Downtown Soccer Stadium (11th & Millwork Ave)

[Garrett]

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.

Location wise, they seem pretty set on wanting to be downtown. Downtown makes them well situated for the very soccer oriented latino communities in South O, and it's a pretty standard drive for people in West O. And trying to synergize with the events district nature of North Downtown makes sense. It could set the area up to host a multi-venue event like a music festival in the future.

As for how much it would be used, it looks like in they play around 15-20 home games per year along with various exhibition games. And depending on how well they do they can end up hosting matches for both the USL League One Cup and the US Open Cup, which includes teams from every professional soccer league, including the MLS. They've talked about wanting to do a women's team and various youth activities. I'd honestly expect more activity there than at Schwab.

[Doctor Fate]

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.

Location wise, they seem pretty set on wanting to be downtown. Downtown makes them well situated for the very soccer oriented latino communities in South O, and it's a pretty standard drive for people in West O. And trying to synergize with the events district nature of North Downtown makes sense. It could set the area up to host a multi-venue event like a music festival in the future.

As for how much it would be used, it looks like in they play around 15-20 home games per year along with various exhibition games. And depending on how well they do they can end up hosting matches for both the USL League One Cup and the US Open Cup, which includes teams from every professional soccer league, including the MLS. They've talked about wanting to do a women's team and various youth activities. I'd honestly expect more activity there than at Schwab.

Didn't they also want there to be a surrounding residential/retail district around the soccer stadium?

[halgy]

Didn't they also want there to be a surrounding residential/retail district around the soccer stadium?

If so, then that sounds like a great opportunity to redevelop lot B/D at the same time. Soccer stadium, shopping district, apartments/condos, big ol' parking ramp to keep the tourists happy. And an extension to the streetcar line, of course.

[omaha79]

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.

Location wise, they seem pretty set on wanting to be downtown. Downtown makes them well situated for the very soccer oriented latino communities in South O, and it's a pretty standard drive for people in West O. And trying to synergize with the events district nature of North Downtown makes sense. It could set the area up to host a multi-venue event like a music festival in the future.

As for how much it would be used, it looks like in they play around 15-20 home games per year along with various exhibition games. And depending on how well they do they can end up hosting matches for both the USL League One Cup and the US Open Cup, which includes teams from every professional soccer league, including the MLS. They've talked about wanting to do a women's team and various youth activities. I'd honestly expect more activity there than at Schwab.

I feel like they always say they want it to be close to the soccer demo of South Omaha, but when push comes to shove, is that going to be a real factor?

If someone was gift wrapping land out West, they'd take it, especially if that came with other corporate donations towards the cost as well. Beyond that, they tend to look at where are their season ticket holders now. Growing the game in the community is a priority, but I would venture a bulk of their season ticket holders are out west now and many are engaged in the thriving club youth soccer community out that way. That's the same thing the Storm Chasers said when moving out West. They wanted to be closer to their core season ticket holder constituency. Yes, many would follow them if they moved downtown, but some wouldn't.

Would that flip and people in South Omaha would start gobbling up season tickets? I'm not sure about that. The net household income is lower in South Omaha. It can become somewhat pandering to immediately say you want to be closer to a hot soccer demographic, but are we really understanding that demographic? Are they interested in season tickets? Are they willing to buy them? Just because a demographic likes soccer, do they like USL League One Soccer and willing to pay the full freight for season ticket packages? Or, are they happy supporting their club teams they grew up with on TV? These are questions I'm not capable of answering. That takes a lot of feasibility studies.

I'm all for putting a stadium downtown. But, I'm also a realist and know minor league sports owners will follow where the money leads them. If it's downtown, great. If it's Southwest, fine. They just want a stadium, but the idea that just because it's soccer that all of South Omaha will adopt it and support it seems dicey to me, at best.

Same time, I've heard some very specific rumors on downtown that I'm not ready to discuss here. So, we'll see.

[Doctor Fate]

Location wise, they seem pretty set on wanting to be downtown. Downtown makes them well situated for the very soccer oriented latino communities in South O, and it's a pretty standard drive for people in West O. And trying to synergize with the events district nature of North Downtown makes sense. It could set the area up to host a multi-venue event like a music festival in the future.

As for how much it would be used, it looks like in they play around 15-20 home games per year along with various exhibition games. And depending on how well they do they can end up hosting matches for both the USL League One Cup and the US Open Cup, which includes teams from every professional soccer league, including the MLS. They've talked about wanting to do a women's team and various youth activities. I'd honestly expect more activity there than at Schwab.

I feel like they always say they want it to be close to the soccer demo of South Omaha, but when push comes to shove, is that going to be a real factor?

If someone was gift wrapping land out West, they'd take it, especially if that came with other corporate donations towards the cost as well. Beyond that, they tend to look at where are their season ticket holders now. Growing the game in the community is a priority, but I would venture a bulk of their season ticket holders are out west now and many are engaged in the thriving club youth soccer community out that way. That's the same thing the Storm Chasers said when moving out West. They wanted to be closer to their core season ticket holder constituency. Yes, many would follow them if they moved downtown, but some wouldn't.

Would that flip and people in South Omaha would start gobbling up season tickets? I'm not sure about that. The net household income is lower in South Omaha. It can become somewhat pandering to immediately say you want to be closer to a hot soccer demographic, but are we really understanding that demographic? Are they interested in season tickets? Are they willing to buy them? Just because a demographic likes soccer, do they like USL League One Soccer and willing to pay the full freight for season ticket packages? Or, are they happy supporting their club teams they grew up with on TV? These are questions I'm not capable of answering. That takes a lot of feasibility studies.

I'm all for putting a stadium downtown. But, I'm also a realist and know minor league sports owners will follow where the money leads them. If it's downtown, great. If it's Southwest, fine. They just want a stadium, but the idea that just because it's soccer that all of South Omaha will adopt it and support it seems dicey to me, at best.

Same time, I've heard some very specific rumors on downtown that I'm not ready to discuss here. So, we'll see.

According to the Nebraska Examiner earlier this year, Union President Martie Cordaro said:

North downtown would be ideal for a new soccer stadium because the franchise’s demographic information shows that Omaha metro area fans of the country’s fourth most popular sport live predominantly in eastern Omaha.

If so, then that sounds like a great opportunity to redevelop lot B/D at the same time. Soccer stadium, shopping district, apartments/condos, big ol' parking ramp to keep the tourists happy. And an extension to the streetcar line, of course.

The above article is the one where they said they are also wanting to develop residential, entertainment and retail, and possibly a hotel around the stadium.

[omaha79]

Location wise, they seem pretty set on wanting to be downtown. Downtown makes them well situated for the very soccer oriented latino communities in South O, and it's a pretty standard drive for people in West O. And trying to synergize with the events district nature of North Downtown makes sense. It could set the area up to host a multi-venue event like a music festival in the future.

As for how much it would be used, it looks like in they play around 15-20 home games per year along with various exhibition games. And depending on how well they do they can end up hosting matches for both the USL League One Cup and the US Open Cup, which includes teams from every professional soccer league, including the MLS. They've talked about wanting to do a women's team and various youth activities. I'd honestly expect more activity there than at Schwab.

I feel like they always say they want it to be close to the soccer demo of South Omaha, but when push comes to shove, is that going to be a real factor?

