Downtown Soccer Stadium (11th & Millwork Ave)

riceweb · Post by **riceweb** » Tue May 09, 2023 11:10 am

One thing on the "Nighthawks" topic: if we build a soccer-specific stadium, there's a high likelihood that we would attract an XFL or USFL team as well, so in addition to the ~15 games per year that Union Omaha would fill the place, there could be another 4-5 games for a gridiron game in the spring.

There'd also be a small chance of Creighton one day fielding a gridiron football team (several Big East schools field a football team, even though the Big East does not sponsor football as a conference), meaning another ~6 days per year that the stadium could be used.

I also think the stadium could house soccer clinics and area soccer tournaments.

Basically, I think the stadium could be in use most fair-weather weekends, with lots of different tenants.

NEDodger · Post by **NEDodger** » Tue May 09, 2023 11:33 am

I can’t see Creighton bringing back football. More schools are dropping rather than adding the sport, due to how expensive it’s gotten. Better to keep your athletic budget focused on basketball.

CBJason · Post by **CBJason** » Tue May 09, 2023 11:45 am

I agree, there’s NO WAY Creighton brings on football. Also doubt that we could get a team in either of those spring football leagues. While they aren’t ’major’ sports they have been locating teams in major markets only.

Post by **Brad** » Tue May 09, 2023 12:00 pm

I remember hearing Bruce Rasmussen on the radio several years ago. He said when they were looking to add a sport (before they added soccer), they brought in consultant. The consultant recommended they add Soccer or Hockey and recommended they don't add football.

iamjacobm · Post by **iamjacobm** » Tue May 09, 2023 12:44 pm

Brad wrote: Tue May 09, 2023 12:00 pm I remember hearing Bruce Rasmussen on the radio several years ago. He said when they were looking to add a sport (before they added soccer), they brought in consultant. The consultant recommended they add Soccer or Hockey and recommended they don't add football.

Lacrosse would be a cool add for them. Big East is a good league and there is no one else in the region.

S.O.Boy · Post by **S.O.Boy** » Sat May 13, 2023 4:34 pm

iamjacobm wrote: Tue May 09, 2023 12:44 pm
Brad wrote: Tue May 09, 2023 12:00 pm I remember hearing Bruce Rasmussen on the radio several years ago. He said when they were looking to add a sport (before they added soccer), they brought in consultant. The consultant recommended they add Soccer or Hockey and recommended they don't add football.
Lacrosse would be a cool add for them. Big East is a good league and there is no one else in the region.

And the Junior Jays have a team.

thenewguy · Post by **thenewguy** » Mon May 15, 2023 7:53 am

whatever they do, i'd love to see the Owls get a push. They put on a camp yesterday in CB and there were quite a few kids. they were all really personable guys, the kids had a blast, and we are going to schedule a few games for ourselves this summer. It was completely free, had give aways, and signed autographs. My son is now Union Omaha for life :-p

ita · Post by **ita** » Fri May 26, 2023 10:02 am

thenewguy wrote: Mon May 15, 2023 7:53 am whatever they do, i'd love to see the Owls get a push. They put on a camp yesterday in CB and there were quite a few kids. they were all really personable guys, the kids had a blast, and we are going to schedule a few games for ourselves this summer. It was completely free, had give aways, and signed autographs. My son is now Union Omaha for life :-p

I think having their own dedicated stadium will go a long way in growing the fanbase. Soccer is such an exciting sport and having several thousand fans in a proper soccer stadium is needed for this team to thrive.

Anyway, hoping to get some updates about what ownership is doing on this project since the state legislature is wrapping up and it doesn't look like state funds are going to Union for a stadium.

Athomsfere · Post by **Athomsfere** » Fri May 26, 2023 10:44 am

ita wrote: Fri May 26, 2023 10:02 am
thenewguy wrote: Mon May 15, 2023 7:53 am whatever they do, i'd love to see the Owls get a push. They put on a camp yesterday in CB and there were quite a few kids. they were all really personable guys, the kids had a blast, and we are going to schedule a few games for ourselves this summer. It was completely free, had give aways, and signed autographs. My son is now Union Omaha for life :-p
I think having their own dedicated stadium will go a long way in growing the fanbase. Soccer is such an exciting sport and having several thousand fans in a proper soccer stadium is needed for this team to thrive.

