Downtown Soccer Stadium (11th & Millwork Ave)

[Busguy2010]

So because we're never gonna be a big sports town, I have to force myself to like soccer, and pay for it too.

The horror! I bet some of the players don't speak English, either! What a double whammy for you. Thoughts and prayers.

Good one.

[omaha79]

This mentality right here is why Omaha is a terrible sports town for anything that's not NCAA. We have champagne tastes, but a bathtub hooch budget. Unwilling to invest in anything to help it grow or look at the big picture. or just give up and watch things leave like we have so often in the past.

So because we're never gonna be a big sports town, I have to force myself to like soccer, and pay for it too.

Not everything in a city will be for you. We all pay for a number of things we don't utilize. But, overall, more options is always better than less.

Creighton athletics is the main tenant sports wise at CHI Center. I don't like Creighton athletics and haven't attended Supernovas volleyball. We spend money to make the arena more attractive for those tenants with scoreboards, etc. i don't get benefit out of it, but, that's the nature of the game, and overall, it makes the facility and city more attractive.

With this kind of mentality, may as well plop a Mega Saver and a Chipotle on the land and call it good. that seems to be the kind of mentality for development in this city.

Just interesting how people take a "if it doesn't benefit me, it has no value" mentality. But, again, we have always been a champagne tastes on a bathtub hooch budget when it comes to entertainment to this city. If we don't do this, just go ahead and add Union Omaha to the pile of carcasses including Omaha Racers, Omaha Knights, Omaha Nighthawks, etc. But, then don't be surprised when Omaha isn't considered for something you do want down the road as we are seen as a dead end sports market outside of college athletics.

[Busguy2010]

With that mentality also, who's to say this won't bust too?

I actually went to a couple Nighthawks games, they certainly didn't fail due to lack of attendance, and they used the stadiums we already had.

Oh well.

[Louie]

With that mentality also, who's to say this won't bust too?

I actually went to a couple Nighthawks games, they certainly didn't fail due to lack of attendance, and they used the stadiums we already had.

Oh well.

The NIghthawks only failed because the whole damn league failed after less than 3 years (which has been the case with most secondary pro football leagues). The USL has been around for almost 40 years, it's not going anywhere.

[Globochem]

Do you guys realize that USL is adding a 1st division to compete with MLS and is also adding promotion relegation which will give teams in Union‘s division a chance to go up?! This couldn’t be any more exciting!!!!

[Busguy2010]

The USL has been around for almost 40 years, it's not going anywhere.

Well call me Patrick Star then. If i would have ever known they're so popular and stable, then here, take my 300 dollars or whatever its gonna be and have fun with it.

[omaha79]

it's funny because the casual sports fan mantra I keep hearing is "I'd be interested if this was MLS." I'd also wager that anyone saying this isn't actually a MLS fan, but just likes the idea of Omaha being "Major League"...in anything. But, those same people wouldn't have been interested in MLS when cities like KC were doing the dirty work back in the 90's and 00's. When the KC Wizards were playing in front of 2,000 people at Arrowhead Stadium, when they moved to the KC T-Bones Minor League stadium wile frantically trying to get a soccer specific stadium going. When the entire league was on the verge of folding. When they were contracting teams because markets weren't viable.

But now, we see 20k stadiums and think that should automatically be Omaha's birthright. It's just lazy. it's a want for the finer things without the ability to actually put in any work, understand business, or markets. Just like when Rod Yates was spouting off about the NHL and the yokels ate it up like manna from heaven because he stroked their ego and made them feel important.

The inferiority complex in this city is STRONG.

[stadsborgare]

I wouldn't rule out a future merge between MLS and USL or some system set up for promotion/relegation between the two, like with the Premier League/Championship.

But in any case, it is important for Omaha to have a club to build up a history and a legacy, and for a fan base to continue to grow. Whatever league we are in, things change over time. Some MLS clubs started as USL.

[stormchaser]

Wow a "Tulti-million-dollar project".

