OracleOfOmaha wrote: Tue Oct 31, 2023 4:47 pm
I bet they could fill this place up easily. State government workers who want to live in a bigger city but commute to Lincoln alone would fill half. I thought I read that there are something like 20k people who commute for work between the two cities. Right off I-80, probably a quicker drive to DT Lincoln than Omaha in rush hour.
Get the benefits of still being in the suburbs of Omaha with what I assume will be a lot of new amenities in the area being built as well, quick and painless commute to work in Lincoln, don't hate it at all.
Also, people in Omaha tend to have a warped since of time and distance with commutes or travel.
Going from one corner of a major metro's suburb to the other corner can easily be an hour plus drive in non-rush hour traffic. This location allows for ~30 min drive to both DT cores
Sort of the gist of what I was saying, but "living in a bigger city" can't be it if you chose Gretna. Living near to one I guess?
Another thought though. A few developments that do support more intercity transit (Omaha to Lincoln especially) might finally get the Omaha-Lincoln CSA officially defined. And there are some market benefits to Omaha suddenly being a ~1.4 million metro.
When’s the lake going in down by the river going to be realistically completed? That’s going to change Gretna and the encompassing areas big time. This tower development will only be helped by that.
Damtheplatte wrote: Wed Nov 01, 2023 7:21 am
When’s the lake going in down by the river going to be realistically completed? That’s going to change Gretna and the encompassing areas big time. This tower development will only be helped by that.
Is that a done deal? Last I knew it was "proposed"... but that's one of those things that will out of the blue start happening whereas projects like Crossroads sit idle for 20 years while ppl fight for govt handouts. LOL
Damtheplatte wrote: Wed Nov 01, 2023 7:21 am
When’s the lake going in down by the river going to be realistically completed? That’s going to change Gretna and the encompassing areas big time. This tower development will only be helped by that.
I don't think that is a done deal either...
I also still think it's a sort of dumb idea at current.
Damtheplatte wrote: Wed Nov 01, 2023 7:21 am
When’s the lake going in down by the river going to be realistically completed? That’s going to change Gretna and the encompassing areas big time. This tower development will only be helped by that.
Or vice versa. The big lake was approved in the legislature, yet it hinges on finding a billion dollars of private funding. Having a big shopping/entertainment district nearby I imagine would substantially help secure funding.
Damtheplatte wrote: Wed Nov 01, 2023 7:21 am
When’s the lake going in down by the river going to be realistically completed? That’s going to change Gretna and the encompassing areas big time. This tower development will only be helped by that.
Or vice versa. The big lake was approved in the legislature, yet it hinges on finding a billion dollars of private funding. Having a big shopping/entertainment district nearby I imagine would substantially help secure funding.
I like the idea of a giant lake if they build a strong entertainment district around it. I'm thinking a Nebraska version of Universal Citywalk or Disney Springs. They could pull in a major resort as an anchor like Great Wolf Lodge. Something like this would make Gretna a major entertainment hotspot. It would tie in nicely with the current shopping center and the 2 towers for people who want to live and work in the area. Also, it would be easy to add a bus route to the area to reduce all the cars going out there. For example: Westroads- Southport- Nebraska Crossing-Mahoney/Air Museum.
Side note: Nebraska Crossing Village District is a mouthful! I would just call the whole area Nebraska Crossing.
Damtheplatte wrote: Wed Nov 01, 2023 7:21 am
When’s the lake going in down by the river going to be realistically completed? That’s going to change Gretna and the encompassing areas big time. This tower development will only be helped by that.
Or vice versa. The big lake was approved in the legislature, yet it hinges on finding a billion dollars of private funding. Having a big shopping/entertainment district nearby I imagine would substantially help secure funding.
I like the idea of a giant lake if they build a strong entertainment district around it. I'm thinking a Nebraska version of Universal Citywalk or Disney Springs. They could pull in a major resort as an anchor like Great Wolf Lodge. Something like this would make Gretna a major entertainment hotspot. It would tie in nicely with the current shopping center and the 2 towers for people who want to live and work in the area. Also, it would be easy to add a bus route to the area to reduce all the cars going out there. For example: Westroads- Southport- Nebraska Crossing-Mahoney/Air Museum.
Side note: Nebraska Crossing Village District is a mouthful! I would just call the whole area Nebraska Crossing.