Anyway, hoping to get some updates about what ownership is doing on this project since the state legislature is wrapping up and it doesn't look like state funds are going to Union for a stadium.

Dang it. I saw you post here and thought we had something for an update. One of your "Digging around on secretstadiums.omaha.gov and found this financial agreement and new renderings" type posts.

strangerthings · Post by **strangerthings** » Sat Jun 03, 2023 7:52 pm

KC's women's soccer stadium is about what Omaha could use.

PWL73316 · Post by **PWL73316** » Tue Jun 06, 2023 10:50 am

An issue with KC being our big brother but having extreme fear of being left behind - they are ahead of us on all the trends we should be taking advantage of to leverage as a smaller metro.

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Tue Jun 06, 2023 11:00 am

PWL73316 wrote: Tue Jun 06, 2023 10:50 am An issue with KC being our big brother but having extreme fear of being left behind - they are ahead of us on all the trends we should be taking advantage of to leverage as a smaller metro.

It goes both ways. If you are on Facebook, check out CityScene KC. He (Kevin Collison) just highlighted in a couple posts the Leahy/Riverfront parks and redevelopment.

Greg

omahahawk · Post by **omahahawk** » Tue Nov 21, 2023 10:19 pm

Curious if anyone is close to Union Soccer and free to comment on how the postponement of the 10th and Cass streetcar line might impact the decision to build a new stadium downtown. I was really hoping this line would have been the tipping point for this along with further development in the Millworks area. Not sure though whether this stretch of track would be the chicken or the egg in this situation.

Garrett · Post by **Garrett** » Tue Nov 21, 2023 10:31 pm

omahahawk wrote: Tue Nov 21, 2023 10:19 pm Curious if anyone is close to Union Soccer and free to comment on how the postponement of the 10th and Cass streetcar line might impact the decision to build a new stadium downtown. I was really hoping this line would have been the tipping point for this along with further development in the Millworks area. Not sure though whether this stretch of track would be the chicken or the egg in this situation.

We were never entirely sure on where the stadium might be. At this point I think they're still trying to get money from the state or city. Looks like the bill from this last session never went anywhere. But the difference of a .2 mile walk shouldn't be the big game changer if they were to try Millwork, imo.

skip · Post by **skip** » Wed Nov 22, 2023 8:52 am

Garrett wrote: Tue Nov 21, 2023 10:31 pm
omahahawk wrote: Tue Nov 21, 2023 10:19 pm Curious if anyone is close to Union Soccer and free to comment on how the postponement of the 10th and Cass streetcar line might impact the decision to build a new stadium downtown. I was really hoping this line would have been the tipping point for this along with further development in the Millworks area. Not sure though whether this stretch of track would be the chicken or the egg in this situation.
We were never entirely sure on where the stadium might be. At this point I think they're still trying to get money from the state or city. Looks like the bill from this last session never went anywhere. But the difference of a .2 mile walk shouldn't be the big game changer if they were to try Millwork, imo.

Their main concern was funding, not the streetcar. Assuming that legislative bill didn't pass that would help fund this OR its still pending.

ita · Post by **ita** » Wed Nov 22, 2023 2:11 pm

Garrett wrote: Tue Nov 21, 2023 10:31 pm
omahahawk wrote: Tue Nov 21, 2023 10:19 pm Curious if anyone is close to Union Soccer and free to comment on how the postponement of the 10th and Cass streetcar line might impact the decision to build a new stadium downtown. I was really hoping this line would have been the tipping point for this along with further development in the Millworks area. Not sure though whether this stretch of track would be the chicken or the egg in this situation.
We were never entirely sure on where the stadium might be. At this point I think they're still trying to get money from the state or city. Looks like the bill from this last session never went anywhere. But the difference of a .2 mile walk shouldn't be the big game changer if they were to try Millwork, imo.

