CHI Health Center (10th & Cass Street)

[Brad]

Full Album from Today's Topping Out Ceremony:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AV4BA3vq1/

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[NEDodger]

How’s the scope look from up close?

[Brad]

Glass is being installed on the convention center addition.

[GLASSHOLE23]

[Brad]

Nice! Here is mine from the other side of the tracks.

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[Flyer14]

This just gives more life to that side. Is it more ground level activity? No. But I think there will be a perception of activity with a newer entrance and glass instead of the blank wall and dock that was there. It’s coming along nicely

[skinzfan23]

Guess I didn't realize that it was going to be tiered like that, but I like it.

[CrankyOldDude]

Are they ever going to expand on the grass on the north side?

[nativeomahan]

So far I like what I am seeing. It will also be much more attractive when viewed from the Luminarium and the Kerry Bridge/ Baby Bob,

[mcarch]

Too bad there wasn't a canopy over the railroad tracks!

[Brad]

Photo Update:

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[nativeomahan]

A huge improvement over what it had looked like.

[skinzfan23]

Looking good.

[thenewguy]

will they be doing something different with the logo on the back of the building? I haven't been by there in a long time but remember the creighton/chi being on the north end. Not sure if this goes down that far or not for them to have to remove it

[Brad]

will they be doing something different with the logo on the back of the building? I haven't been by there in a long time but remember the creighton/chi being on the north end. Not sure if this goes down that far or not for them to have to remove it

It doesn't go anywhere near that far. It's probably 200-250 feet short of going the full length. The second floor meeting/ballroom space only goes about 1/2 way down the convention center and that's that they are expanding.

[thenewguy]

will they be doing something different with the logo on the back of the building? I haven't been by there in a long time but remember the creighton/chi being on the north end. Not sure if this goes down that far or not for them to have to remove it

It doesn't go anywhere near that far. It's probably 200-250 feet short of going the full length. The second floor meeting/ballroom space only goes about 1/2 way down the convention center and that's that they are expanding.

thanks Sir!

[Bomaha]

will they be doing something different with the logo on the back of the building? I haven't been by there in a long time but remember the creighton/chi being on the north end. Not sure if this goes down that far or not for them to have to remove it

It doesn't go anywhere near that far. It's probably 200-250 feet short of going the full length. The second floor meeting/ballroom space only goes about 1/2 way down the convention center and that's that they are expanding.

thanks Sir!

I know this expansion is JUST coming towards the finish line. BUTTTTT.....

Do we know if the north side of the convention center is structural capable of expansion of the meeting/ballroom space to the rest of the length of the building? In my fantastical brain, the next phases or one large one is: Extension of the exhibition space to MECA Drive, extending the second floor meeting/ballroom down the full length, and then extend this recent expansion down the entire length.

[skinzfan23]

Omaha had bid to host the new opening round for Men's NCAA basketball along with Dayton. Sounds like Wichita got it though. It was a tough call, sure it would be nice to host every year, but you more than likely wouldn't get to host the more quality opponents.

[Brad]

Media got a partial tour today. Riverfront views are great! I'll have photos later this evening.

[Flyer14]

From the riverfront side, this is so much nicer to look at compared the previous backside and loading area. A sharp looking and much needed addition to the convention center!

[Brad]

Media got a partial tour today. Riverfront views are great! I'll have photos later this evening.

Better late than never...

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[ita]

Just listened to this week's Grow Omaha show. Jazmyn Goodwin from Visit Omaha was the guest host. She brought up Louisville, Kentucky getting a new 1000 room hotel. Her feathers were ruffled by that fact because Louisville is a direct competitor. After the CHI expansion, we'll be very close from a square footage standpoint, but be down about a dozen meeting rooms. I think she said it would be an Omni, but there is no brand associated with the project yet, from the one article I read. Louisville actually already has a 600 room Omni. The new 1000 room project is a repurpose of the Humana building right by the Convention Center. It supposedly will cost $6-800 million. Additionally, earlier this year, it was announced that the Fifth Third building, also near the Convention Center is being repurposed for a 400+ room JW Marriot. Did not know Louisville was a convention destination, but they also have the Galt House, which is 1300 rooms.

Anyway, Goodwin is really wanting an Omni as the third convention hotel, according to her comments. Would love to see one at Lot B, anchoring a new mixed-use development with more shopping and restaurants.