I wouldn't doubt the powers that be are aiming for more than a retail mecca. Perhaps the upper floors of the 10 story towers would overlook the big lake. Certainly a more scenic view than a Flying J.
And yes, N.C.V.D. is a mouthful but then so is Chi Health Center Arena & Convention Center. As discussed on Grow Omaha, district seems to be a trendy term, yet it feels out of place here. And village is as pretentious as the second "e" in Village Pointe.
Dusty wrote: Wed Nov 01, 2023 6:30 pm
I like the idea of a giant lake if they build a strong entertainment district around it. I'm thinking a Nebraska version of Universal Citywalk or Disney Springs. They could pull in a major resort as an anchor like Great Wolf Lodge.
Exactly my worst fears. We get one decent water feature in the state and its all tied up in private development.
Damtheplatte wrote: Wed Nov 01, 2023 7:21 am
When’s the lake going in down by the river going to be realistically completed? That’s going to change Gretna and the encompassing areas big time. This tower development will only be helped by that.
Or vice versa. The big lake was approved in the legislature, yet it hinges on finding a billion dollars of private funding. Having a big shopping/entertainment district nearby I imagine would substantially help secure funding.
I like the idea of a giant lake if they build a strong entertainment district around it. I'm thinking a Nebraska version of Universal Citywalk or Disney Springs. They could pull in a major resort as an anchor like Great Wolf Lodge. Something like this would make Gretna a major entertainment hotspot. It would tie in nicely with the current shopping center and the 2 towers for people who want to live and work in the area. Also, it would be easy to add a bus route to the area to reduce all the cars going out there. For example: Westroads- Southport- Nebraska Crossing-Mahoney/Air Museum.
Side note: Nebraska Crossing Village District is a mouthful! I would just call the whole area Nebraska Crossing.
I wouldn't doubt the powers that be are aiming for more than a retail mecca. Perhaps the upper floors of the 10 story towers would overlook the big lake. Certainly a more scenic view than a Flying J.
And yes, N.C.V.D. is a mouthful but then so is Chi Health Center Arena & Convention Center. As discussed on Grow Omaha, district seems to be a trendy term, yet it feels out of place here. And village is as pretentious as the second "e" in Village Pointe.
It doesn’t help that district and village are just both terms for an area at slightly different scales. It might as well be named Nebraska Crossing Town Neighborhood
Dusty wrote: Wed Nov 01, 2023 6:30 pm
Nebraska Crossing Village District is a mouthful! I would just call the whole area Nebraska Crossing.
It doesn’t help that district and village are just both terms for an area at slightly different scales. It might as well be named Nebraska Crossing Town Neighborhood
That is way too short to be on the ridiculous scale. It would more likely be:
Nebraska Crossing Towne Center Neighborhood District at Platte River Pointe
Dusty wrote: Wed Nov 01, 2023 6:30 pm
Nebraska Crossing Village District is a mouthful! I would just call the whole area Nebraska Crossing.
It doesn’t help that district and village are just both terms for an area at slightly different scales. It might as well be named Nebraska Crossing Town Neighborhood
That is way too short to be on the ridiculous scale. It would more likely be:
Nebraska Crossing Towne Center Neighborhood District at Platte River Pointe
Nebraska Crossing Towne Center Neighborhood District at Platte River City Pointe, At Gretna
Bob from Omaha wrote: Thu Nov 02, 2023 9:23 am
"For the record NEBUGEATER does not equal BUGEATER "
From the Way Too Much Time On My Hands Department. Ok, so is it one of these?
Nebu Geater?
Nebuge Ater?
Ne Bugea Ter?
Apparently, you do not remember the relatively short time there was a poster on here that went by BUGEATER!!!!! at that time there was a need for that statement
For the record NEBUGEATER does not equal BUGEATER !!!!!!!
I'm just saying if you are throwing out a number like 3 billion in investment, then it better WOW us. Go big or go home.
That's why I want a major tourist destination like a pedestrian focused district like Disney Springs.
I don't want to pull back the curtain and find out all they had in mind was a zip line from the residential tower to the shopping area.
Dusty wrote: Thu Nov 02, 2023 11:32 am
I'm just saying if you are throwing out a number like 3 billion in investment, then it better WOW us. Go big or go home.
That's why I want a major tourist destination like a pedestrian focused district like Disney Springs.
I don't want to pull back the curtain and find out all they had in mind was a zip line from the residential tower to the shopping area.
