2025 Wish List

[ita]

I will go ahead and get this started this time around. Here's a couple of mine.

- Bluestone reveals plans for the Fairmont Creamery project and they start construction by the end of 2025.
- Kiewit Foundation and the City reveals the first big project they are doing in the urban core.
- The Mayor says someone is interested in 1415 Dodge, old UP site (I know, I have low standards)

[Garrett]

1. Mutual of Omaha Campus

2. Lot B

3. Movement on more Mercantile development

4. Civic site changes developers

5. Downtown Grocery store announced

6. A new zoo master plan (aren’t we due for one now?

7. Something I don’t expect

8. More indications of movement on expansion streetcar lines (greedy, I know)

[nebport5]

I will go ahead and get this started this time around. Here's a couple of mine.

- Bluestone reveals plans for the Fairmont Creamery project and they start construction by the end of 2025.
- Kiewit Foundation and the City reveals the first big project they are doing in the urban core.
- The Mayor says someone is interested in 1415 Dodge, old UP site (I know, I have low standards)

Number 1. Sounds plausible and I hope for the same.

Number 3. let's qualify interested with someone who is willing to build over 25+ stories (unless that's what you mean by low standards )



Let's also get this one out of the way...


A rogue meteorite strikes 1313 Farnarm St overnight perfectly imploding the s.o.b.(no one is hurt) yada, yada, a new site is identified for the existing offices(Civic) and developers line up for a mixed use high rise.

[Garrett]

For those keeping score of last year…

https://eomahaforums.com/viewtopic.php?p=386133&

[Garrett]

And speaking of the 2024 Wishlist, I think tuna wins the Oracle of 2024 Award

Okay, I'll bite on a 2024 Omaha wish list.

- Discussions/groundwork announced for a new Children's Museum, preferably within walking distance from GLM
- New major e/w bikeway and pedestrian dedicated thoroughfare plan. First Ave, but in Omaha
- The "Big Lake" project gets shelved
- Dedicated USL Championship League stadium announced
- Concerted and very public effort to bring more people to the area and boost the work pool.
- Creation of developer incentives and standards for increased density housing east of Saddle Creek. Caveat; they cannot be "midtown luxury living at it's finest." Can we just get "midtown living at it's pretty nicest"?

And if we're going BIG on the wish list:
- Creation of some sort of Omaha/Lincoln regional economic and transportation authority with actual authority to provide funding for:
- Establishing regular BRT commuter service that coordinates with StarTran and Metro, including service to Eppley
- Aggressively market I80 corridor, including Waverly/Ashland/Greenwood as a 1.4M resident super-MSA (I just made that
term up, it's metric) to large scale employers, tech businesses, tourism

[almighty_tuna]

And speaking of the 2024 Wishlist, I think tuna wins the Oracle of 2024 Award

[Omaha Cowboy]

And speaking of the 2024 Wishlist, I think tuna wins the Oracle of 2024 Award

Hard to top “The Big Tuna” for 2024.. I’ll just wait for his 2025 wishlist…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[GenX]

1. Mutual of Omaha Campus

2. Lot B

3. Movement on more Mercantile development

4. Civic site changes developers

5. Downtown Grocery store announced

6. A new zoo master plan (aren’t we due for one now?

7. Something I don’t expect

8. More indications of movement on expansion streetcar lines (greedy, I know)

I’m 100% behind you on #7

[TitosBuritoBarn]

1. Mutual of Omaha Campus

2. Lot B

3. Movement on more Mercantile development

4. Civic site changes developers

5. Downtown Grocery store announced

6. A new zoo master plan (aren’t we due for one now?

7. Something I don’t expect

8. More indications of movement on expansion streetcar lines (greedy, I know)

I'll echo this entirely and add two more that are a bit more of a stretch:

9. NDOT has a change in philosophy that leads to a more context appropriate approach to transportation thinking.

10. The appeal of Council Bluffs increases as a place to live, shifting some of the growth in that direction and evening out our lopsided metro somewhat.

[ita]

- The Mayor says someone is interested in 1415 Dodge, old UP site (I know, I have low standards)

Number 3. let's qualify interested with someone who is willing to build over 25+ stories (unless that's what you mean by low standards )

I have such low expectations for 1415 Dodge that, yeah, I would be perfectly happy with an announcement that there is a developer working on something. Haha.

