Civic Square (former Civic Auditorium)

[almighty_tuna]

Shocked to see this morning's massive Creighton campus plan reveal did not include the highly anticipated "university district." /s

[Toto]

Shocked to see this morning's massive Creighton campus plan reveal did not include the highly anticipated "university district." /s

Arun Agarwal is the Rod Yates of Urban Omaha. Both need to go away.

[Linkin5]

Shocked to see this morning's massive Creighton campus plan reveal did not include the highly anticipated "university district." /s

Yeah, I am highly skeptical of the White Lotus claims as of June 2025 that they were working closely with Creighton to serve as a potential commercial extension of the university. I am sure that Creighton has been working with Builders District for years on their new project, so it would seem unlikely that they were also working with White Lotus.

[PWL73316]

White Lotus sends email - "Hey you aren't closing any time soon are you? We might build some apartments or even some retail or a bar or something."

Creighton - "Uh, nope, nothing planned, we can always use more housing walkable to North Downtown."

White Lotus: "We are working closely with Creighton on this development of a university village, big plans, big plans I tell you"

[djc311]

Shocked to see this morning's massive Creighton campus plan reveal did not include the highly anticipated "university district." /s

Arun Agarwal is the Rod Yates of Urban Omaha. Both need to go away.

100% agree - they're a clown show. Surprised they never touched Crossroads and haven't been involved with Yates in anything. They seem like they'd be great "partners" to scheme, get TIF and other investors onboard for BIG, the BESTEST, projects in all of Omaha...

Since the big news of them dropping off some machinery, has anything actually happened? Aside from them perhaps moving the parking spots of said equipment.

[iamjacobm]

There are some larger concrete pipe segments on site now.

[2Adam29]

Looks like they're trying to bill the infrastructure changes as "construction starting" but I suppose it's better than total radio silence.

https://www.wowt.com/2025/09/26/constru ... rium-site/

[Garrett]

"Site developer White Lotus said the site could include affordable housing, health care facilities, and possibly a grocery store."

Glad to see they have such a solid vision for the stuff they're definitely building!

[djc311]

"Site developer White Lotus said the site could include affordable housing, health care facilities, and possibly a grocery store."

Glad to see they have such a solid vision for the stuff they're definitely building!

"COULD"... LOL

Are we sure he's not connected to Rod Yates?

[almighty_tuna]

It COULD include a tornado tower, or a CVS, or a farm to grow pet rocks and revitalize downtown. The possibilities are endless! Here's a concrete pipe.

[Toto]

or a farm to grow pet rocks and revitalize downtown.

It would be very white lotus of them to announce a farm in (checks calendar) late September.

[WBR_Tom]

Apparently it's now called "The Nest". White Lotus says they've begun installing utilities, roads and other infrastructure, and that the project is "moving at a very great pace for having the site as long as we’ve had it." In other words, it's only moving slow if you count all the time other developers sat on it! Or something.

The Mayor's office isn't buying that BS, to their credit.

Omaha Mayor John Ewing’s office said Civic Square “has made insufficient progress” since White Lotus closed on the property more than two years ago.

“The city has expressed its concerns to White Lotus about the timeline and the company’s ability to complete the project,” officials with the mayor’s office said in a statement.

https://omaha.com/news/local/business/d ... -top-story

[almighty_tuna]

Well at least Ewing isn't buying this BS. Hopefully the city exercises their option to retake control of the property.

[PotatoeEatsFish]

What I had heard a few months ago was that they were trying to build an entertainment/hotel district centered around Creighton. I think the new hotel they’re building at Creighton totally killed this project. I’ve also heard a lot about how this developer usually is full of it (allegedly).

[djc311]

If White Lotus develops anything, it will probably be a few strip malls and a Mega Saver. They need to kick that clown show off the project. Take it back and start over with someone that can do something. They've only moved equipment onsite because they're now scared to lose it. There's no other explanation.

Also, it serves them right to have their project "killed" because of their own lack of progress.

[jjjjhskr]

Everyone once in awhile I take a look at the White Lotus portfolio on their website. They have never done anything close to being as complex as the civic auditorium site.

[arch_RP_planner]

Everyone once in awhile I take a look at the White Lotus portfolio on their website. They have never done anything close to being as complex as the civic auditorium site.

But yet they are the developer of the new Nova apartments on the corner of 12th and Izard, which is practically 80% complete. So they are capable of completing developments in a timely fashion, but I do think the civic site was too big of a task for them...

I still think the best route here, considering how much open developable land there is, should be to separate each lot into its own development spot. Being connected to the CBD, this area has so much more potential than being a half-assed, low-med density development. No shade or hate to anyone involved in the project, but each lot should be on its own here. As of now, that is the only way we will see effective and noteworthy development. Either that, or we need to seek trusted developers who will come in and immediately get going with a project whose scale and density actually reflects the area that it resides in...