[nebport5]

Just listened to this week's Grow Omaha show. Jazmyn Goodwin from Visit Omaha was the guest host. She brought up Louisville, Kentucky getting a new 1000 room hotel. Her feathers were ruffled by that fact because Louisville is a direct competitor. After the CHI expansion, we'll be very close from a square footage standpoint, but be down about a dozen meeting rooms. I think she said it would be an Omni, but there is no brand associated with the project yet, from the one article I read. Louisville actually already has a 600 room Omni. The new 1000 room project is a repurpose of the Humana building right by the Convention Center. It supposedly will cost $6-800 million. Additionally, earlier this year, it was announced that the Fifth Third building, also near the Convention Center is being repurposed for a 400+ room JW Marriot. Did not know Louisville was a convention destination, but they also have the Galt House, which is 1300 rooms.

Anyway, Goodwin is really wanting an Omni as the third convention hotel, according to her comments. Would love to see one at Lot B, anchoring a new mixed-use development with more shopping and restaurants.

Goodwin said Louisville's convention center is actually smaller than Omaha's. I imagine Louisville's proximity to the bourbon trail helps their appeal factor.

Goodwin also said "conversations are being had" regarding a third anchor hotel.

Trenton's comments were also interesting regarding the possibility of more adjacent shopping and entertainment.

[CrankyOldDude]

They have an Omni, A Hyatt Regency and a Marriott, among others.

From their visitor's bureau:

Hotels Within Walking Distance

Nearby hotels offer more than 6,000 rooms for visitors to select from during their stay in downtown Louisville, including:

21c Museum Hotel
AC
Aloft Hotel
Brown Hotel
Courtyard by Marriott Downtown
Embassy Suites Downtown
Fairfield Inn & Suites Downtown
Galt House Hotel
Hampton Inn Downtown
Hilton Garden Inn Downtown
Holiday Inn Express
Homewood Suites
Home2Suites
Hyatt Regency Louisville
Marriott Louisville Downtown
Omni Hotel
Residence Inn by Marriott
Seelbach Hilton
Springhill Suites

Omaha has a ways to go to compete. Metro population isn't really close. Louisville is quite a bit bigger.

[Linkin5]

One other thing Goodwin stated that I wasn’t aware of is that it is rare for a city Omaha’s size to not have a luxury hotel brand. It really feels like we are somewhat close to a huge hotel announcement.

[thenewguy]

i dunno, maybe. I feel like someone here would have sniffed it out already, ya know? sure, it'd be cool as heck, but i just don't see it happenin THAT soon.

[ita]

i dunno, maybe. I feel like someone here would have sniffed it out already, ya know? sure, it'd be cool as heck, but i just don't see it happenin THAT soon.

Yeah, I would tend to agree with you. The way Goodwin, kind of haphazardly said she would love an Omni kind of seemed like there are no serious conversations with said hotel brand as of yet. To me, if there were conversations, she would be much more mum about potential hotel brands. Just me opinion. If anything, I am confident we will get a third convention hotel, but like you said timeline is up in the air. The expansion is not scheduled to open until this time next year. I would hope they land a commitment before it officially opens, but we'll see.

[CrankyOldDude]

There are a grand total of 53 Omni hotels. I'm unclear what the attraction is.

[Greg S]

I stayed at the Omni Hotel in Indianapolis while for work at their convention center. It was nice but honestly, I didn't even realize it was supposed to be a luxury brand. Didn't seem any nice than most Marriott's I stay at.

[skinzfan23]

Maybe everyone else already knew this but after listening to Grow Omaha, they made it sounds like 800-1,000 rooms would be the size of the hotel they would like to add. That is great and considering Hilton Omaha is only 600 rooms and even it is easily the largest hotel in NE or IA, that would be a nice addition.

[ita]

I stayed at the Omni Hotel in Indianapolis while for work at their convention center. It was nice but honestly, I didn't even realize it was supposed to be a luxury brand. Didn't seem any nice than most Marriott's I stay at.

This was a topic of interest and debate with the city council and the attorney representing Drury; what makes a hotel upper-upscale or luxury? These are terms predetermined under the STR chain hotel rating system. It is primarily based on average daily rates, not on amenities, location, finishes, etc. So, Omni, generally as a brand, is considered luxury, but it's because they can charge more, essentially. So, when Goodwin says that she wants a luxury brand, it's based on that STR rating which is turn is based on ADR. For those who did not watch it, she actually opposed the Drury getting any incentives because of the internal City memo about withholding TIF and EEA incentives from developers of hotel brands that are not upper-upscale or luxury. She is adamant that we need an 800+ room hotel to really make the convention expansion worthwhile. While I did not agree with her position regarding the Drury, I am 100% behind capitalizing on the Convention Center expansion and landing a 800 room hotel, but mostly for the selfish reason of getting a nice high rise in North Downtown on Lot B.