This past June, I heard back from Martie Cordero that while the state did not allocate funds for the stadium last session, it was tabled for later consideration. The ownership will continue to try to get state funds while they try to get a site. I don't think the streetcar is as much as a consideration, but that leads me to believe sites they are considering are not super close to even the original eastern terminus by CHI convention center.

omahahawk · Post by **omahahawk** » Wed Nov 22, 2023 3:17 pm

I would be kinda surprised but would love it if they built at the Mutual site then.

Athomsfere · Post by **Athomsfere** » Wed Nov 22, 2023 6:06 pm

I saw updates on this thread and became super excited we had a leak / plan ...

nebport5 · Post by **nebport5** » Wed Nov 22, 2023 9:58 pm

ita wrote: Wed Nov 22, 2023 2:11 pm
Garrett wrote: Tue Nov 21, 2023 10:31 pm
omahahawk wrote: Tue Nov 21, 2023 10:19 pm Curious if anyone is close to Union Soccer and free to comment on how the postponement of the 10th and Cass streetcar line might impact the decision to build a new stadium downtown. I was really hoping this line would have been the tipping point for this along with further development in the Millworks area. Not sure though whether this stretch of track would be the chicken or the egg in this situation.
We were never entirely sure on where the stadium might be. At this point I think they're still trying to get money from the state or city. Looks like the bill from this last session never went anywhere. But the difference of a .2 mile walk shouldn't be the big game changer if they were to try Millwork, imo.
This past June, I heard back from Martie Cordero that while the state did not allocate funds for the stadium last session, it was tabled for later consideration. The ownership will continue to try to get state funds while they try to get a site. I don't think the streetcar is as much as a consideration, but that leads me to believe sites they are considering are not super close to even the original eastern terminus by CHI convention center.

Because? Would other potential site's not be contingent on state assisted funding? Surely being close to the streetcar line would seem advantageous for attendance?

Dundeemaha · Post by **Dundeemaha** » Wed Nov 22, 2023 10:11 pm

I heard they were considering UP's north downtown land

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Thu Nov 23, 2023 10:04 am

You get a stadium that sits empty 95% of the year, You get a stadium that sits empty 95% of the year, You get a stadium that sits empty 95% of the year!

Garrett · Post by **Garrett** » Thu Nov 23, 2023 10:15 am

This stadium would probably be used more than Schwab haha

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Thu Nov 23, 2023 10:17 am

Busguy2010 wrote: Thu Nov 23, 2023 10:04 am You get a stadium that sits empty 95% of the year, You get a stadium that sits empty 95% of the year, You get a stadium that sits empty 95% of the year!

To be fair....

...a big reason for a new soccer stadium is to move the Owls to the next level up to the USL Championship league, which has a much longer and busier season. This would probably end up being be the most used stadium in the city. Even moreso if they establish a women's team to go along with the Owls, which has also been mentioned as a goal of team executives.

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Thu Nov 23, 2023 11:20 am

I get it, but if it were to end up in North Downtown, that would be two soccer stadiums, a baseball stadium, and a football stadium, all in a small area where I thought the priority is to get people living.

I'm all for them having their own place, but I don't think Downtown is the best place for it.

nebport5 · Post by **nebport5** » Thu Nov 23, 2023 12:04 pm

Busguy2010 wrote: Thu Nov 23, 2023 11:20 am I get it, but if it were to end up in North Downtown, that would be two soccer stadiums, a baseball stadium, and a football stadium, all in a small area where I thought the priority is to get people living.

I'm all for them having their own place, but I don't think Downtown is the best place for it.

I wouldn't include Creighton and Central's facilities since they're unlikely to be used in any other capacity. A pro soccer stadium would already get used more than Schwab and still could be used for other smaller events such as they do in Denver and KC with their MLS stadiums. Also it's not like downtown is limited on space for housing developments.

Consider too the amount of events and things to do which leads to more foot traffic. In turn such activity likely will spur more residential development. One of the attractions of living downtown is the amount of entertainment in a walkable distance and/or eventually by streetcar.

If I'm an existing developer(like Noddle) or a developer or retailer(grocery) considering North Downtown Omaha I'd be all for it.