If someone was gift wrapping land out West, they'd take it, especially if that came with other corporate donations towards the cost as well. Beyond that, they tend to look at where are their season ticket holders now. Growing the game in the community is a priority, but I would venture a bulk of their season ticket holders are out west now and many are engaged in the thriving club youth soccer community out that way. That's the same thing the Storm Chasers said when moving out West. They wanted to be closer to their core season ticket holder constituency. Yes, many would follow them if they moved downtown, but some wouldn't.

Would that flip and people in South Omaha would start gobbling up season tickets? I'm not sure about that. The net household income is lower in South Omaha. It can become somewhat pandering to immediately say you want to be closer to a hot soccer demographic, but are we really understanding that demographic? Are they interested in season tickets? Are they willing to buy them? Just because a demographic likes soccer, do they like USL League One Soccer and willing to pay the full freight for season ticket packages? Or, are they happy supporting their club teams they grew up with on TV? These are questions I'm not capable of answering. That takes a lot of feasibility studies.

I'm all for putting a stadium downtown. But, I'm also a realist and know minor league sports owners will follow where the money leads them. If it's downtown, great. If it's Southwest, fine. They just want a stadium, but the idea that just because it's soccer that all of South Omaha will adopt it and support it seems dicey to me, at best.

Same time, I've heard some very specific rumors on downtown that I'm not ready to discuss here. So, we'll see.

According to the Nebraska Examiner earlier this year, Union President Martie Cordaro said:

North downtown would be ideal for a new soccer stadium because the franchise’s demographic information shows that Omaha metro area fans of the country’s fourth most popular sport live predominantly in eastern Omaha.

If so, then that sounds like a great opportunity to redevelop lot B/D at the same time. Soccer stadium, shopping district, apartments/condos, big ol' parking ramp to keep the tourists happy. And an extension to the streetcar line, of course.

The above article is the one where they said they are also wanting to develop residential, entertainment and retail, and possibly a hotel around the stadium.

Fans do not always equate to customers. Those terms aren't always mutually exclusive, but not a given they are mutually inclusive.

[Garrett]

Location wise, they seem pretty set on wanting to be downtown. Downtown makes them well situated for the very soccer oriented latino communities in South O, and it's a pretty standard drive for people in West O. And trying to synergize with the events district nature of North Downtown makes sense. It could set the area up to host a multi-venue event like a music festival in the future.

As for how much it would be used, it looks like in they play around 15-20 home games per year along with various exhibition games. And depending on how well they do they can end up hosting matches for both the USL League One Cup and the US Open Cup, which includes teams from every professional soccer league, including the MLS. They've talked about wanting to do a women's team and various youth activities. I'd honestly expect more activity there than at Schwab.

I feel like they always say they want it to be close to the soccer demo of South Omaha, but when push comes to shove, is that going to be a real factor?

If someone was gift wrapping land out West, they'd take it, especially if that came with other corporate donations towards the cost as well. Beyond that, they tend to look at where are their season ticket holders now. Growing the game in the community is a priority, but I would venture a bulk of their season ticket holders are out west now and many are engaged in the thriving club youth soccer community out that way. That's the same thing the Storm Chasers said when moving out West. They wanted to be closer to their core season ticket holder constituency. Yes, many would follow them if they moved downtown, but some wouldn't.

Would that flip and people in South Omaha would start gobbling up season tickets? I'm not sure about that. The net household income is lower in South Omaha. It can become somewhat pandering to immediately say you want to be closer to a hot soccer demographic, but are we really understanding that demographic? Are they interested in season tickets? Are they willing to buy them? Just because a demographic likes soccer, do they like USL League One Soccer and willing to pay the full freight for season ticket packages? Or, are they happy supporting their club teams they grew up with on TV? These are questions I'm not capable of answering. That takes a lot of feasibility studies.

I'm all for putting a stadium downtown. But, I'm also a realist and know minor league sports owners will follow where the money leads them. If it's downtown, great. If it's Southwest, fine. They just want a stadium, but the idea that just because it's soccer that all of South Omaha will adopt it and support it seems dicey to me, at best.

Same time, I've heard some very specific rumors on downtown that I'm not ready to discuss here. So, we'll see.

According to the Nebraska Examiner earlier this year, Union President Martie Cordaro said:

North downtown would be ideal for a new soccer stadium because the franchise’s demographic information shows that Omaha metro area fans of the country’s fourth most popular sport live predominantly in eastern Omaha.

If so, then that sounds like a great opportunity to redevelop lot B/D at the same time. Soccer stadium, shopping district, apartments/condos, big ol' parking ramp to keep the tourists happy. And an extension to the streetcar line, of course.

The above article is the one where they said they are also wanting to develop residential, entertainment and retail, and possibly a hotel around the stadium.

Fans do not always equate to customers. Those terms aren't always mutually exclusive, but not a given they are mutually inclusive.

We're just going off what Union Omaha has said haha. heck, feel free to share your rumor mill moment when you're ready. It can't just be Cowboy and Jays in the rumor business

[omaha79]

Location wise, they seem pretty set on wanting to be downtown. Downtown makes them well situated for the very soccer oriented latino communities in South O, and it's a pretty standard drive for people in West O. And trying to synergize with the events district nature of North Downtown makes sense. It could set the area up to host a multi-venue event like a music festival in the future.

As for how much it would be used, it looks like in they play around 15-20 home games per year along with various exhibition games. And depending on how well they do they can end up hosting matches for both the USL League One Cup and the US Open Cup, which includes teams from every professional soccer league, including the MLS. They've talked about wanting to do a women's team and various youth activities. I'd honestly expect more activity there than at Schwab.

I feel like they always say they want it to be close to the soccer demo of South Omaha, but when push comes to shove, is that going to be a real factor?

If someone was gift wrapping land out West, they'd take it, especially if that came with other corporate donations towards the cost as well. Beyond that, they tend to look at where are their season ticket holders now. Growing the game in the community is a priority, but I would venture a bulk of their season ticket holders are out west now and many are engaged in the thriving club youth soccer community out that way. That's the same thing the Storm Chasers said when moving out West. They wanted to be closer to their core season ticket holder constituency. Yes, many would follow them if they moved downtown, but some wouldn't.

Would that flip and people in South Omaha would start gobbling up season tickets? I'm not sure about that. The net household income is lower in South Omaha. It can become somewhat pandering to immediately say you want to be closer to a hot soccer demographic, but are we really understanding that demographic? Are they interested in season tickets? Are they willing to buy them? Just because a demographic likes soccer, do they like USL League One Soccer and willing to pay the full freight for season ticket packages? Or, are they happy supporting their club teams they grew up with on TV? These are questions I'm not capable of answering. That takes a lot of feasibility studies.

I'm all for putting a stadium downtown. But, I'm also a realist and know minor league sports owners will follow where the money leads them. If it's downtown, great. If it's Southwest, fine. They just want a stadium, but the idea that just because it's soccer that all of South Omaha will adopt it and support it seems dicey to me, at best.

Same time, I've heard some very specific rumors on downtown that I'm not ready to discuss here. So, we'll see.

According to the Nebraska Examiner earlier this year, Union President Martie Cordaro said:

North downtown would be ideal for a new soccer stadium because the franchise’s demographic information shows that Omaha metro area fans of the country’s fourth most popular sport live predominantly in eastern Omaha.

If so, then that sounds like a great opportunity to redevelop lot B/D at the same time. Soccer stadium, shopping district, apartments/condos, big ol' parking ramp to keep the tourists happy. And an extension to the streetcar line, of course.

The above article is the one where they said they are also wanting to develop residential, entertainment and retail, and possibly a hotel around the stadium.

