Behavioral Health & Wellness Center at Children’s Nebraska (85th & Dodge)

Ben · Post by **Ben** » Mon Jul 18, 2022 7:51 am

Does anyone know what's happening to the former Methodist buildings currently being gutted along Dodge, in front of the former HDR (now Children's) gold buildings? I can't seem to find anything on here about what they're becoming... Is it more office conversion like the building to the west?

Post by **Brad** » Mon Jul 18, 2022 8:52 am

That use to be a hotel back in the day. Methodist sold it to Children's. I know Jeff and Trenton talked about it on Grow Omaha quite a while ago, but I can't remember the plan. Let me do some digging.

There is an active demolition permit for the property.

Post by **Brad** » Sun Aug 07, 2022 8:57 pm

Originally opened as the "Schimmel’s Indian Hills Inn". Trenton from Grow Omaha, Schimmel was his grandfather.

Garrett · Post by **Garrett** » Sun Aug 07, 2022 10:51 pm

That was my mom’s dorm back in nursing school

Cermak · Post by **Cermak** » Mon Aug 08, 2022 7:57 am

Still a few good quality pictures of the old hotel on the Internet. When it was new it was on the western edge of Omaha. The whole Indian Hills area is interesting to me with all its mid-century architecture. It looked like a very nice upscale classic 1960's roadside hotel. I remember the New Tower on the north side of Dodge, that thing was sprawling. When I-80 opened ( not sure of the year, but sometime in the 60's ) this area was eventually replaced by the 72nd and I-80 corridor as the primary hotel area for travelers in Omaha.

Post by **Brad** » Mon Aug 08, 2022 9:22 am

Cermak wrote: Mon Aug 08, 2022 7:57 am Still a few good quality pictures of the old hotel on the Internet.

https://myomahaobsession.com/2022/07/18 ... 6dsiKR9FiQ

nativeomahan · Post by **nativeomahan** » Thu Aug 11, 2022 9:12 pm

I didn’t realize that the hotel once had The Rolling Stones as guests.
The hotel lasted all of 6 years.
The Rolling Stones….going on 60!

ita · Post by **ita** » Tue Nov 15, 2022 1:20 pm

$89 million pediatric mental health center to be built near 84th and Dodge in Omaha

Julie Anderson
A planned behavioral health facility for children has expanded both in scope and cost — going from $50 million to $89 million — and shifted locations to the campus of Children’s Hospital & Medical Center in central Omaha.

The center will be operated by Children’s. Services will include 38 inpatient hospital beds, a pediatric mental health urgent care center, a first-in-the-region behavioral health emergency assessment center, an expanded partial hospitalization program and a pediatric primary care clinic with outpatient mental health services.

Plans for the facility have evolved since a nonprofit group led by Omaha philanthropist Ken Stinson last spring announced a plan to build a $50 million inpatient behavioral health facility for children on the campus of Immanuel Medical Center in north-central Omaha.

The plan emerged after the group, the Mental Health Innovation Foundation, convened a steering committee in summer 2021 that included officials from Immanuel, Children’s, Boys Town, Creighton University and other organizations, to address growing mental health challenges for children and teens.

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Tue Nov 15, 2022 1:41 pm

This can't come soon enough. Mental health care in this region is horrendously underserved.

ita · Post by **ita** » Tue Nov 15, 2022 1:45 pm

almighty_tuna wrote: Tue Nov 15, 2022 1:41 pm This can't come soon enough. Mental health care in this region is horrendously underserved.

2025 is only a few years from now, but agreed, can't come soon enough.

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Tue Nov 15, 2022 2:16 pm

Story mentions 103,500 sq ft, any idea on the number of floors?

Louie · Post by **Louie** » Tue Nov 15, 2022 2:56 pm

skinzfan23 wrote: Tue Nov 15, 2022 2:16 pm Story mentions 103,500 sq ft, any idea on the number of floors?

