still be parking there without an even grander transit system to deliver people to it?

Ideally, there would be local feeder transit too.

And again, I'm not saying no parking. Just not a park and ride. You want someone to choose to live next door to the transit station so that can walk to the train / BRT. Or a couple blocks away to a mile or two to be able to bike to the station.

What a park and ride does is encourage those that could walk or bike to drive because they are second class citizens in a park and ride.

Instead, look at that Kyoto Station again. There is parking around for those that need it. But the area also provides 100 other reasons to be there than just parking. It's an Aksarben with grocery store. And it gives equal access to bikes, pedestrians, feeder bus systems, local trains and regional trains.

Or, try to streetview these two bike commutes:
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/32.8719 ... 872623!3e0

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/37.9180 ... m2!4m1!3e0

Both offer similar parking, but one is a park and ride.

Which of these two is inviting enough to actually encourage transit and density?

[Athomsfere]

Here's Downers Grove's station area: https://goo.gl/maps/q8QPP2DiuPFx6Q7n7

For Omaha to pull that off, we would essentially need a Heartwood Preserve, a La Vista City Centre, or an Aksarben near each stop.

This is exactly what I want. As the base level of amenities and access.

I specifically am advocating that the language we use isn't "park and ride" though, because of how low of a bar that sets. A parking lot in a field that people might drive to when traffic gets bad enough.

We need a new term probably. A Rapid Transit District. perhaps.

Aksarben has what, 4k parking spots? Plenty of spaces for a Rapid Transit District to use the parking, but provide so much more, and not cut off pedestrians and bikes.

[TransitOriented]

We need a new term probably. A Rapid Transit District. perhaps.

So, a transit oriented development.

[Athomsfere]

We need a new term probably. A Rapid Transit District. perhaps.

So, a transit oriented development.

Ish. But not exactly.

[Dusty]

Wow! I didn't expect this to blow up so much about park and rides. Basically, no to sprawling lots in the middle of nowhere. Does not bring a good experience for riders and poor economic driver. Yes to building strong density around a stop in the network. This could look like Aksarben Village. A place to play, live, shop, ride, etc. As you get closer to more urbanized areas the ratio of bikes to car parking changes. That's something we can adjust as ridership increases.

The concept of a 480 station would be bike parking only. It's mostly a junction or jump point for people already riding transit. Street level would be: bike parking and pick up/drop zones for buses and streetcar. Upstairs is ticket counters, food options, welcome center vibe. It would feel more like an airline terminal. You could use interstate level as a rail station if you wanted to convert 75 to a light rail line. As I mentioned...75 North to airport. 75 South to So. Omaha and Bellevue.

Urban Core plan: 480 Lid from Harney to Douglas with a green space over it.

Dusty's plan: 480 Lid from Harney to Dodge with transit center built over it. Part 2: Riverwalk development from Martha to Harney. Build on top of tunnel for traffic to cut through. Canal would also be used for stormwater drainage since Hanscom Park neighborhood has flooding issues.

We have similar visions, but I want to go all in to support the streetcar. Add a fun tourist attraction next to it to bring economic development along a canal.

[Athomsfere]

(...)I want to go all in to support the streetcar. Add a fun tourist attraction next to it to bring economic development along a canal.

You've come so far, young padawan. /s

Yes, I'm firmly against park and rides, because if we use the term, we end up with islands for transit that hurt the city.

TOD is great, but also not useful alone if the park and ride is owned by the city / transit authority and is still that island of parking lots.

That's why I think we need a new term for talking about what's actually good. And I think "Transit District" is perfect.

Take a Capital District, put it on top of the transit line or hub, and surround it with TOD for 6 blocks or so. Make it so that people want to live as close to the Transit District as possible, and laugh at the idea of driving to it if they are also within the TOD or transit network.

And do have some parking for those who must (for whatever reason) drive to the transit district.

[Dusty]

(...)I want to go all in to support the streetcar. Add a fun tourist attraction next to it to bring economic development along a canal.

You've come so far, young padawan. /s

I have always been a supporter of getting a streetcar. My objective has always been the same, which is to build out a solid network of transit so you can get around without a car. When I first started posting on the thread I made some pretty harsh comments, but were directed towards the city and how they handled it and sold the concept. I called it a novelty train to nowhere because of the comments the city was making. "It will be a fun ride downtown" and "Young professionals have been wanting this for years" (fear of brain drain). if your main objective is fun, people will associate the streetcar as an attraction like: a ferris wheel, grand carousel, or zoo train.

