Civic Square (former Civic Auditorium)

[Athomsfere]

I haven't watched the video yet... But I hope there is ample, secure bike parking too.

[skinzfan23]

Plans to develop Omaha Civic Auditorium site, featuring grocery store, residential property

https://www.ketv.com/article/omaha-civi ... y/43866298

White Lotus Group introduced plans for the site, known as Civic Square, and said it includes "prioritizing the installation of a national grocer."

According to article, site prep to begin in early 2024.

[Doctor Fate]

Here are some renderings:

[Garrett]

Not bad! Looks pretty similar to what the Urban Core Plan envisions. Would love to take a peak at the numbers of the development.

[Cermak]

Thumbs up on this ! No doubt will help with density and be great to no longer have that huge grassy spot downtown.

[Garrett]

Here's their website. Not much info at the moment beyond what's been stated in the articles though

https://civicsquareomaha.com/

[ita]

Here's their website. Not much info at the moment beyond what's been stated in the articles though

https://civicsquareomaha.com/

Thanks for the link! Much higher res renderings.

Best thing I am seeing about this is it's a realistic development to get done. Also waiting to see the numbers, though the article did say 180 on street parking stalls, in addition to the garage. Townhouses facing I-480 is a little odd, but if there are serious plans behind the scenes to eventually take it down, then whatever.

Looks like they downsized the office building, but that's OK. The added grocery store and fitness center are good adds. I wonder if CHDP might be involved? They are redeveloping the Anglim building for health offices. The rendering has a giant climbing wall. Kind of fits into what CHDP was planning for the Intersections project. Anyway, I am excited to see this move forward.

[Big E]

Whatever. Still gonna get my groceries online. ;)

[Erik]

Developments like these are part of what is needed for downtown. I cannot state how critical having many of these projects are to massively induce density, which inevitably leads to larger buildings (for the hight obsessed).

More of this, please!

[Stvbec74]

I like it although I’ve got in my head there seems to be a missed opportunity here. If the urban core committee’s ambitious goal of creating 30,000 more jobs and adding 30,000 people in 20 years, one would think urban density and height would be key in this and all other developments in the core. It definitely has a cool factor and I guess at this point we’ll take what we can get over a big grassy lot, but I think we can do better.

[thenewguy]

Yeah I mean the amenities are cool but I do wish they'd have a least one of the buildings with 10 or so floors. If I were moving downtown, personally, I'd want to at least have an option where there were some views to be had. Not that there are none with this development, but I high balcony would be cool

[Omaha Cowboy]

Developments like these are part of what is needed for downtown. I cannot state how critical having many of these projects are to massively induce density, which inevitably leads to larger buildings (for the hight obsessed).

More of this, please!

Definitely Erik..

This is yet another proposed project to get excited about …

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[MTO]

So are they leaving those off ramps?

[Kminustwo]

Ok so I'm excited with all the momentum DT Omaha is going through right now. It's really remarkable to be honest with you all. I mean for me living in Minneapolis all these years and to come back to my hometown I fine it very exciting to see this. I knew Omaha would have it's day eventually. I personally don't want to see alot of 3&4 story buildings DT but with the grocery store component it could be a great deal for the core.

[Bob from Omaha]

If I'm not mistaken White Lotus was announced as the developer in 2021. Channel 7 is the next station after Channel 6 to go with a "BREAKING" banner announcing White Lotus as the developer this week.

Was there a sale on 'BREAKING' banners? Here in Detroit they use BREAKING at the start of the newscast to let us know if the newest shooting was on Detroit's west side or the east side. Every night on the 11 PM newscast. Maybe I'm just used to BREAKING used that was and not the above.

Whatever. Yeah, mix in a 10+ story residential component.

[Dusty]

This is about what I expected, but I like it. I know I stressed my opinion about not going crazy filling the space with parking garages. Work with the 2 massive ones right next to the complex, right?