Fans do not always equate to customers. Those terms aren't always mutually exclusive, but not a given they are mutually inclusive.

We're just going off what Union Omaha has said haha. heck, feel free to share your rumor mill moment when you're ready. It can't just be Cowboy and Jays in the rumor business

Their wording is carefully crafted words though. Yes, I have no doubt that soccer is wildly popular in Eastern Omaha. I also am not naive to think that many of these fans have their clubs and it becomes a discussion if they have the will, money, and time to support the minor league team on top of it.

Reminds me of MLB a generation ago. They thought Miami and Tampa would be great markets, but they've never drawn due to the fact that people had their teams and weren't overly excited to add to their sports portfolio. Many were transplants from up north that loved the Yankees and Red Sox and that's where their consumption of the sport began and ended. Many in Eastern Omaha are transplants from other countries. Do they care about Union Omaha? It could be a 20 year project to convert them. I do know some European immgrants that call MLS "Children's Soccer", but will watch it anyway, but they won't commit that much love and money to it.

[Athomsfere]

The great thing about not being MLS is that it's relatively cheap, so you don't need to be committed to the team to catch a game. IMO.

For me, I'd catch games regularly if I could take the ORBT/ bus there. Werner Park on the other hand is so poorly placed I won't go there (based on my time in Omaha so far) more than once every 5 years or so.

[Louie]

The great thing about not being MLS is that it's relatively cheap, so you don't need to be committed to the team to catch a game. IMO.

For me, I'd catch games regularly if I could take the ORBT/ bus there. Werner Park on the other hand is so poorly placed I won't go there (based on my time in Omaha so far) more than once every 5 years or so.

My thoughts as well. I've yet to go to a Union game at Werner. heck, I've only been to one Stormchasers game. But I've been to plenty of Creighton basketball games, soccer matches and UNO hockey and basketball games thanks to the proximity and pre and post game activities. Though outside of Creighton basketball, I'm not really a 'real' fan of any of them.

[omaha79]

The great thing about not being MLS is that it's relatively cheap, so you don't need to be committed to the team to catch a game. IMO.

For me, I'd catch games regularly if I could take the ORBT/ bus there. Werner Park on the other hand is so poorly placed I won't go there (based on my time in Omaha so far) more than once every 5 years or so.

My thoughts as well. I've yet to go to a Union game at Werner. heck, I've only been to one Stormchasers game. But I've been to plenty of Creighton basketball games, soccer matches and UNO hockey and basketball games thanks to the proximity and pre and post game activities. Though outside of Creighton basketball, I'm not really a 'real' fan of any of them.

Omaha people complaining about how far things are always makes me laugh. We still have that small town mentality. Nothing in Omaha is very far or congested compared to larger cities. It's a mentality. I live in the far reaches of Bellevue. I'm not really opposed to going anywhere. I won't let distance hold me back from things I actually want to do.

[OracleOfOmaha]

I think most Omaha Owl fans are more of the "hipster" types which would line up with Corderos comments about where fans reside.

Did not see a ton of latinos at the game I went to, but a lot of craft brew/neck beards wearing scarfs... hahah

[Athomsfere]

The great thing about not being MLS is that it's relatively cheap, so you don't need to be committed to the team to catch a game. IMO.

For me, I'd catch games regularly if I could take the ORBT/ bus there. Werner Park on the other hand is so poorly placed I won't go there (based on my time in Omaha so far) more than once every 5 years or so.

My thoughts as well. I've yet to go to a Union game at Werner. heck, I've only been to one Stormchasers game. But I've been to plenty of Creighton basketball games, soccer matches and UNO hockey and basketball games thanks to the proximity and pre and post game activities. Though outside of Creighton basketball, I'm not really a 'real' fan of any of them.

Omaha people complaining about how far things are always makes me laugh. We still have that small town mentality. Nothing in Omaha is very far or congested compared to larger cities. It's a mentality. I live in the far reaches of Bellevue. I'm not really opposed to going anywhere. I won't let distance hold me back from things I actually want to do.

The difference between us: I live somewhere on purpose where I can walk, ride transit or bike as much as possible.

No part of my lifestyle is meant to make driving anything other than a random fun activity.

Ideally, we keep adding transit and greenways so that the things that suck to get to either move to more accessible spots or at least have infrastructure so that I don't have to drive there.

[thenewguy]

if you are basing it on population density, then you'd for sure want to go with where the most people live. in this case, 68104 has the most people @ 37,274



https://zipatlas.com/us/ne/omaha/zip-co ... ensity.htm

if you are going by who's going to support it most consistently, you may look at south/southwest.

[omaha79]

I think most Omaha Owl fans are more of the "hipster" types which would line up with Corderos comments about where fans reside.

Did not see a ton of latinos at the game I went to, but a lot of craft brew/neck beards wearing scarfs... hahah

This is true. I'd also say a lot of them are in the youth soccer club community. Mom's, dad's and kids. They tend to be out West. Not saying it necessarily makes sense to build it to cater to them, but they are part of the customer base that's existing. It's a risk to maybe lose them and hope to replace them with another demographic. Maybe the latinos will show up if it's closer to them, or maybe they just have their own teams already and don't really care. It's a risk either way.

[omaha79]

The great thing about not being MLS is that it's relatively cheap, so you don't need to be committed to the team to catch a game. IMO.

For me, I'd catch games regularly if I could take the ORBT/ bus there. Werner Park on the other hand is so poorly placed I won't go there (based on my time in Omaha so far) more than once every 5 years or so.

My thoughts as well. I've yet to go to a Union game at Werner. heck, I've only been to one Stormchasers game. But I've been to plenty of Creighton basketball games, soccer matches and UNO hockey and basketball games thanks to the proximity and pre and post game activities. Though outside of Creighton basketball, I'm not really a 'real' fan of any of them.

Omaha people complaining about how far things are always makes me laugh. We still have that small town mentality. Nothing in Omaha is very far or congested compared to larger cities. It's a mentality. I live in the far reaches of Bellevue. I'm not really opposed to going anywhere. I won't let distance hold me back from things I actually want to do.

The difference between us: I live somewhere on purpose where I can walk, ride transit or bike as much as possible.

No part of my lifestyle is meant to make driving anything other than a random fun activity.

Ideally, we keep adding transit and greenways so that the things that suck to get to either move to more accessible spots or at least have infrastructure so that I don't have to drive there.

Much of that is probably a pipe dream for much of our lifetime. The streetcar isn't meaningful public transportation for the bulk of the city and we are decades away from something larger that people will actually use. 95% of Omaha isn't utilizing ORBIT and won't no matter how it's packaged.

[Athomsfere]

Much of that is probably a pipe dream for much of our lifetime. The streetcar isn't meaningful public transportation for the bulk of the city and we are decades away from something larger that people will actually use. 95% of Omaha isn't utilizing ORBIT and won't no matter how it's packaged.

Agreed. And an even stronger argument for moving services to the core as much as possible.

Incentivize better transit with more density and amenities in a smaller area.

Incentivize users of greenways and transit by having more modes and denser transit in general.

For those that for whatever choose the least healthy for the city mode of transit (e.g. "I'll drive anywhere in the metro for what I want to see and do") nothing really changes, except maybe we can get enough solvency from the density to better maintain the roads.

[Doctor Fate]

Much of that is probably a pipe dream for much of our lifetime. The streetcar isn't meaningful public transportation for the bulk of the city and we are decades away from something larger that people will actually use. 95% of Omaha isn't utilizing ORBIT and won't no matter how it's packaged.