My objective is improving transit options. We are in the process of rebuilding a network without the need of a car. The Dodge Street BRT was stage 1. The Farnam Streetcar is stage 2. These two lines lay the foundation to rebuilding an incredible network. Our selling point needs to be mobility. This is why I was painting a big picture of future routes and 480 terminal to show potential. I do believe many naysayers will be on board with the streetcar if they see the big picture. The streetcar is one of many steps.

It's important we aim higher for our 30 year long range plan. in 30 years, If the city is still hailing the Farnam Streetcar as the pinnacle of success, then we should be ashamed. We might as well plaster across the streetcar "We Definitely Coasted."

[Dusty]

I want to add a big thank you to the Omaha Streetcar Authority. They have done a fantastic job to pull the narrative around. The city's press releases when the streetcar was first announced was a complete mess. it's no wonder why so many people are misinformed, confused, resistant to support, and felt blindsided by the whole thing.

I found an article when the streetcar was announced that brought up these issues about transparency.
https://www.3newsnow.com/news/local-new ... a-got-here

We may have had rough start to all of this, but I do believe we are going in the right direction.

[ita]

I was in and out of downtown quite a bit this past weekend. I was on Farnam and Harney several times. Maybe it's just me, but Farnam and Harney from I-480 to 20th might be the area that could use the streetcar most. So many dead storefronts, surface parking lots, and parking garages. On the other hand, there is so much potential. I think older mixed use/residential buildings should be saved as much as possible in that area and have new stuff fill in all the gaps currently occupied by parking lots and structures. I know there are other more exciting areas and lots for possible high rises and such along the streetcar route, but bringing more life to this area would go a long way to making the core more vibrant. Really excited to see how this area develops with the streetcar. Just a thought.

[skinzfan23]

Yes, I have been saying that for a long time. It so depressing when we go to the Rose and seeing all the vacant parking lots and wells fargo drive thru. This area is ripe for development.

[Dusty]

Maybe it's just me, but Farnam and Harney from I-480 to 20th might be the area that could use the streetcar most.

I would add Midtown Crossing to 480 as well. We have been slowly demolishing this area for a big expansion plan. All we have is a bunch on empty lots now. Hopefully, the streetcar will kick this into gear.

PS. I agree with the area near the Rose. For longest time, I thought that was the end of downtown. A ton of crumbling parking lots and nothing more. It always felt like a parking wasteland.

[Renovator2559]

What is the alternative to Park and Rides for Omaha currently? Have people walk miles in the suburbs to the nearest bus stop? Honest question.

In a world where Omaha had rapid transit in some form out into the suburbs, it would also need a complementary bus system in order to get people to it. So a stop at 144th would need a bus line running up and down 144th. Making the areas around the hypothetical rapid transit stops dense and walkable is the most effective way to make sure transit is used.

Really the only decent fixed bus route in west omaha is the 15. The 14 and 55 barely run anymore.

They might extend ORBT into west Omaha, though I think that's more of a job for a light rail system. But we probably have to just take what we can get. If they extended ORBT to say Village pointe, there logically should be regular fixed routes running along 120th, 132nd, 144th, 156th, and 168th. I don't believe they'd be nearly as well ridden as say the 24 or the 18, but maybe they could have a bus run every half hour. on those north/south. LONG way off though.

I would actually love to see some infrastructure such as I-35W in Minneapolis.

Light rail and commuter rail is already being considered in the Omaha 30 year plan.
Black lines are the light rail and 2 additional streetcar lines.

As for west Omaha, it's going to be tough as that area is scarred with wide streets, parking lot jungles, seas of strip malls

[daveoma]

I like the conversation of a moniker for the streetcar route. I have zero good ideas for a name though; I'll leave that to you all.

Also, I found these maps marking possible stops, destinations, and parking along the route. Says it's current as of April 2023.

https://indd.adobe.com/view/6a0d73f7-05 ... fc4b6b5e4e

I like this, but near Midtown Crossing, there are 2 stops: one at the bottom of the hill and one at the top. The same thing with the stop near the Orpheum theater. I suppose these stops are closer to prime redevelopment sites. I love that there's a station near the Cottonwood hotel and the new building going up nearby.

[thenewguy]

I believe Omaha will be the smallest metro with a modern street car (according to wikipedia). There's Tempe, which is smaller, but is part of the Phoenix area, so they are like 4.5M people in their metro

[Athomsfere]

I believe Omaha will be the smallest metro with a modern street car (according to wikipedia). There's Tempe, which is smaller, but is part of the Phoenix area, so they are like 4.5M people in their metro

I can't wait for CB to get their streetcar. I can only imagine the conversations on various urbanist forums getting bent out of shape that a city of 60k has a streetcar in 2030 or so.