But really though, the comments here with people always being upset with basically any kind of development because they have no clue what they're talking about is shocking/sad.

https://nextdoor.com/p/_h_b9xdwm-r-?utm ... d5a2a19a4c

[omahahawk]

Omaha City Council to hear two ordinances on new Union Omaha stadium


https://www.msn.com/en-us/video/peoplea ... 6cec&ei=37

[omahahawk]

Omaha still pushing for state incentive to help build sports facilities, despite Pillen headwinds


https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/11/25 ... headwinds/


Oops: see UP topic. On a side note, thanks for candid facts and great reporting Cindy.

[almighty_tuna]

Now that my policies and those of my political daddies have caused hundreds of millions in deficit to the NE budget we can't help with this liberal soccer stadium. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

-Pillen, probably

[Greg S]

I wouldn't rule out a future merge between MLS and USL or some system set up for promotion/relegation between the two, like with the Premier League/Championship.

But in any case, it is important for Omaha to have a club to build up a history and a legacy, and for a fan base to continue to grow. Whatever league we are in, things change over time. Some MLS clubs started as USL.

I don't see that happening at this point. It's not financially viable for them to go this route anymore. MLS owners spent major league funds to acquire their franchises. There's no way they'd risk relegation and the plunge in value to their franchise.

[guy4omaha]

The bottom line is this is only my opinion and I don't have any facts to back up my intuition. But I have a hunch that a good number of Omahans are like me and don't give a damn about minor league sports. I can support high school, college and pro sports. But semi-pro just doesn't cut it for me. All the arguments for supporting semi-pro sports can be lined up and they just don't sway me.

I don't want to spend on semi-pro anything. Yawn. If the majority of people feel otherwise. Great. No problem. I am in the minority. And the city can and maybe should invest in multiple stadiums, etc. to support semi-pro sports. But I haven't been shown data yet to suggest this is the case. Omaha Royals (or Storm Chasers, what a horrible mascot name IMHO) and the like just don't cut it. A hugely successful semi-pro team might attract 10,000 avg. attendance. This would be an outlier though. And then soccer. The future is with soccer. But right now? Would a semi-pro soccer team be able to attract 5,000 per game. Do we cater to every 5% audience or less and spend $millions in doing so. Just my opinion but this seems like a lot of hullaballoo over nothing.

I have never been to Werner Park. Not opposed to it. Just can't get excited about it. I think it is a safe bet the overwhelming majority of Omahans have never been to Werner Park. My opinion is not high for minor league sports. Maybe I am the majority, maybe I am the minority. Just my opinion.

[F0R_L1F3]

Honestly, seems like they pull an okay amount with the location they have.

Understandably, people have their doubts about investments in stadiums like these. But personally, I think it should be a benefit for a city like Omaha. Werner Park is in an awful location to bring in people for a team like it. You don't see anything that represents the team. To some people, they can understand how big of an impact it can be but some, they might not see it at all. But in an instance like Werner Park, there's no development around it, nothing to support people from coming in, coming out, staying, or other incentives to keep them to continue coming to those games. From little to big amenities, those can be an essential determining factor on increasing their attendance.

I think them playing at Creighton's stadium will help to see if there should be even further push for a stadium like this downtown but for it's location, it'll also help spark development around it. I know for us, the Omaha park's renovations brought a lot more impact to our eyes about how nice it is and brought us down there more often because of the amount of new amenities and how much attention to detail there was.

Even the same people on the r/Omaha forum who might be complaining about the way the stadium is funded or a stadium in general talk about their distaste with Werner Park. I think one way or another, the stadium on it's own will support growth but also the upgrades to infrastructure around it will support further development there.

[Busguy2010]

The bottom line is this is only my opinion and I don't have any facts to back up my intuition. But I have a hunch that a good number of Omahans are like me and don't give a damn about minor league sports. I can support high school, college and pro sports. But semi-pro just doesn't cut it for me. All the arguments for supporting semi-pro sports can be lined up and they just don't sway me.

Thats it right there. Well said. Semi-pro soccer at that.

How many people could say they knew Tommy Armstrong and the Beef won two consecutive championships the last two seasons? I only know because I'm friends with one of the coaches.

Side note, I really wish we could perpetually have Tommy on the Skers. Man had a fight to him that I can't say any Husker QB can top. Especially after that pitiful game today.