Agreed. And an even stronger argument for moving services to the core as much as possible.

Incentivize better transit with more density and amenities in a smaller area.

Incentivize users of greenways and transit by having more modes and denser transit in general.

For those that for whatever choose the least healthy for the city mode of transit (e.g. "I'll drive anywhere in the metro for what I want to see and do") nothing really changes, except maybe we can get enough solvency from the density to better maintain the roads.

I live in Arlington, VA and this is exactly what they have done in the Rosslyn-Courthouse-Clarendon-Ballston corridor. They committed to developing things out and it has taken a few decades to get where it is today, but it is a fantastic area to live in. Being able to walk, bike, or take the Metro or a bus, I drive less than 100 miles a month (the bulk of that is on the highway to go visit my wife's grandparents in Maryland). Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, Safeway, and an Urban Target are all within a 10 min walk. Lots of shopping, as well as my dentist, doctor, and therapist are all within the same walking radius. The Wizards (and other major league sports teams that I don't follow) are all within a 20 min Metro ride/walk as well. And the museums and historical sites.

[Louie]

The great thing about not being MLS is that it's relatively cheap, so you don't need to be committed to the team to catch a game. IMO.

For me, I'd catch games regularly if I could take the ORBT/ bus there. Werner Park on the other hand is so poorly placed I won't go there (based on my time in Omaha so far) more than once every 5 years or so.

My thoughts as well. I've yet to go to a Union game at Werner. heck, I've only been to one Stormchasers game. But I've been to plenty of Creighton basketball games, soccer matches and UNO hockey and basketball games thanks to the proximity and pre and post game activities. Though outside of Creighton basketball, I'm not really a 'real' fan of any of them.

Omaha people complaining about how far things are always makes me laugh. We still have that small town mentality. Nothing in Omaha is very far or congested compared to larger cities. It's a mentality. I live in the far reaches of Bellevue. I'm not really opposed to going anywhere. I won't let distance hold me back from things I actually want to do.

Thats only a sliver of my argument, that vast majority of my argument is the lack of things to do around Werner as a casual fan. I have no interest going to a park in the suburbs/fields.

[omaha79]

Much of that is probably a pipe dream for much of our lifetime. The streetcar isn't meaningful public transportation for the bulk of the city and we are decades away from something larger that people will actually use. 95% of Omaha isn't utilizing ORBIT and won't no matter how it's packaged.

Agreed. And an even stronger argument for moving services to the core as much as possible.

Incentivize better transit with more density and amenities in a smaller area.

Incentivize users of greenways and transit by having more modes and denser transit in general.

For those that for whatever choose the least healthy for the city mode of transit (e.g. "I'll drive anywhere in the metro for what I want to see and do") nothing really changes, except maybe we can get enough solvency from the density to better maintain the roads.

I live in Arlington, VA and this is exactly what they have done in the Rosslyn-Courthouse-Clarendon-Ballston corridor. They committed to developing things out and it has taken a few decades to get where it is today, but it is a fantastic area to live in. Being able to walk, bike, or take the Metro or a bus, I drive less than 100 miles a month (the bulk of that is on the highway to go visit my wife's grandparents in Maryland). Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, Safeway, and an Urban Target are all within a 10 min walk. Lots of shopping, as well as my dentist, doctor, and therapist are all within the same walking radius. The Wizards (and other major league sports teams that I don't follow) are all within a 20 min Metro ride/walk as well. And the museums and historical sites.

Omaha will never be Arlington VA or any East Coast city, unfortunately. I'm just a realist on these things.

[omaha79]

The great thing about not being MLS is that it's relatively cheap, so you don't need to be committed to the team to catch a game. IMO.

For me, I'd catch games regularly if I could take the ORBT/ bus there. Werner Park on the other hand is so poorly placed I won't go there (based on my time in Omaha so far) more than once every 5 years or so.

My thoughts as well. I've yet to go to a Union game at Werner. heck, I've only been to one Stormchasers game. But I've been to plenty of Creighton basketball games, soccer matches and UNO hockey and basketball games thanks to the proximity and pre and post game activities. Though outside of Creighton basketball, I'm not really a 'real' fan of any of them.

Omaha people complaining about how far things are always makes me laugh. We still have that small town mentality. Nothing in Omaha is very far or congested compared to larger cities. It's a mentality. I live in the far reaches of Bellevue. I'm not really opposed to going anywhere. I won't let distance hold me back from things I actually want to do.

Thats only a sliver of my argument, that vast majority of my argument is the lack of things to do around Werner as a casual fan. I have no interest going to a park in the suburbs/fields.

Yes, I've heard the arguments for years from the East Omaha people who don't like leaving their bubble. Same for the West O people that don't want to leave theirs. I get the arguments, in principle, but same time, I'm a believer that we need to support the things we have if we want to keep them. The idea "this isn't in my backyard, so I choose not to support it" will only doom us to lose things like sports teams and keep us a 3rd rate cow town. Union Omaha gets about 3,500 a match. We need to be more in the range of 8k to support a 10k stadium and move to USL Championship. So, yeah, move it downtown. You'll make all the East Omaha people happy, but then the West Omaha people who are used to having it in their backyard will use your argument, "I don't like going downtown and it's just not where I want me and my family to be." and, we'll be doomed to mediocre attendance even downtown. It might bump from 3,500 to 5k, but it won't be what it could and should be because we act like we are so burdened driving 20 minutes when something isn't exactly in our backyard. It's been hurting us for years. I'm all for having less driving and more sustainable options, but 100 years of history in Omaha has made this a land of urban sprawl and that will never change in our lifetimes. So, I choose to support things, no matter where they are vs. sitting on the sidelines and wondering why we don't have more/better things.

[Greg S]

The great thing about not being MLS is that it's relatively cheap, so you don't need to be committed to the team to catch a game. IMO.

For me, I'd catch games regularly if I could take the ORBT/ bus there. Werner Park on the other hand is so poorly placed I won't go there (based on my time in Omaha so far) more than once every 5 years or so.

My thoughts as well. I've yet to go to a Union game at Werner. heck, I've only been to one Stormchasers game. But I've been to plenty of Creighton basketball games, soccer matches and UNO hockey and basketball games thanks to the proximity and pre and post game activities. Though outside of Creighton basketball, I'm not really a 'real' fan of any of them.

Omaha people complaining about how far things are always makes me laugh. We still have that small town mentality. Nothing in Omaha is very far or congested compared to larger cities. It's a mentality. I live in the far reaches of Bellevue. I'm not really opposed to going anywhere. I won't let distance hold me back from things I actually want to do.

Thats only a sliver of my argument, that vast majority of my argument is the lack of things to do around Werner as a casual fan. I have no interest going to a park in the suburbs/fields.

For me as a baseball fan I am generally not looking for things to do outside of the baseball game and stadium. Will be interesting out there when they get things going on the land immediately adjacent to the stadium.

[Louie]

The great thing about not being MLS is that it's relatively cheap, so you don't need to be committed to the team to catch a game. IMO.

For me, I'd catch games regularly if I could take the ORBT/ bus there. Werner Park on the other hand is so poorly placed I won't go there (based on my time in Omaha so far) more than once every 5 years or so.

My thoughts as well. I've yet to go to a Union game at Werner. heck, I've only been to one Stormchasers game. But I've been to plenty of Creighton basketball games, soccer matches and UNO hockey and basketball games thanks to the proximity and pre and post game activities. Though outside of Creighton basketball, I'm not really a 'real' fan of any of them.