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Thu Nov 23, 2023 2:22 pm

almighty_tuna wrote: Thu Nov 23, 2023 10:17 am
Busguy2010 wrote: Thu Nov 23, 2023 10:04 am You get a stadium that sits empty 95% of the year, You get a stadium that sits empty 95% of the year, You get a stadium that sits empty 95% of the year!
To be fair....

...a big reason for a new soccer stadium is to move the Owls to the next level up to the USL Championship league, which has a much longer and busier season. This would probably end up being be the most used stadium in the city. Even moreso if they establish a women's team to go along with the Owls, which has also been mentioned as a goal of team executives.

More than Werner Park?

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Fri Nov 24, 2023 12:40 pm

Ah, true. Totally forgot about the primary tenant of Werner Park!

Dusty · Post by **Dusty** » Tue Nov 28, 2023 8:01 am

Crazy idea....Have we ever considered working with Council Bluffs to build a Soccer Stadium over there? They have a lot more land to work with. Maybe right next to Mid-America Center/Bass Pro. It could be a joint venture where we have Omaha Soccer and they have something else to generate more revenue.

I'm just thinking how New York sports teams have their stadiums in New Jersey. Maybe we could work a similar angle.

thenewguy · Post by **thenewguy** » Tue Nov 28, 2023 8:13 am

that's not an all-bad idea, though i don't know how much space is really available anymore now that Tesla bought up the parcel near AMC. Maybe the big lot next to horseshoe...but that's about it. The indoor soccer field is right down there, though, and would be great as a winter practice facility

ita · Post by **ita** » Tue Nov 28, 2023 9:13 am

Dusty wrote: Tue Nov 28, 2023 8:01 am Crazy idea....Have we ever considered working with Council Bluffs to build a Soccer Stadium over there? They have a lot more land to work with. Maybe right next to Mid-America Center/Bass Pro. It could be a joint venture where we have Omaha Soccer and they have something else to generate more revenue.

I'm just thinking how New York sports teams have their stadiums in New Jersey. Maybe we could work a similar angle.

The tax revenue is the biggest issue. Omaha/Nebraska would not want to give up the sweet, sweet sales tax and property tax (even deferred with TIF) generated by a new sports stadium.

omaha79 · Post by **omaha79** » Tue Nov 28, 2023 9:29 am

Dusty wrote: Tue Nov 28, 2023 8:01 am Crazy idea....Have we ever considered working with Council Bluffs to build a Soccer Stadium over there? They have a lot more land to work with. Maybe right next to Mid-America Center/Bass Pro. It could be a joint venture where we have Omaha Soccer and they have something else to generate more revenue.

I'm just thinking how New York sports teams have their stadiums in New Jersey. Maybe we could work a similar angle.

Nah. I don't see any "Omaha" sports team ever playing that game again. Talk to the Lancers about it. They were supremely confident in 2000-2001 assuming their existing fanbase would follow them from Central Omaha to CB and touted how "it's just a few miles to the East". It failed and failed hard. Within 7 seasons, the Omaha Lancers were begging to come back and play at the Civic Auditorium. The bottom line is that the average Omahan has an aversion to crossing the river (except maybe for the casinos). And, I don't see CB being happy either building a stadium for "Union Omaha". They would lose fans, prestige, and standing in the Omaha community if they move the CB. Call it a mental hurdle, but they would lose fans. And, then this becomes some weird Union Omaha of Council Bluffs type team situation.

We've been there, tried this, it doesn't work.

Dusty · Post by **Dusty** » Tue Nov 28, 2023 10:46 am

omaha79 wrote: Tue Nov 28, 2023 9:29 am
Dusty wrote: Tue Nov 28, 2023 8:01 am Crazy idea....Have we ever considered working with Council Bluffs to build a Soccer Stadium over there? They have a lot more land to work with. Maybe right next to Mid-America Center/Bass Pro. It could be a joint venture where we have Omaha Soccer and they have something else to generate more revenue.

