Menards Subdivision (NWC 204th & West Dodge)

[nebugeater]

Lot is owned by Simmonds, which operates Burger King, Taco John’s and Jimmy John’s locations in town.

Well since the lot flagged is between two of the three I am betting there is a trend.

[Brad]

They don't own BK anymore...
http://www.eomahaforums.com/viewtopic.p ... t=Simmonds

[jessep28]

Simmonds sold all their BK locations back to the company within the past ten years. They were corporate stores until a large BK operator now called Tri City Foods acquired them. This company has a ton of BK stores in the midwest, and a random restaurant in Massachusetts.

[cafereef]

a Taco Johns would somewhat surprise me with one up at Village Pointe, but I wont complain, closer to my home = more options. I'd kill for a Wendys to be built in Elkhorn...

[nebugeater]

a Taco Johns would somewhat surprise me with one up at Village Pointe, but I wont complain, closer to my home = more options. I'd kill for a Wendys to be built in Elkhorn...

That is more than far enough apart IMO esp with the draw from further into Elkhorn.

[Momto3]

According to the person working the counter at BK, this is going to be a Starbucks.

[nebugeater]

According to the person working the counter at BK, this is going to be a Starbucks.

That might actually make more sense. The lot is pretty small.

[Brad]

According to the person working the counter at BK, this is going to be a Starbucks.

That might actually make more sense. The lot is pretty small.

It's been well over a year since I have seen the Sbux plans, but last time I did, Sbux were going to build south of the JJ/BK lots. But a lot can change in a year.

[cafereef]

Heard and now see what appears to be a Taco Bell that will be going in Elkhorn. One of the Menards outlots off 204th and Cumberland has been sold to HAZA BELL of Nebraska LLC. This will be bad for me...Taco bell is my weakness. However the problem I see here is the city will need to step in with planning and engineering and redo Cumberland Drive. It's already bad enough with traffic trying to get out of the Menards drive, especially since they closed the meeting when leaving the Burger King/Hardees. There will now be a Jimmy Johns, Burger King, Hardees, Dairy Queen, Arby's, Starbucks and a Taco Bell all fighting for a very stressed street approaches to and from their areas.

[nebugeater]

The street layout was planned with those lots in mind. I am betting nothing changes.

[Habits76]

Cumberland needs a roundabout. This is the worst intersection over the lunch hour to navigate.

[cafereef]

Cumberland needs a roundabout. This is the worst intersection over the lunch hour to navigate.

I could not agree more, a roundabout right there would solve a lot of issues

[cafereef]

I think another thing that would help would be a north entrance/exit from the menards lot.

[Brad]

Cumberland needs a roundabout. This is the worst intersection over the lunch hour to navigate.

I could not agree more, a roundabout right there would solve a lot of issues

RFP out for a roundabout at 205th and Cumberland

Also, more storage units:
https://planning.cityofomaha.org/images ... ber/24.pdf

[djc311]

Awesome! Even Menards is getting in on the self storage business!

It's sad that we as a society have so much |expletive| that we can't even store it at our own homes (I'm guilty, too!) Back in the 50's and 60's people didn't rent garages to toss extra junk into.

[Brad]

Cumberland needs a roundabout. This is the worst intersection over the lunch hour to navigate.

I could not agree more, a roundabout right there would solve a lot of issues

RFP out for a roundabout at 205th and Cumberland

Also, more storage units:
https://planning.cityofomaha.org/images ... ber/24.pdf

Public meeting for the roundabout

[djc311]

Cumberland needs a roundabout. This is the worst intersection over the lunch hour to navigate.

I could not agree more, a roundabout right there would solve a lot of issues

RFP out for a roundabout at 205th and Cumberland

Also, more storage units:
https://planning.cityofomaha.org/images ... ber/24.pdf

Public meeting for the roundabout

I feel like traffic engineers sat down one day and decided roundabouts are the new 4-way traffic light or stop sign.