Maybe they were listening. This was posted on their website

You won’t have to circle the block again and again at Civic Square. Parking will be available on-street as well as in a 500-stall garage. There will be over 2,300 parking stalls within 1.5 blocks of Civic Square.

[Mapguy]

I love the 4 over 1 concept!!! It screams I want to invest here but not take any actual financial risks.

Where else have we seen this 4 over 1??? Benson, Blackstone, Aksarben, multiple spots downtown, Leavenworth, Saddle Creek. Dundee

Im sure this visionary 5 story building will be applying for TIF to offset the huge risk of building an untested 4 over 1 building.

[Coyote]

Plans for old Omaha Civic Auditorium site include grocery store, shopping, housing



Developers of a wide-ranging project on the site of the old Civic Auditorium in downtown Omaha say the plans will "fundamentally change the downtown living environment."

[MadJack]

Expecting much more than 5-story buildings at this site feels unrealistic to me and maybe a little unreasonable. Since White Lotus' first Civic site rendering was released, the center of gravity in downtown Omaha has shifted dramatically. If someone is going to build something of 10 stories or more in our city, it's probably going to be along the streetcar line. Frankly, we'll be lucky if this project ends up looking as impressive as what's portrayed in these renderings.

Now that the streetcar is moving forward -- and the $300 million Riverfront parks are nearing completion -- the Civic site is definitely "off the beaten path." When you walk around that part of downtown, it's dead. And it feels noticeably separated from the more energized parts of downtown. Meanwhile, the 10th Street corridor, Old Market and area around Gene Leahy Mall are alive and full of activity. That's where I expect taller buildings to be proposed (and along the Farnam/Harney corridor). If a lot of the new buildings proposed for the streetcar zone end up being low rise, then go ahead and be concerned.

For what the civic site is and where it's located, this is a pretty ambitious project.

[Garrett]

There is a comments section on the website if you'd like to give input. The OWH article seems to indicate they're looking for that so fire away. But I do give them credit for at least having more interesting architectural features than a generic 5-over-1

[nativeomahan]

None of these proposals look particularly impressive to me. If they could land a condo tower, an urban Target or Hy-Vee that would impress me. But from what I can tell not a single company has put their name out as tenants on this property.
Maybe they are taking a their cue from the super over-hyped development west of Boystown, and when all is said and done they will end up with a retirement home, a Little King and yet another Starbuck’s.

[Linkin5]

My take is not every development has to include tall towers, this looks solid and addresses several things downtown needs including a grocery store and housing. As stated previously, I think you’ll see the height people are looking for near the streetcar route.

[Cermak]

My take is not every development has to include tall towers, this looks solid and addresses several things downtown needs including a grocery store and housing. As stated previously, I think you’ll see the height people are looking for near the streetcar route.

Agree, this project doesn't need to be tall. It mainly needs to be vibrant and self sustaining. It should help increase foot traffic and general activity in the northwest section of downtown. This part of downtown has been kinda quiet and empty looking since the old civic arena was demolished years ago.

[TitosBuritoBarn]

My main concern with this development is that the grocery is a little past comfortable walking distance from the Old Market and other residential parts of downtown Omaha. Ideally people could walk to it to pick up a few things rather than jump in their car, but at 0.8 miles or about a 17 minute walk from 11th and Howard it’s a little outside the 0.5 mile/15 minute rule of thumb.

[Athomsfere]

I love the 4 over 1 concept!!! It screams I want to invest here but not take any actual financial risks.

Where else have we seen this 4 over 1??? Benson, Blackstone, Aksarben, multiple spots downtown, Leavenworth, Saddle Creek. Dundee

Im sure this visionary 5 story building will be applying for TIF to offset the huge risk of building an untested 4 over 1 building.

Technically, 5 over 1 still. As that describes the materials not the height.

[Athomsfere]

This is about what I expected, but I like it. I know I stressed my opinion about not going crazy filling the space with parking garages. Work with the 2 massive ones right next to the complex, right?