Its about 300k sq feet of total land, so it will probably only be a few floors.

ita · Post by **ita** » Tue Nov 15, 2022 3:05 pm

Louie wrote: Tue Nov 15, 2022 2:56 pm
skinzfan23 wrote: Tue Nov 15, 2022 2:16 pm Story mentions 103,500 sq ft, any idea on the number of floors?
Its about 300k sq feet of total land, so it will probably only be a few floors.

That would be my best guess, 2-3 stories max (see 7171 Mercy https://eomahaforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=22696). Likely will have plenty of surface parking and the article states there will be green space. While it's disappointing from a land use perspective, it's needed services and will be conveniently located next to the Children's campus. Although, I do wonder if it is not the only building that will be located there?

ricko · Post by **ricko** » Tue Nov 15, 2022 3:09 pm

nativeomahan wrote: Thu Aug 11, 2022 9:12 pm I didn’t realize that the hotel once had The Rolling Stones as guests.
The hotel lasted all of 6 years.
The Rolling Stones….going on 60!

Yes. They played at Rosenblatt on their first US tour. The concert was a disaster because they mis-calculated their popularity early on; I think they only had one single that didn't chart very well (Love Not Fade Away---'Satisfaction' hadn't been released yet). Less than a thousand people showed up, and to add to the embarrassment, they were picketed by Omaha's right wing Christian community ('cuz rock and roll was satanic, or some B.S.). Mick Jagger declared from the stage that they would never play Omaha again. Of course, Jesus Christ himself declared Rock music A.O.K. some time in the 1990's, as was revealed to me personally one day while eating my breakfast cereal, and the Stones returned not long after that. Amen.

Re: Schimmel's. It was probably the nicest motel in Omaha, albeit short lived. This was back during the hey-day of high-end motels (60's and 70's), and they all had nice restaurants and lounges with entertainment.

ita · Post by **ita** » Thu Jul 06, 2023 10:00 am

This is going through the approval process. Currently scheduled to be heard by the zoning board of appeals on July 13 for the following variances:

Waiver of Section 55-786 & 55-366 – Variance

to the commercial fence regulations to allow a 14’ tall, metal privacy fence, to the maximum building height from 60’ to 65’, and to the maximum height for building mechanical equipment from 75’ to 78’ to allow for the construction of a behavioral health and wellness center; 8501 W. Dodge Rd.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Fri Aug 04, 2023 5:11 pm

Mental Health Innovation Foundation to break ground on youth mental health facility in Omaha

The Mental Health Innovation Foundation and Children's Hospital and Medical Center are teaming up on a new mental health facility. It aims to tackle the rising number of mental health services children need. Nationally, emergency room visits related to mental health are up 24% among children ages 5 to 11 and 31% among children 12 to 17 years old. Organizers say suicide is now the second-leading cause of death for young people, and Nebraska exceeds national trends.

The center will be built on the former site of the Nebraska Methodist College Building near 84th and Dodge streets. Organizers say the four-story building will be more than 107,000 square feet, including a 10,000 square foot Assessment Center, an experimental kitchen for patients dealing with eating disorders, 14,000 square feet of space for general outpatient therapy and pediatric care, and nearly 8,000 square feet of space to expand to new programs. It will also include 38 single-occupancy hospital inpatient beds. The project has a $110 million budget. Organizers said $16 million will come from ARPA funding. Children's is contributing $15 million. Donors will cover the rest.

The project breaks ground Aug. 4. Construction is scheduled to wrap up in 2025.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Fri Aug 04, 2023 5:58 pm

Children’s Hospital and Medical Center breaks ground on mental health facility

The capacity for treatment for young people with mental health challenges has not kept pace with the growing need for such services. Led by the non-profit Mental Health Innovation Foundation, Children’s Hospital and Medical Center broke ground Friday to build a $110 million behavioral health and wellness center.

“This new facility will more than double with capacity we have in the community,” said Ken Stinson, the foundation’s president. “It will be able to treat up to 40 youngsters on any given day here in our new facility.” The center will cover more than 107,000 square feet and will raise four stories high on a seven-acre lot. It will also feature a 10,000-square-foot assessment center to screen and stabilize children in crisis.