I'm just thinking how New York sports teams have their stadiums in New Jersey. Maybe we could work a similar angle.
Nah. I don't see any "Omaha" sports team ever playing that game again. Talk to the Lancers about it. They were supremely confident in 2000-2001 assuming their existing fanbase would follow them from Central Omaha to CB and touted how "it's just a few miles to the East". It failed and failed hard. Within 7 seasons, the Omaha Lancers were begging to come back and play at the Civic Auditorium. The bottom line is that the average Omahan has an aversion to crossing the river (except maybe for the casinos). And, I don't see CB being happy either building a stadium for "Union Omaha". They would lose fans, prestige, and standing in the Omaha community if they move the CB. Call it a mental hurdle, but they would lose fans. And, then this becomes some weird Union Omaha of Council Bluffs type team situation.

We've been there, tried this, it doesn't work.

I'm not saying I'm in love with the idea but throwing it out there as an extreme option. Meaning all the downtown options fall through. Locating next to Werner Park or Nebraska Crossing or any Omaha location fall through. Would people be open to a CB location if that meant a stadium? I agree with Ita. Any stadium inside Nebraska is ideal for revenue dollars.

I agree Council Bluffs has had a tough time with perception. If they redevelop Dodge Riverside Golf Course or get the streetcar down 1 st Ave, then that unfavorable perception will be shattered to pieces. I'm just trying to keep an open mind to growing the Metro.

omaha79 · Post by **omaha79** » Tue Nov 28, 2023 10:55 am

Dusty wrote: Tue Nov 28, 2023 10:46 am
omaha79 wrote: Tue Nov 28, 2023 9:29 am
Dusty wrote: Tue Nov 28, 2023 8:01 am Crazy idea....Have we ever considered working with Council Bluffs to build a Soccer Stadium over there? They have a lot more land to work with. Maybe right next to Mid-America Center/Bass Pro. It could be a joint venture where we have Omaha Soccer and they have something else to generate more revenue.

I'm just thinking how New York sports teams have their stadiums in New Jersey. Maybe we could work a similar angle.
Nah. I don't see any "Omaha" sports team ever playing that game again. Talk to the Lancers about it. They were supremely confident in 2000-2001 assuming their existing fanbase would follow them from Central Omaha to CB and touted how "it's just a few miles to the East". It failed and failed hard. Within 7 seasons, the Omaha Lancers were begging to come back and play at the Civic Auditorium. The bottom line is that the average Omahan has an aversion to crossing the river (except maybe for the casinos). And, I don't see CB being happy either building a stadium for "Union Omaha". They would lose fans, prestige, and standing in the Omaha community if they move the CB. Call it a mental hurdle, but they would lose fans. And, then this becomes some weird Union Omaha of Council Bluffs type team situation.

We've been there, tried this, it doesn't work.
I'm not saying I'm in love with the idea but throwing it out there as an extreme option. Meaning all the downtown options fall through. Locating next to Werner Park or Nebraska Crossing or any Omaha location fall through. Would people be open to a CB location if that meant a stadium? I agree with Ita. Any stadium inside Nebraska is ideal for revenue dollars.

I agree Council Bluffs has had a tough time with perception. If they redevelop Dodge Riverside Golf Course or get the streetcar down 1 st Ave, then that unfavorable perception will be shattered to pieces. I'm just trying to keep an open mind to growing the Metro.

OK. Just to play along with it then. If all options fall through, who would fund it? Do you think state of Iowa, Council Bluffs, or Iowa West would throw money in? This would be assuming Nebraska is all out entirely on the project. It will need funding outside of the team. I would imagine that Iowa is still gun shy on funding sports facilities for Omaha teams after the debacle the MAC turned out to be. The place lost money from day one and the Omaha Lancers took the first opportunity available to bolt back to the Omaha side of the river. I think there is still bitterness of largely funding a project for an Omaha team that refused to drop the Omaha from its name and treated being in Iowa as an inconvenience from day one. I'm not sure there is any will from the state of Iowa or CB to take on any more orphan Omaha sports teams.

It would be tough knowing that most Omaha people have proven they won't cross the river regularly for entertainment as CB is not big enough on its own to support a 10k soccer stadium. The roughly 2k diehards Union Omaha has would likely remain, but you need to grow the interest and prestige to make the project make sense and the simple fact it's in CB is a hindrance to that effort.

nebport5 · Post by **nebport5** » Tue Nov 28, 2023 11:09 am

At this point I think funding is the issue. Finding a location isn't particularly the hold up. Granted, any location has an impact on cost. However, it's not like there just isn't enough affordable space on this side of the river.