I think with our track record with large site redevelpments, like the Civic and Crossroads sites, I am very interested to see how the Mutual Campus redevelopment will turn out... Maybe they are going to follow a phase sequence to better space out the development to match existing needs while providing a proactive development side to beat demand that will come after the streetcar is fully operational.... then again, out of these three sites, the mutual campus has the highest upside/potential, considering the existing urban fabric around it.

[F0R_L1F3]

New article from the Nebraska Examiner, has some new renderings. Maybe some changes being made? One f the renderings seem to have a Y logo, YMCA move? Or just a random Y coincidentally being there.https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/09/30 ... orium-site

[Garrett]

It's impressive how none of those renderings look like they're from the same development. heck, even the branding is all over the place now. Is it "Civic Square" or is it "The Nest?" I know they say The Nest is a nickname, but having a nickname that's completely unrelated to the regular name is bizarre.

400 apartment units across the entire development feels too low. They've got almost 9 acres of space to work with and are barely hitting urban densities. The Duo is going to be 700 apartments on almost 1.9 acres. On a per acre basis that's almost 9 times as dense. Civic Square would need around 1,650 apartments to even reach half of that density.

[GenX]

It's impressive how none of those renderings look like they're from the same development. heck, even the branding is all over the place now. Is it "Civic Square" or is it "The Nest?" I know they say The Nest is a nickname, but having a nickname that's completely unrelated to the regular name is bizarre.

400 apartment units across the entire development feels too low. They've got almost 9 acres of space to work with and are barely hitting urban densities. The Duo is going to be 700 apartments on almost 1.9 acres. On a per acre basis that's almost 9 times as dense. Civic Square would need around 1,650 apartments to even reach half of that density.

I wish the city would set minimum height and density standards for the core downtown area.

[WBR_Tom]

Sounds like the City has started the process of clawing back the property, according to that Nebraska Examiner article. But White Lotus is gearing up for a fight.

In a first step to claw back the property, Taylor said the city sent Agarwal written notice on Sept. 8, giving 60 days to correct what city officials see as unmet terms. She said she can’t imagine it could be accomplished in the time frame.

At the crux is language in the right to repurchase provision, which says the developer will make “best efforts” to complete installation of at least 50% of the public infrastructure within 18 months of closing (the sale closed in September 2023). It said that within two years of closing, the developer shall “commence construction” of footings, foundations and/or road work for at least half the infrastructure and building structures.

Agarwal said his crews “commenced” road and installation work after the city issued an applicable permit last month. White Lotus has made “more than best efforts,” he said, asking: “What am I missing?”

Taylor said White Lotus has “paved half a street” and said the developer has not done what was mandated. “There is a point where you have to fish or cut bait.”

[djc311]

Sounds like the City has started the process of clawing back the property, according to that Nebraska Examiner article. But White Lotus is gearing up for a fight.

In a first step to claw back the property, Taylor said the city sent Agarwal written notice on Sept. 8, giving 60 days to correct what city officials see as unmet terms. She said she can’t imagine it could be accomplished in the time frame.

At the crux is language in the right to repurchase provision, which says the developer will make “best efforts” to complete installation of at least 50% of the public infrastructure within 18 months of closing (the sale closed in September 2023). It said that within two years of closing, the developer shall “commence construction” of footings, foundations and/or road work for at least half the infrastructure and building structures.

Agarwal said his crews “commenced” road and installation work after the city issued an applicable permit last month. White Lotus has made “more than best efforts,” he said, asking: “What am I missing?”

Taylor said White Lotus has “paved half a street” and said the developer has not done what was mandated. “There is a point where you have to fish or cut bait.”

Agarwal states they said they commenced road installation after the city issued a permit... so is he trying to imply he applied for the permit soon after the Sept '23 purchase date? Knowing it can take some time for permits to be issued, I don't think it typically takes over a year (assuming you've sent in the correct application).

They need to take it back (well, repurchase it I guess) and start over. Regardless of what they've done with any other developments in the area, they have not made this a priority. They had their chance and ample time to try and make progress... time to move on and get someone with more experience and desire to make it a success. It's sad to have full blocks empty when there's plenty of other development taking place in the vicinity.

[Doctor Fate]

I asked White Lotus:
Why is there so much low to mid-rise development being proposed on such a prime downtown location? There are only 400 units on 9 acres and hundreds of street level parking, in addition to the existing garage? This seems like a poor use of land and this development could probably be phased out so you can build taller and more dense over time.

They replied:
Great question. We have explored high rise construction. We have concepted it, however the code requirement changes cause a substantial premium and the time pressure has not allowed us to continue to explore that. This is why we believe making generational decisions requires patience so we can make good decisions for the community as a whole.

