Gretna Goodlife District

[Dusty]

I can see both sides of the discussion. The city is already growing/sprawling in this direction anyway. It's important to grab enough land for some big tourist attractions before it all becomes single family subdivisions. It really comes down to the magnitude of the entertainment district around it and how its built.

I doubt transit has ever been discussed as part of it. I'm sure the draw is what drivers can we pull off 80 as a roadside attraction. When you have Senator Linehan pushing this Good Life District, you know this will be car centric to the nines.

NHL is not even sure they want to expand. This is a lot of high hopes that might go no where. I respect the ambition and big ideas by Yates and his team. As I said before I would rather go after a theme like Olympic training centers for: Volleyball, Track and field, Swimming, etc. Add the 3 resorts and entertainment district and it could be a huge success.

I feel like the only chance of getting a commuter rail from Lincoln is building a few large tourist attractions just outside the metro. This project could improve our chances. I think a theme park with a few more resorts would help seal the deal. If Metro follows my transit vision, adding a line would be easy to connect it all. I'm pushing for a West Omaha expansion by building a bus hub at Southport. This keeps the door open for a connected commuter rail and you can add an i-80 bus line from Southport to Nebraska Crossing, Mahoney State Park, SAC Air Museum, etc.

[Nomad9]

As someone who loves sports and lives in south Lincoln, I’d personally prefer a stadium in downtown Omaha. Better infrastructure and anti-sprawl. I drive to Omaha for the airport, occasionally for doctor’s appointments, and for other stuff. I’d definitely drive in for an NHL game several times a year.

On the margins, one area where Gretna may win out is season tickets. I’m betting a lot of season ticket holders would come from Omaha’s western half. And Gretna might make the difference for Lincolnites debating season tickets vs. occasional single game trips.

One thing I haven’t seen many posters mention is the new recreational lake near Ashland. With that, Mahoney State Park, Platte River State Park, SAC museum, and the westward growth of Omaha and eastern growth of Lincoln, I can see why big-dreaming developers could see Gretna as the capitol of a big regional entertainment and recreation hub. Gretna is cornfields for now. Maybe not so much in 15-30 years.

This all assumes the NHL is even remotely interested. But it’s fun to dream big!

[Coyote]

Sports fans react to Gretna arena plans;
Could bring U.S Olympic volleyball and an NHL team to Omaha



Fans of Nebraska's first professional sports team, the Supernovas, are sharing their thoughts on the proposed plan for a new 18,000 seated arena that could be coming to Gretna at Nebraska Crossing.

* The new arena could move the U.S Olympic Volleyball headquarters from Anaheim, CA to Gretna, NE.
*"We are the volleyball state, not a volleyball state, we're the volleyball state so the Olympic volleyball training center in Omaha-Lincoln area would be just wonderful."
* Fans are also excited about the potential of an NHL team coming to the state; "There's a lot of Lancers fans here so to bring on an actual NHL team here to Omaha would be great."

[Trips1]

Maybe Peyton Manning? He IS closely associated with “Omaha! Omaha!” and would have the bank account/celeb cache to get involved in development.

HINT: Think of a YOUNGER quarterback who recently won a Super Bowl.

Like a Swifty quarterback who owns a soccer team, and invested in a MLB and F1 team .

I like how they also brought up that Tom Brady might be a speaker at TeamMates. He also owns the Vegas Night Owls (pickleball), with investments in the Raiders (NFL), Aces (WNBA) and Birmingham City FC (EFL).

[nativeomahan]

I’m not a hockey fan. I think I attended an Omaha Knights game once as a child. The spark of interest never caught fire with me. Nevertheless I recognize that there is a strong hockey following here.
So, for the sake of argument, let’s all imagine that the NHL would decide to (1) expand, and (2) choose a small metro like Omaha for an expansion team. Probably they would need a new arena because the CHI is tied up with CU basketball and plenty of other activities. Probably Baxter is too small, and also the free dates just aren’t there. So, let’s agree that a new arena with at least 12-15k seats for hockey would be required. Then the issue boils down to a suitable location.
Somebody correct me if I am wrong, as I don’t follow such things, but it seems that all or virtually all new sports arenas these days are being constructed in or near downtown urban cores, or at least in densely populated urban neighborhoods with roofs as far as the eye can see in all directions. The reasons for this are probably multiple and largely self-evident. The infrastructure is already in place. Mass transit and available parking is already in place. An urban entertainment district, if not already in place, is capable of sustaining substantial foot traffic 365 days a year. I’m sure I’m missing a couple of other reasons for this trend.
This proposed Gretna area project runs 180’ counter to what is being done in other cities, KC’s proposed ballpark is but one example. It definitely falls into the “unnecessary urban sprawl” trap. Yes it’s near a freeway, but it would be located largely amongst cornfields for a decade or two. There is no mass transit in place for that area, and none planned. To run light rail or another version of mass transit to 216th and plowed ground would likely cost over a billion (with a B) dollars, which won’t come from anyone except tax payers/citizens. And how would an entertainment district (high end hotels, restaurants, bars, etc.) earn their keep all those many days when the stadium sits empty?
I realize that the Stormchasers built in a somewhat similar neighborhood, what, 15 years ago? And gradually housing developments and some scattered retail have started to fill in around the stadium. But 125th Street north of Hwy 370 is a lot closer to the heart of Omaha than this proposed Gretna site. If metro Omaha was growing like Austin or Dallas/Ft. Worth or Orlando this idea would make a lot more sense.
Like all of these ideas, time will tell.