Maybe they were listening. This was posted on their website

You won’t have to circle the block again and again at Civic Square. Parking will be available on-street as well as in a 500-stall garage. There will be over 2,300 parking stalls within 1.5 blocks of Civic Square.

It is certainly a good sign for Omaha. The developer was likely able to save millions core gets a little healthier.

I'd assume being a TOD zone with the ORBT and street car nearby helped here too.

[Athomsfere]

I main concern with this development is that the grocery is a little past comfortable walking distance from the Old Market and other residential parts of downtown Omaha. Ideally people could walk to it to pick up a few things rather than jump in their car, but at 0.8 miles or about a 17 minute walk from 11th and Howard it’s a little outside the 0.5 mile/15 minute rule of thumb.

Still an easy distance via cargo bike though.

[Dusty]

I main concern with this development is that the grocery is a little past comfortable walking distance from the Old Market and other residential parts of downtown Omaha. Ideally people could walk to it to pick up a few things rather than jump in their car, but at 0.8 miles or about a 17 minute walk from 11th and Howard it’s a little outside the 0.5 mile/15 minute rule of thumb.

Still an easy distance via cargo bike though.

Dang! You beat me to it. I stressed before to make sure to have lots of bike parking for regular and cargo bikes. For an urban grocery store, we shouldn't be tooting our horn over all the car parking. I'm sure they will put one staple in the ground and call it a day. This would be a huge disappointment!

[Garrett]

https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/05/11 ... s-housing/

Nebraska examiner article with more details, unsurprisingly. Currently estimating around 200 apartments

[Athomsfere]

I main concern with this development is that the grocery is a little past comfortable walking distance from the Old Market and other residential parts of downtown Omaha. Ideally people could walk to it to pick up a few things rather than jump in their car, but at 0.8 miles or about a 17 minute walk from 11th and Howard it’s a little outside the 0.5 mile/15 minute rule of thumb.

Still an easy distance via cargo bike though.

Dang! You beat me to it. I stressed before to make sure to have lots of bike parking for regular and cargo bikes. For an urban grocery store, we shouldn't be tooting our horn over all the car parking. I'm sure they will put one staple in the ground and call it a day. This would be a huge disappointment!

We are the same!

https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/05/11 ... s-housing/

Nebraska examiner article with more details, unsurprisingly. Currently estimating around 200 apartments

Didn't someone else say there were townhouses / condos in this somewhere?

[Garrett]

I main concern with this development is that the grocery is a little past comfortable walking distance from the Old Market and other residential parts of downtown Omaha. Ideally people could walk to it to pick up a few things rather than jump in their car, but at 0.8 miles or about a 17 minute walk from 11th and Howard it’s a little outside the 0.5 mile/15 minute rule of thumb.

Still an easy distance via cargo bike though.

Dang! You beat me to it. I stressed before to make sure to have lots of bike parking for regular and cargo bikes. For an urban grocery store, we shouldn't be tooting our horn over all the car parking. I'm sure they will put one staple in the ground and call it a day. This would be a huge disappointment!

Once again to remind ya’ll, they are actively seeking public comment. Say something if you want to see something

[Athomsfere]

I main concern with this development is that the grocery is a little past comfortable walking distance from the Old Market and other residential parts of downtown Omaha. Ideally people could walk to it to pick up a few things rather than jump in their car, but at 0.8 miles or about a 17 minute walk from 11th and Howard it’s a little outside the 0.5 mile/15 minute rule of thumb.

Still an easy distance via cargo bike though.

Dang! You beat me to it. I stressed before to make sure to have lots of bike parking for regular and cargo bikes. For an urban grocery store, we shouldn't be tooting our horn over all the car parking. I'm sure they will put one staple in the ground and call it a day. This would be a huge disappointment!

Once again to remind ya’ll, they are actively seeking public comment. Say something if you want to see something

I did! Might actually be the second or third time over the last year too. But earlier I left my feedback too.