[ita]

10. The appeal of Council Bluffs increases as a place to live, shifting some of the growth in that direction and evening out our lopsided metro somewhat.

I heard Mayor Walsh say recently during a council meeting that their rental market is at like 99% capacity, or something like that. Apparently the demand is there, but they haven't built a whole lot. Some of those recently announced First Avenue projects are a couple years away. Broadmoor's current phase at River's Edge is currently under construction, but that not a whole lot of units. Anyway, I would like to piggyback this one and say that I want to see CB take the next step and apply for federal grants for the Streetcar bridge in 2025. Probably not possible with the PEL finishing in Fall 2025, but one can hope. Let's see Kiewit throw $50 million to help build the bridge.

[Linkin5]

1) downtown grocery store

2) civic site news

3) Drury Lot announcement

4) Lot B announcement

5) more information on Tower District (including FD and Police HQ)

6) soccer stadium development finalized with funding secured

7) Rod Yates continues to release exceedingly insane renderings I can laugh at.

“8)” Stothert re-elected

9) MoO campus redevelopment announcement

10) development announcements for the swath of paved lots in western DT area around streetcar route.

11) mercantile hotel announcement

12) progress on Council Bluffs streetcar plan

13) old UP HQ lot announcement

14) further surface lots in Old Market developed

[Toto]

4. Civic site changes developers

^THIS. Hope Omaha starts the removal process for White Lotus on January 1st.

[Doctor Fate]

1. Mutual Campus Redevelopment Announcement

2. Highrise Convention Center Hotel Announcement for Lot B

3. Highrise Drury Hotel Announcement

4. Kiewit Foundation Helps Fund 480 Lid

5. Project Health Goes Vertical

6. Streetcar Construction Begins

7. New Master Plan for the Mercantile With More Density

8. Downtown Grocery Store Announced

9. New Civic Site Developer

10. 16th Street Revitalization Plans Revealed

11. Aksarben Yards Project is Brought Back

[Dusty]

For fun, I will say different things.

1. Crossroads starts going vertical or puts up land or sale. Seeing action of some degree.
2. Bellevue Water park starts construction. New anchors announced that's NOT a casino/horse race park.
3. Vision Zero shows transparency. Breaking down intersections under review and under construction. Break down ideas to improve (painted crosswalks, refuge island, daylighting, etc.)
4. More infill in Millwork Commons
5. CB continues studies for Streetcar line
6. Planning/Zoning- Eliminate parking minimums city wide. Loosen restrictions to make it easier for middle housing options.

Of course, I could make a long list of transportation wishes. I would scrap the I-480 park lid to conversations for a mixed-use transit center in its place. I would scrap Metro Next and Heartland 2050. We are still planning with a car brain mindset. I would want to start over with a multi-modal approach. Moving people, not just cars.

[NEDodger]

7) Rod Yates continues to release exceedingly insane renderings I can laugh at.

Is Steve Minard finally off the hook?

If someone tells a crazily tall tale, can we respond with “Quit Yatesing me, bro”?

[Linkin5]

7) Rod Yates continues to release exceedingly insane renderings I can laugh at.

Is Steve Minard finally off the hook?

If someone tells a crazily tall tale, can we respond with “Quit Yatesing me, bro”?

I like this.

[Athomsfere]

I'll do mine!
1. Dodge Riverside Park goes from golf course to dense infill (finalized plans)
2. Street car extension to DRP approved
3. Swing lane removed from traffic flow on Dodge. Used as crosswalk islands for now
4. 10th and Harney project announced. Appx 15 stories and a more classic facade
5. ORBT extension to North O starts construction
6. Microcenter takes over the Hobby Lobby at ~76th and Dodge
7. 5014 Underwood announcement for mixed use construction. Underground parking from the alley, and 3-4 stories.
8. Downtown Grocer
9. MTC Wohlner's replacement
10. KC joint venture High-ish speed rail announced with new 1st class station downtown
11. Carryover from last year: Demolition of Village Point begins. Or at least some announcements to add infill / make it less terrible.
12. Fire / Police HQ announced with some height


Mostly just a list of dreams.

[remline]

Great list!