[stadsborgare]

It may be minor league but not in the same way as in other sports. Every season they have what is called the US Open Cup. Similar to competitions they have in Europe. That means every professional club has a chance to compete for it, including Union Omaha. So then we have the chance to play MLS clubs in this competition, as Union Omaha has already done. And these aren't exhibition games (friendlies in soccer terms), they are real games that Omaha's team has a chance to knock off an MLS team and knock them out of the oldest cup competition in American soccer.

[Garrett]

USL is also far older and more stable than indoor football. Since Omaha Beef was founded in 2000, they have been in 7 different leagues as each one keeps folding.

[omaha79]

The bottom line is this is only my opinion and I don't have any facts to back up my intuition. But I have a hunch that a good number of Omahans are like me and don't give a damn about minor league sports. I can support high school, college and pro sports. But semi-pro just doesn't cut it for me. All the arguments for supporting semi-pro sports can be lined up and they just don't sway me.

I don't want to spend on semi-pro anything. Yawn. If the majority of people feel otherwise. Great. No problem. I am in the minority. And the city can and maybe should invest in multiple stadiums, etc. to support semi-pro sports. But I haven't been shown data yet to suggest this is the case. Omaha Royals (or Storm Chasers, what a horrible mascot name IMHO) and the like just don't cut it. A hugely successful semi-pro team might attract 10,000 avg. attendance. This would be an outlier though. And then soccer. The future is with soccer. But right now? Would a semi-pro soccer team be able to attract 5,000 per game. Do we cater to every 5% audience or less and spend $millions in doing so. Just my opinion but this seems like a lot of hullaballoo over nothing.

I have never been to Werner Park. Not opposed to it. Just can't get excited about it. I think it is a safe bet the overwhelming majority of Omahans have never been to Werner Park. My opinion is not high for minor league sports. Maybe I am the majority, maybe I am the minority. Just my opinion.

another example why Omaha is a horrible sports town. Champagne tastes on a bathtub hooch budget. Wants all the finer things, but no inkling of what it takes to be "major league" and no appetite to spend to be "major league". Won't attend the things we do have, or support them because they aren't "pro".

[omaha79]

It may be minor league but not in the same way as in other sports. Every season they have what is called the US Open Cup. Similar to competitions they have in Europe. That means every professional club has a chance to compete for it, including Union Omaha. So then we have the chance to play MLS clubs in this competition, as Union Omaha has already done. And these aren't exhibition games (friendlies in soccer terms), they are real games that Omaha's team has a chance to knock off an MLS team and knock them out of the oldest cup competition in American soccer.

Agree. Apples to oranges. I take issue with calling it "semi-pro." The salary may be low, but it's considered professional soccer. It's part of the system. it's not "semi-pro", but again, that's local yokel omaha bad sports town mentality at play. You won't change it no matter what. All that matters here is NCAA.

And the comparison to indoor football is also poor. Indoor football will always be hampered by the idea that this is a poor carbon copy of real football. It's played on a smaller field, with different rules. That's a true minor league niche product.

As noted, this is professional soccer with the same rules as most international leagues and you have them playing MLS teams at times like Sporting KC. They actually don't host a ton of US Open Cup matches currently because they've not had the ability to do so without their own field. Now, the US open has been under attack by MLS, but that's another story for a different day. But, even then, if they went up in USL, you'd see them playing cities like Phoenix and Detroit over Greenville and Madison that you see now.

[Greg S]

Soccer is definitley more popular with the younger folks than it is people my age (GenX). We've been told that soccer will be the next big sport. And it finally seems to be happening, MLS is growing in a big way, has national TV deals. Plus you have premier league games from England on major US networks (something I never thought I would see).

My kids like going. They played some growing up (though it wasn't their favorite sport) and now follow Premier League fairly closely. We went to a Premier League double header exhibition in Chicago at Soldier Field this summer (my son's college roommate went with us).

Soccer will get another big boost this summer with the US hosting the World Cup.

We also go to KC occasionally to watch Sporting KC. I've been to a few Union Omaha games but if they play downtown in a stadium designed for the sport (and with the entertainment/food/beverage options around it) I'd go more often.

