Omaha Children's Museum (750 Douglas St)

[nebport5]

On Grow Omaha, Jeff said the 4 story parking garage will have ground level retail.

I’m all for this but a bit skeptical for regular foot traffic here and for anything in The Beam. I wonder if they already have something specific in mind. Maybe this will also mean a more “attractive” garage than what’s shown in the rendering.

This ground level retail will be a few feet from a streetcar stop.

Yep, that’s certainly a large part of the thinking but all the same.

[stadsborgare]

On Grow Omaha, Jeff said the 4 story parking garage will have ground level retail.

I’m all for this but a bit skeptical for regular foot traffic here and for anything in The Beam. I wonder if they already have something specific in mind. Maybe this will also mean a more “attractive” garage than what’s shown in the rendering.

This ground level retail will be a few feet from a streetcar stop.

Yep, that’s certainly a large part of the thinking but all the same.

But there's no issue with foot traffic. The foot traffic is in the streetcar.

[nebport5]

On Grow Omaha, Jeff said the 4 story parking garage will have ground level retail.

I’m all for this but a bit skeptical for regular foot traffic here and for anything in The Beam. I wonder if they already have something specific in mind. Maybe this will also mean a more “attractive” garage than what’s shown in the rendering.

This ground level retail will be a few feet from a streetcar stop.

Yep, that’s certainly a large part of the thinking but all the same.

But there's no issue with foot traffic. The foot traffic is in the streetcar.

The issue is it’s still a relatively isolated location at this point as opposed to an area on the line that’s already a destination like Blackstone. Just because it’s on the streetcar location doesn’t mean it’s a home run location for every type of retailer.

[Garrett]

It's also going to be the stop closest to the Riverfront. I imagine there will be decent use of it, and having retail in the garage, even if it struggles for a bit, is a good degree of future proofing.

[Athomsfere]

I'd also add, in the developed world like Europe and Japan, you will see constant mixed use space.

We ultimately want every block to have stuff like this. Not necessarily every building, but at least on every block a bodega, cafe, restaurant, liquor store, barber shop, or any other thing people might want to walk to.

[nebport5]

I'd also add, in the developed world like Europe and Japan, you will see constant mixed use space.

We ultimately want every block to have stuff like this. Not necessarily every building, but at least on every block a bodega, cafe, restaurant, liquor store, barber shop, or any other thing people might want to walk to.

I’ll pass on a liquor store on every block. I hear your point, but we’re a long way off from that kind of density.

[Louie]

I hear your point, but we’re a long way off from that kind of density.

Yeah, but if we are wanting to go in that direction, a brand new building in a revitalized part of DT is definitely a place to make that change.

[nebport5]

Again, I’m all for ground level retail here. It’s just has to be the right fit in the interim.

[Linkin5]

Ah yes I often think of the best neighborhoods as having liquor stores on every block.

[Garrett]

I don't think he's saying a liquor store on every block, he's saying something people want on every block

[nebport5]

I don't think he's saying a liquor store on every block, he's saying something people want on every block

Lol, fair enough. I’d imagine there’s some licensing proximity restrictions anyway.

Would love to see the neighboring Central Supply Building get redeveloped into something active.

[thenewguy]

a sandwich shop, some touristy retail items, soda fountain, etc, and people would go in, but they cant charge 10k a month for rent or something or nothing will ever go in

[remline]

I'd also add, in the developed world like Europe and Japan, you will see constant mixed use space.

We ultimately want every block to have stuff like this. Not necessarily every building, but at least on every block a bodega, cafe, restaurant, liquor store, barber shop, or any other thing people might want to walk to.

To follow Japan, what we need is multiple convenience stores on every block.

[nebport5]

I'd also add, in the developed world like Europe and Japan, you will see constant mixed use space.

We ultimately want every block to have stuff like this. Not necessarily every building, but at least on every block a bodega, cafe, restaurant, liquor store, barber shop, or any other thing people might want to walk to.

To follow Japan, what we need is multiple convenience stores on every block.

Let’s start with viable grocery that for most of us isn’t 25-45+ blocks away.

[BuildTaller]

I'd also add, in the developed world like Europe and Japan, you will see constant mixed use space.

We ultimately want every block to have stuff like this. Not necessarily every building, but at least on every block a bodega, cafe, restaurant, liquor store, barber shop, or any other thing people might want to walk to.

To follow Japan, what we need is multiple convenience stores on every block.

Let’s start with viable grocery that for most of us isn’t 25-45+ blocks away.

For many Japanese, that is their grocery store.

[Brad]

This project has a "FOOTING & FOUNDATION" permit pending with the city:

Original Description: 4 story, 76,000 SF Children's museum. Auger Cast Piles, shallow foundations

And a building permit for the parking garage:

8th & Riverfront North Garage - 116871 SF - Original Description: The 8th & Riverfront Garage is a 4 story cast-in-place concrete open parking structure of II-B construction. The main vehicle entrance on the west side of the structure will be on 8th street, with secondary entrance on the east side off of the surface parking lot. This structural will have 2 pedestrian entrances on the south west and south east corners, with stairs cores enclosed on minimum 3 side with a mix of Storefront and CMU. The elevator entrances will be fully enclosed with mix of Storefront and CMU. Main materials used in its construction will be concrete, steel, and glass.

[skinzfan23]

Thanks for the updates on the permits. Glad to see it moving along.

[WorldStreet]

I'd also add, in the developed world like Europe and Japan, you will see constant mixed use space.

We ultimately want every block to have stuff like this. Not necessarily every building, but at least on every block a bodega, cafe, restaurant, liquor store, barber shop, or any other thing people might want to walk to.

To follow Japan, what we need is multiple convenience stores on every block.

There was one year back in time in which I bought half of my meals from Lawson's in Japan.