I can say without a doubt that the new roundabout at 192nd & Giles is not working as intended. Not sure if it's simply people unfamiliar with the process or they don't care, but I would say at least 1/2 the passes I make through that intersection there are people that roll up to it regardless of "order" and go on through. I've also seen some ragers that didn't have the right away who proceed to go through and flip off the other driver that should have been able to go.

The 192nd & Giles roundabout will get interesting in the fall as the new Gretna middle school should be open, which is right at that corner. I suppose they'll patrol it with sheriffs off and on, but it will be interesting to see how it ends up working.

Going back to the Menards corner - I can't believe they let developments get as far as they do and THEN try to fix it. That corner has been a mess since Menards opened. Once all of the food spots, car wash, etc went it, it simply compounded the problem. It's kinda funny too, because they had the chance to probably direct that better from the get go.

[joleo]

Cumberland needs a roundabout. This is the worst intersection over the lunch hour to navigate.

I could not agree more, a roundabout right there would solve a lot of issues

RFP out for a roundabout at 205th and Cumberland

Also, more storage units:
https://planning.cityofomaha.org/images ... ber/24.pdf

Public meeting for the roundabout

I feel like traffic engineers sat down one day and decided roundabouts are the new 4-way traffic light or stop sign.

I can say without a doubt that the new roundabout at 192nd & Giles is not working as intended. Not sure if it's simply people unfamiliar with the process or they don't care, but I would say at least 1/2 the passes I make through that intersection there are people that roll up to it regardless of "order" and go on through. I've also seen some ragers that didn't have the right away who proceed to go through and flip off the other driver that should have been able to go.

The 192nd & Giles roundabout will get interesting in the fall as the new Gretna middle school should be open, which is right at that corner. I suppose they'll patrol it with sheriffs off and on, but it will be interesting to see how it ends up working.

Going back to the Menards corner - I can't believe they let developments get as far as they do and THEN try to fix it. That corner has been a mess since Menards opened. Once all of the food spots, car wash, etc went it, it simply compounded the problem. It's kinda funny too, because they had the chance to probably direct that better from the get go.

Living in Des Moines, we have lots of them on 4-lane roads in certain suburbs. Johnston, Waukee, Grimes, Urbandale, Ankeny, Altoona all have them on 4-lane roads and building more and more every year. It was a bit of a struggle 15-20 years ago when there were not very many. Now they are all over the place, they are super nice and run very smooth and have eliminated backups and several intersections! The best thing is to install lots of them quickly so drivers get used to them. Also, the geometry is very important. I'm a civil engineer and design them and the Iowa DOT does a free review of all roundabouts in the state, even if not on state highways. The DOT outsources the review to a firm in wisconsin that are the experts nationwide. I've learned a ton and the single lane roundabouts in the neighborhoods in omaha are designed horribly. Couldn't be any worse in many cases. I can't speak to the one at 192nd and Giles, I haven't been through it yet but I will check it out next time I'm in town.

Very important design consideration are geometry, joint placement, slopes, striping and signage for them to function properly.

If I submitted the one in the image above to the Iowa DOT for review it would get rejected right away, there are so many geometry issues with it, they would tell me it can't even be reviewed.

[skinzfan23]

Roundabouts are an effective way to manage traffic and keep congestion to a minimum. One of the most effective one I have seen is in Dubuque, IA. It previously was five-way stop which was very confusing.

My wife is from Marion, IA and they have built a ton of them in the past 5-10 years, I would agree that most of theirs are not efficient. They are effective at controlling speeds on the main drag through town but the design and median/middle areas are plan and kind of ugly. So many times people are over-yielding at these and it totally defeats the purpose.

[Brad]

Per Grow Omaha, Hardee's has closed and will be a Mexican Restaurant.

[djc311]

Per Grow Omaha, Hardee's has closed and will be a Mexican Restaurant.