Rumor has it that Mega Saver is already onboard as the "gourmet grocery". They're planning on upscale month to month cell phone options and premium cherry-flavored cigars.
The grand vision to create an entertainment and shopping district with regional drawing power along Interstate 80 between Lincoln and Omaha is apparently moving ahead.
The Nebraska Department of Economic Development has received an application to create a Good Life district in the area surrounding the popular Gretna shopping center Nebraska Crossing.
State lawmakers last session passed the Good Life Transformational Projects Act allowing creation of such districts as an economic development tool. Good Life districts approved by the department will receive a reduction in state sales tax from 5.5% to 2.75% for sales made within the district.
The grand vision to create an entertainment and shopping district with regional drawing power along Interstate 80 between Lincoln and Omaha is apparently moving ahead.
The Nebraska Department of Economic Development has received an application to create a Good Life district in the area surrounding the popular Gretna shopping center Nebraska Crossing.
State lawmakers last session passed the Good Life Transformational Projects Act allowing creation of such districts as an economic development tool. Good Life districts approved by the department will receive a reduction in state sales tax from 5.5% to 2.75% for sales made within the district.
I hope this is "REAL" and doesn't end up like Crossroads. IMO we're sitting at about a 25% chance of it happening at this point.
The big plus is it appears the local govt. is onboard with the special sales tax district. However since there's so much that won't be shared it's hard to say how close Yates is to making something happen. How much of the land has he acquired? What type of commitments (if any) does he have in place for either new retail, hotel, etc?
I still think the previously mentioned $3 billion seems way out of the park. Someone mentioned you could build 2 of the new Mutual towers for that plus have some leftover. So we should see a race track, Disney-esque theme park, hotels, retail, etc all hopping on this, right?
They mentioned this development could be similar to Legends in Kansas City. Not what I wanted to hear. The only good thing Legends had was T-Rex Cafe. It's nothing more than strip malls of boring chain stores.
I think the Omaha is becoming oversaturated with clothing retail. This is not counting all the shops opening at Crossroads.
So I see the funding with the reduced sales tax for this from the state. Have they got anything from Gretna specifically yet? They got a sweetheart deal from Gretna on the initial build (or rebuild if that's more accurate). They tried to get that from Omaha for Crossroads and were never able to get Omaha to cave to a similar deal (and that was a big part of the long early delays). Assuming they will try this again in Gretna.
Dusty wrote: Tue Nov 14, 2023 10:47 am
They mentioned this development could be similar to Legends in Kansas City. Not what I wanted to hear. The only good thing Legends had was T-Rex Cafe. It's nothing more than strip malls of boring chain stores.
I think the Omaha is becoming oversaturated with clothing retail. This is not counting all the shops opening at Crossroads.
It’s not my thing, but if it includes a race track it’s a win. The key has to be this being something that’s not redundant to the market. I don’t think the focus is in the shops/restaurants but on the specialty items - a race track, an IKEA, a Great Wolf Lodge, for example.
Dusty wrote: Tue Nov 14, 2023 10:47 am
They mentioned this development could be similar to Legends in Kansas City. Not what I wanted to hear. The only good thing Legends had was T-Rex Cafe. It's nothing more than strip malls of boring chain stores.
I think the Omaha is becoming oversaturated with clothing retail. This is not counting all the shops opening at Crossroads.
It’s not my thing, but if it includes a race track it’s a win. The key has to be this being something that’s not redundant to the market. I don’t think the focus is in the shops/restaurants but on the specialty items - a race track, an IKEA, a Great Wolf Lodge, for example.
If they could land an IKEA then that alone would probably be the winner they need. Last I knew IKEA wanted ~2-3 million population in the general area to open a store. But given COVID and the fact I've seen them open smaller stores in some markets then perhaps they've changed their development minimums.
IKEA, Nordstroms/Macys, things like that could be BIG wins for sure.
The racetrack idea is also not my cup of tea - and actually I've heard nothing regarding this even as a rumor. I can't imagine Omaha could attract that with KC having one and now Iowa's track getting the major players. I'm personally not a fan of the sport but I do know it can bring in big $$$.
Dusty wrote: Tue Nov 14, 2023 10:47 am
They mentioned this development could be similar to Legends in Kansas City. Not what I wanted to hear. The only good thing Legends had was T-Rex Cafe. It's nothing more than strip malls of boring chain stores.