Swing lane removed from traffic flow on Dodge. Used as crosswalk islands for now

Yeah, I have always found that lane to be pretty sketchy. The unique arrangement means that drivers are relatively un-practiced with it, which makes me speculate that it isn't all that safe. Are there any statistics on accidents involving the swing lane?

Microcenter takes over the Hobby Lobby at ~76th and Dodge

I'd love a Micro Center in Omaha! Definitely something I miss from Kansas City.

[Doctor Fate]

Of course, I could make a long list of transportation wishes. I would scrap the I-480 park lid to conversations for a mixed-use transit center in its place.

Why scrap the lid? I think the green space the lid brings will be important for helping get the Farnam Hill area developed.

[Athomsfere]

Great list!

Swing lane removed from traffic flow on Dodge. Used as crosswalk islands for now

Yeah, I have always found that lane to be pretty sketchy. The unique arrangement means that drivers are relatively un-practiced with it, which makes me speculate that it isn't all that safe. Are there any statistics on accidents involving the swing lane?

Honestly no clue. Probably negligible though.

Living in Dundee now, pretty much every time I drive its on Dodge and I've noticed something this year with all the construction:

1. Most people avoid that lane, most times of the day.
2. Even at rush hour, and one lane of traffic open EB the traffic still moves fairly quickly.
3. When all 5 lanes are open and traffic is low, people do 70+ mph all the time.

It certainly seems to me we can get rid of that lane, improve flow in the long run, and add at least some walkability along the ORBT route.

[riceweb]

Using that center lane as a pedestrian island, along with tree plantings, would be really pleasant. Is that something the city has considered as part of any planning docs?

[Athomsfere]

Using that center lane as a pedestrian island, along with tree plantings, would be really pleasant. Is that something the city has considered as part of any planning docs?

Not to my knowledge.

[Dusty]

Of course, I could make a long list of transportation wishes. I would scrap the I-480 park lid to conversations for a mixed-use transit center in its place.

Why scrap the lid? I think the green space the lid brings will be important for helping get the Farnam Hill area developed.

Let me back up and clarify. I'm not a fan of the 100% park concept on the lid. I want the lid, but a mixed-use transit center with pocket parks surrounding it. You would still get greenspace elements to it. But the transit center would ignite tons of excitement to start building density along all the fixed routes feeding into it.

[remline]

My list:

1. Restoration of King Fong Chinese Restaurant on 16th St.
2. Continued progress on pedestrian safety/walkability.

[Busguy2010]

Great list!

Swing lane removed from traffic flow on Dodge. Used as crosswalk islands for now

Yeah, I have always found that lane to be pretty sketchy. The unique arrangement means that drivers are relatively un-practiced with it, which makes me speculate that it isn't all that safe. Are there any statistics on accidents involving the swing lane?

Honestly no clue. Probably negligible though.

Living in Dundee now, pretty much every time I drive its on Dodge and I've noticed something this year with all the construction:

1. Most people avoid that lane, most times of the day.
2. Even at rush hour, and one lane of traffic open EB the traffic still moves fairly quickly.
3. When all 5 lanes are open and traffic is low, people do 70+ mph all the time.

It certainly seems to me we can get rid of that lane, improve flow in the long run, and add at least some walkability along the ORBT route.

I've always thought the middle lane on Dodge was pretty pointless. As you said, people are basically scared to use it, or unsure how to use it, or don't even recognize it's a driving lane. It doesnt do much, if anything at all to alleviate any sort of traffic issues. Just make it a permanent turn lane.

I don't want islands though. Dodge in that section is not hard to cross.

[Renovator2559]

10. The appeal of Council Bluffs increases as a place to live, shifting some of the growth in that direction and evening out our lopsided metro somewhat.

Iowa already has a dominant city called Des Moines, there's no point in eating up Omaha's population growth so that Council Bluffs and Des Moines can catch up. There are more benefits that the population growth occurs within the bounds of Nebraska and the city of Omaha, rather than distributing population to Iowa which already is a higher population state than Nebraska.