[WBR_Tom]

This project is officially on hold; they're pausing the capital campaign and staying at their current location.

https://www.ketv.com/article/omaha-chil ... g/69288869

[almighty_tuna]

Ugh. Worst possible news.

[NEDodger]

Im guessing the donations werent flowing in.

Awful. This would have been such a better location. Omaha could have had the start of a museum district.

[skinzfan23]

That is terrible news. Would have been great for Omaha and great visibility for the Children's Museum. Where are the philanthropic organizations now for this one. Would have been great to have them step up.

[skinzfan23]

I was really excited that they were using that little sliver of land similar to the area near 12th and Cass where Alvine built.

[mgoett]

Maybe the land by con agra and the pond may be better.

[NEDodger]

Maybe the land by con agra and the pond may be better.

I don’t think it’s the land that’s the problem, but the $100 million construction cost.

[iamjacobm]

Major bummer and a little head scratching. I know we have numerous private developments that die, but Omaha's nonprofit groups tend to have things pretty well buttoned up before going public with a lot of their plans. Really too bad that was a cool proposal.

[Doctor Fate]

Pretty disappointing. This would have been a great use of land and very synergistic with the area, accelerating momentum forward.

[riceweb]

It really feels like quite often Omaha projects are announced just a little too late, almost like they're a sure sign the economy is about to falter Now waiting for the Crossroads shoe to drop

[F0R_L1F3]

Man, that's so disappointing. Might be far fetched but would be amazing if somehow it recovered and got some of the funding that it needs. Would've been an amazing project.

[omahahawk]

While it's a shame this is not going forward as planned, I also think there could be a silver lining here. Anybody else feel the same way and why?

[F0R_L1F3]

I think a stronger development will probably go in here with more height. Just hoping though that there's further development with a new museum elsewhere, it looked great on the riverfront and surely there are other parcels across downtown that it could be developed at. Would strengthen the entrance from the freeway a lot.

[omahahawk]

It would have been great if they could have been on the streetcar line. I would prefer they move up by Gallup or possibly to the Civic Site and hopefully they do move to one or the other. Arch_RP_Planner raised some good points in the Beam thread that this was planned development before the streetcar line was even in and that a large percentage typically comes after the line is actually up and running. It will be interesting to see what could come now. What would some idea uses of that peculiar strip of land be going forward and how might this effect the Beam project? Hopefully the Cryptic Rumor Department can shed some light in the next few months.

[jjjjhskr]

Maybe the land by con agra and the pond may be better.

I believe that is where the indoor farmers market will be built, isnt it?

[Brad]

Maybe the land by con agra and the pond may be better.

I believe that is where the indoor farmers market will be built, isnt it?

Could be a cool combination if they plan it right…

[Linkin5]

Maybe the land by con agra and the pond may be better.

I believe that is where the indoor farmers market will be built, isnt it?

Could be a cool combination if they plan it right…

That seems like it would make a ton of sense and bring foot traffic into both places.

[omahahawk]

This would be an interesting turn of events. I was reading one of the articles somewhere about the change in plans for the CM move and did not realize Heritage was a part of their fund raising. Could be very interesting indeed if it were to be incorporated into a new development along with the Public Market on the lake side land. That would be very novel and cool and it does make you wonder. Hmm....cryptic rumor department, 60-90 days?

[NEDodger]

This would be an interesting turn of events. I was reading one of the articles somewhere about the change in plans for the CM move and did not realize Heritage was a part of their fund raising. Could be very interesting indeed if it were to be incorporated into a new development along with the Public Market on the lake side land. That would be very novel and cool and it does make you wonder. Hmm....cryptic rumor department, 60-90 days?

Not buying it. The statement released wasnt just that they arent moving to that location, but that they are staying in their current location.

[Ben]

A little bit of insider info here (you might remember I was the one with the original rumor of this move). The Children's Museum has been without a CEO for about a year now. There are several open senior roles, as nobody wants to take a job not knowing who their boss will be...

And yes, Heritage Omaha had been leading the capital campaign (and connected them with their interim CEO), but clearly things haven't gone swimmingly.... Lack of strategic direction/leadership has likely hurt the fundraising effort here.

But there are more changes coming. Hopefully this will help stabilize the situation. As someone else said, maybe this will get them back on track, and keep the hopes alive of the move. I don't buy the "we want to stay in our current location" as their long term goal.

[nebport5]

Therefore, the location was not the issue. Perhaps it could still end up here on a later time line? Unless the city has a for-profit ready to step in and develop this awkward parcel what’s the rush?

For me a location by the park and Luminarium still makes a lot more sense than the current home.

[ita]

A little bit of insider info here (you might remember I was the one with the original rumor of this move). The Children's Museum has been without a CEO for about a year now. There are several open senior roles, as nobody wants to take a job not knowing who their boss will be...

And yes, Heritage Omaha had been leading the capital campaign (and connected them with their interim CEO), but clearly things haven't gone swimmingly.... Lack of strategic direction/leadership has likely hurt the fundraising effort here.

But there are more changes coming. Hopefully this will help stabilize the situation. As someone else said, maybe this will get them back on track, and keep the hopes alive of the move. I don't buy the "we want to stay in our current location" as their long term goal.

Thanks for providing that information. I also do not think its current location, primarily the building itself is the best for any future growth. We have pretty much stop going even though we have appropriately aged children because the facility is not adequate from a space perspective. On any given day, the museum is an absolute madhouse with clearly not enough space or exhibits to accommodate the number of visitors they often get. I haven't been there in a couple years, so maybe it is no longer the case, especially with places like KIPP opening out west, but in the last several years, it had been evident that they need a new, or bigger space. Omaha has grown in population leaps and bounds since they moved to their current location. I am sure they still have plans for a change in facilities.