[ozbone69]

I’m not a hockey fan. I think I attended an Omaha Knights game once as a child. The spark of interest never caught fire with me. Nevertheless I recognize that there is a strong hockey following here.
So, for the sake of argument, let’s all imagine that the NHL would decide to (1) expand, and (2) choose a small metro like Omaha for an expansion team. Probably they would need a new arena because the CHI is tied up with CU basketball and plenty of other activities. Probably Baxter is too small, and also the free dates just aren’t there. So, let’s agree that a new arena with at least 12-15k seats for hockey would be required. Then the issue boils down to a suitable location.
Somebody correct me if I am wrong, as I don’t follow such things, but it seems that all or virtually all new sports arenas these days are being constructed in or near downtown urban cores, or at least in densely populated urban neighborhoods with roofs as far as the eye can see in all directions. The reasons for this are probably multiple and largely self-evident. The infrastructure is already in place. Mass transit and available parking is already in place. An urban entertainment district, if not already in place, is capable of sustaining substantial foot traffic 365 days a year. I’m sure I’m missing a couple of other reasons for this trend.
This proposed Gretna area project runs 180’ counter to what is being done in other cities, KC’s proposed ballpark is but one example. It definitely falls into the “unnecessary urban sprawl” trap. Yes it’s near a freeway, but it would be located largely amongst cornfields for a decade or two. There is no mass transit in place for that area, and none planned. To run light rail or another version of mass transit to 216th and plowed ground would likely cost over a billion (with a B) dollars, which won’t come from anyone except tax payers/citizens. And how would an entertainment district (high end hotels, restaurants, bars, etc.) earn their keep all those many days when the stadium sits empty?
I realize that the Stormchasers built in a somewhat similar neighborhood, what, 15 years ago? And gradually housing developments and some scattered retail have started to fill in around the stadium. But 125th Street north of Hwy 370 is a lot closer to the heart of Omaha than this proposed Gretna site. If metro Omaha was growing like Austin or Dallas/Ft. Worth or Orlando this idea would make a lot more sense.
Like all of these ideas, time will tell.

What seems a bit unique here is that, from the sounds of things, the USA Volleyball to the Gretna Good Life District is as close to a done deal as possible. So as Yates said, that is going to require some type of an arena be built there anyways. So maybe that means a 5-10k arena if only USA Volleyball was the main tenant. 15-18k if you have both the USA V and an NHL club.

Next, the NHL team would be the owner of the site. Is that unique in these situations?

Third, There appears to already be an owner group (some NFL former/current QBs and local folks) who have been in discussions with this.

Fourth, while it is not downtown, it is going to be part of a massive entertainment district similar to Legends in KC, which has a recent example of a pro sports arena (MLS) being built away from Downtown. Yates references 3 hotel "resorts" coming, including a Margaritaville resort, on top of restaurants, new to the market shopping, housing, etc. All of this on top of the already existing and regionally drawing NE Crossing Center.

The unique location is meant to pull in from both Lincoln and Omaha, where the combined 1.4 million CSA is larger than the Salt Lake City Metro and comparable/larger than several existing NHL markets.

I have absolutely no idea how much of this is going to happen or not, but I don't think we're going to get Minarded here by any means. Volleyball sounds like a go (so there will be an arena of some kind). The Good Life District is getting the go ahead from the legislature so I imagine we'll be seeing more regional draws coming too.

Just astonished by the recent barrage of major announcements for the metro area. MoO, streetcar, Eppley, Soccer district on the riverfront, Bellevue waterpark, now this. All of this on top of the riverfront parks getting completed, WarHorse opening later this year. Wow.

[GenX]

Have they laid out the properties they’re looking at. Will it be a direct expansion adjacent to the current mall, or would it be across the highway or interstate?

[ita]

I am a bit confused as to the USAV part of this plan. Their current training facility in Anaheim looks more like the council bluffs fieldhouse than CHI arena. Why would they need a 10k capacity arena for a training facility? So if USAV is a "lock" and NHL falls through, will they still get a 10k arena? It seems like they just need a building to house a bunch of courts.

[Louie]

Just astonished by the recent barrage of major announcements for the metro area. MoO, streetcar, Eppley, Soccer district on the riverfront, Bellevue waterpark, now this. All of this on top of the riverfront parks getting completed, WarHorse opening later this year. Wow.

