Grand Island Rumor Mill

[nativeomahan]

I was in GI today, for the first time in about a year. Work is definitely progressing on demolishing the old Conestoga Mall. I noted that the old Napoli Italian restaurant was also put out of its misery.
And I noted that a Starbucks is up and running on S. Locust near the State Fairgrounds. It also looked as if a stretch of Old Potash Road was rebuilt near US 281 and the Hy-Vee. It looks nice.
I noticed that Panera is out of its location along Hwy 281. Did it relocate?

[gisbuxfan]

Welcome back to GI! Yes, lots of work is being done all around town. As for the Panera, they did not relocate. From what I heard their rent at that site went way up and they opted to move out completely. Very sad. Though, I wouldn’t be surprised if they moved back into town once Target is in.

[nativeomahan]

Thanks! I used to travel to GI and work downtown several days per month before I retired in 2018. I miss the old haunts I would frequent, as well as just generally driving around town to see what all is new and interesting.

[gisbuxfan]

Next year when you pull into GI from I-80, you’ll have a new place to fuel up. Fat Dogs is putting up a new truck stop on the northwest corner of I-80 and Hwy 281. Here is a look at the site plan:
https://www.loopnet.com/Listing/3301-P ... /22660608/

[gisbuxfan]

One of Grand Islands (and confusing) reopens Friday as a two lane roundabout.

https://nebraska.tv/amp/news/local/fiv ... roundabout

[gisbuxfan]

Anyone know what's moving into the old Bed Bath & Beyond? Looks like work has begun on renovating the interior.

[socaln8v]

Anyone know what's moving into the old Bed Bath & Beyond? Looks like work has begun on renovating the interior.

It's going to be a "Ross"

[gichick]

Anyone know what's going on over there right by hwy 281, near Riverbend apartments? They've cleared the trees and now are flattening the land. This is a separate project from the Legacy apartments going up on husker hwy.

I can't find anything online about it.

[gisbuxfan]

That area is all owned by Titan Machinery. I have wondered if they are putting a warehouse or plant there. We will see.

Anyone know what's going on over there right by hwy 281, near Riverbend apartments? They've cleared the trees and now are flattening the land. This is a separate project from the Legacy apartments going up on husker hwy.

I can't find anything online about it.

[gisbuxfan]

I just heard on the news today about budget cuts that GIPS are dealing with. One of the biggest cuts is the old Principal Financial building. This is dead weight IMO. They don't use it and with the value of property right now, it could go to someone that would. The big question is.. who?

It's a nice building, nice area. Who would be on the top of the list that GIPS would sell this to?

[gisbuxfan]

Be looking for several announcements in 2024 for the new Prairie Commons in Grand Island such as a coffee shop, a corporate headquarters and more. Spring Hill Marriot Hotel is under construction now.

[gisbuxfan]

Grand Island ranks 22nd overall nationally in Area Development study of leading metro locations in 2023
https://www.areadevelopment.com/Leading ... YValhG_42M

[NEDodger]

Grand Island ranks 22nd overall nationally in Area Development study of leading metro locations in 2023
https://www.areadevelopment.com/Leading ... YValhG_42M

Nice! Who is the force behind the growth in GI?

[gisbuxfan]

This is attributed to a number of sources including the revitalization of downtown GI, Woodsonia and the mall redevelopment, industry, and the medical community as well.

GI is setting itself up for a lot of growth in the years to come. The biggest thing in the way is property taxes.

[Candleshoe]

https://www.centralnebraskatoday.com/20 ... rketplace/

[gisbuxfan]

If I remember right and from the way it looks when I drive by, the north end of the mall area should be opening up soon.

https://www.centralnebraskatoday.com/20 ... rketplace/

[Candleshoe]

Press release from GI Area Chamber of Commerce

Big things taking place at the Conestoga Marketplace! We are excited to share plans for B&B Theaters!

Featuring a brand new 7-screen theater with luxurious heated recliner seating, a state-of-the-art 10 lane bowling alley, 7,000 SF thrilling arcade loaded with your favorite classic and new games, 4 full-size pickleball courts (indoor and outdoor for year round enjoyment!), plus a vibrant restaurant and full service bar. Prepare for an unparalleled entertainment experience opening in 2024 to Conestoga Marketplace!

“Our family-owned, privately-held company is thrilled to join the Grand Island market. It is a beautiful community that feels like a B&B kind of town. We love what we do and can’t wait to bring the magic of the movies to the area.” said B&B Theatres president and CEO Bob Bagby.

[NEDodger]

Press release from GI Area Chamber of Commerce

Big things taking place at the Conestoga Marketplace! We are excited to share plans for B&B Theaters!