Dundeemaha · Post by **Dundeemaha** » Tue Nov 28, 2023 11:49 am

I think it's far more likely that if the downtown stadium doesn't happen there's a new stadium built in Elkhorn, Gretna or Papillion than Council Bluffs.

omaha79 · Post by **omaha79** » Tue Nov 28, 2023 2:41 pm

Dundeemaha wrote: Tue Nov 28, 2023 11:49 am I think it's far more likely that if the downtown stadium doesn't happen there's a new stadium built in Elkhorn, Gretna or Papillion than Council Bluffs.

I agree with this. It would be West if not downtown. I'd guarantee that. Sure, if Iowa was coming over with a blank check in hand, Gary Green would listen, but that's just not going to happen based on what happened with the MAC 20 years ago. I'd imagine Iowa learned their lesson about the true nature of the relationship between Omaha and Council Bluffs.

Dusty · Post by **Dusty** » Tue Nov 28, 2023 4:06 pm

I would think Nebraska Crossing is the most likely bet. They have already mentioned they want to build a retail destination with entertainment options and a sports element to it. As they used the reference to Legends in KC- Soccer stadium, shopping, resort like Great Wolf Lodge, etc.

ita · Post by **ita** » Tue Nov 28, 2023 4:26 pm

Dusty wrote: Tue Nov 28, 2023 4:06 pm I would think Nebraska Crossing is the most likely bet. They have already mentioned they want to build a retail destination with entertainment options and a sports element to it. As they used the reference to Legends in KC- Soccer stadium, shopping, resort like Great Wolf Lodge, etc.

I think Martin Cordero and Co. are trying to avoid that scenario at all costs. Werner Park has largely been successful, but Papillion wasn't their first choice, downtown was. And there is a reason for that. I think with the City working with ownership more closely this time, at least that's what it seems like, I think downtown is the most likely scenario, it's just a question of when.

For all Yates and Co. boasts about the location of Nebraska Crossing, particularly in how it could be a tourist destination, honestly, the physical locale is not the best for most people in the Metro. If Union Omaha wants to semi-fill up a potential 8k stadium, in my personal opinion, it has to be downtown.

Dusty · Post by **Dusty** » Tue Nov 28, 2023 6:13 pm

ita wrote: Tue Nov 28, 2023 4:26 pm
Dusty wrote: Tue Nov 28, 2023 4:06 pm I would think Nebraska Crossing is the most likely bet. They have already mentioned they want to build a retail destination with entertainment options and a sports element to it. As they used the reference to Legends in KC- Soccer stadium, shopping, resort like Great Wolf Lodge, etc.
I think Martin Cordero and Co. are trying to avoid that scenario at all costs. Werner Park has largely been successful, but Papillion wasn't their first choice, downtown was. And there is a reason for that. I think with the City working with ownership more closely this time, at least that's what it seems like, I think downtown is the most likely scenario, it's just a question of when.

For all Yates and Co. boasts about the location of Nebraska Crossing, particularly in how it could be a tourist destination, honestly, the physical locale is not the best for most people in the Metro. If Union Omaha wants to semi-fill up a potential 8k stadium, in my personal opinion, it has to be downtown.

I think we can all agree the stadium could be built anywhere, everywhere, and somewhere in between. LOL!

How many weeks do the Owls play for? All I'm seeing is another stadium sitting empty for many weeks of the year. It's not going to be bringing in huge tourist dollars like the College World Series. Would they be bringing in other revenue streams during the off season? Concerts, Shakespeare on the Green Field, walk through Holiday light attraction, etc.

F0R_L1F3 · Post by **F0R_L1F3** » Tue Nov 28, 2023 6:47 pm

I think there's faith for the stadium if they go with their plans to also expand their programs with it. Having other programs compared to other cities across the state might allow the stadium to be used more often. In Lincoln, tons of children would love to be able to explore programs in Omaha and are interested in the FC. I'm sure it'll only grow and if there's multi-use for it, it'd be even better.