Council Bluffs had a chance, when they were first founded but people wanted to move to Omaha anyway and thus CB has always been a blue-collar city, (that's what CB's current mayor said so on Grow Omaha) and it serves its purpose in the Omaha metro. The City of Omaha has all the right talent to continue to urbanize, CB in the other hand; prefers to keep their town like vibe, which don't get me wrong CB has its own good charm. Having developers move to CB for projects, would water down the amount of ambitious projects that the city of Omaha has, and we would have to deal with the state of Iowa's needs for the city, which Iowa will always have a preference to support its own gem, Des Moines. If our cities were within the same state, like Minneapolis and St Paul, then it wouldn't matter.

I much rather see Omaha expand west-ward and Lincoln expand east-ward, for both Nebraskan cities to merge eventually. As long as it's not the pattern suburban sprawl, but pockets of density; which Gretna is showing plenty of promise. This would in essence increase the viability of planning for commuter rail between Lincoln and Omaha. Also, due to Lincoln's and Omaha's proximity of each other, plenty of people midway to both cities travel to both Lincoln/Omaha edges and urban cores, so in a way this area is centrally located.


Other than that, I really like people's wish lists and will just offer a few of my own points:

1. Tower District - A district that actually suggests what it is, towers and high density projects in the core
2. Build dense development on the east side of Midtown crossing, demolishing the unused defunct buildings, including the Walgreens. Walgreens or another company is then rebuilt on the commercial floor of a new development. Thus connecting Midtown with Downtown
3. Streetcar extension on already wide 30th Street, which would sprout development along 30th Street and the unused land currently set aside for the inefficient use of space i480 ramps. This would link up the future development of Midtown Crossing to the Nustyle Atlas.
4. Reimaged Civic Square site, that is more pleasing to the eye, more floors and turning the streets inside of the development, into pedestrian only streets; good for street vendor stands.
5. More road diets in the core, turning parts into separated dedicated bike lanes.
6. Getting rid of the one-way roads in the urban core, completely.
7. A Bob Kerry Bridge "clone", somewhere on south of the Conagra campus portion of Heartland of America or Conagra Drive. Thereby completing a loop between the northern omaha Riverfront, into River's Edge and back into Heartland of America Park, perfect for pedestrian and bike activity being distributed between both pedestrian bridges, that would flank i480 bridge.
7. More details on the Freemont Creamery and the development around the Old Post Office.
8. Expansion of Millwork Commons and better pedestrian accessibility on Cuming street for Millwork Commons to ball field.

Unlikely but wishful:
1. Turn Durham Museum back into a train station and demolish the makeshift, Amtrak station. Since train tracks are currently right next to Durham Museum. Pursue train connections between either KC or Lincoln and possibly Des Moines and make Durham Train its terminus.
2. Move Durham Museum into a more reachable location and construct a new building. Like the north parking lot of the Conagra campus, which is right next to the Durham "Train Station"

[Greg S]

1. Mutual of Omaha Campus

2. Lot B

3. Movement on more Mercantile development

4. Civic site changes developers

5. Downtown Grocery store announced

6. A new zoo master plan (aren’t we due for one now?

7. Something I don’t expect

8. More indications of movement on expansion streetcar lines (greedy, I know)

Zoo Master Plan is a very good one. I agree we are due.

[Athomsfere]

Great list!

Swing lane removed from traffic flow on Dodge. Used as crosswalk islands for now

Yeah, I have always found that lane to be pretty sketchy. The unique arrangement means that drivers are relatively un-practiced with it, which makes me speculate that it isn't all that safe. Are there any statistics on accidents involving the swing lane?

Honestly no clue. Probably negligible though.

Living in Dundee now, pretty much every time I drive its on Dodge and I've noticed something this year with all the construction:

1. Most people avoid that lane, most times of the day.
2. Even at rush hour, and one lane of traffic open EB the traffic still moves fairly quickly.
3. When all 5 lanes are open and traffic is low, people do 70+ mph all the time.

It certainly seems to me we can get rid of that lane, improve flow in the long run, and add at least some walkability along the ORBT route.

I've always thought the middle lane on Dodge was pretty pointless. As you said, people are basically scared to use it, or unsure how to use it, or don't even recognize it's a driving lane. It doesnt do much, if anything at all to alleviate any sort of traffic issues. Just make it a permanent turn lane.

I don't want islands though. Dodge in that section is not hard to cross.