Featuring a brand new 7-screen theater with luxurious heated recliner seating, a state-of-the-art 10 lane bowling alley, 7,000 SF thrilling arcade loaded with your favorite classic and new games, 4 full-size pickleball courts (indoor and outdoor for year round enjoyment!), plus a vibrant restaurant and full service bar. Prepare for an unparalleled entertainment experience opening in 2024 to Conestoga Marketplace!

“Our family-owned, privately-held company is thrilled to join the Grand Island market. It is a beautiful community that feels like a B&B kind of town. We love what we do and can’t wait to bring the magic of the movies to the area.” said B&B Theatres president and CEO Bob Bagby.

I like B&B Theaters. My only complaint is that they seem excessively expensive for concessions (not that they're normally a "deal" anyways, but B&B just seems a little over-the-top on pricing).

[Coyote]

New theater chain announced for the Conestoga Marketplace

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (KSNB) - The Conestoga Marketplace has found its movie theater operator with the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce announcing B&B Theatres will be running the silver screens. The facility will feature a brand new seven screen theater with heated recliner seating, a 10 lane bowling alley, 7,000 square foot arcade with both classic and new games, 4 full-size pickleball courts (both indoor and outdoor), plus a restaurant and full service bar.

[aj7690]

Be looking for several announcements in 2024 for the new Prairie Commons in Grand Island such as a coffee shop, a corporate headquarters and more. Spring Hill Marriot Hotel is under construction now.

Any idea what coffee shop? I saw a building permit filed in March for one out there.

[Cermak]

The westside of Grand Island along hwy 281 has pretty impressive retail. The new Target will be a big upgrade for the area when it opens. Good to see progress in Nebraska’s 3rd largest metro.

[gisbuxfan]

Be looking for several announcements in 2024 for the new Prairie Commons in Grand Island such as a coffee shop, a corporate headquarters and more. Spring Hill Marriot Hotel is under construction now.

Any idea what coffee shop? I saw a building permit filed in March for one out there.

Yeah, it will be a Barista’s Coffee. I don’t know if they plan this as a second location or just moving their location.

[aj7690]

Be looking for several announcements in 2024 for the new Prairie Commons in Grand Island such as a coffee shop, a corporate headquarters and more. Spring Hill Marriot Hotel is under construction now.

Any idea what coffee shop? I saw a building permit filed in March for one out there.

Yeah, it will be a Barista’s Coffee. I don’t know if they plan this as a second location or just moving their location.

That’ll be a good addition to the area. Exciting to see all the development out that way. Far cry from what it was 5-10 years ago. Would love to see Dillard’s find a spot in GI again.

[Coyote]

The indoor days of Conestoga Mall are now over



GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (KSNB) - It’s the end of an era as the public can no longer go inside the former Conestoga Mall. The south side of the mall had been open with a handful of shops still operating until they moved to the new section on the northeast side. Mitch Hohlen confirmed to Local4 that the enclosed mall is now closed. Red caution tape now blocks the southside entrance of the former mall with a sign reading the indoor part closed as of Wednesday. It originally opened its doors 1974.

Then in December 2023, former Grand Island Area Chamber of Commerce President Cindy Johnson said construction was “ahead of schedule.” Johnson told Local4 at the time that the marketplace module connects everything together, and having a facility with multiple functions will make it appealing to visitors. The Conestoga Marketplace will add the anchor store on the south side, which will be Target. At last check, that’s anticipated to open in 2026.

[Coyote]

Grand Island Casino & Resort celebrates beam raising

[aj7690]

https://theindependent.com/life-enterta ... -top-story

Chick-fil-A coming to GI, finally!

[Coyote]

Grand Island Parks and Recreation crafting new master plan



GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (KSNB) - After several decades, the Grand Island Park system is getting a refreshed master plan. The last time the city put together a master plan for the Parks and Recreations Department was in the 1990s. According to Grand Island Parks and Recreation Director Todd McCoy, the whole process will take about a year. The department held an open house to gauge community feelings on the park system as they craft the new master plan. McCoy said the feedback is crucial to this process. “This is a great thing to have, it guides us going forward and then also we, it helps us apply for grants in the future,” McCoy said. “So if we can show that we’ve gathered community input, this helps us to apply for those grants.” McCoy told Local4 News the feedback process could also bring up some things that the department might not think about normally.

[gisbuxfan]

I was thinking about some of the new buildings popping up around town which led me to put together a list of the tallest buildings in Grand Island. Not at all an impressive list when comparing to Omaha or Lincoln, but the list has seen some changes. I am not sure on actual height for most of these so I am basing this primarily on # of floors.