I foresee a strain on the local construction workforce completing everything.

[ozbone69]

Just astonished by the recent barrage of major announcements for the metro area. MoO, streetcar, Eppley, Soccer district on the riverfront, Bellevue waterpark, now this. All of this on top of the riverfront parks getting completed, WarHorse opening later this year. Wow.

I foresee a strain on the local construction workforce completing everything.

Agreed. Although I'll still take it as a good thing.

[NEDodger]

Alright, so...

The complaining about the suburbs is a moot point - Yates/Nebraska Crossing is the only entity that's pushing for this. It's not the city. It's Nebraska Crossing or nothing, from the sound of it. These are the developers (Yates) as well as the others pushing for this who have a vested financial interest in the area (Drew Brees).

USA Volleyball is moving there, so an arena (again, from the sound of it) is a foregone conclusion. All this would do is enlarge what is already needed and add a second tenant.

This idea that "sports only work in Omaha if they're downtown" is a fallacy:
1. The Storm Chasers draw "in the middle of nowhere" more people than the Royals did in a stadium two miles from downtown.
2. The Omaha Lancers moving across the river to the MAC was a disaster.
3. Creighton baseball draws nobody, despite being in a very nice stadium. I understand that it's a cavern in comparison, but the argument is that downtown is where people go to spend money/watch events.

Want to see Creighton basketball bring in 25,000 a game? Put them around Westroads. People aren't taking mass transit to CHI for these games. I know, because I see the empty ORBTs as we pass them going downtown for Creighton. And I'm certainly not seeing MAT buses drop off loads of people in front of the arena.

The cities that are putting stadiums/arenas in downtown locations are doing so to wipe away decrepit city blocks in one fell swoop to reinvigorate the surrounding area. Recent stadiums/arenas that have been built in the 'burbs include:

- The Texas Rangers' new ballpark
- The Atlanta Braves' new ballpark
- The 49ers new stadium (which, considering the absolute trash heap San Francisco is....who can blame them?)
- The Chargers/Rams' new stadium
- The Islanders new arena
- The upcoming Commanders' new stadium
- The Buffalo Bills' new stadium
- The L.A. Clippers new arena

I'm a nice guy, so I won't count Las Vegas' two (three-ish, with the Tropicana going) as non-downtown since The Strip makes sense. Most of the stadiums in the UK, Australia, and Canada are in the 'burbs - the downtown stadium is mostly a U.S. concept. And if I'm recalling correctly as I learn from some posters here, a U.S. concept means YUCKY!

Contrary to myopic belief, people do spend leisure time and money outside of downtown. If that wasn't true, a mainstream movie theater in midtown/downtown would, you know, actually survive. If that wasn't true, I could take my wife shopping for clothes downtown. If that wasn't true, I'd love to know why the Aksarben Farmers Market blows away the Old Market one. But hey, someday I'm sure there will be one of those new-fangled grocery stores downtown.

Your choices are:
1.) An arena and shopping/residential/entertainment district in Gretna, which will house USA Volleyball, an NHL team, and (if this is going to be the center of the nation's volleyball) presumably the Supernovas.
2.) Nothing.

[NEDodger]

So, let’s agree that a new arena with at least 12-15k seats for hockey would be required. Then the issue boils down to a suitable location.

18,000 seats for the NHL is table stakes.

[NEDodger]

On the margins, one area where Gretna may win out is season tickets. I’m betting a lot of season ticket holders would come from Omaha’s western half. And Gretna might make the difference for Lincolnites debating season tickets vs. occasional single game trips.

This. If you don't have the TV market, NHL is going to want every seat sold in that place to season ticket holders.

[ita]

Alright, so...

The complaining about the suburbs is a moot point - Yates/Nebraska Crossing is the only entity that's pushing for this. It's not the city. It's Nebraska Crossing or nothing, from the sound of it. These are the developers (Yates) as well as the others pushing for this who have a vested financial interest in the area (Drew Brees).

USA Volleyball is moving there, so an arena (again, from the sound of it) is a foregone conclusion. All this would do is enlarge what is already needed and add a second tenant.

This idea that "sports only work in Omaha if they're downtown" is a fallacy:
1. The Storm Chasers draw "in the middle of nowhere" more people than the Royals did in a stadium two miles from downtown.
2. The Omaha Lancers moving across the river to the MAC was a disaster.
3. Creighton baseball draws nobody, despite being in a very nice stadium. I understand that it's a cavern in comparison, but the argument is that downtown is where people go to spend money/watch events.

Want to see Creighton basketball bring in 25,000 a game? Put them around Westroads. People aren't taking mass transit to CHI for these games. I know, because I see the empty ORBTs as we pass them going downtown for Creighton. And I'm certainly not seeing MAT buses drop off loads of people in front of the arena.