I feel to make their sign more accurate it should be changed to "Closed, rebranding"... remodeling implies it's still a Hardees that will get a revamped look.

[nebugeater]

Per Grow Omaha, Hardee's has closed and will be a Mexican Restaurant.

I feel to make their sign more accurate it should be changed to "Closed, rebranding"... remodeling implies it's still a Hardees that will get a revamped look.

Maybe it will be La Casa de Hardee

[bbinks]

Hardee's replacement permits are for Abelardo's.

[djc311]

Hardee's replacement permits are for Abelardo's.

I'm surprised they can open so many locations. I don't know anyone that talks about their food like it's amazing. We've had it twice and I wasn't that impressed. I'd prefer La Mesa or several other places over their food.

I do know they're open late. Perhaps that's a huge selling point for a lot of their customers.

Be interesting to have Chipotle across the street (and I'd take Chipotle over Abelardo's). But I may be in the minority.

[swinquest]

Hardee's replacement permits are for Abelardo's.

I'm surprised they can open so many locations. I don't know anyone that talks about their food like it's amazing. We've had it twice and I wasn't that impressed. I'd prefer La Mesa or several other places over their food.

I do know they're open late. Perhaps that's a huge selling point for a lot of their customers.

Be interesting to have Chipotle across the street (and I'd take Chipotle over Abelardo's). But I may be in the minority.

I visited Abelardo's only once and I think that one time scarred me for life. I have not be strong enough to go back to try it out, so I'll be happy to join you in the minority.

[Brad]

I'm surprised they can open so many locations. I don't know anyone that talks about their food like it's amazing. We've had it twice and I wasn't that impressed. I'd prefer La Mesa or several other places over their food.

Looks like Abelardo's has 15 locations, comparing them to other fast food, McDonald's has 21 and Taco Bell has 20. If McDonalds and Taco Bell with higher overhead can do it, no surprise Abelardo's can do it.

[skinzfan23]

I just had Abelardos this weekend for the first time in a year or so. It was good, but for the price ($14.50 for combo with rice/beans) you're probably better off going to Chipotle.

I was surprised to see that currently Abelardo's has 59 locations across 7 states.

[djc311]

I just had Abelardos this weekend for the first time in a year or so. It was good, but for the price ($14.50 for combo with rice/beans) you're probably better off going to Chipotle.

I was surprised to see that currently Abelardo's has 59 locations across 7 states.

I'm glad they're thriving, but I don't get it. Must be a TON of margin in Mexican food... Javi's has opened a handful of stores in the past 5 years also. I think they even use the old Arby's on 170th & Center to prep for their food trucks or something... or at least they park all of their trailers there.

Anyway, I personally am OK without Aberlardo's but I'm happy to see something is taking over the space nonetheless (and it's NOT Mega Saver).

[BRoss]

I was surprised to see that currently Abelardo's has 59 locations across 7 states.

Wow! I did not realize they had grown so much. I'm pretty sure they only had one location on 90th north of Maple when I was in my early 20s.

[nativeomahan]

Back in the day before I discovered true Mexican cuisine I absolutely adored Abelardo’s (then called Alvarado’s). Back in the day you could get a giant burrito for under $4.
Times change. But my love affair was great while it lasted.

[skinzfan23]

Back in the day before I discovered true Mexican cuisine I absolutely adored Abelardo’s (then called Alvarado’s). Back in the day you could get a giant burrito for under $4.
Times change. But my love affair was great while it lasted.

I agree, I liked them much more when they first started. Now the quality really hasn’t improved but the prices are 4-5x what they once were.

[Stan]

Back in the day before I discovered true Mexican cuisine I absolutely adored Abelardo’s (then called Alvarado’s). Back in the day you could get a giant burrito for under $4.
Times change. But my love affair was great while it lasted.

I agree, I liked them much more when they first started. Now the quality really hasn’t improved but the prices are 4-5x what they once were.