I can tell you from attending MLB, NHL, NFL and MLS games that soccer definitely attracts the youngest crowd. If Omaha is serious about attracting the younger crowd, and reducing brain drain, this downtown stadium while not a primary draw, would be a nice addition to our arsenal.

Greg

[omaha79]

Soccer is definitley more popular with the younger folks than it is people my age (GenX). We've been told that soccer will be the next big sport. And it finally seems to be happening, MLS is growing in a big way, has national TV deals. Plus you have premier league games from England on major US networks (something I never thought I would see).

My kids like going. They played some growing up (though it wasn't their favorite sport) and now follow Premier League fairly closely. We went to a Premier League double header exhibition in Chicago at Soldier Field this summer (my son's college roommate went with us).

Soccer will get another big boost this summer with the US hosting the World Cup.

We also go to KC occasionally to watch Sporting KC. I've been to a few Union Omaha games but if they play downtown in a stadium designed for the sport (and with the entertainment/food/beverage options around it) I'd go more often.

I can tell you from attending MLB, NHL, NFL and MLS games that soccer definitely attracts the youngest crowd. If Omaha is serious about attracting the younger crowd, and reducing brain drain, this downtown stadium while not a primary draw, would be a nice addition to our arsenal.

Greg

This is 100% spot on. All the studies I've ever seen show MLS and soccer in general as having the lowest average fan age. Some of the methodologies on those studies probably aren't the best, but in general, younger persons are more interested in soccer than Gen X or boomers. Now, an argument could be made that younger people are less interested in sports overall and less likely to spend money on sports, but that's a whole other can of worms that will affect every sport, even locally, as the boomers and Gen X age out. And all of that is tied to discretionary income, etc. It will be interesting to see how teams, leagues, and colleges respond over time. I feel like even things like Creighton, Nebraska, and UNO will struggle as the older generation that placed more value on attending live sports dies off. We are seeing so many colleges reduce their football stadium size already.

But, back on topic, I never played soccer, but started watching in 1994 due to a combination of the World Cup in the USA that year and the birth of the FIFA video game. MLS hadn't even begun and most thought it was doomed within 5 years. I remember going to games at Arrowhead and thinking no way this lasts.

Now, we have cities building 20k soccer specific stadiums and, like you said, international soccer on over the air television weekly. There are watch parties for multiple teams across Omaha. So, if anything, you market something like Union correctly, in the right stadium, it has the chance to build like the Omaha Lancers did in the early 90's. No, it'll never be MLS, but it could be our thing and do well for what it is and draw a strong 6k a match.

Walk around a city like St. Louis and it's a sight to behold. You have a $400 million facility in St. Louis with a European style competition facility. You have a sports medicine facility and 3 practice fields. Nashville built something similar. I never thought cities like that would ever commit to this sport.

[Globochem]

First of all this is not a “semi”-pro team. It’s pro, albeit in the 3rd division. I get it if you don’t care for soccer or never go downtown, but this project makes a ton of sense. In light of promotion/relegation, this investment has a chance to really pay off. The neighborhood has a chance to make an identity around the squad. I’m sure most soccer fans will prefer a downtown environment to their games. A soccer specific stadium can have WAY more energy than trying to fit them elsewhere. Ask anyone who’s been to lively soccer games in lower divisions; a few thousand loud fans can be extremely loud and fun.

[omaha79]

First of all this is not a “semi”-pro team. It’s pro, albeit in the 3rd division. I get it if you don’t care for soccer or never go downtown, but this project makes a ton of sense. In light of promotion/relegation, this investment has a chance to really pay off. The neighborhood has a chance to make an identity around the squad. I’m sure most soccer fans will prefer a downtown environment to their games. A soccer specific stadium can have WAY more energy than trying to fit them elsewhere. Ask anyone who’s been to lively soccer games in lower divisions; a few thousand loud fans can be extremely loud and fun.

100% accurate.

[Busguy2010]

I take issue with calling it "semi-pro." The salary may be low, but it's considered professional soccer. It's part of the system. it's not "semi-pro", but again, that's local yokel omaha bad sports town mentality at play.