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Fri Aug 04, 2023 8:46 pm

A great addition to this area. That corridor is on a roll. Will look so different in a few years.

nativeomahan · Post by **nativeomahan** » Fri Aug 04, 2023 10:31 pm

This is a much needed new facility for the greater Omaha community. Suicide is the #2 cause of death of adolescents in the US and in Nebraska.
The new facility will also be an attractive physical addition to the Children’s/Methodist medical campus.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Sat Aug 05, 2023 8:07 am

$110 million mental health center for kids breaks ground in Omaha

OMAHA — After a young teen attempting suicide received emergency medical attention recently at Children’s Hospital, the attending health care team knew he was still at risk. But when they sought to have the boy transferred to a mental health facility for more intensive psychiatric care, they could find no open beds nearby. He was sent to a place several hours away, Chanda Chacón, CEO of Children’s Hospital and Medical Center, recalled on Friday. “This is a burden for families, many of whom often can not accompany their children out of state,” said Chacón. That availability is expected to change with the planned $110 million Behavioral Health & Wellness Center at the Children’s Hospital campus at 84th Street and West Dodge Road.

Cermak · Post by **Cermak** » Tue Aug 08, 2023 6:04 am

Much needed, I would say this country is experiencing some sort of a mental health crisis and has for a while. Hopefully this facility will help with some more treatment opportunities for those that need it.

OmahaRedWing · Post by **OmahaRedWing** » Tue Aug 08, 2023 10:34 am

This is very good to see. Perfect visible location.

For the city, the area from here. to 72nd and Dodge, on to Ak Sar Ben, is booming. Such a great transformation.

Post by **Brad** » Thu Nov 16, 2023 9:47 pm

Aerial Photo Update:

20231115881A0517.jpg

GenX · Post by **GenX** » Thu Nov 16, 2023 10:19 pm

Cermak wrote: Tue Aug 08, 2023 6:04 am Much needed, I would say this country is experiencing some sort of a mental health crisis and has for a while. Hopefully this facility will help with some more treatment opportunities for those that need it.

It’s not so much of a crisis, rather a better understanding, awareness and acceptance of mental health.

GenX · Post by **GenX** » Thu Nov 16, 2023 10:20 pm

What’s the tower crane timeline? 60-90 days?

Post by **Brad** » Thu Nov 16, 2023 10:37 pm

EricHaley wrote: Thu Nov 16, 2023 10:20 pm What’s the tower crane timeline? 60-90 days?

I did wonder if that's what this hole was for?

881A0517-2.jpg

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Wed Jan 10, 2024 2:29 pm

I saw a crane there today on the citycam. Don't know if there are getting ready to assemble the tower crane.

Post by **Brad** » Wed Jan 10, 2024 2:38 pm

skinzfan23 wrote: Wed Jan 10, 2024 2:29 pm I saw a crane there today on the citycam. Don't know if there are getting ready to assemble the tower crane.

They have had quite a large crane there for a while. They put the crane boom down at night, assuming because there are 2 helicopter landing pads near by. I took some photos the other day and it doesn't look like there will be a tower crane there.

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Wed Jan 10, 2024 2:55 pm

Brad wrote: Wed Jan 10, 2024 2:38 pm
skinzfan23 wrote: Wed Jan 10, 2024 2:29 pm I saw a crane there today on the citycam. Don't know if there are getting ready to assemble the tower crane.
They have had quite a large crane there for a while. They put the crane boom down at night, assuming because there are 2 helicopter landing pads near by. I took some photos the other day and it doesn't look like there will be a tower crane there.

Thanks for the clarification....I don't get out that way very often and the camera isn't usually faced that way, so I didn't know.

I was hoping for another tower crane, especially with those pictures you had above....thought that it might be the base for a tower crane.

HskrFanMike · Post by **HskrFanMike** » Mon Feb 12, 2024 10:26 pm

Cermak wrote: Tue Aug 08, 2023 6:04 am Much needed, I would say this country is experiencing some sort of a mental health crisis and has for a while. Hopefully this facility will help with some more treatment opportunities for those that need it.