I think the Omaha is becoming oversaturated with clothing retail. This is not counting all the shops opening at Crossroads.
Not sure how you figure that? There are a good number of clothing retailers with a good national presence that have zero stores in Omaha.
The article states that the $3.2 billion in investment is over a period of 25 years. Also, $3.2 billion over 1000 proposed acres, is an investment of about $3.2 million an acre. Pretty impressive numbers. Not bad, right? The oft criticized Crossroads redevelopment project was most recently reported to have a total investment of $6-700 million. A 40 acre site, Crossroads will have an investment of about $15 million an acre, on the low end. Some, including myself, have criticized that development for excessive surface parking. Now imagine what this development will be like. Don't expect smart urban design or nice density in an exurban context. There will be lots of parking, and more parking, for everyone, everywhere. For what it's worth, the developer hasn't promised that.
If anything, if they land some new to the region retailers, maybe bring a new entertainment amenity, and build 100 youth fields, or whatever the plan is, sprinkled in some residential, then right on. I just don't think our expectations should be any higher than that. Anyway, I am excited to see what retailers they can bring into their plans.
ita wrote: Tue Nov 14, 2023 1:15 pm
The article states that the $3.2 billion in investment is over a period of 25 years. Also, $3.2 billion over 1000 proposed acres, is an investment of about $3.2 million an acre. Pretty impressive numbers. Not bad, right? The oft criticized Crossroads redevelopment project was most recently reported to have a total investment of $6-700 million. A 40 acre site, Crossroads will have an investment of about $15 million an acre, on the low end. Some, including myself, have criticized that development for excessive surface parking. Now imagine what this development will be like. Don't expect smart urban design or nice density in an exurban context. There will be lots of parking, and more parking, for everyone, everywhere. For what it's worth, the developer hasn't promised that.
If anything, if they land some new to the region retailers, maybe bring a new entertainment amenity, and build 100 youth fields, or whatever the plan is, sprinkled in some residential, then right on. I just don't think our expectations should be any higher than that. Anyway, I am excited to see what retailers they can bring into their plans.
Let's hope they use the MECA approach and have several lots that can easily be developed in the future.
ita wrote: Tue Nov 14, 2023 1:15 pm
The article states that the $3.2 billion in investment is over a period of 25 years. Also, $3.2 billion over 1000 proposed acres, is an investment of about $3.2 million an acre. Pretty impressive numbers. Not bad, right? The oft criticized Crossroads redevelopment project was most recently reported to have a total investment of $6-700 million. A 40 acre site, Crossroads will have an investment of about $15 million an acre, on the low end. Some, including myself, have criticized that development for excessive surface parking. Now imagine what this development will be like. Don't expect smart urban design or nice density in an exurban context. There will be lots of parking, and more parking, for everyone, everywhere. For what it's worth, the developer hasn't promised that.
If anything, if they land some new to the region retailers, maybe bring a new entertainment amenity, and build 100 youth fields, or whatever the plan is, sprinkled in some residential, then right on. I just don't think our expectations should be any higher than that. Anyway, I am excited to see what retailers they can bring into their plans.
Dusty wrote: Tue Nov 14, 2023 10:47 am
They mentioned this development could be similar to Legends in Kansas City. Not what I wanted to hear. The only good thing Legends had was T-Rex Cafe. It's nothing more than strip malls of boring chain stores.
I think the Omaha is becoming oversaturated with clothing retail. This is not counting all the shops opening at Crossroads.
Not sure how you figure that? There are a good number of clothing retailers with a good national presence that have zero stores in Omaha.
As a consumer, we always want more! I was referencing to the strain on finding retail workers to fill the current stores. Many stores are struggling to get people to fill these jobs. If they do hire, they leave in a month or 2 because a new store opened offering 10 cents more per hour.
Dusty wrote: Tue Nov 14, 2023 10:47 am
They mentioned this development could be similar to Legends in Kansas City. Not what I wanted to hear. The only good thing Legends had was T-Rex Cafe. It's nothing more than strip malls of boring chain stores.
I think the Omaha is becoming oversaturated with clothing retail. This is not counting all the shops opening at Crossroads.
Not sure how you figure that? There are a good number of clothing retailers with a good national presence that have zero stores in Omaha.