I guess I hadn't been to one in a few years and was surprised when I saw their burrito prices recently. $5-7 bucks for their giant burrito was a great deal not that long ago. Now for somewhere around $12, I'd rather get one from elsewhere.

[cafereef]

If you go to Arizona, or other southwest areas, you fill find chains like Filaberto's and others. They are SHOCKINGLY like Abelardo's and DeLeon's. To the point where we joked that Filaberto and Abelardo must be brothers or cousins. Literally the menus are identical, salsa's are similar. Food is all the same etc. I have a feeling these are borderline "franchise" options that people can buy into where they are buying a blueprint to follow and are provided the recipes etc. That's my theory at least, there is absolutely nothing research based on it, simply personal experience.

[Cup of Cheese]

In California the chain was called Adalberto's. Some thing.

[djc311]

Just an observation after seeing the roundabout open for a little over a year or so at 192nd & Giles... I know there are some fans of these "traffic solutions" on here, but IMO they're awful. There's a new Gretna middle school opening in the fall on Giles at 192nd and I use that intersection quite regularly - I'd say easily OVER HALF of the people that drive through that corner do NOT use it correctly.

On one hand, you have the "cheaters" that follow the car in front of them and drive right through without waiting their turn. This is going to lead to accidents... it's like a mini road rage session. I've witnessed on multiple occasions someone honk at the cheat car only to get flipped off by the cheater themselves. It seems like the worst culprits are those traveling north or south... they just blast right through it, even saw one guy jump the curb because he didn't make the curve correctly.

On the other hand, you have the cars that simply don't know when to go and they just sit. It's like they're waiting for the other 3 streets to have no traffic whatsoever before they feel comfortable driving through it.

I have yet to see a sheriff or officer patrol the intersection - of course this may change once school begins, but hard to say. I feel the one at Menards in Elkhorn will only be worse. Trucks and work vans full of lumber, etc that simply don't wait. They filled that area with so many businesses that I believe it will be backed up to 204th regularly.

Traffic engineers are great and all, but I would have much rather have seen a light be installed than a circle. Maybe most people don't have enough momentum to kill other drivers, but it's going to lead to accidents for sure. Maybe 20-25 years ago they would have been a better fit but people simply don't have the patience (or proper driving etiquette) to use these correctly.

[nebport5]

What’s the difference of people ignoring stop signs and red lights vs roundabout right of ways?

Actually, I agree with you that “most people don’t have enough momentum[in roundabouts]to kill other drivers”...therefore you want to go with the less safe option because people are impatient and it might lead to more of a traffic backup?!

[TitosBuritoBarn]

On one hand, you have the "cheaters" that follow the car in front of them and drive right through without waiting their turn. This is going to lead to accidents... it's like a mini road rage session. I've witnessed on multiple occasions someone honk at the cheat car only to get flipped off by the cheater themselves. It seems like the worst culprits are those traveling north or south... they just blast right through it, even saw one guy jump the curb because he didn't make the curve correctly.

Roundabouts don't have "turns" to take. They're not like a four-way stop. Entering cars must yield until they can safely enter, regardless of how many cars they need to wait for. There are not "cheaters" if they can safely enter the intersection without the risk of a car hitting them.

Traffic engineers are great and all, but I would have much rather have seen a light be installed than a circle. Maybe most people don't have enough momentum to kill other drivers, but it's going to lead to accidents for sure

Yeah. There will be crashes regardless of the style of intersection there. Human error cannot be fully factored out of any type of intersection. And what it sounds like you're saying is that you'd prefer to risk death or severe injury by having an intersection style people are used to over a minor injury from an intersection style that will require people to adapt.

[djc311]

On one hand, you have the "cheaters" that follow the car in front of them and drive right through without waiting their turn. This is going to lead to accidents... it's like a mini road rage session. I've witnessed on multiple occasions someone honk at the cheat car only to get flipped off by the cheater themselves. It seems like the worst culprits are those traveling north or south... they just blast right through it, even saw one guy jump the curb because he didn't make the curve correctly.