The cities that are putting stadiums/arenas in downtown locations are doing so to wipe away decrepit city blocks in one fell swoop to reinvigorate the surrounding area. Recent stadiums/arenas that have been built in the 'burbs include:

- The Texas Rangers' new ballpark
- The Atlanta Braves' new ballpark
- The 49ers new stadium (which, considering the absolute trash heap San Francisco is....who can blame them?)
- The Chargers/Rams' new stadium
- The Islanders new arena
- The upcoming Commanders' new stadium
- The Buffalo Bills' new stadium
- The L.A. Clippers new arena

I'm a nice guy, so I won't count Las Vegas' two (three-ish, with the Tropicana going) as non-downtown since The Strip makes sense. Most of the stadiums in the UK, Australia, and Canada are in the 'burbs - the downtown stadium is mostly a U.S. concept. And if I'm recalling correctly as I learn from some posters here, a U.S. concept means YUCKY!

Contrary to myopic belief, people do spend leisure time and money outside of downtown. If that wasn't true, a mainstream movie theater in midtown/downtown would, you know, actually survive. If that wasn't true, I could take my wife shopping for clothes downtown. If that wasn't true, I'd love to know why the Aksarben Farmers Market blows away the Old Market one. But hey, someday I'm sure there will be one of those new-fangled grocery stores downtown.

Your choices are:
1.) An arena and shopping/residential/entertainment district in Gretna, which will house USA Volleyball, an NHL team, and (if this is going to be the center of the nation's volleyball) presumably the Supernovas.
2.) Nothing.

I did not interpret what Rod has said about the the USAV facility being shared with the pro team. It sounded like they just needed a new training facility (multiple courts vs a single court arena for matches) for the Olympic athletes.

As long as Yates and co. are involved, you're right, USAV and NHL is going to be at Nebraska crossing. Anyway, the gretna knight owls will have some stiff competition, so all this excitement and back and forth may be moot anyway.

This is one of the few times I am somewhat rooting against a possible game changing development for the region, as heretofore presented by the backers. I may change my mind overtime/eat crow, but if it's just another legends level atrocity, i'd rather not see this come to fruition.

[Louie]

I’ll take nothing then.

[Omahayngin]

you guys are so pessimistic. i say we should root for it. why not? sure it would be nice having downtown and im sure many would prefer it but there are points to be made about gretna drawing more of a crowd weirdly. as many suberbanites hate going downtown and it’s a closer drive from Lincoln. If done well and in combination with the proposed massive lake and hotels ect there it would be good for the metro. With the two right there i think it would draw far larger chances for a real amusement park (Insert “pipe dream” here) because it would show the area can work and that Omaha proves itself as a large enough metro to actually get good thinsgs.

[ita]

you guys are so pessimistic.

About this plan, yeah, I am looking at it half empty. You know I am petty too; if there is a tier 1 pro sports team coming to the area, I want Omaha, my city, and Douglas, my county, to get all the tasty taxes from revenue generated, not Gretna and Sarpy.

Ps. Speaking for myself, I don't think that putting an NHL arena here can't be successful (sorry forgot the double negative), but I would rather have it elsewhere.

[Athomsfere]

I’ll take nothing then.

Agreed. If the choices are Gretna or nothing, I'll take the thing that doesn't destroy the city of Omaha.

[Athomsfere]

you guys are so pessimistic.

About this plan, yeah, I am looking at it half empty. You know I am petty too; if there is a tier 1 pro sports team coming to the area, I want Omaha, my city, and Douglas, my county, to get all the tasty taxes from revenue generated, not Gretna and Sarpy.

I'm with ya. But also back to the sprawl: It's going to add strain to the metro if we accelerate sprawl and decrease the VPA average in the metro.

I understand why Yates wants this. But the cost is too high for the things that really matter.

[Stargazer]

What is with this Knight Owls name? Does someone own the rights to the name Knights alone, as a hockey team, in Omaha? Otherwise, why wouldn't you just go with the Knights?? Your historic name (plus, we've already got an Owls team)

[Dusty]

I'm with ya. But also back to the sprawl: It's going to add strain to the metro if we accelerate sprawl and decrease the VPA average in the metro.

I understand why Yates wants this. But the cost is too high for the things that really matter.

This is why we need a few large attractions to eat up a bunch of land. Fill up the extra space with hotels and not single family homes. The two towers they proposed makes more sense now. Vertical living for workers or Athletes.

I don't follow sports, so I don't care about the arena. They keep dropping references to Legends. For me, Legends is really boring. If this is what we are getting, then it's not worth the drive for people in East Omaha/Council Bluffs. I don't think driving to Nebraska Crossing or Bellevue is unreasonable. But if you are going to build something on the fringes, then it better be a big attraction.