If its offensive to call it semi-pro I wouldn't know what to call it. When you go to practice after you clock out from your day job on a random Wednesday, what's the diplomatic thing to call it? A part time job?

I get what you mean. Every soccer player could run circles around me. If somebody pours their blood, sweat and tears into it, and somebody's willing to pay to watch them, I get what you're saying. I'd stick out like a sore thumb on a soccer field, so I never played it. That's why I'm more of a football and baseball guy, I can relate to those sports.

Like i said, no offense. And if it will be good for the city then go for it. I simply just don't care about soccer.

[BIGO88]

I was passing through Toledo Ohio earlier this summer and was staying across from where the triple AAA Toledo Mud Hens play and couldn't believe the atmosphere around the stadium on game day. Streets were all closed, bands were playing and all the restaurants were packed. I ended up paying the $15 for a ticket and went and people watched for an hour before I went to a restaurant because it looked fun and was convenient. I think thats what you get with this stadium is the convenient factor, If your going out downtown anyway or are staying at one of the hotels near by and you see there is a game going on you might go simply because its convenient and something to do and less about the actual game. I went to one storm chasers game and never went back because nothing about the experience was convenient.

[Busguy2010]

So because we're never gonna be a big sports town, I have to force myself to like soccer, and pay for it too.

The horror! I bet some of the players don't speak English, either! What a double whammy for you. Thoughts and prayers.

I meant to go back and dispel this suggestion, lest anybody read it and get the idea I'm a bigot because I don't like soccer. I like baseball, and have been to several Royals/Bluejays/Chasers/Maverick games. Look at the cultural makeup of many baseball teams, and you'd know I do not have an uncare about soccer because some of the players don't speak English.

Last thing, then I'm done here. I only commented here because it's another stadium downtown... Its another stadium downtown... One that is asking the whole of Nebraska to pay for, when think about it, with it being less than a mile from the river, 99%(?) of us will never step foot in. To reiterate my point there, if they're that popular and financially stable, why do they want us to pay for it (rhetorical questions)? Who's to say a different development wouldn't come along and have the same effect, naturally, but isn’t a rectangle of grass? I don't mean to offend anybody, I just don’t objectively forsee many people. The attendance capacity says it.

[nebport5]

I take issue with calling it "semi-pro." The salary may be low, but it's considered professional soccer. It's part of the system. it's not "semi-pro", but again, that's local yokel omaha bad sports town mentality at play.

If its offensive to call it semi-pro I wouldn't know what to call it. When you go to practice after you clock out from your day job on a random Wednesday, what's the diplomatic thing to call it? A part time job?

I get what you mean. Every soccer player could run circles around me. If somebody pours their blood, sweat and tears into it, and somebody's willing to pay to watch them, I get what you're saying. I'd stick out like a sore thumb on a soccer field, so I never played it. That's why I'm more of a football and baseball guy, I can relate to those sports.

Like i said, no offense. And if it will be good for the city then go for it. I simply just don't care about soccer.

The salaries may be low compared to major league sports but I don’t know why you’re likening them to part-time jobs. Their pay is on average above the median average for Omaha. Some are reportedly over 100k, which isn’t what it used to be in this day but it’s hardly what most would consider part-time income in Omaha. It’s not like all the players have other regular jobs to afford their soccer habit.

[Busguy2010]

I take issue with calling it "semi-pro." The salary may be low, but it's considered professional soccer. It's part of the system. it's not "semi-pro", but again, that's local yokel omaha bad sports town mentality at play.

If its offensive to call it semi-pro I wouldn't know what to call it. When you go to practice after you clock out from your day job on a random Wednesday, what's the diplomatic thing to call it? A part time job?

I get what you mean. Every soccer player could run circles around me. If somebody pours their blood, sweat and tears into it, and somebody's willing to pay to watch them, I get what you're saying. I'd stick out like a sore thumb on a soccer field, so I never played it. That's why I'm more of a football and baseball guy, I can relate to those sports.

Like i said, no offense. And if it will be good for the city then go for it. I simply just don't care about soccer.