Roundabouts don't have "turns" to take. They're not like a four-way stop. Entering cars must yield until they can safely enter, regardless of how many cars they need to wait for. There are not "cheaters" if they can safely enter the intersection without the risk of a car hitting them.

Traffic engineers are great and all, but I would have much rather have seen a light be installed than a circle. Maybe most people don't have enough momentum to kill other drivers, but it's going to lead to accidents for sure

Yeah. There will be crashes regardless of the style of intersection there. Human error cannot be fully factored out of any type of intersection. And what it sounds like you're saying is that you'd prefer to risk death or severe injury by having an intersection style people are used to over a minor injury from an intersection style that will require people to adapt.

Given the fact kids are taught green means go and red means stop before they can ride a bike, I would say people should understand the concept of an intersection with lights. If you want to assume roundabouts prevent 100% fatalities, I imagine there's documented proof that's not true. Take for example the accident a couple of years ago that took place at 192nd & F St. Guy blew through the intersection going probably over 100mph, drunk... would a roundabout have stopped him from driving that stupid? Hard to say - my guess is he would have launched it and hurt someone.

For the little I use the intersection at 192nd & Giles, it's extremely apparent people are completely ignoring the right away or "rules" of how to use the roundabout. I assume there's lower risk of fatalities, however if it's going to result in significantly more frequent accidents or perhaps road rage incidents that continue to be escalating to ridiculous levels (see here for reference from this week: https://www.ketv.com/article/iowa-crime ... t/64565871).

We will see what transpires from the 192nd & Giles roundabout once the middle school opens in August. In retrospect, the Menards cluster could have been avoided had better planning been implemented to begin with. Which, TBH, shouldn't have been difficult. All of that development has occurred in the past 10-15 years, not in the 1980s-1990s. It should have been somewhat predictable as to what could happen. The roundabout was not a day 1 solution at Menards - this is the "fix" after all of the traffic problems arose (at Menards).

I do feel roundabouts on streets where the speed limit is lower (perhaps 25-35mph) they may be more effective. At 192nd, it's 45mph until you hit the roundabout. People approach it often times at high speed and they whip around the circle like they don't need to slow down.

Surprised there's such an argument that this is the best thing since sliced bread... I don't feel it is (IMO).

[djc311]

On one hand, you have the "cheaters" that follow the car in front of them and drive right through without waiting their turn. This is going to lead to accidents... it's like a mini road rage session. I've witnessed on multiple occasions someone honk at the cheat car only to get flipped off by the cheater themselves. It seems like the worst culprits are those traveling north or south... they just blast right through it, even saw one guy jump the curb because he didn't make the curve correctly.

Roundabouts don't have "turns" to take. They're not like a four-way stop. Entering cars must yield until they can safely enter, regardless of how many cars they need to wait for. There are not "cheaters" if they can safely enter the intersection without the risk of a car hitting them.

Traffic engineers are great and all, but I would have much rather have seen a light be installed than a circle. Maybe most people don't have enough momentum to kill other drivers, but it's going to lead to accidents for sure

Yeah. There will be crashes regardless of the style of intersection there. Human error cannot be fully factored out of any type of intersection. And what it sounds like you're saying is that you'd prefer to risk death or severe injury by having an intersection style people are used to over a minor injury from an intersection style that will require people to adapt.

So what you're saying is if you approach a roundabout and there are 25 cars stacked up to the immediate left (yes, like a corner), and you're there after that line of cars got there, then all 25 of those cars deserve the right to go first? Who decides who goes? That logic suggests that as long as all 25 cars continue to follow one another, then the lone car to the right has to wait it out. If that's the case, then that's even goofier than I thought.

[Brad]

There are signs at the roundabouts for the people who were sick on roundabout day at drivers ed...

Screenshot 2025-04-25 144428.jpg