[almighty_tuna]

We have concepted it, however the code requirement changes cause a substantial premium and the time pressure has not allowed us to continue to explore that.

Idk, I'm pretty sure that if White Lotus approached the mayor's office with a detailed hi-rise plan that wasn't spec but may take a bit more time to build out there would be a pretty warm reception.

Anyone more familiar city code than I know of any special changes that happened between when MOO was designed/announced and now?

[Brad]

Anyone more familiar city code than I know of any special changes that happened between when MOO was designed/announced and now?

Any changes to the city codes would need to be approved by the city council.

I'm not sure about Building code, but if you are looking for any changes in Zoning code, you are looking at amendments to section 55 of the Omaha municipal code. I went back 4 years and didn't see anything.

2025 section 55 amendments have to do with Flood Maps and Landscaping.
2024 section 55 amendments had to do with ADU's.
2023 section 55 amendments had to do with duplexes in R5/R6, Urban Agriculture, and flood plain.
2022 section 55 amendments had several items, but really nothing to do with building size in the CBD.

So if there were changes, it was just to the building code.

[Huskerbum]

They explored it and determined they don’t have nearly enough capital to build something like that so they stuck to the pathetic ‘plan’ they already had. I guarantee if the city doesn’t take back this property there will be little to nothing built here 2 years from now and anything that is built will be a huge disappointment.

[Omahayngin]

man this is so disappointing. so your telling me this whole time we put it off and left it as a grass feild in the middle of downtown to ensure something with height or unique value goes there just for some half a$$ development from what i’ve heard unreliable developers to do it? at this point let’s just keep it grass for a couple more years and wait for something better to come along. otherwise why have they kept it grass for so long only to use it for something so un inspiring in the middle of prime downtown when the area is soaring with new developments.

[nebport5]

I asked White Lotus:
Why is there so much low to mid-rise development being proposed on such a prime downtown location? There are only 400 units on 9 acres and hundreds of street level parking, in addition to the existing garage? This seems like a poor use of land and this development could probably be phased out so you can build taller and more dense over time.

They replied:
Great question. We have explored high rise construction. We have concepted it, however the code requirement changes cause a substantial premium and the time pressure has not allowed us to continue to explore that. This is why we believe making generational decisions requires patience so we can make good decisions for the community as a whole.

Contrast that with the Agarwal quotes from the Examiner.

Agarwal said the city process became “murky” after the mystery developer came to light. He said his group has committed and spent “millions” and has acted in “good faith.” He said he was told the interested developer is a tax-exempt nonprofit.

“If there is a better use, anything that is going to progress the city, I’m in,” he said. “But this is not about us going slow.”

“We believe this is the best project for the city,” he said

[Louie]

Wow, I hate this skeezball.

[nebport5]

City of Omaha threatens to pull developers from Civic Square, as active construction begins

The city of Omaha says they are planning to buy back the Civic Square lot from developers if they do not fulfill their contract requirements by Nov. 7.

"The agreement provides that the city can, at its discretion, exercise its right to repurchase if those conditions were not met within two years," [Deputy City Attorney Jennifer]Taylor said. "I don't know that they can undertake or commence construction of buildings on half the site by now, but between now and November. But that's obviously the legal option that they have in front of them."

[Louie]

Good.

[Doctor Fate]

City of Omaha threatens to pull developers from Civic Square, as active construction begins

The city of Omaha says they are planning to buy back the Civic Square lot from developers if they do not fulfill their contract requirements by Nov. 7.

"The agreement provides that the city can, at its discretion, exercise its right to repurchase if those conditions were not met within two years," [Deputy City Attorney Jennifer]Taylor said. "I don't know that they can undertake or commence construction of buildings on half the site by now, but between now and November. But that's obviously the legal option that they have in front of them."

Lol So White Lotus has one month to complete utility and infrastructure work, and begin vertical construction? What have they done over the past two years? And what is "necessary site preparation completed in April" that they are claiming?

[djc311]

City of Omaha threatens to pull developers from Civic Square, as active construction begins

The city of Omaha says they are planning to buy back the Civic Square lot from developers if they do not fulfill their contract requirements by Nov. 7.

"The agreement provides that the city can, at its discretion, exercise its right to repurchase if those conditions were not met within two years," [Deputy City Attorney Jennifer]Taylor said. "I don't know that they can undertake or commence construction of buildings on half the site by now, but between now and November. But that's obviously the legal option that they have in front of them."

Lol So White Lotus has one month to complete utility and infrastructure work, and begin vertical construction? What have they done over the past two years? And what is "necessary site preparation completed in April" that they are claiming?

Of course I don't know the entire story - but White Lotus seemed to imply the started work once the city approved. However, I'd like to know when they submitted the application? There's no way it's taken 2 years to go through permit approval to start infrastructure work.