[iamjacobm]

I believe Omaha will be the smallest metro with a modern street car (according to wikipedia). There's Tempe, which is smaller, but is part of the Phoenix area, so they are like 4.5M people in their metro

I can't wait for CB to get their streetcar. I can only imagine the conversations on various urbanist forums getting bent out of shape that a city of 60k has a streetcar in 2030 or so.

I had a thought a while back about how many rail transit systems are in multiple states outside the northeast b/c there are a bunch up there and Amtrak.

The only other places in the country I could think of were Chicago (Metra/South Shore Line) and St. Louis (MetroLink). The two I thought were strong possibilities were Cincy and Portland, but they didn't appear to. I certainly don't know every rail transit system in the country though.

[Garrett]

I believe Omaha will be the smallest metro with a modern street car (according to wikipedia). There's Tempe, which is smaller, but is part of the Phoenix area, so they are like 4.5M people in their metro

I can't wait for CB to get their streetcar. I can only imagine the conversations on various urbanist forums getting bent out of shape that a city of 60k has a streetcar in 2030 or so.

I had a thought a while back about how many rail transit systems are in multiple states outside the northeast b/c there are a bunch up there and Amtrak.

The only other places in the country I could think of were Chicago (Metra/South Shore Line) and St. Louis (MetroLink). The two I thought were strong possibilities were Cincy and Portland, but they didn't appear to. I certainly don't know every rail transit system in the country though.

NYC, Philly, DC, Chicago, and St Louis are the 5 cross state rail cities based on a quick recollection. However, NYC and Philly’s New Jersey lines are all operated under separate authorities because cross state transit is stupidly complicated for no reason.

I don’t think Boston’s network stretches into New Hampshire or Rhode Island, and Charlotte comes close.

It could be the first cross state modern streetcar system though, assuming its built before Kansas City’s east-west line.

[TitosBuritoBarn]

I believe Omaha will be the smallest metro with a modern street car (according to wikipedia). There's Tempe, which is smaller, but is part of the Phoenix area, so they are like 4.5M people in their metro

I can't wait for CB to get their streetcar. I can only imagine the conversations on various urbanist forums getting bent out of shape that a city of 60k has a streetcar in 2030 or so.

I had a thought a while back about how many rail transit systems are in multiple states outside the northeast b/c there are a bunch up there and Amtrak.

The only other places in the country I could think of were Chicago (Metra/South Shore Line) and St. Louis (MetroLink). The two I thought were strong possibilities were Cincy and Portland, but they didn't appear to. I certainly don't know every rail transit system in the country though.

NYC, Philly, DC, Chicago, and St Louis are the 5 cross state rail cities based on a quick recollection. However, NYC and Philly’s New Jersey lines are all operated under separate authorities because cross state transit is stupidly complicated for no reason.

I don’t think Boston’s network stretches into New Hampshire or Rhode Island, and Charlotte comes close.

It could be the first cross state modern streetcar system though, assuming its built before Kansas City’s east-west line.

The MBTA (Boston) does have commuter rail service to Rhode Island.

[Dusty]

I believe Omaha will be the smallest metro with a modern street car (according to wikipedia). There's Tempe, which is smaller, but is part of the Phoenix area, so they are like 4.5M people in their metro

Valley Metro in Phoenix is a light rail service. Still pretty impressive what they have pulled off. They have invested a ton of money to build strong density around their stations. This is a good testament on how to do.

Tucson built a streetcar a few years back to connect downtown and the University of Arizona. They have also seen significant infill developments around the streetcar line. Tucson and Omaha are pretty close in size in terms of metro population.

[MTO]

But do we have enough spare lots to develop?

[ita]

Omaha, Council Bluffs streetcar officials push for extension

Johan Marin
Plans to possibly expand Omaha’s proposed streetcar into Council Bluffs are gaining traction.

“I think a result of implementing a streetcar through Council Bluffs would not only help expand existing businesses but also provide new opportunities for future housing,” said Brandon Garrett, Council Bluffs’ chief of staff.

Garrett says they still have a lot of work to make the project a reality. They’ve been studying transit in Council Bluffs’ urban core for several years.

“Our next step is to put out a request for qualifications for a planning and environmental linkages study, which is required by the FDA,” Garrett said.

That study looks at the environmental impact of the potential project. Garrett believes it’s important since the extension would run from N.P. Dodge Park at the Missouri River to First Avenue all along West Broadway in downtown Council Bluffs.

”Connecting tens and thousands of people to their residences, jobs, healthcare, entertainment, and education,” Garrett said.

