Polina Gardens (727 South 13th Street)

ita · Post by **ita** » Thu Jan 18, 2024 5:04 pm

This is the block where Bemis Center of Contemporary Arts is located. No real renderings except for a modular cafe, but there are site plans. I think it's pretty neat and will add much needed green space to Old Market.

https://planning.cityofomaha.org/images ... 43_All.pdf

nativeomahan · Post by **nativeomahan** » Thu Jan 18, 2024 5:51 pm

Anything that will add green space and beauty to the Old Market District is a big plus. I hope this comes to fruition.

nebport5 · Post by **nebport5** » Fri Jan 19, 2024 11:12 am

There are color renderings of this in the "A Pedestrian Old Market" thread.

viewtopic.php?p=351746#p351746

Maybe some of those posts should be migrated.

also here A New Park For The Old Market?

This mini park design looks to be much more ornate than I initially thought. I like that the site plans even list 17 different species of trees. Nice!

thenewguy · Post by **thenewguy** » Fri Jan 19, 2024 11:12 am

i think it looks good. for anyone else who was wondering what the existing lot looked like:

they are going to keep the small (post office?) building, which is good because it is cool looking

overall site plan will have seating, rain garden, water feature, green lawn, etc. Should help draw some people south while they are in the old market

ita · Post by **ita** » Fri Jan 19, 2024 11:24 am

nebport5 wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 11:12 am There are color renderings of this in the "A Pedestrian Old Market" thread.

viewtopic.php?p=351746#p351746

Maybe some of those posts should be migrated.

also here A New Park For The Old Market?

This mini park design looks to be much more ornate than I initially thought. I like that the site plans even list 17 different species of trees. Nice!

I think that park concept was for surface lot on the NE corner of 11th and Jackson where they hold the farmers market. This new proposal is for an entirely different property, albeit the concept is very similar.

iamjacobm · Post by **iamjacobm** » Fri Jan 19, 2024 11:27 am

ita wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 11:24 am
nebport5 wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 11:12 am There are color renderings of this in the "A Pedestrian Old Market" thread.

viewtopic.php?p=351746#p351746

Maybe some of those posts should be migrated.

also here A New Park For The Old Market?

This mini park design looks to be much more ornate than I initially thought. I like that the site plans even list 17 different species of trees. Nice!
I think that park concept was for surface lot on the SE corner of 11th and Jackson where they hold the farmers market. This new proposal is for an entirely different property, albeit the concept is very similar.

I was wrong about the 11th and Jackson lot in my post in that thread, didn't have my bearing right from the rendering. These are the same.

Athomsfere · Post by **Athomsfere** » Fri Jan 19, 2024 12:26 pm

thenewguy wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 11:12 am
they are going to keep the small (post office?) building, which is good because it is cool looking

That's the Krug Brewery / Anheuser Busch location

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anheuser-Busch_Beer_Depot

TitosBuritoBarn · Post by **TitosBuritoBarn** » Fri Jan 19, 2024 1:35 pm

I still think there is already plenty of greenspace in this area with the Gene Leahy Mall and the like that we don't need more. These lots would be more fruitful to be redeveloped as buildings.

At most, limit the garden to one corner of the block.

thenewguy · Post by **thenewguy** » Fri Jan 19, 2024 2:40 pm

Athomsfere wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 12:26 pm
thenewguy wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 11:12 am
they are going to keep the small (post office?) building, which is good because it is cool looking

That's the Krug Brewery / Anheuser Busch location

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anheuser-Busch_Beer_Depot

man, I'd have loved to have seen it when it was all still there! I'd even like to see what it's like inside that building. I'm sure there's a lot of great history there

Athomsfere · Post by **Athomsfere** » Fri Jan 19, 2024 3:02 pm

thenewguy wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 2:40 pm
Athomsfere wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 12:26 pm
thenewguy wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 11:12 am
they are going to keep the small (post office?) building, which is good because it is cool looking

That's the Krug Brewery / Anheuser Busch location

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anheuser-Busch_Beer_Depot
man, I'd have loved to have seen it when it was all still there! I'd even like to see what it's like inside that building. I'm sure there's a lot of great history there

You and me both.

I'd even go as far as if we could only save one building in / near the OM, it would be this one.

I've peeked in the windows. Looks like just a little office...