They also claimed they ran into old Civic materials under the dirt... I can't imagine there was enough scrap still buried onsite that they had to spend 3-6 months digging it up again.

I'm happy to see the city is holding this clown show accountable - it obviously wasn't their priority and now they're playing the victim game like they did everything that was asked for. I say good riddance and leave, let someone else take over.

[windsor]

They also claimed they ran into old Civic materials under the dirt... I can't imagine there was enough scrap still buried onsite that they had to spend 3-6 months digging it up again.

This exact same developer used this exact same excuse on a different redevelopment project here in Omaha. If this actually happened at the civic site, somebody on this forum would have mentioned a pile of rubble being dug up on site. I drive by the civic a lot and I haven't seen it.

[Doctor Fate]

They also claimed they ran into old Civic materials under the dirt... I can't imagine there was enough scrap still buried onsite that they had to spend 3-6 months digging it up again.

This exact same developer used this exact same excuse on a different redevelopment project here in Omaha. If this actually happened at the civic site, somebody on this forum would have mentioned a pile of rubble being dug up on site. I drive by the civic a lot and I haven't seen it.

Interesting, which development was that? And I agree, also don't recall Tetrad ever saying anything about buried Civic Arena parts when they backed out.

[windsor]

They also claimed they ran into old Civic materials under the dirt... I can't imagine there was enough scrap still buried onsite that they had to spend 3-6 months digging it up again.

This exact same developer used this exact same excuse on a different redevelopment project here in Omaha. If this actually happened at the civic site, somebody on this forum would have mentioned a pile of rubble being dug up on site. I drive by the civic a lot and I haven't seen it.

Interesting, which development was that? And I agree, also don't recall Tetrad ever saying anything about buried Civic Arena parts when they backed out.

The area north of Village Pointe where the car dealerships are located. Claimed they found trailers from the old trailer park buried there.

[Doctor Fate]

They also claimed they ran into old Civic materials under the dirt... I can't imagine there was enough scrap still buried onsite that they had to spend 3-6 months digging it up again.

This exact same developer used this exact same excuse on a different redevelopment project here in Omaha. If this actually happened at the civic site, somebody on this forum would have mentioned a pile of rubble being dug up on site. I drive by the civic a lot and I haven't seen it.

Interesting, which development was that? And I agree, also don't recall Tetrad ever saying anything about buried Civic Arena parts when they backed out.

The area north of Village Pointe where the car dealerships are located. Claimed they found trailers from the old trailer park buried there.

Wow, and then they backed out of the project? Do you have a link or anything? Not doubting you but want to see more detail about that. Was it also White Lotus that was going to redevelop the Flatiron but that never materialized?

EDIT: Nevermind, looked up the Flatiron project and it was different Agarwal.

[Doctor Fate]

I asked White Lotus:
Why is there so much low to mid-rise development being proposed on such a prime downtown location? There are only 400 units on 9 acres and hundreds of street level parking, in addition to the existing garage? This seems like a poor use of land and this development could probably be phased out so you can build taller and more dense over time.

They replied:
Great question. We have explored high rise construction. We have concepted it, however the code requirement changes cause a substantial premium and the time pressure has not allowed us to continue to explore that. This is why we believe making generational decisions requires patience so we can make good decisions for the community as a whole.

I responded:
Didn’t your conceptual proposal for Civic Square/The Nest come out almost two and a half years ago with no high rises shown? This was before the current time pressures you’ve alluded to and if done in phases, you couldn’t you have met the initial timelines from the city for starting road and infrastructure work with the high rises being in the last phase?

I’m confused on Agrawal’s comments about why this has taken so long to begin any type of movement when the project components are so small? And you’re saying the components are so small and suburban in your proposal from two and a half years ago because the city has given you time pressures?

White Lotus replied:
We appreciate your continued engagement and desire for understanding. We want to clarify that time pressure has always been a factor here, even predating our ownership, and the City specifically stressed housing for this location. However, the biggest constraint is affordability. The high-end code requirements introduce a massive 40-60% cost premium for taller construction. If we build tall now, that financial burden immediately hits the residents, completely undermining our goal of providing accessible housing in Omaha. Our current mid-rise proposal is the most responsible, financially sustainable way to activate this pivotal site and deliver much-needed housing to the community now.

[PotatoeEatsFish]

Translation: “We don’t have funding and we’re grasping at straws now. Deal with what you get. Best wishes! xoxo White Lotus <3”

[NEDodger]

Translation: “We don’t have funding and we’re grasping at straws now. Deal with what you get. Best wishes! xoxo White Lotus <3”

For real.

I doubt that the supposed benevolent goal of White Lotus providng affordable housing for Omaha outpaces them losing the site….