As a consumer, we always want more! I was referencing to the strain on finding retail workers to fill the current stores. Many stores are struggling to get people to fill these jobs. If they do hire, they leave in a month or 2 because a new store opened offering 10 cents more per hour.
I gotcha. Is staffing still as bad as a year ago for retail and restaurants in Omaha?
Dusty wrote: Tue Nov 14, 2023 10:47 am
They mentioned this development could be similar to Legends in Kansas City. Not what I wanted to hear. The only good thing Legends had was T-Rex Cafe. It's nothing more than strip malls of boring chain stores.
I think the Omaha is becoming oversaturated with clothing retail. This is not counting all the shops opening at Crossroads.
Not sure how you figure that? There are a good number of clothing retailers with a good national presence that have zero stores in Omaha.
Agreed. I think the clothing options around here are pretty bad. I’d kill for Ted Baker, AllSaints, Scotch & Soda, Emporio Armani, Armani Exchange, etc.
Dusty wrote: Tue Nov 14, 2023 10:47 am
They mentioned this development could be similar to Legends in Kansas City. Not what I wanted to hear. The only good thing Legends had was T-Rex Cafe. It's nothing more than strip malls of boring chain stores.
I think the Omaha is becoming oversaturated with clothing retail. This is not counting all the shops opening at Crossroads.
Not sure how you figure that? There are a good number of clothing retailers with a good national presence that have zero stores in Omaha.
Agreed. I think the clothing options around here are pretty bad. I’d kill for Ted Baker, AllSaints, Scotch & Soda, Emporio Armani, Armani Exchange, etc.
AllSaints would be a great grab for Omaha. There are a number of other streetwear brands that I don't think have any presence in Omaha, due to being sold in national retailers that are not in Omaha.
ita wrote: Tue Nov 14, 2023 1:15 pm
The article states that the $3.2 billion in investment is over a period of 25 years. Also, $3.2 billion over 1000 proposed acres, is an investment of about $3.2 million an acre. Pretty impressive numbers. Not bad, right? The oft criticized Crossroads redevelopment project was most recently reported to have a total investment of $6-700 million. A 40 acre site, Crossroads will have an investment of about $15 million an acre, on the low end. Some, including myself, have criticized that development for excessive surface parking. Now imagine what this development will be like. Don't expect smart urban design or nice density in an exurban context. There will be lots of parking, and more parking, for everyone, everywhere. For what it's worth, the developer hasn't promised that.
If anything, if they land some new to the region retailers, maybe bring a new entertainment amenity, and build 100 youth fields, or whatever the plan is, sprinkled in some residential, then right on. I just don't think our expectations should be any higher than that. Anyway, I am excited to see what retailers they can bring into their plans.
Let's hope they use the MECA approach and have several lots that can easily be developed in the future.
I would hope they learned better design and planning practices since helping develop Legends, but we'll see. Yates and Co. did develop surface lot space for Home Goods and TJ Maxx, and they have a multi story residential project in the works, so crossing my fingers at least some portions are not just buildings surrounded by seas of surface parking. The new Crossroads at a much larger scale would be fine by me, but the numbers just don't seem to indicate that we'll get anything other than another Legends, for good and ill.
Well, based on the track record of large local developments such as Heartwood, Crossroads, whatever-it's-called at 192nd & Dodge my expectations are low for an island development in a sea of agriculture. If there isn't critical mass within Omaha itself to do better than 5+1s and gilded strip malls, I don't see anything at Exit 432 that would change that trend. Short of a national destination like a NASCAR track (unlikely since that would require an extension of an already long season, plus another large stadium-ish facility used minimally throughout the year) or something similar, my high bar for this development is something like maybe an Ikea or MicroCenter. My anticipation remains low.
Doctor Fate wrote: Wed Nov 15, 2023 11:56 am
Would there be anything that would prevent a casino from this location?
There’s a bunch of rules about how far they have to be from each other depending on city size, but I’m not super familiar and I think things have changed a couple times. I know there was a proposed casino in Bellevue so I’d wanna say one here wouldn’t be allowed
Doctor Fate wrote: Wed Nov 15, 2023 11:56 am
Would there be anything that would prevent a casino from this location?
Interesting thought. IF there as something that prevented it I would guess that could be changed with the recent opening of the casino options in Nebr
Casinos can only be built where existing horse racetracks are located. There's some efforts to get them at new racetracks or to expand possible options, but I don't think those have been added to the law.