Omaha people complaining about how far things are always makes me laugh. We still have that small town mentality. Nothing in Omaha is very far or congested compared to larger cities. It's a mentality. I live in the far reaches of Bellevue. I'm not really opposed to going anywhere. I won't let distance hold me back from things I actually want to do.

Thats only a sliver of my argument, that vast majority of my argument is the lack of things to do around Werner as a casual fan. I have no interest going to a park in the suburbs/fields.

For me as a baseball fan I am generally not looking for things to do outside of the baseball game and stadium. Will be interesting out there when they get things going on the land immediately adjacent to the stadium.

Right, but you are a true baseball fan, I am not. So I'd rather make a little more out of the experience. Just my opinion.

[Louie]

The great thing about not being MLS is that it's relatively cheap, so you don't need to be committed to the team to catch a game. IMO.

For me, I'd catch games regularly if I could take the ORBT/ bus there. Werner Park on the other hand is so poorly placed I won't go there (based on my time in Omaha so far) more than once every 5 years or so.

My thoughts as well. I've yet to go to a Union game at Werner. heck, I've only been to one Stormchasers game. But I've been to plenty of Creighton basketball games, soccer matches and UNO hockey and basketball games thanks to the proximity and pre and post game activities. Though outside of Creighton basketball, I'm not really a 'real' fan of any of them.

Omaha people complaining about how far things are always makes me laugh. We still have that small town mentality. Nothing in Omaha is very far or congested compared to larger cities. It's a mentality. I live in the far reaches of Bellevue. I'm not really opposed to going anywhere. I won't let distance hold me back from things I actually want to do.

Thats only a sliver of my argument, that vast majority of my argument is the lack of things to do around Werner as a casual fan. I have no interest going to a park in the suburbs/fields.

Yes, I've heard the arguments for years from the East Omaha people who don't like leaving their bubble. Same for the West O people that don't want to leave theirs. I get the arguments, in principle, but same time, I'm a believer that we need to support the things we have if we want to keep them. The idea "this isn't in my backyard, so I choose not to support it" will only doom us to lose things like sports teams and keep us a 3rd rate cow town. Union Omaha gets about 3,500 a match. We need to be more in the range of 8k to support a 10k stadium and move to USL Championship. So, yeah, move it downtown. You'll make all the East Omaha people happy, but then the West Omaha people who are used to having it in their backyard will use your argument, "I don't like going downtown and it's just not where I want me and my family to be." and, we'll be doomed to mediocre attendance even downtown. It might bump from 3,500 to 5k, but it won't be what it could and should be because we act like we are so burdened driving 20 minutes when something isn't exactly in our backyard. It's been hurting us for years. I'm all for having less driving and more sustainable options, but 100 years of history in Omaha has made this a land of urban sprawl and that will never change in our lifetimes. So, I choose to support things, no matter where they are vs. sitting on the sidelines and wondering why we don't have more/better things.

That's not convincing enough for me to change my opinion, but that is your opinion and I can respect that. I'm glad that Union is drawing the fans that it can currently.

[nebugeater]

Much of that is probably a pipe dream for much of our lifetime. The streetcar isn't meaningful public transportation for the bulk of the city and we are decades away from something larger that people will actually use. 95% of Omaha isn't utilizing ORBIT and won't no matter how it's packaged.

Agreed. And an even stronger argument for moving services to the core as much as possible.

Incentivize better transit with more density and amenities in a smaller area.

Incentivize users of greenways and transit by having more modes and denser transit in general.

For those that for whatever choose the least healthy for the city mode of transit (e.g. "I'll drive anywhere in the metro for what I want to see and do") nothing really changes, except maybe we can get enough solvency from the density to better maintain the roads.

I live in Arlington, VA and this is exactly what they have done in the Rosslyn-Courthouse-Clarendon-Ballston corridor. They committed to developing things out and it has taken a few decades to get where it is today, but it is a fantastic area to live in. Being able to walk, bike, or take the Metro or a bus, I drive less than 100 miles a month (the bulk of that is on the highway to go visit my wife's grandparents in Maryland). Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, Safeway, and an Urban Target are all within a 10 min walk. Lots of shopping, as well as my dentist, doctor, and therapist are all within the same walking radius. The Wizards (and other major league sports teams that I don't follow) are all within a 20 min Metro ride/walk as well. And the museums and historical sites.

Omaha will never be Arlington VA or any East Coast city, unfortunately. I'm just a realist on these things.

\
Or maybe it is FORTUNATELY. not unfortunately

[Doctor Fate]

Much of that is probably a pipe dream for much of our lifetime. The streetcar isn't meaningful public transportation for the bulk of the city and we are decades away from something larger that people will actually use. 95% of Omaha isn't utilizing ORBIT and won't no matter how it's packaged.

Agreed. And an even stronger argument for moving services to the core as much as possible.

Incentivize better transit with more density and amenities in a smaller area.

Incentivize users of greenways and transit by having more modes and denser transit in general.

For those that for whatever choose the least healthy for the city mode of transit (e.g. "I'll drive anywhere in the metro for what I want to see and do") nothing really changes, except maybe we can get enough solvency from the density to better maintain the roads.

I live in Arlington, VA and this is exactly what they have done in the Rosslyn-Courthouse-Clarendon-Ballston corridor. They committed to developing things out and it has taken a few decades to get where it is today, but it is a fantastic area to live in. Being able to walk, bike, or take the Metro or a bus, I drive less than 100 miles a month (the bulk of that is on the highway to go visit my wife's grandparents in Maryland). Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, Safeway, and an Urban Target are all within a 10 min walk. Lots of shopping, as well as my dentist, doctor, and therapist are all within the same walking radius. The Wizards (and other major league sports teams that I don't follow) are all within a 20 min Metro ride/walk as well. And the museums and historical sites.

Omaha will never be Arlington VA or any East Coast city, unfortunately. I'm just a realist on these things.

I agree, and never thought it would be. But there are some things here that Omaha can draw from. More and better transit options could make the Downtown-Midtown-Blackstone-UNMC corridor a much smaller version of the Rosslyn-Courthouse-Clarendon-Ballston corridor, in terms of amenities, shopping, and development.

Regardless, I am moving away from soccer stadium discussion and will move on. Omaha79, there were some mentioned in the past but can you say locations being considered downtown?

[omaha79]

Much of that is probably a pipe dream for much of our lifetime. The streetcar isn't meaningful public transportation for the bulk of the city and we are decades away from something larger that people will actually use. 95% of Omaha isn't utilizing ORBIT and won't no matter how it's packaged.

Agreed. And an even stronger argument for moving services to the core as much as possible.

Incentivize better transit with more density and amenities in a smaller area.

Incentivize users of greenways and transit by having more modes and denser transit in general.

For those that for whatever choose the least healthy for the city mode of transit (e.g. "I'll drive anywhere in the metro for what I want to see and do") nothing really changes, except maybe we can get enough solvency from the density to better maintain the roads.

I live in Arlington, VA and this is exactly what they have done in the Rosslyn-Courthouse-Clarendon-Ballston corridor. They committed to developing things out and it has taken a few decades to get where it is today, but it is a fantastic area to live in. Being able to walk, bike, or take the Metro or a bus, I drive less than 100 miles a month (the bulk of that is on the highway to go visit my wife's grandparents in Maryland). Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, Safeway, and an Urban Target are all within a 10 min walk. Lots of shopping, as well as my dentist, doctor, and therapist are all within the same walking radius. The Wizards (and other major league sports teams that I don't follow) are all within a 20 min Metro ride/walk as well. And the museums and historical sites.