[nebugeater]

I am a bit confused as to the USAV part of this plan. Their current training facility in Anaheim looks more like the council bluffs fieldhouse than CHI arena. Why would they need a 10k capacity arena for a training facility? So if USAV is a "lock" and NHL falls through, will they still get a 10k arena? It seems like they just need a building to house a bunch of courts.

What they have in CA is nowhere near what they want or need. They left Colorado Springs and the large Olympic training facility there to get away from the altitude. VB is one sport in which I guess the altitude is not an advantage.
From all I have heard, the CA facility has always been a stop-gap solution.

[djc311]

As a life-long Omahan for nearly 50 years who spent over half of my lifetime living east of Saddle Creek road I'm surprised and disappointed at all of the "haters" that wouldn't be happy with this being located out west.

I'm sorry to say it but the street car and all of the midtown/downtown improvements are not going to be the magic fix that would make everything more successful just because it's located downtown. I'm not anti-street car and I'm also not anti-downtown. My mom is 77 and she's probably more for this being located wherever it goes than half the people on here.

If it's meant to be then it's meant to be - downtown, midtown, out west in Sarpy, etc.

[nebugeater]

As a life-long Omahan for nearly 50 years who spent over half of my lifetime living east of Saddle Creek road I'm surprised and disappointed at all of the "haters" that wouldn't be happy with this being located out west.

I'm sorry to say it but the street car and all of the midtown/downtown improvements are not going to be the magic fix that would make everything more successful just because it's located downtown. I'm not anti-street car and I'm also not anti-downtown. My mom is 77 and she's probably more for this being located wherever it goes than half the people on here.

If it's meant to be then it's meant to be - downtown, midtown, out west in Sarpy, etc.

Watch, too, if this would somehow get pulled off and become reality. Many of the haters that only think things should happen DT will be the first to claim this as a feather in the cap of Omaha.

[Louie]

As a life-long Omahan for nearly 50 years who spent over half of my lifetime living east of Saddle Creek road I'm surprised and disappointed at all of the "haters" that wouldn't be happy with this being located out west.

I'm sorry to say it but the street car and all of the midtown/downtown improvements are not going to be the magic fix that would make everything more successful just because it's located downtown. I'm not anti-street car and I'm also not anti-downtown. My mom is 77 and she's probably more for this being located wherever it goes than half the people on here.

If it's meant to be then it's meant to be - downtown, midtown, out west in Sarpy, etc.

Watch, too, if this would somehow get pulled off and become reality. Many of the haters that only think things should happen DT will be the first to claim this as a feather in the cap of Omaha.

Ah yes, a massive suburban campus full of parking lots. That is not something that I would ever consider a 'feather in the cap'. If it happens, it happens. But sprawl will never be ok to me personally.

[Athomsfere]

Ah yes, a massive suburban campus full of parking lots. That is not something that I would ever consider a 'feather in the cap'. If it happens, it happens. But sprawl will never be ok to me personally.

Exactly.

I want to like this proposal. I started off slightly in favor of it.

But the more I think about how this works with what momentum we have, the more I hope it doesn't happen as stated so far.

30/30/20 Plan: Its going to be harder to add 30k jobs and residents when a massive greenfield development is happening. But this is a great and healthy plan.

Council Bluffs plans to continue out 1st Ave, the Dodge river side park development: This could have impacts on this stellar plan that adds a ton of vitality to the core, and CB.

Brain drain: The brains want denser, more connected developments.

Building decent transit: This should be a top priority for the region. Building more equitable, more sustainable infrastructure. It also helps attract those "brains", and younger people.

Vision Zero: It's going to be hard enough to get Douglas, Sarpy, Omaha and Bellevue to play ball. Building a massive suburban sprawly campus that forces more car dependence won't help anyone for Vision Zero.

It isn't about being out west. It's about doing all of the good things happening in the core / core cities.

[Dusty]

Funny how when the Bellevue Water park was announced not a single person complained about sprawl.

The city has been trending this way for a while. You can cling to your urban values all you want, the sprawl is pushing this way regardless of this project is approved or denied. As I stated before, bring those big attractions now before single family homes fill in. Make this an area you go to get away for a staycation. A resort, a leisure day at the giant lake, theme park day, a day of shopping/entertaining. But at the end of the day we drive back to our home in the city.

[djc311]

So people that reside in Omaha/Lincoln/Grand Island/etc that would make the trek to Omaha to watch NHL, Olympic volleyball training, etc don't want to be able to drive their own vehicles to the destination and park there?

If I'm going to Kansas City to watch the Chiefs play football I wouldn't want to drive to downtown KC or elsewhere to park and then hop on some type of public transit system to end up at the final place (if I had a choice).

Ultimately it goes where it goes but to make an NHL stadium fit within the constraints of downtown would likely require the demolition of several existing structures that someone somewhere will get mad about getting destroyed.

Virtually every building that gets built in midtown/downtown (aside from the new Mutual Tower) seems to have critics about the facade, parking spaces, green spaces, etc.