I think it's neat that CB is consistently in the news about their wanting the streetcar extension and progress towards it. It feels like CB leadership are really all in on it and makes it a greater possibility of actually happening for them. Aside from funding, which is huge of course, they are primed with tons of developable land along the proposed route and existing ROW that's essentially rail ready. Keep going CB!

[Athomsfere]

Welp, a new low for Reddit today on the street car.



I'm going to copy pasta it, because I suspect it's going to change or disappear.

Streetcar Project is Set Up for Cronyism

I would say that I am myself a streetcar optimist, as I do think there are a lot of potential benefits if done properly, but the project has barely started and there are already signs of not everything being completely aboveboard. Now that it appears the streetcar board is going to give the entire project to Kiewit, I spent some time over the long weekend looking into the whole process and it seems to me that having Jay Noddle and Kiewit both involved in the design, construction, and future expansion of this project will most likely lead to cronyism and over-spending. Hopefully this will be able to open some eyes to the whole process.



It is an open secret amongst local developers that Noddle was in pretty rough shape during the 2008 financial crisis and looked to be headed towards bankruptcy or massive downsizing until Kiewit stepped in to keep them afloat. Since then, basically every large project that Noddle does (Aksarben Village, HDR Headquarters, River’s Edge in Council Bluffs) has been built by Kiewit. Not only that, but basically every big Kiewit-owned development in Omaha has been developed by Noddle also (the new headquarters, Kiewit Training and Innovation Center, and Kiewit Ridgegate Campus which is Noddle’s only project in Colorado that I can find).



Locally, Kiewit is not known to be very competitive within the developer community, which is why it was no surprise when they weren't even in the ballpark on the Mutual of Omaha bid against an out-of-town firm. With as stingy as developers are with cash (why do you think they always ask for TIF) it’s should be a red flag that there is something going on between Noddle and Kiewit when they continually use each other even with the inflated price tags.



With all of this, everything starts coming together with the streetcar and the Builder’s District that Noddle and Kiewit continue to develop together. Guess what was released around the same time Kiewit said they would keep their training center in Omaha? The initial study on a streetcar/ORBT system that showed the streetcar running directly through their site in the future (map on page 104). Guess what else came out when Kiewit announced they were moving their headquarters to downtown? Another study further breaking down the planned expansion of the streetcar after the initial phases are done (map on page 6).



The plan is to run directly through the center of the Builder’s District that Kiewit is building for Noddle, substantially increasing the value of all property in it. There is a reason that almost every meeting OSA has, Noddle brings up future expansion. It helps line his pockets, it increases Kiewit’s property values, and now Kiewit will most likely be the one building all future phases of the streetcar too.



All of the ties and unknown deals wouldn’t be as big of a deal if this was a project built on normal the City of Omaha standard of lowest responsible bidder. The issues start to arise based on the process they appear to be following. I say appear because there has been very little information on the selection released beyond who was involved and who was selected. From what I can find online, Kiewit will give a total price to the OSA board and the board will approve or deny the offer. With Noddle being the president of the board, he will have a lot of say in pushing the contracts through even if they are excessively over budget. There are obviously a lot of issues with this and none of it has ever been publicly addressed.



The only similar project I can find (Kiewit was a team member, included urban rail, had a similar procurement, had a government agency that hadn't ever done such a large project) is the Green Line Extension in Boston, and it failed miserably.

To summarize:

- The streetcar is potentially good, but not as currently set up.

- Noddle and Kiewit have probably been working on this for a while which causes issues.

- Noddle stands to make financial gains from the streetcar’s future phases and has a huge influence on the final contracts, so don’t be surprised when when the project is approved even if way over budget because “we need to get it done”.

- The project will most likely finish a year late and 50%+ over the original $225 million budget.



I think it’s important for people on both sides to speak out about this because if you oppose the streetcar then this is exactly the boondoggle you were worried about and if you support the streetcar these issues could stop any future expansion from happening. If Stothert is just going to push this project through either way, we might as well make sure we get a fair deal for our money.

[Garrett]

Holy tinfoil hat Batman.

[Athomsfere]

Holy tinfoil hat Batman.

Exactly my thoughts. A lot of inaccurate details makes me suspect they don't really follow much of this. And then the red yarn connecting the dots all willy nilly.

[Garrett]

Holy tinfoil hat Batman.

Exactly my thoughts. A lot of inaccurate details makes me suspect they don't really follow much of this. And then the red yarn connecting the dots all willy nilly.

Seriously. Saying Kiewit and Noddle were conspiring when neither were involved in the 2014 or 2018 studies is wild. This route has been around for decades in some form or another.

[BRoss]

People who don't understand things always think everything is a conspiracy.