Hard? I know I only tend to cross at the pedestrian overpass or the Dundee tunnel.
Safe? I swear half the cars are doing twice the speed limit and are staring at their phones. I'd love it for the traffic calming effect. I don't see a need for turn lanes though.

[Dusty]

Swing lane removed from traffic flow on Dodge. Used as crosswalk islands for now

This seems to be a good move to me. I want to improve the BRT line on Dodge. The original renderings had center lane boarding. Not sure if they were all planned that way or just in front of UNO. Instead, we settled for curbside boarding.

Building pedestrian refuge islands would be a great segway to getting center lane boarding. It would serve both functions as a safe place to stand to cross or wait. Even if you bolted plastic platforms down as a temporary measure, it says we are serious about reforming this space.

As for permanent islands, I agree about adding tons of trees, bushes, and seating. I added some pictures I dropped in the Crossroads thread a long time ago about fixing the area for pedestrians.

[Busguy2010]

Ones I can think of that never concerned me are 50th, 42nd, and 38th. Dodge street isn't that wide. Maybe 55 feet? A fairly unathletic man could cross that in two seconds.

[Busguy2010]

^ if it was that dangerous, pardon me.

[TitosBuritoBarn]

10. The appeal of Council Bluffs increases as a place to live, shifting some of the growth in that direction and evening out our lopsided metro somewhat.

Iowa already has a dominant city called Des Moines, there's no point in eating up Omaha's population growth so that Council Bluffs and Des Moines can catch up. There are more benefits that the population growth occurs within the bounds of Nebraska and the city of Omaha, rather than distributing population to Iowa which already is a higher population state than Nebraska.

Council Bluffs had a chance, when they were first founded but people wanted to move to Omaha anyway and thus CB has always been a blue-collar city, (that's what CB's current mayor said so on Grow Omaha) and it serves its purpose in the Omaha metro. The City of Omaha has all the right talent to continue to urbanize, CB in the other hand; prefers to keep their town like vibe, which don't get me wrong CB has its own good charm. Having developers move to CB for projects, would water down the amount of ambitious projects that the city of Omaha has, and we would have to deal with the state of Iowa's needs for the city, which Iowa will always have a preference to support its own gem, Des Moines. If our cities were within the same state, like Minneapolis and St Paul, then it wouldn't matter.

I much rather see Omaha expand west-ward and Lincoln expand east-ward, for both Nebraskan cities to merge eventually. As long as it's not the pattern suburban sprawl, but pockets of density; which Gretna is showing plenty of promise. This would in essence increase the viability of planning for commuter rail between Lincoln and Omaha. Also, due to Lincoln's and Omaha's proximity of each other, plenty of people midway to both cities travel to both Lincoln/Omaha edges and urban cores, so in a way this area is centrally located.

A more evenly distributed population makes the urban core more convenient to more people, potentially contributing to its vibrancy. When I visit my parents in Millard, it is hard to rationalize doing certain things downtown sometimes because it's too far away; too much of a time commitment. Concentrating growth to the east could equal more balanced commutes, rather than focusing all the traffic to the west. It also creates the opportunity for a centralized transportation hub, which is not easy when the core is not centered.

To the rest of your post, I don't really know what you're getting at. Council Bluffs' relation to Des Moines is negligible and unimportant, as is Iowa's population relative to Nebraska's. The State of Iowa does not have explicit "needs" for Council Bluffs, nor do they emphasize Des Moines as a city relatively higher than their other cities. Doing so would be a great way for elected officials to get voted out office, seeing that the Des Moines area represents only 20% of the state's population.

Furthermore, nobody has ever moved to Gretna hoping that someday it will be a tertiary core city for eastern Nebraska. People move to Gretna to escape urbanity. Gretna's future is more Plano than Hoboken. Besides, a rail system could likely exist today between Omaha and Lincoln with appropriate first mile/last mile accommodations.

[Athomsfere]

Ones I can think of that never concerned me are 50th, 42nd, and 38th. Dodge street isn't that wide. Maybe 55 feet? A fairly unathletic man could cross that in two seconds.

My Wishlist would be that anyone can cross, and more comfortably.

[Busguy2010]

Ones I can think of that never concerned me are 50th, 42nd, and 38th. Dodge street isn't that wide. Maybe 55 feet? A fairly unathletic man could cross that in two seconds.