We're not a New York City/Chicago... we have the room why not take advantage of it?

Whether the empty space by NEX gets consumed by a sports village or not, it will end up being developed into something someone doesn't like. It is what it is I guess.

[Athomsfere]

If I'm going to Kansas City to watch the Chiefs play football I wouldn't want to drive to downtown KC or elsewhere to park and then hop on some type of public transit system to end up at the final place (if I had a choice).

Maybe you wouldn't. But there are two other sides to this.

Some would. Some would want to get a decent hotel, grab dinner, and not suffer the traffic of 18k people piling in.

Some would live nearby, not everyone is driving from out of town. Some would live where transit could make sense.

That's the whole point of multi-modal: Options.

Virtually every building that gets built in midtown/downtown (aside from the new Mutual Tower) seems to have critics about the facade, parking spaces, green spaces, etc.

It's rarely me criticizing something beyond mere little statements: "I'd prefer some condos" or "A couple more stories would have been nice". I'm usually gung ho for whatever. Exceptions being this and the new Central Library location.

We're not a New York City/Chicago... we have the room why not take advantage of it?

Because the goal is better city planning, not a laissez faire city reacting. To build a city that stands out in North America for having what a city in Europe, or Japan that is our size would consider at least a serviceable multi-modal approach to design.

So that our city can better afford things like street maintenance for thus that must or prefer to drive even.

In ~30 years we should be a bigger MSA than OKC is now. What do we want that city to look like? Another OKC? Because this is how we get there.

Or do we want something more akin to a Rotterdam, Cologne, Matsuyama, Madison?

[djc311]

If I'm going to Kansas City to watch the Chiefs play football I wouldn't want to drive to downtown KC or elsewhere to park and then hop on some type of public transit system to end up at the final place (if I had a choice).

Maybe you wouldn't. But there are two other sides to this.

Some would. Some would want to get a decent hotel, grab dinner, and not suffer the traffic of 18k people piling in.

Some would live nearby, not everyone is driving from out of town. Some would live where transit could make sense.

That's the whole point of multi-modal: Options.

Virtually every building that gets built in midtown/downtown (aside from the new Mutual Tower) seems to have critics about the facade, parking spaces, green spaces, etc.

It's rarely me criticizing something beyond mere little statements: "I'd prefer some condos" or "A couple more stories would have been nice". I'm usually gung ho for whatever. Exceptions being this and the new Central Library location.

We're not a New York City/Chicago... we have the room why not take advantage of it?

Because the goal is better city planning, not a laissez faire city reacting. To build a city that stands out in North America for having what a city in Europe, or Japan that is our size would consider at least a serviceable multi-modal approach to design.

So that our city can better afford things like street maintenance for thus that must or prefer to drive even.

In ~30 years we should be a bigger MSA than OKC is now. What do we want that city to look like? Another OKC? Because this is how we get there.

Or do we want something more akin to a Rotterdam, Cologne, Matsuyama, Madison?

Understand - to each their own for sure!

Omaha's population won't grow to a million people without the so called "sprawl" unless we tear down things and build up. Can't happen, needs to expand at the outskirts to accommodate more residential.

As I previously said regardless of where it ends up I think it's a win. For those that feel otherwise then that's very unfortunate but certainly they're entitled to their opinion.

How ever it works out, I think the fact that Omaha is even on the radar is a great thing.

One thing I am excited about - IF we ever end up with an IKEA store the odds are quite high it would be out west. Hopefully that doesn't result in too many angry Omaha residents.

[Athomsfere]

Understand - to each their own for sure!

Omaha's population won't grow to a million people without the so called "sprawl" unless we tear down things and build up. Can't happen, needs to expand at the outskirts to accommodate more residential.

As I previously said regardless of where it ends up I think it's a win. For those that feel otherwise then that's very unfortunate but certainly they're entitled to their opinion.

How ever it works out, I think the fact that Omaha is even on the radar is a great thing.

One thing I am excited about - IF we ever end up with an IKEA store the odds are quite high it would be out west. Hopefully that doesn't result in too many angry Omaha residents.

Yes, we would obviously need to replace some things with better things in the city. Luckily most of it won't be missed. A ton of parking lots and strip malls that could up-converted pretty easily.

And I'd say there is a certain amount of sprawl that is fine, and even healthy. This just tips the scales too far into unhealthy and hard to recover from.

Lastly: I still would argue this how another Aksarben Knights happens. You want a base that can make somewhat last minute plans to go to a game, IMO.

[Greg S]

I was surprised that it took so long on here to get pushback on this idea for the location.

That being said, I can see the argument. Omaha I think really needs to tie this in with Lincoln to make it work long term. As we have all noted, Omaha is on the extreme low end population wise for a major sports team.

[TitosBuritoBarn]

I mentioned this in the other thread but I think there's a way to provide appropriate transit to this site. Many transit agencies run special gameday express routes to the stadium from different strategic locations.