Did I miss anything?

1. Yancey Condominium - 11 floors
2. Centennial Towers Retirement Apartments - 11 floors
3. St Francis Medical Center - 9 floors.
4. Masonic Temple Building - 7 floors
5. Grand Island Casino - 7 floors (under construction)
6. The Downtown Center - 6 floors
7. Grand Island Courthouse - 4 floors
8. Golden Towers Apartments- 5 floors
9. First interstate bank building - 4 floors
10. CHI St. Francis Medical Plaza - 4 floors
11. GI Regional Hospital - 4 floors
12. Fairfield Hotel - 4 floors
13. Candlewood Hotel - 4 floors
14. Spring Hill Suites - 4 floors (under construction)

[Yankeesnick]

Anyone know what is going up in the SE corner of the Sam’s Club parking lot?

[Yankeesnick]

I was thinking about some of the new buildings popping up around town which led me to put together a list of the tallest buildings in Grand Island. Not at all an impressive list when comparing to Omaha or Lincoln, but the list has seen some changes. I am not sure on actual height for most of these so I am basing this primarily on # of floors.

Did I miss anything?

1. Yancey Condominium - 11 floors
2. Centennial Towers Retirement Apartments - 11 floors
3. St Francis Medical Center - 9 floors.
4. Masonic Temple Building - 7 floors
5. Grand Island Casino - 7 floors (under construction)
6. The Downtown Center - 6 floors
7. Grand Island Courthouse - 4 floors
8. Golden Towers Apartments- 5 floors
9. First interstate bank building - 4 floors
10. CHI St. Francis Medical Plaza - 4 floors
11. GI Regional Hospital - 4 floors
12. Fairfield Hotel - 4 floors
13. Candlewood Hotel - 4 floors
14. Spring Hill Suites - 4 floors (under construction)

What about the VA Hospital? They have at least 7-8 floors?

[Brad]

Anyone know what is going up in the SE corner of the Sam’s Club parking lot?

I dug around but couldn't find much. Sam's still owns the lot.

[Candleshoe]

I was thinking about some of the new buildings popping up around town which led me to put together a list of the tallest buildings in Grand Island. Not at all an impressive list when comparing to Omaha or Lincoln, but the list has seen some changes. I am not sure on actual height for most of these so I am basing this primarily on # of floors.

Did I miss anything?

1. Yancey Condominium - 11 floors
2. Centennial Towers Retirement Apartments - 11 floors
3. St Francis Medical Center - 9 floors.
4. Masonic Temple Building - 7 floors
5. Grand Island Casino - 7 floors (under construction)
6. The Downtown Center - 6 floors
7. Grand Island Courthouse - 4 floors
8. Golden Towers Apartments- 5 floors
9. First interstate bank building - 4 floors
10. CHI St. Francis Medical Plaza - 4 floors
11. GI Regional Hospital - 4 floors
12. Fairfield Hotel - 4 floors
13. Candlewood Hotel - 4 floors
14. Spring Hill Suites - 4 floors (under construction)

What about the VA Hospital? They have at least 7-8 floors?

It has five full length floors, but if you include the middle tower, it's seven.

[FishFighter92]

What's driving all the growth in Grand Island?

[Candleshoe]

Anyone know what is going up in the SE corner of the Sam’s Club parking lot?

I dug around but couldn't find much. Sam's still owns the lot.

7 Brew drive thru coffee shop

[F0R_L1F3]

Visited Downtown Grand Island recently after the fair and it was nice. The plaza and all the shops felt beautiful. Especially north of downtown, there's a huge Hispanic culture there and some beautification would look nicely there and just overall filling up some spots downtown with some businesses. South Locust also seemed nice but could've used some improvements for walkability. Hotels were almost sold out at most locations, would be nice to spark some more development around town.

[gisbuxfan]

Grand Island Casino is coming along. Opening in 2025.

[gisbuxfan]

At Conestoga Marketplace, Target is starting to go up. Concrete walls are up and interior beam work is in the works now. Also, Chick-fil-A location was recently announced there as well.

https://nebraska.tv/news/local/walls-ri ... e-district

[snunn14]

South Locust is finally getting a McDonald's! They have purchased the land where William's Flower Co. currently is. Long overdue

[gisbuxfan]

Boot Barn just announced for the Conestoga Marketplace. This is their first location outside Omaha and Lincoln. Also, it looks as though dirt work may be in its beginning phases for the Hotel just north of the movie theater.

[Garrett]

Looks like Gretna is not alone in having drama around a Good Life District

https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/04/08 ... ervention/