My Wishlist would be that anyone can cross, and more comfortably.

Well, that's really nice of you and all. But the 90% of people that can cross Dodge with no issue, and the other 99% that are in their cars really couldn't give a hoot.

[Athomsfere]

Ones I can think of that never concerned me are 50th, 42nd, and 38th. Dodge street isn't that wide. Maybe 55 feet? A fairly unathletic man could cross that in two seconds.

My Wishlist would be that anyone can cross, and more comfortably.

Well, that's really nice of you and all. But the 90% of people that can cross Dodge with no issue, and the other 99% that are in their cars really couldn't give a hoot.

That's why we need the islands. So we can act like we live in a developed country.

[Grow Omaha]

Jeff and Brad did a year end review show this past week. During "Radio Show 2" they looked back at what did happen in 2024. During "Radio Show 3" they looked ahead to 2025. At the end there is an "Uncut Bonus" where they talk about a few projects they don't see happening in 2025.

0:00 - Radio Show 1
5:02 - News of the Week
14:58 - Uncut 1
18:41 - Radio Show 2
29:33 - Uncut 2
37:19 - Radio Show 3
37:54 - Commercial Real Estate Development Spotlight
44:04 - Uncut 3
46:29 - Lightning Round
51:14 - Uncut Bonus

[HskrFanMike]

- The Mayor says someone is interested in 1415 Dodge, old UP site (I know, I have low standards)

Downtown Omaha has whiffed so many times on the old UP site:
Selecting the Wall Street Tower boondoggle over the 22 story office tower (reportedly Pacific Life)
Letting Gavilon destroy the old World-Herald Square park for it's headquarters instead of building on the vacant lot

[Louie]

- The Mayor says someone is interested in 1415 Dodge, old UP site (I know, I have low standards)

Downtown Omaha has whiffed so many times on the old UP site:
Selecting the Wall Street Tower boondoggle over the 22 story office tower (reportedly Pacific Life)
Letting Gavilon destroy the old World-Herald Square park for it's headquarters instead of building on the vacant lot

Were there ever designs released for that?

[nebport5]

1. Fairmont Creamery- begins redevelopment with more than residential planned(like street level mixed-use).

2. Paint them black- The OWH Building and City Hall get the Blackstone treatment. Ok, maybe more of a tasteful charcoal. I mean how bad does City Hall look during the day? And currently in the evenings that pathetic string of roof lights isn't helping. Same for the Courthouse.

3. Future Police/Fire Headquarters- is announced and sparks RFPs for existing properties.

4. Omaha Performing Arts- announces plans for another facility with flexible performance space.

5. 16th Street- The Duo and First National Building spark further 16th St revitalization, including most importantly, King Fong.

6. Aksarben Yard- However unlikely this may be it would be a huge improvement when entering downtown via Soma. This could also spark increased(and much needed) pedestrian activity along 10th St/Little Italy. The success of the riverfront parks should give the powers that be serious consideration to make this a reality.

7. Architecture of light- A new lighting design entity is created. The lack of uniformity and consistency of lighting downtown drives me crazy. Some of this is exclusively street lighting but I'm thinking particularly of historic/landmark structures that suffer from mediocre or no illumination. Overall, this would take a public/private partnership and likely philanthropy but this could help unify and enliven much of the historic areas of downtown(Old market, 16th St, etc). There are many notable structures downtown that could use some cosmetic love. Some obviously could use enhanced facade work too, but many others would benefit immensely from improved lighting(much of 16th St comes to mind). Up the street, It's sad to see the old library sit dark and derelict, around the corner from the empty and luminously lit Juvie Center. The Reddick/Hotel Deco utilizes a better than average lighting scheme, though illuminating the setbacks would be ideal. Down the street The Old Federal Building actually casts light on at least one of the setbacks but the color temperature and overall lighting is so poor the effect is lost. The Flatiron Hotel has one of the best uses of facade lighting only to be undermined and flanked by obnoxious generic street lights. Meanwhile, across the street to the north sit a string of retro street lamps along the Juvie Center's southern walls.






















*Crazy Bonus* - Mean Jean pulls another rabbit out of a hat...and by rabbit I mean 100+meter tower.