I don't agree that just because we have space we might as well use it. First, it is currently be used for farming. But using space because it's there is not particularly efficient when it comes to costs and it's not particularly great for the environment. However, that's not to say building something in Gretna requires it to be a sprawly, inefficient, Legends-esque development. With proper land use and transportation planning, this can be something that's dense, relatively efficient, and doesn't have a huge environmental impact relative to its uses. I'm just not sure that the developer will be able to pull that off. They've hinted that they have been thinking along the lines of good planning with the high rise and such, but with the arena rendering we've seen and given how Nebraska Crossing was designed, I'm a little pessimistic and hoping to be surprised.

[Athomsfere]

I was surprised that it took so long on here to get pushback on this idea for the location.

That being said, I can see the argument. Omaha I think really needs to tie this in with Lincoln to make it work long term. As we have all noted, Omaha is on the extreme low end population wise for a major sports team.

I honestly try to be positive for every development. And when I don't like it, I usually try to find the good to either sway my own opinion or at least be OK with it.

I see a MLS, NHL, MLB etc. all as something Omaha should absolutely pursue. Not even for me, I know there are people out there that won't even consider relocating to a city that doesn't have a pro team. At least, they will openly say as much, who knows at the end of the day for the right opportunity.

I do think Yates is doing some good moves. I see where he is coming from, and his plan as far as a business is concerned is pretty solid.

Honestly, I hope most of it works out for him.

But if we "get" the team for 3 years, that's not great for anyone. If we accelerate the sprawl the only advantage I can see is bringing Lincoln East a little faster and we finally get that "1.4 million CSA" title.

I think if Yates looks past the short term goals, and to the health of the region, we have much better options. Build it in Omaha, or CB, South O, North O... heck even Lincoln. And get the state (NDOT) and cities to build a commuter line. It's a much better overall investment. Sure it costs 10 times as much as the next interstate widening, but it carries so much more people so much more economically in the long run and makes the team more tenable. A stop at Gretna would be a great location for a true TOD and destination.

[nebugeater]

I was surprised that it took so long on here to get pushback on this idea for the location.

That being said, I can see the argument. Omaha I think really needs to tie this in with Lincoln to make it work long term. As we have all noted, Omaha is on the extreme low end population wise for a major sports team.

I honestly try to be positive for every development. And when I don't like it, I usually try to find the good to either sway my own opinion or at least be OK with it.

I see a MLS, NHL, MLB etc. all as something Omaha should absolutely pursue. Not even for me, I know there are people out there that won't even consider relocating to a city that doesn't have a pro team. At least, they will openly say as much, who knows at the end of the day for the right opportunity.

I do think Yates is doing some good moves. I see where he is coming from, and his plan as far as a business is concerned is pretty solid.

Honestly, I hope most of it works out for him.

But if we "get" the team for 3 years, that's not great for anyone. If we accelerate the sprawl the only advantage I can see is bringing Lincoln East a little faster and we finally get that "1.4 million CSA" title.

I think if Yates looks past the short term goals, and to the health of the region, we have much better options. Build it in Omaha, or CB, South O, North O... heck even Lincoln. And get the state (NDOT) and cities to build a commuter line. It's a much better overall investment. Sure it costs 10 times as much as the next interstate widening, but it carries so much more people so much more economically in the long run and makes the team more tenable. A stop at Gretna would be a great location for a true TOD and destination.

Build the transit you are talking about. Flip the logic. It can take people from the core of the city to the entertainment district just as easily.

[Padre]

I was surprised that it took so long on here to get pushback on this idea for the location.

That being said, I can see the argument. Omaha I think really needs to tie this in with Lincoln to make it work long term. As we have all noted, Omaha is on the extreme low end population wise for a major sports team.

I honestly try to be positive for every development. And when I don't like it, I usually try to find the good to either sway my own opinion or at least be OK with it.

I see a MLS, NHL, MLB etc. all as something Omaha should absolutely pursue. Not even for me, I know there are people out there that won't even consider relocating to a city that doesn't have a pro team. At least, they will openly say as much, who knows at the end of the day for the right opportunity.

I do think Yates is doing some good moves. I see where he is coming from, and his plan as far as a business is concerned is pretty solid.

Honestly, I hope most of it works out for him.

But if we "get" the team for 3 years, that's not great for anyone. If we accelerate the sprawl the only advantage I can see is bringing Lincoln East a little faster and we finally get that "1.4 million CSA" title.

I think if Yates looks past the short term goals, and to the health of the region, we have much better options. Build it in Omaha, or CB, South O, North O... heck even Lincoln. And get the state (NDOT) and cities to build a commuter line. It's a much better overall investment. Sure it costs 10 times as much as the next interstate widening, but it carries so much more people so much more economically in the long run and makes the team more tenable. A stop at Gretna would be a great location for a true TOD and destination.