P.S. So, the site autocorrected No-Do, spelt without the hyphen, with North Downtown. Weird!

[Brad]

P.S. So, the site autocorrected No-Do, spelt without the hyphen, with North Downtown. Weird!

LOL, Coyote put that word filter in years ago.

[nebport5]

i dunno, maybe. I feel like someone here would have sniffed it out already, ya know? sure, it'd be cool as heck, but i just don't see it happenin THAT soon.

Yeah, I would tend to agree with you. The way Goodwin, kind of haphazardly said she would love an Omni kind of seemed like there are no serious conversations with said hotel brand as of yet. To me, if there were conversations, she would be much more mum about potential hotel brands. Just me opinion. If anything, I am confident we will get a third convention hotel, but like you said timeline is up in the air. The expansion is not scheduled to open until this time next year. I would hope they land a commitment before it officially opens, but we'll see.

Or maybe it can't be talked about publicly. Remember how far back Stothert was talking about an Omni. I'm not saying a luxury hotel is imminent but a year from now isn't that far away considering how long it would take to build what would be the largest anchor hotel. Surely there are a lot of moving parts that take time putting together a project of this magnitude. Look how long it's taken to put together a stadium for Union Omaha. As soon as the voters approved the CHI expansion I'm sure the city, Meca, Visit Omaha, etc accelerated the pursuit of a third anchor hotel.

There are lots of parties involved and not all with particularly the same goals. If Lot B is indeed the chosen location, Meca and the city need to also have a plan to off-set lost parking. I'm sure whatever hotel operator is chosen they will be looking for construction incentives too.

[CrankyOldDude]

Not for nothing but Louisville is a great city. Downtown has a lot of interesting architecture & the riverfront is world class.

[ricko]

One other thing Goodwin stated that I wasn’t aware of is that it is rare for a city Omaha’s size to not have a luxury hotel brand. It really feels like we are somewhat close to a huge hotel announcement.

“Luxury” status had a quantifiable meaning back in the days of the Mobil Guide, which had pretty strict standards and revolved mostly around amenities. It was a given that a luxury hotel was visually attractive and spotless. You also had to at least have all of the following services: Executive lounges, top-notch concierge, destination restaurant(s), spa, gym, pool, (real)limousine service, a staff that is trained to death, doormen that dress like 19th century Prussian generals, 24 hour room service, apartment suites, etc.. Some even had barber shops, hair salons, men’s and women’s clothing stores, in-house dry cleaners, florist shop, and even a full-time shoe-shine guy. Ain’t cheap. I checked out Jose Andre’s new restaurant at the Waldorf in the District, and the rack-rate for a room that day was $2400.

[thenewguy]

One other thing Goodwin stated that I wasn’t aware of is that it is rare for a city Omaha’s size to not have a luxury hotel brand. It really feels like we are somewhat close to a huge hotel announcement.

“Luxury” status had a quantifiable meaning back in the days of the Mobil Guide, which had pretty strict standards and revolved mostly around amenities. It was a given that a luxury hotel was visually attractive and spotless. You also had to at least have all of the following services: Executive lounges, top-notch concierge, destination restaurant(s), spa, gym, pool, (real)limousine service, a staff that is trained to death, doormen that dress like 19th century Prussian generals, 24 hour room service, apartment suites, etc.. Some even had barber shops, hair salons, men’s and women’s clothing stores, in-house dry cleaners, florist shop, and even a full-time shoe-shine guy. Ain’t cheap. I checked out Jose Andre’s new restaurant at the Waldorf in the District, and the rack-rate for a room that day was $2400.

A luxury hotel would be great, but would make more sense in downtown. I've been to many convention centers and stayed at adjacent hotels, and they were nice but affordable. The company was footing the bill, but I could see it being a deterrent if they were too overpriced. Not saying put in a holiday inn & suites but wouldn't have to be crazy fancy either.

[BuildTaller]

Let's not forget that Louisville also has a 1.3 million square foot convention center 7 miles from their downtown convention center.

[ita]

Let's not forget that Louisville also has a 1.3 million square foot convention center 7 miles from their downtown convention center.

How could I forget something I didn't know to begin with? Haha. Thanks for sharing, that helps explain why they have significant hotel stock in town with huge projects on the horizon.