Omaha will never be Arlington VA or any East Coast city, unfortunately. I'm just a realist on these things.

I agree, and never thought it would be. But there are some things here that Omaha can draw from. More and better transit options could make the Downtown-Midtown-Blackstone-UNMC corridor a much smaller version of the Rosslyn-Courthouse-Clarendon-Ballston corridor, in terms of amenities, shopping, and development.

Regardless, I am moving away from soccer stadium discussion and will move on. Omaha79, there were some mentioned in the past but can you say locations being considered downtown?

I'd heard some slight chatter about the big empty lot near Gallup along Riverfront Drive. But, this was months ago and there has been no update. I'd have some concerns about accessibility in that location, but much of that could be worked through. I'd previously heard that they had an agreement on land up in the Makerhood area, but those involved got a better offer and pulled their offer to the soccer team citing it not fitting with the goals of that area and having something in mind that would be a better fit.

Everything I've heard is 3rd hand. No idea if any of it is true.

[skip]

Much of that is probably a pipe dream for much of our lifetime. The streetcar isn't meaningful public transportation for the bulk of the city and we are decades away from something larger that people will actually use. 95% of Omaha isn't utilizing ORBIT and won't no matter how it's packaged.

Agreed. And an even stronger argument for moving services to the core as much as possible.

Incentivize better transit with more density and amenities in a smaller area.

Incentivize users of greenways and transit by having more modes and denser transit in general.

For those that for whatever choose the least healthy for the city mode of transit (e.g. "I'll drive anywhere in the metro for what I want to see and do") nothing really changes, except maybe we can get enough solvency from the density to better maintain the roads.

I live in Arlington, VA and this is exactly what they have done in the Rosslyn-Courthouse-Clarendon-Ballston corridor. They committed to developing things out and it has taken a few decades to get where it is today, but it is a fantastic area to live in. Being able to walk, bike, or take the Metro or a bus, I drive less than 100 miles a month (the bulk of that is on the highway to go visit my wife's grandparents in Maryland). Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, Safeway, and an Urban Target are all within a 10 min walk. Lots of shopping, as well as my dentist, doctor, and therapist are all within the same walking radius. The Wizards (and other major league sports teams that I don't follow) are all within a 20 min Metro ride/walk as well. And the museums and historical sites.

Omaha will never be Arlington VA or any East Coast city, unfortunately. I'm just a realist on these things.

I agree, and never thought it would be. But there are some things here that Omaha can draw from. More and better transit options could make the Downtown-Midtown-Blackstone-UNMC corridor a much smaller version of the Rosslyn-Courthouse-Clarendon-Ballston corridor, in terms of amenities, shopping, and development.

Regardless, I am moving away from soccer stadium discussion and will move on. Omaha79, there were some mentioned in the past but can you say locations being considered downtown?

I'd heard some slight chatter about the big empty lot near Gallup along Riverfront Drive. But, this was months ago and there has been no update. I'd have some concerns about accessibility in that location, but much of that could be worked through. I'd previously heard that they had an agreement on land up in the Makerhood area, but those involved got a better offer and pulled their offer to the soccer team citing it not fitting with the goals of that area and having something in mind that would be a better fit.

Everything I've heard is 3rd hand. No idea if any of it is true.

Wonder if its related to Gallup's recent planning board agenda item....
"Approval of the ACI-Area of Civic Importance Overlay District, Northeast of Riverfront Drive and Gallup Drive"

[almighty_tuna]

I would be legitimately shocked if a soccer stadium was built on that land in front of Gallup. I don't see it happening at all.

[Doctor Fate]

I'd heard some slight chatter about the big empty lot near Gallup along Riverfront Drive. But, this was months ago and there has been no update. I'd have some concerns about accessibility in that location, but much of that could be worked through. I'd previously heard that they had an agreement on land up in the Makerhood area, but those involved got a better offer and pulled their offer to the soccer team citing it not fitting with the goals of that area and having something in mind that would be a better fit.

Everything I've heard is 3rd hand. No idea if any of it is true.

Oh yeah, Millwork Commons was mentioned in the past on here. Gallup's undeveloped Land is a new one. I had heard (also 3rd hand from someone at the Nebraska Examiner) that Lot D was also a possibility, not sure how big of a possibility. If I remember correctly, Cordero said North Downtown and Midtown were the spots their feasibility report identified.

[Garrett]

I'd heard some slight chatter about the big empty lot near Gallup along Riverfront Drive. But, this was months ago and there has been no update. I'd have some concerns about accessibility in that location, but much of that could be worked through. I'd previously heard that they had an agreement on land up in the Makerhood area, but those involved got a better offer and pulled their offer to the soccer team citing it not fitting with the goals of that area and having something in mind that would be a better fit.

Everything I've heard is 3rd hand. No idea if any of it is true.

Oh yeah, Millwork Commons was mentioned in the past on here. Gallup's undeveloped Land is a new one. I had heard (also 3rd hand from someone at the Nebraska Examiner) that Lot D was also a possibility, not sure how big of a possibility. If I remember correctly, Cordero said North Downtown and Midtown were the spots their feasibility report identified.

Out of all of the options presented, Gallup seems like the weakest in my book. A bit too far from the other nodes of activity in North Downtown, so nothing really to do in the area itself.

[nebport5]

Location wise, they seem pretty set on wanting to be downtown. Downtown makes them well situated for the very soccer oriented latino communities in South O, and it's a pretty standard drive for people in West O. And trying to synergize with the events district nature of North Downtown makes sense. It could set the area up to host a multi-venue event like a music festival in the future.

As for how much it would be used, it looks like in they play around 15-20 home games per year along with various exhibition games. And depending on how well they do they can end up hosting matches for both the USL League One Cup and the US Open Cup, which includes teams from every professional soccer league, including the MLS. They've talked about wanting to do a women's team and various youth activities. I'd honestly expect more activity there than at Schwab.

I feel like they always say they want it to be close to the soccer demo of South Omaha, but when push comes to shove, is that going to be a real factor?

If someone was gift wrapping land out West, they'd take it, especially if that came with other corporate donations towards the cost as well. Beyond that, they tend to look at where are their season ticket holders now. Growing the game in the community is a priority, but I would venture a bulk of their season ticket holders are out west now and many are engaged in the thriving club youth soccer community out that way. That's the same thing the Storm Chasers said when moving out West. They wanted to be closer to their core season ticket holder constituency. Yes, many would follow them if they moved downtown, but some wouldn't.

Would that flip and people in South Omaha would start gobbling up season tickets? I'm not sure about that. The net household income is lower in South Omaha. It can become somewhat pandering to immediately say you want to be closer to a hot soccer demographic, but are we really understanding that demographic? Are they interested in season tickets? Are they willing to buy them? Just because a demographic likes soccer, do they like USL League One Soccer and willing to pay the full freight for season ticket packages? Or, are they happy supporting their club teams they grew up with on TV? These are questions I'm not capable of answering. That takes a lot of feasibility studies.

I'm all for putting a stadium downtown. But, I'm also a realist and know minor league sports owners will follow where the money leads them. If it's downtown, great. If it's Southwest, fine. They just want a stadium, but the idea that just because it's soccer that all of South Omaha will adopt it and support it seems dicey to me, at best.