Build the transit you are talking about. Flip the logic. It can take people from the core of the city to the entertainment district just as easily.

Actually building a transit line, and putting a stop in Gretna, would seem to make the entertainment district more likely. Haven’t we seen that development follows, after they put in rapid transit stops?

[Athomsfere]

I was surprised that it took so long on here to get pushback on this idea for the location.

That being said, I can see the argument. Omaha I think really needs to tie this in with Lincoln to make it work long term. As we have all noted, Omaha is on the extreme low end population wise for a major sports team.

I honestly try to be positive for every development. And when I don't like it, I usually try to find the good to either sway my own opinion or at least be OK with it.

I see a MLS, NHL, MLB etc. all as something Omaha should absolutely pursue. Not even for me, I know there are people out there that won't even consider relocating to a city that doesn't have a pro team. At least, they will openly say as much, who knows at the end of the day for the right opportunity.

I do think Yates is doing some good moves. I see where he is coming from, and his plan as far as a business is concerned is pretty solid.

Honestly, I hope most of it works out for him.

But if we "get" the team for 3 years, that's not great for anyone. If we accelerate the sprawl the only advantage I can see is bringing Lincoln East a little faster and we finally get that "1.4 million CSA" title.

I think if Yates looks past the short term goals, and to the health of the region, we have much better options. Build it in Omaha, or CB, South O, North O... heck even Lincoln. And get the state (NDOT) and cities to build a commuter line. It's a much better overall investment. Sure it costs 10 times as much as the next interstate widening, but it carries so much more people so much more economically in the long run and makes the team more tenable. A stop at Gretna would be a great location for a true TOD and destination.

Build the transit you are talking about. Flip the logic. It can take people from the core of the city to the entertainment district just as easily.

This would at least make it palatable.

The risk I would still see:

It would still accelerate sprawl more than doing it the other way.

[Trips1]

I would think the NCAA Beach Volleyball championships and a tournament could be in play if they have the best facilities in the country. Right now they play a 4 day championship in Gulf Shores Alabama that gets maybe 1,000 people. Two Big 10 teams in USC and UCLA have won the last eight straight years.

I would think they could get some sort of deal like the College World Series but on a smaller scale.

[nebugeater]

I was surprised that it took so long on here to get pushback on this idea for the location.

That being said, I can see the argument. Omaha I think really needs to tie this in with Lincoln to make it work long term. As we have all noted, Omaha is on the extreme low end population wise for a major sports team.

I honestly try to be positive for every development. And when I don't like it, I usually try to find the good to either sway my own opinion or at least be OK with it.

I see a MLS, NHL, MLB etc. all as something Omaha should absolutely pursue. Not even for me, I know there are people out there that won't even consider relocating to a city that doesn't have a pro team. At least, they will openly say as much, who knows at the end of the day for the right opportunity.

I do think Yates is doing some good moves. I see where he is coming from, and his plan as far as a business is concerned is pretty solid.

Honestly, I hope most of it works out for him.

But if we "get" the team for 3 years, that's not great for anyone. If we accelerate the sprawl the only advantage I can see is bringing Lincoln East a little faster and we finally get that "1.4 million CSA" title.

I think if Yates looks past the short term goals, and to the health of the region, we have much better options. Build it in Omaha, or CB, South O, North O... heck even Lincoln. And get the state (NDOT) and cities to build a commuter line. It's a much better overall investment. Sure it costs 10 times as much as the next interstate widening, but it carries so much more people so much more economically in the long run and makes the team more tenable. A stop at Gretna would be a great location for a true TOD and destination.

Build the transit you are talking about. Flip the logic. It can take people from the core of the city to the entertainment district just as easily.

This would at least make it palatable.

The risk I would still see:

It would still accelerate sprawl more than doing it the other way.

The development of the area in question is happening with or without this shoot-for-the-moon option. If a clean(er) slate allows for this to come to NEBRASA, then let's all get behind it. I see value in the core development, too, but I do not think this is ever going to get any traction there. This is an outside the box, big picture swing for the fence try, so let's see what happens.

[Garrett]

I'm gonna say something perhaps a bit surprising; if the area getting an NHL team is dependent on a new arena, I don't want it anywhere in the urban core. I think downtown is already super saturated with event spaces, especially with the addition of the new Union Omaha stadium. Yeah it would be great if they could play at CHI, but that just doesn't appear to be an option based on what has been said elsewhere. Who knows, perhaps there won't be an NHL team but we end up with the Volleyball facility and they'll just use CHI for their games.

I think our energy could be better spent advocating for a good walkable district to develop in this area. Research has shown that the best way to get people out of their cars isn't transit access, it's a walkable neighborhood. 3,000 apartments/18,000 residents across this district, as per articles about the plan, would be huge, and could very easily make regional transit down to Lincoln more feasible in the future.