The salaries may be low compared to major league sports but I don’t know why you’re likening them to part-time jobs. Their pay is on average above the median average for Omaha. Some are reportedly over 100k, which isn’t what it used to be in this day but it’s hardly what most would consider part-time income in Omaha. It’s not like all the players have other regular jobs to afford their soccer habit.

The guys I've known that coached/played minor league sports all had day jobs. Maybe there's just something I don't know about soccer, why I said call me Patrick Star, cause I must live under a rock. Even Kurt Warner worked at Hy-vee to support his football habit, so... Anyway, that's it for me, just beating a dead horse now.

[omaha79]

I was passing through Toledo Ohio earlier this summer and was staying across from where the triple AAA Toledo Mud Hens play and couldn't believe the atmosphere around the stadium on game day. Streets were all closed, bands were playing and all the restaurants were packed. I ended up paying the $15 for a ticket and went and people watched for an hour before I went to a restaurant because it looked fun and was convenient. I think thats what you get with this stadium is the convenient factor, If your going out downtown anyway or are staying at one of the hotels near by and you see there is a game going on you might go simply because its convenient and something to do and less about the actual game. I went to one storm chasers game and never went back because nothing about the experience was convenient.

I get it because CWS was always going to call the shots. But, in some ways, I miss the dream of the roughly 1999-2000 City of Omaha master plan that had a minor league baseball stadium in north downtown that would be shared by Omaha Royals and Creighton Bluejays that was going to hold 10k. That was the original vision until the NCAA Co-opted it. That is the reality of the sports landscape in Omaha; however, there is little doubt that is somewhat stunted the connectivity, synergy, and overall growth of North Downtown. Sure, it's great during the week and a half of the CWS, but beyond that, it's tumbleweeds rolling down Mike Fahey Blvd the other 50 weeks of the year.

Think I'm wrong about that? look at all the things that haven't been able to succeed in North Downtown. Retail is a total failure up there. You have bars that are barely open outside of the CWS. Places like Session Room and others haven't lasted. Creighton athletics are a non factor for a bulk of the city. They have a very vocal and limited reach in the city, but even their basketball fans aren't going to watch their baseball team. You have condos that are only really used during CWS and either remain vacant or are rented out as Air BnB the rest of the year. Very little foot traffic.

The soccer stadium is at least a chance to recapture some of that vision for what North Downtown could have been.

[Greg S]

I was passing through Toledo Ohio earlier this summer and was staying across from where the triple AAA Toledo Mud Hens play and couldn't believe the atmosphere around the stadium on game day. Streets were all closed, bands were playing and all the restaurants were packed. I ended up paying the $15 for a ticket and went and people watched for an hour before I went to a restaurant because it looked fun and was convenient. I think thats what you get with this stadium is the convenient factor, If your going out downtown anyway or are staying at one of the hotels near by and you see there is a game going on you might go simply because its convenient and something to do and less about the actual game. I went to one storm chasers game and never went back because nothing about the experience was convenient.

I get it because CWS was always going to call the shots. But, in some ways, I miss the dream of the roughly 1999-2000 City of Omaha master plan that had a minor league baseball stadium in north downtown that would be shared by Omaha Royals and Creighton Bluejays that was going to hold 10k. That was the original vision until the NCAA Co-opted it. That is the reality of the sports landscape in Omaha; however, there is little doubt that is somewhat stunted the connectivity, synergy, and overall growth of North Downtown. Sure, it's great during the week and a half of the CWS, but beyond that, it's tumbleweeds rolling down Mike Fahey Blvd the other 50 weeks of the year.

Think I'm wrong about that? look at all the things that haven't been able to succeed in North Downtown. Retail is a total failure up there. You have bars that are barely open outside of the CWS. Places like Session Room and others haven't lasted. Creighton athletics are a non factor for a bulk of the city. They have a very vocal and limited reach in the city, but even their basketball fans aren't going to watch their baseball team. You have condos that are only really used during CWS and either remain vacant or are rented out as Air BnB the rest of the year. Very little foot traffic.

The soccer stadium is at least a chance to recapture some of that vision for what North Downtown could have been.

I agree, this would provide a nice boost to the area.