Families who need treatment for inpatient mental health services are now having to go to Iowa City, Minneapolis, Denver or Tulsa. I know families who've had to send their kids to St. Louis, Dallas and even the east coast for treatment. That's gut-wrenching to think that a city like Omaha doesn't have something like this already available.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Thu May 16, 2024 3:49 pm

Behavioral Health & Wellness Center

Watch as the final beam is lifted into place at the Behavioral Health & Wellness Center at Children's Nebraska in Omaha.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Fri May 17, 2024 6:45 am

State, city officials attend ceremony at new Omaha mental health center

The City of Omaha reached a milestone when it comes to dealing with youth mental health. It’s called a “topping out” ceremony, where the last beam is signed, raised, and put into place on a new building. It will become the Behavioral Health and Wellness Center at Children’s Nebraska. It’s a $114 million project to address a major need in the community: the mental health of kids. This day was about signing the beam — putting ink and inspiration into the sky with the belief the messages will one day spread throughout the building. When construction is complete, the Mental Health Innovation Foundation will pass the baton.

Post by **Brad** » Thu Feb 13, 2025 10:16 pm

Today I toured the Behavioral Health & Wellness Center at Children’s Nebraska. Its quite the facility!

Photos:

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Fri Feb 14, 2025 7:34 am

It's great that this is being built, local resources are slim.

Post by **Brad** » Sun Dec 07, 2025 7:20 pm

A few from tonight. These red and green lights had been purple and then tonight I showed up with my camera and they were read and green.

1.

20251207881A9291.jpg

2.

20251207881A9293.jpg

3.

20251207881A9295.jpg

4.

20251207881A9297.jpg

.

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Sun Dec 07, 2025 7:21 pm

I love your pics and like the lights but they just seem kinda random for their placement.

thenewguy · Post by **thenewguy** » Mon Dec 08, 2025 5:56 am

drove by the other night and it looked really cool!

Post by **Brad** » Mon Jan 12, 2026 11:31 am

This facility opened last Wednesday and I heard over the weekend the demand for this new facility has been really strong in just the first few days.

Cup of Cheese · Post by **Cup of Cheese** » Sun Feb 08, 2026 9:17 am

Brad wrote: Mon Jan 12, 2026 11:31 am This facility opened last Wednesday and I heard over the weekend the demand for this new facility has been really strong in just the first few days.

I work here as an RN. We filled up in less than a week. it's a beautiful, state of the art facility, and I love it.

What didn't help was that CHI Immanuel quietly closed down their inpatient children's unit right after Children's opened. It had been planned for about a year, and the Children's Nebraska was aware it was going to happen. It was an underhanded and crappy thing for CHI to do -- probably were losing money. The really horrible thing was that as late as last spring Anthony Ashby, the CEO of Immanuel was still giving public speeches bragging about how Immanuel provided these special mental health services for kids to the community, knowing they were going to shut it down in. I worked for CHI for about a year and it doesn't surprise me they did this. I wouldn't say good patient care is their top priority, Common Spirit, their parent company, is just as bad.

Louie · Post by **Louie** » Sun Feb 08, 2026 1:36 pm

Cup of Cheese wrote: Sun Feb 08, 2026 9:17 am
Brad wrote: Mon Jan 12, 2026 11:31 am This facility opened last Wednesday and I heard over the weekend the demand for this new facility has been really strong in just the first few days.
I work here as an RN. We filled up in less than a week. it's a beautiful, state of the art facility, and I love it.

What didn't help was that CHI Immanuel quietly closed down their inpatient children's unit right after Children's opened. It had been planned for about a year, and the Children's Nebraska was aware it was going to happen. It was an underhanded and crappy thing for CHI to do -- probably were losing money. The really horrible thing was that as late as last spring Anthony Ashby, the CEO of Immanuel was still giving public speeches bragging about how Immanuel provided these special mental health services for kids to the community, knowing they were going to shut it down in. I worked for CHI for about a year and it doesn't surprise me they did this. I wouldn't say good patient care is their top priority, Common Spirit, their parent company, is just as bad.

I haven't heard anything good about CHI in some time it seems.