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Wed Feb 07, 2024 6:02 pm

New plans for Old Market park advance at Omaha city hall

Plans for a new pocket park in downtown Omaha advanced at city hall. Old Market Gardens is a privately funded public park that looks to transform a prime piece of real estate off 13th and Leavenworth Streets in between downtown and the Little Bohemia neighborhood. "There's a lot changing around here," attorney John DeWald said, who works at a historic building on the block."

The current office space that used to be home to an Anheuser-Busch depot could soon be surrounded by a public lawn — providing shade, seating, and potentially outdoor movie screenings, food trucks and fire pits. Plans are similar to the Gene Leahy Mall.

The Omaha Planning Board recommended approval of the project at city hall Wednesday.

Renovator2559 · Post by **Renovator2559** » Wed Feb 07, 2024 10:02 pm

Very nice pocket park, this has got me excited for the Old Market area, now I can stop by near one of my gym memberships on my way from Mid town and have a snack too.

enthusiestomaha1433 · Tue Jul 02, 2024 12:28 pm

Maybe this belong in another channel, but it appears that they may be beginning work on the future park surrounding the Bemis. Anyone heard anything?

thenewguy · Post by **thenewguy** » Tue Jul 02, 2024 3:51 pm

maybe. i drove by the other day and the weeds looked higher. maybe they mowed it in preparation?

JDJase · Post by **JDJase** » Wed Jul 03, 2024 9:06 pm

Today they also parked a Hausmann Construction trailer next to the lot on the 12th street side.

ItsAllAboutMe · Post by **ItsAllAboutMe** » Tue Jul 30, 2024 11:56 am

Grading/construction has begun

frankt · Post by **frankt** » Wed Jul 31, 2024 3:34 pm

I heard from a well-sourced person that the Bemis is partnering with the world-famous garden designer Piet Oudolf to design this garden. Piet did the high line in NYC and the Lurie Garden in Chicago.

If this pans out, this would be quite the attraction (to me, at least hah)!

BIGO88 · Post by **BIGO88** » Tue Sep 16, 2025 2:25 pm

Lots of work has been going on here, they installed a large hand statue as well as a new shipping container this week.

Post by **Brad** » Tue Sep 16, 2025 2:29 pm

Now that the beer depot is part of the gardens, should these two threads be merged or should they remain separate?

Old Market Gardens (727 South 13th Street)
viewtopic.php?t=24538

Anheuser-Busch Beer Depot (SE Corner 13th & Jones)
viewtopic.php?t=7696

Diogenes · Post by **Diogenes** » Mon Sep 22, 2025 4:18 pm

For those who haven't gone past this recently the monumental statue has been installed! I wont spoil what it is-and Im sure any picture I take wont do the scale justice but my first thoughts are it is last thing I would think to put there but also it looks amazing.

PotatoeEatsFish · Post by **PotatoeEatsFish** » Tue Sep 23, 2025 4:41 pm

Diogenes wrote: Mon Sep 22, 2025 4:18 pm For those who haven't gone past this recently the monumental statue has been installed! I wont spoil what it is-and Im sure any picture I take wont do the scale justice but my first thoughts are it is last thing I would think to put there but also it looks amazing.

After being on this forum for almost a decade I’m fully expecting a single porta potty on the lot when I show up

Post by **Brad** » Tue Sep 23, 2025 7:38 pm

Photo Update:

1.

202509212X4A3370.jpg

grummiefreak · Post by **grummiefreak** » Fri Sep 26, 2025 10:47 am

lots of trees going into the garden this week!

CLKKelley · Post by **CLKKelley** » Sat Sep 27, 2025 7:16 am

We attended a program at Lauritzen where the Director stated 85-90 trees.

Post by **Brad** » Sat Sep 27, 2025 10:32 pm

Update Photos from this morning:

1.

20250927881A4711.jpg

2.

20250927881A4717.jpg

Lillian Bean · Post by **Lillian Bean** » Mon Sep 29, 2025 10:22 am

Looking great! Such a nice entry into downtown.

nebport5 · Post by **nebport5** » Wed Oct 22, 2025 8:50 am

Now named Polina Gardens and set to open officially in April.

'Attract people from all over the world': World famous designer creates Old Market garden

KETV wrote:From Millenium Park to the Old Market — famed garden designer Piet Oudolf is bringing his talents to Omaha. Oudolf's newest creation will be called the Polina Gardens, and it sits at the corner of 13th and Leavenworth.

KETV wrote:Oudolf is from the Netherlands but has created gardens around the world, including popular attraction The High Line in New York City and the Lurie Garden at Millenium Park in Chicago.