Same time, I've heard some very specific rumors on downtown that I'm not ready to discuss here. So, we'll see.

According to the Nebraska Examiner earlier this year, Union President Martie Cordaro said:

North downtown would be ideal for a new soccer stadium because the franchise’s demographic information shows that Omaha metro area fans of the country’s fourth most popular sport live predominantly in eastern Omaha.

If so, then that sounds like a great opportunity to redevelop lot B/D at the same time. Soccer stadium, shopping district, apartments/condos, big ol' parking ramp to keep the tourists happy. And an extension to the streetcar line, of course.

The above article is the one where they said they are also wanting to develop residential, entertainment and retail, and possibly a hotel around the stadium.

Fans do not always equate to customers. Those terms aren't always mutually exclusive, but not a given they are mutually inclusive.

We're just going off what Union Omaha has said haha. heck, feel free to share your rumor mill moment when you're ready. It can't just be Cowboy and Jays in the rumor business

Their wording is carefully crafted words though. Yes, I have no doubt that soccer is wildly popular in Eastern Omaha. I also am not naive to think that many of these fans have their clubs and it becomes a discussion if they have the will, money, and time to support the minor league team on top of it.

Reminds me of MLB a generation ago. They thought Miami and Tampa would be great markets, but they've never drawn due to the fact that people had their teams and weren't overly excited to add to their sports portfolio. Many were transplants from up north that loved the Yankees and Red Sox and that's where their consumption of the sport began and ended. Many in Eastern Omaha are transplants from other countries. Do they care about Union Omaha? It could be a 20 year project to convert them. I do know some European immgrants that call MLS "Children's Soccer", but will watch it anyway, but they won't commit that much love and money to it.

I don't think comparing MLB in Tampa and Miami to minor league soccer in Omaha is a reasonable analogy. Your skeptical Union would have enough support because people already like other teams. Sure MLS isn't as entertaining as The English Premier League or other European leagues. However, one team here people already like is Union. They have averaged 3-3.5 thousand in attendance(3rd in overall attendance) the past few years. USL One attendance was up 28% in '23. MLS has seen record growth even pre Messi. Soccer has been growing in popularity for years in the US and Omaha has had a long history of interest in the community. It's not all foreigners and Latinos who have an interest in soccer.

I laugh too about driving distances in Omaha as it's still as 20-25 minute city. However, the distance is more likely to have an effect on people in eastern O. For example, take Atmosphere's desire to live in a more walkable, less car dependent community. I can appreciate that sentiment too. When I lived downtown I enjoyed walking to Creighton soccer games. I also sensed I wasn't in a small minority of non-Creighton people in attendance. Similarly, though I'm not much of a baseball fan, had the Stormchasers ended up playing downtown, I would have occasionally gone to a game. On the other hand, I don't think there's as much risk losing families with kids out west because they're used to driving everywhere for everything. The more likely culprit of losing families with kids is scheduling conflicts. Many of these kids likely play in their own sport and have a busy schedule with their own games and practices.

There's more to gain for Union with a dedicated stadium downtown(an area that already has much more to offer). The growth and momentum of development downtown will only strengthen with the streetcar likely bringing even more people within walking distance. Regardless of how interested Latinos in South O are in the Union there's a much greater chance for anyone who can easily take public transit to attend vs getting out to Werner among the fields of Sarpy County. And yes, getting the "hipsters" communities like Benson closer access will also pay off. If anything, I think there's a greater risk of decline by staying at Werner Park.

[omaha79]

Location wise, they seem pretty set on wanting to be downtown. Downtown makes them well situated for the very soccer oriented latino communities in South O, and it's a pretty standard drive for people in West O. And trying to synergize with the events district nature of North Downtown makes sense. It could set the area up to host a multi-venue event like a music festival in the future.

As for how much it would be used, it looks like in they play around 15-20 home games per year along with various exhibition games. And depending on how well they do they can end up hosting matches for both the USL League One Cup and the US Open Cup, which includes teams from every professional soccer league, including the MLS. They've talked about wanting to do a women's team and various youth activities. I'd honestly expect more activity there than at Schwab.

I feel like they always say they want it to be close to the soccer demo of South Omaha, but when push comes to shove, is that going to be a real factor?

If someone was gift wrapping land out West, they'd take it, especially if that came with other corporate donations towards the cost as well. Beyond that, they tend to look at where are their season ticket holders now. Growing the game in the community is a priority, but I would venture a bulk of their season ticket holders are out west now and many are engaged in the thriving club youth soccer community out that way. That's the same thing the Storm Chasers said when moving out West. They wanted to be closer to their core season ticket holder constituency. Yes, many would follow them if they moved downtown, but some wouldn't.

Would that flip and people in South Omaha would start gobbling up season tickets? I'm not sure about that. The net household income is lower in South Omaha. It can become somewhat pandering to immediately say you want to be closer to a hot soccer demographic, but are we really understanding that demographic? Are they interested in season tickets? Are they willing to buy them? Just because a demographic likes soccer, do they like USL League One Soccer and willing to pay the full freight for season ticket packages? Or, are they happy supporting their club teams they grew up with on TV? These are questions I'm not capable of answering. That takes a lot of feasibility studies.

I'm all for putting a stadium downtown. But, I'm also a realist and know minor league sports owners will follow where the money leads them. If it's downtown, great. If it's Southwest, fine. They just want a stadium, but the idea that just because it's soccer that all of South Omaha will adopt it and support it seems dicey to me, at best.

Same time, I've heard some very specific rumors on downtown that I'm not ready to discuss here. So, we'll see.

According to the Nebraska Examiner earlier this year, Union President Martie Cordaro said:

North downtown would be ideal for a new soccer stadium because the franchise’s demographic information shows that Omaha metro area fans of the country’s fourth most popular sport live predominantly in eastern Omaha.

If so, then that sounds like a great opportunity to redevelop lot B/D at the same time. Soccer stadium, shopping district, apartments/condos, big ol' parking ramp to keep the tourists happy. And an extension to the streetcar line, of course.

The above article is the one where they said they are also wanting to develop residential, entertainment and retail, and possibly a hotel around the stadium.

Fans do not always equate to customers. Those terms aren't always mutually exclusive, but not a given they are mutually inclusive.

We're just going off what Union Omaha has said haha. heck, feel free to share your rumor mill moment when you're ready. It can't just be Cowboy and Jays in the rumor business

Their wording is carefully crafted words though. Yes, I have no doubt that soccer is wildly popular in Eastern Omaha. I also am not naive to think that many of these fans have their clubs and it becomes a discussion if they have the will, money, and time to support the minor league team on top of it.

Reminds me of MLB a generation ago. They thought Miami and Tampa would be great markets, but they've never drawn due to the fact that people had their teams and weren't overly excited to add to their sports portfolio. Many were transplants from up north that loved the Yankees and Red Sox and that's where their consumption of the sport began and ended. Many in Eastern Omaha are transplants from other countries. Do they care about Union Omaha? It could be a 20 year project to convert them. I do know some European immgrants that call MLS "Children's Soccer", but will watch it anyway, but they won't commit that much love and money to it.

I don't think comparing MLB in Tampa and Miami to minor league soccer in Omaha is a reasonable analogy. Your skeptical Union would have enough support because people already like other teams. Sure MLS isn't as entertaining as The English Premier League or other European leagues. However, one team here people already like is Union. They have averaged 3-3.5 thousand in attendance(3rd in overall attendance) the past few years. USL One attendance was up 28% in '23. MLS has seen record growth even pre Messi. Soccer has been growing in popularity for years in the US and Omaha has had a long history of interest in the community. It's not all foreigners and Latinos who have an interest in soccer.