[BIGO88]

I agree on all your points but I feel like in the last 6 months or so that neighborhood has started to shift with all the new Apartments/Hotels in the area that bars and restaurants do actually have people in them now. All of the places that have closed have been re leased. KMR sushi, BoBos Noodes & Dumplings, Lit Cigar Bar, The Scene Event Space, Blahas Cocktail Bar, Rally Cap Brewing Co are all supposed to open in the next few months. Obviously the Soccer stadium will only help all of this but I think that area is slowly working its way out of being just busy on event days.

[omaha79]

I agree on all your points but I feel like in the last 6 months or so that neighborhood has started to shift with all the new Apartments/Hotels in the area that bars and restaurants do actually have people in them now. All of the places that have closed have been re leased. KMR sushi, BoBos Noodes & Dumplings, Lit Cigar Bar, The Scene Event Space, Blahas Cocktail Bar, Rally Cap Brewing Co are all supposed to open in the next few months. Obviously the Soccer stadium will only help all of this but I think that area is slowly working its way out of being just busy on event days.

Good! It's moving in the right direction. I can say, outside of maybe one visit to the ballpark a year for me, usually for work, the only other times I've been in the area are for maybe 2-3 concerts a year at Slowdown. At best, I probably spend 5 evenings a year in North Downtown. In the event I'm at CHI, I'm usually not in North Downtown. There's just enough distance with the sea of parking lots that it's not where you go for CHI.

If what you're saying is true, then there is hope. Union Omaha at Morrison will greatly increase the number of days that the area sees usage. if the stadium is built, that only increases further and likely bleeds into the Makerhood.

But, same time and more back on topic, I'm greatly concerned about the Jim Pillen obstacle. The state budget and now the OPS $30 million budget snafu, that seemingly no one will be held accountable for, cannot bode well for his willingness to be open to something he sees as a luxury. I really hope that there is some contingency in the works that doesn't require his approval.

[omahahawk]

One would think/hope they know the state they do business in and would plan accordingly. IDK...this land has been for a sale for a long time and it's not as if there has been a long line of developers lining up to remediate 20 acres of abandoned rail yard. If the powers that be are serious about staunching the tide of brain drain they would do well to realize this is bigger than soccer. I am not a soccer fan myself but that's OK. There's just too much potential here with this type of development not to go forward.

[Garrett]

It’s almost as if Nebraska following in the footsteps of the failed Kansas Experiment for tax cuts is, somehow, failing.

[Renovator2559]

One would think/hope they know the state they do business in and would plan accordingly. IDK...this land has been for a sale for a long time and it's not as if there has been a long lineion statesof developers lining up to remediate 20 acres of abandoned rail yard. If the powers that be are serious about staunching the tide of brain drain they would do well to realize this is bigger than soccer. I am not a soccer fan myself but that's OK. There's just too much potential here with this type of development not to go forward.

Brain drain will always be a problem for low population states. Unless you are Colorado Texas Florida, you will always get brain drain.
Those that leave Nebraska end up coming back until they realize that these states are overhyped.

[OmahaRedWing]

One would think/hope they know the state they do business in and would plan accordingly. IDK...this land has been for a sale for a long time and it's not as if there has been a long lineion statesof developers lining up to remediate 20 acres of abandoned rail yard. If the powers that be are serious about staunching the tide of brain drain they would do well to realize this is bigger than soccer. I am not a soccer fan myself but that's OK. There's just too much potential here with this type of development not to go forward.

Brain drain will always be a problem for low population states. Unless you are Colorado Texas Florida, you will always get brain drain.
Those that leave Nebraska end up coming back until they realize that these states are overhyped.

Some do return certainly, but definitely not all or even most.

[GenX]

Pillen is withholding the money because we now have a Democrat mayor.

[Renovator2559]

I don't know, not many people trust Ewing including North Omaha locals going crickets as his parade float passes.

[Omahayngin]

I don't know, not many people trust Ewing including North Omaha locals going crickets as his parade float passes.

genuine question, why do you say there is a general mistrust in ewing? I’ve lived down north my whole life, people like the guy and have hopes. maybe not everyone but that will never be. I mean he beat stauthert by substantially more then predictions thought