[ita]

https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/05/11 ... s-housing/

Nebraska examiner article with more details, unsurprisingly. Currently estimating around 200 apartments

I just read it. $200 million budget, only 200 units. I guess the commercial space is pricey to develop, plus the office building. I was hoping for 300 minimum, based on the render. Maybe they're bigger/multiroom units, geared to families? Argawal does say in the article it could increase. I will leave a public comment about more density.

[riceweb]

What'll end up being 11-12 years just to get this is pretty disappointing IMO.

If the city had simply sold the lot after demo'ing the auditorium and clearing the lot, we could have had this built nearly a decade ago, contributing to the urban fabric.

[Mjs5050ss]

Seems like most are in favor of this development which is fine, it looks OK.

I went back through this whole thread to see how many times this was actually going to happen since Tetrad in 2014. Is there anywhere to find the contract White Lotus has with the city? In 2021 they signed something that said they have to obtain building permits by 2023. Was there anything that said when they would have to build, or did they do this so they could just hold onto free land? Why would the city hold on to land like this instead of selling it? For 9 years, we had 4 blocks of downtown land sit without any property taxes being collected.

[riceweb]

Seems like most are in favor of this development which is fine, it looks OK.

I went back through this whole thread to see how many times this was actually going to happen since Tetrad in 2014. Is there anywhere to find the contract White Lotus has with the city? In 2021 they signed something that said they have to obtain building permits by 2023. Was there anything that said when they would have to build, or did they do this so they could just hold onto free land? Why would the city hold on to land like this instead of selling it? For 9 years, we had 4 blocks of downtown land sit without any property taxes being collected.

I think that's the right angle to look at this. Was the city negligent in any way here by not getting development moving here sooner? I really feel like this same development could have been advanced in 2014, completed by 2017 or 2018. And even if TIF were involved, it would at least mean we'd be 5 of the 15 years thru the TIF payback period.

Again, this development seems fine, but it just seems many years too late and suggests the city was asleep at the wheel.

[ita]

https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/05/11 ... s-housing/

Nebraska examiner article with more details, unsurprisingly. Currently estimating around 200 apartments

Didn't someone else say there were townhouses / condos in this somewhere?

Just to clarify, the article says 200 housing units; I haven't seen anything that specifies they're all apartments. The prior plan called for 20 townhomes. The recent rendering shows some townhome looking units on the NE corner of the development, fronting I-480. Seems dumb, unless there are serious plans to do something about I-480 (sorry for being a broken record).

[Hawkeye]

Seems like most are in favor of this development which is fine, it looks OK.

I went back through this whole thread to see how many times this was actually going to happen since Tetrad in 2014. Is there anywhere to find the contract White Lotus has with the city? In 2021 they signed something that said they have to obtain building permits by 2023. Was there anything that said when they would have to build, or did they do this so they could just hold onto free land? Why would the city hold on to land like this instead of selling it? For 9 years, we had 4 blocks of downtown land sit without any property taxes being collected.

I think that's the right angle to look at this. Was the city negligent in any way here by not getting development moving here sooner? I really feel like this same development could have been advanced in 2014, completed by 2017 or 2018. And even if TIF were involved, it would at least mean we'd be 5 of the 15 years thru the TIF payback period.

Again, this development seems fine, but it just seems many years too late and suggests the city was asleep at the wheel.

This is where I landed too. Is it a "bad" proposal? No. It's not bad. But is it what one would expect after a decade of opportunity for consideration, re-consideration and re-re-consideration of what would be the highest and best use of this land? Not hardly. Very underwhelming from that perspective. It's thoroughly meh.....but in the big picture, meh is still preferable to nada.

[Garrett]

There are a lot more lots I'd rather see have slam dunk big and boastful developments before this one.

[TitosBuritoBarn]

There are a lot more lots I'd rather see have slam dunk big and boastful developments before this one.

Agreed.

Even though the Civic Auditorium used to be located here, it's not exactly prime real estate. I think part of the reason the city hasn't prioritized this space for development is that in the grand scheme of things, it isn't crucial to the urban fabric to have something here and with finite city resources coupled with given market conditions, there have been more pressing needs.