I laugh too about driving distances in Omaha as it's still as 20-25 minute city. However, the distance is more likely to have an effect on people in eastern O. For example, take Atmosphere's desire to live in a more walkable, less car dependent community. I can appreciate that sentiment too. When I lived downtown I enjoyed walking to Creighton soccer games. I also sensed I wasn't in a small minority of non-Creighton people in attendance. Similarly, though I'm not much of a baseball fan, had the Stormchasers ended up playing downtown, I would have occasionally gone to a game. On the other hand, I don't think there's as much risk losing families with kids out west because they're used to driving everywhere for everything. The more likely culprit of losing families with kids is scheduling conflicts. Many of these kids likely play in their own sport and have a busy schedule with their own games and practices.

There's more to gain for Union with a dedicated stadium downtown(an area that already has much more to offer). The growth and momentum of development downtown will only strengthen with the streetcar likely bringing even more people within walking distance. Regardless of how interested Latinos in South O are in the Union there's a much greater chance for anyone who can easily take public transit to attend vs getting out to Werner among the fields of Sarpy County. And yes, getting the "hipsters" communities like Benson closer access will also pay off. If anything, I think there's a greater risk of decline by staying at Werner Park.

If it comes down to people needing it to be walkable or in their back yard, I still don't know if this helps court the people of South Omaha. I don't see masses in Omaha riding busses from 24th and L to downtown for Union Omaha soccer, I just don't. And, no streetcar proposal has any addition running to South Omaha. We will see. But, I don't see it as a slam dunk that opening a north downtown stadium will immediately see people from South Omaha |expletive| there in droves. It will take lots of work and probably a fair number of free tickets to make that happen in the short term. No matter how we want to talk about Eastern Omaha as some united block, there is a huge difference between North Downtown and South Omaha, where I grew up, by the way.

There is a lot to gain from a Union stadium downtown, and I've been for it from the start over going further West; however, I think some are getting into this trap of "if you build it, they will come" and that becomes dangerous and lazy, especially when we've seen that mentality not pan out in the past for other projects and teams realize they actually have to work vs. just assuming some superficial pandering to an ethnic group is all it will take to be successful. This is basically like saying, "hey, we'll now be 5 miles from your house vs. 20 miles, you're coming because we're closer and we have that thing we know you like, right?" But, 5 miles is still a big distance if one doesn't have a car and transportation isn't that great. They will have to do way more in the way of pub to pitch, give away tickets in the short term, have tons of events in that part of town. They've done some of that, but it's going to take a lot more time and spending money to make it viable.

Gotta work hard and do this smartly ,because you only get one chance.

[omaha79]

I'd heard some slight chatter about the big empty lot near Gallup along Riverfront Drive. But, this was months ago and there has been no update. I'd have some concerns about accessibility in that location, but much of that could be worked through. I'd previously heard that they had an agreement on land up in the Makerhood area, but those involved got a better offer and pulled their offer to the soccer team citing it not fitting with the goals of that area and having something in mind that would be a better fit.

Everything I've heard is 3rd hand. No idea if any of it is true.

Oh yeah, Millwork Commons was mentioned in the past on here. Gallup's undeveloped Land is a new one. I had heard (also 3rd hand from someone at the Nebraska Examiner) that Lot D was also a possibility, not sure how big of a possibility. If I remember correctly, Cordero said North Downtown and Midtown were the spots their feasibility report identified.

Out of all of the options presented, Gallup seems like the weakest in my book. A bit too far from the other nodes of activity in North Downtown, so nothing really to do in the area itself.

I think it becomes a case of can beggars be choosers? If this holds any shred of truth, how many other prime parcels are actually available in downtown for an affordable cost to a tier three soccer club?

I'd love a spot that's stumbling distance from a bunch of downtown bars, but that may not be reality, and again, I'm a realist.

But hey, if people want to talk walkability, take the new baby bob and make it walkable when it's done. Can't get all your list of wants met when you have limited options and limited funds to work with.

[skip]

I would be legitimately shocked if a soccer stadium was built on that land in front of Gallup. I don't see it happening at all.

Gallup also owns a good amount of land on the northwest side of abbot drive. They could be referring to that piece of land, not the land in front of the office.

[omaha79]

I would be legitimately shocked if a soccer stadium was built on that land in front of Gallup. I don't see it happening at all.

Gallup also owns a good amount of land on the northwest side of abbot drive. They could be referring to that piece of land, not the land in front of the office.

That's what I was talking about. closer to Cuming St and Lot D.

[almighty_tuna]

I would be legitimately shocked if a soccer stadium was built on that land in front of Gallup. I don't see it happening at all.

Gallup also owns a good amount of land on the northwest side of abbot drive. They could be referring to that piece of land, not the land in front of the office.

The parcel they own adjacent to the concrete plant and fuel depot would be even less likely to be developed as a stadium, IMO.

[ita]

I'd heard some slight chatter about the big empty lot near Gallup along Riverfront Drive. But, this was months ago and there has been no update. I'd have some concerns about accessibility in that location, but much of that could be worked through. I'd previously heard that they had an agreement on land up in the Makerhood area, but those involved got a better offer and pulled their offer to the soccer team citing it not fitting with the goals of that area and having something in mind that would be a better fit.

Everything I've heard is 3rd hand. No idea if any of it is true.

Oh yeah, Millwork Commons was mentioned in the past on here. Gallup's undeveloped Land is a new one. I had heard (also 3rd hand from someone at the Nebraska Examiner) that Lot D was also a possibility, not sure how big of a possibility. If I remember correctly, Cordero said North Downtown and Midtown were the spots their feasibility report identified.

Out of all of the options presented, Gallup seems like the weakest in my book. A bit too far from the other nodes of activity in North Downtown, so nothing really to do in the area itself.

I think it becomes a case of can beggars be choosers? If this holds any shred of truth, how many other prime parcels are actually available in downtown for an affordable cost to a tier three soccer club?

I'd love a spot that's stumbling distance from a bunch of downtown bars, but that may not be reality, and again, I'm a realist.

But hey, if people want to talk walkability, take the new baby bob and make it walkable when it's done. Can't get all your list of wants met when you have limited options and limited funds to work with.

Here's what the planning board agenda item is all about:

https://planning.cityofomaha.org/images ... ber/13.pdf

Nothing super exciting. Gallup did a replat to combine two of the three lots that compose that giant field. Planning required ACI-4 to be applied to the new lot as it burdened one of the two. ACI 4 include limitations on vehicular access to the arterial street, which I think the City is trying to protect if this thing gets developed.

If anything, Gallup combining the two lots seems to indicate something is happening. Per the report it's a 12 acre parcel. It could house a stadium, garage and other adjacent development. Who knows though, at this point.

[thenewguy]

it would be fantastic if they did develop it and incorporate the history of the river down there. Have a bar on a barge or something, stationary riverboat/playground area, etc.

[omaha79]

it would be fantastic if they did develop it and incorporate the history of the river down there. Have a bar on a barge or something, stationary riverboat/playground area, etc.

Good luck with that though. I liked The Dam Bar down there, but the city basically forced them to close citing environmental impact and wanting to return it to a more park like use. They don't seem to want much in the way of commercial development directly on the riverfront and no bars/restaurants.