KETV wrote:Aside from plants, the garden will also be home to several art pieces, including another iteration of Sophie Ryder's The Kiss sculpture. The twisted wire depicts two clasped hands and will be lit up with light at night.

frankt · Post by **frankt** » Wed Oct 22, 2025 1:10 pm

nebport5 wrote: Wed Oct 22, 2025 8:50 am Now named Polina Gardens and set to open officially in April.

'Attract people from all over the world': World famous designer creates Old Market garden

KETV wrote:From Millenium Park to the Old Market — famed garden designer Piet Oudolf is bringing his talents to Omaha. Oudolf's newest creation will be called the Polina Gardens, and it sits at the corner of 13th and Leavenworth.

KETV wrote:Oudolf is from the Netherlands but has created gardens around the world, including popular attraction The High Line in New York City and the Lurie Garden at Millenium Park in Chicago.

KETV wrote:Aside from plants, the garden will also be home to several art pieces, including another iteration of Sophie Ryder's The Kiss sculpture. The twisted wire depicts two clasped hands and will be lit up with light at night.

If you're a perennial gardener, you are more excited about this garden than the MoO tower

Post by **Brad** » Fri Nov 07, 2025 2:14 pm

One from this afternoon:

1.

20251107881A8521.jpg

Renovator2559 · Post by **Renovator2559** » Tue Nov 25, 2025 11:15 am

Thanks for the pics Brad!

We are experiencing a ping pong in aesthetics between Council Bluffs and downtown Omaha, a unification of styling.

CB has adopted our red brick and their decorative lamps, with our string of pearls.

CB is adhering with the Missouri River use of yellow and pink sandstone on its planters and bridges as well as trails.

Downtown Omaha is also adopting sandstone. An idea that dates to Souix Falls up north.

We love this cohesion! Kudos to the Omaha metro!

Samuel · Post by **Samuel** » Mon Jan 19, 2026 3:37 pm

The Polina Gardens are going to be AWESOME! My only complaint is the two decorative street lights on the NW corner do not match. It’s a small detail, but once it’s seen it’s hard to unsee.

windsor · Post by **windsor** » Tue Mar 10, 2026 8:52 am

This park is looking so good. I can't wait for it to open this spring.

nebport5 · Post by **nebport5** » Tue Mar 10, 2026 10:12 am

windsor wrote: Tue Mar 10, 2026 8:52 am This park is looking so good. I can't wait for it to open this spring.

Agreed, I took a walk by it last night.

It made me excited for spring when the trees leaf out. So much better than an ugly parking lot.

iamjacobm · Post by **iamjacobm** » Sun May 03, 2026 11:38 am

Anyone know when this will open? Can't find anything in a google search and it looks pretty much ready to go.

BIGO88 · Post by **BIGO88** » Sun May 03, 2026 11:48 am

Thought the same thing but it looks like they are still working on the Mural behind the stage. Looks like a June opening.

https://www.amplifyarts.org/happenings- ... rdens-call

mtj · Post by **mtj** » Fri May 15, 2026 9:50 am

I thought I remember hearing they were originally planning on an April 2026 opening. It stinks they moved the opening because they had some amazing blooms throughout April! Tons of tulips and flowering trees. I drive by here every morning but never got any pictures of those blooms. I haven't seen any construction here since probably March. It's all done except for that mural.

Post by **Brad** » Thu May 21, 2026 8:56 am

iamjacobm wrote: Sun May 03, 2026 11:38 am Anyone know when this will open? Can't find anything in a google search and it looks pretty much ready to go.

Opening June 3, 2026

They have their own dedicated Facebook page now:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61582004488429

thenewguy · Post by **thenewguy** » Thu May 21, 2026 10:16 am

looks really good. They have a lot of pollenators too

TitosBuritoBarn · Post by **TitosBuritoBarn** » Thu May 21, 2026 10:36 am

I'm impressed by this project and my feelings toward it are a lot more positive than when they announced it. They did a great job here.

nebport5 · Post by **nebport5** » Thu May 21, 2026 11:45 am

mtj wrote: Fri May 15, 2026 9:50 am I thought I remember hearing they were originally planning on an April 2026 opening. It stinks they moved the opening because they had some amazing blooms throughout April! Tons of tulips and flowering trees. I drive by here every morning but never got any pictures of those blooms. I haven't seen any construction here since probably March. It's all done except for that mural.

According to an Omaha Downtown Improvement District Association FB post:

"due to the high value of the park, insurance is requiring a permanent fence be installed around it prior to opening. This is the cause of delay as it wasn’t initially planned."