Civic Square (former Civic Auditorium)
-
Dusty
- Human Relations
- Posts: 794
- Joined: Thu May 26, 2011 3:53 am
- Location: Central Florida
Re: Civic Square (former Civic Auditorium)
Not all is lost. Bring a few trash cans and place them throughout the lot. Bam! We have ourselves a temporary Disc Golf course.. lol
Omaha's Transit Future starts now. Let's make the change!
Omaha Transit Network
Omaha Transit Network
-
GenX
- Parks & Recreation
- Posts: 1244
- Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2016 2:16 am
- Location: Omaha
Re: Civic Square (former Civic Auditorium)
Wow, there’s just so much… street…
-
InTheRoom
- Home Owners Association
- Posts: 54
- Joined: Tue May 17, 2022 2:52 pm
Re: Civic Square (former Civic Auditorium)
I mean, can we surmise that the developer actually had a leg to stand on in its fight against the city if all of that went away?
They're back to just sitting on their hands here following their little charade/ruse of pouring a sidewalk.
They're back to just sitting on their hands here following their little charade/ruse of pouring a sidewalk.
-
NEDodger
- Parks & Recreation
- Posts: 1361
- Joined: Sun Apr 13, 2014 6:19 am
Re: Civic Square (former Civic Auditorium)
What a bunch of naysayers! I, for one, fully believe that this will be metropolitan-changing! Why, just imagine the possibilities with that 20 feet of paved street!
-
CrankyOldDude
- Home Owners Association
- Posts: 91
- Joined: Mon Feb 09, 2026 9:58 pm
Re: Civic Square (former Civic Auditorium)
.
Last edited by CrankyOldDude on Wed Oct 07, 2026 7:54 am, edited 1 time in total.
-
Brad
- Photographer
- Posts: 1036674
- Joined: Sun Feb 29, 2004 12:03 am
- Location: Omaha, NE
Re: Civic Square (former Civic Auditorium)
Seriously.... If you are going to do that, at least erase my watermark!

Omaha Skyline Photos, Omaha Aerial Photos, and More.
Website: www.bradwilliamsphotography.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bradwilliamsphotography
Twitter: www.twitter.com/bradwphoto
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bradwilliamsphotography
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@bradwilliamsphoto
-
Brad
- Photographer
- Posts: 1036674
- Joined: Sun Feb 29, 2004 12:03 am
- Location: Omaha, NE
Re: Civic Square (former Civic Auditorium)
I'm gonna throw this photo from tonight out there... If someone would build a decent high rise on the back side of the Civic Auditorium lot, they would have one heck of a view!
1.
.
1.
.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

Omaha Skyline Photos, Omaha Aerial Photos, and More.
Website: www.bradwilliamsphotography.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bradwilliamsphotography
Twitter: www.twitter.com/bradwphoto
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bradwilliamsphotography
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@bradwilliamsphoto
-
thenewguy
- County Board
- Posts: 4392
- Joined: Sat Oct 20, 2007 2:50 am
- Location: Council Bluffs
Re: Civic Square (former Civic Auditorium)
you ain't lyin! And that's a heck of a shot Brad!
Go Cubs Go
-
remline
- Library Board
- Posts: 283
- Joined: Wed Nov 13, 2024 4:38 pm
Re: Civic Square (former Civic Auditorium)
Really excellent photo! But I feel kind of sorry for Trinity Episcopal there. It is really smashed between those parking garages.Brad wrote: Mon Oct 12, 2026 4:27 am I'm gonna throw this photo from tonight out there... If someone would build a decent high rise on the back side of the Civic Auditorium lot, they would have one heck of a view!
-
BIGO88
- Library Board
- Posts: 483
- Joined: Mon Nov 05, 2018 1:16 am
Re: Civic Square (former Civic Auditorium)
I wonder if something happened here? The website is no longer working and the listings are no longer listed by White Lotus.
https://civicsquareomaha.com/
https://civicsquareomaha.com/
-
Louie
- County Board
- Posts: 4958
- Joined: Fri Dec 23, 2011 10:23 pm
- Location: Dundee
Re: Civic Square (former Civic Auditorium)
GoodBIGO88 wrote: Tue Oct 20, 2026 6:11 pm I wonder if something happened here? The website is no longer working and the listings are no longer listed by White Lotus.
https://civicsquareomaha.com/
-
djc311
- Planning Board
- Posts: 2162
- Joined: Wed Mar 10, 2004 4:44 am
- Location: Omaha
Re: Civic Square (former Civic Auditorium)
This should have been shut down a year ago... better off sodding the lot and mowing it each week than let it sit like it does.
-
Garrett
- County Board
- Posts: 4733
- Joined: Thu Nov 27, 2008 12:29 am
- Location: New York City
Re: Civic Square (former Civic Auditorium)
Knowing White Lotus they just let the domain expire out of laziness but are still fighting
OMA-->CHI-->NYC
-
BIGO88
- Library Board
- Posts: 483
- Joined: Mon Nov 05, 2018 1:16 am
Re: Civic Square (former Civic Auditorium)
They are no longer on there listings on Crexi and Loopnet either so guessing something happened. Re reading the reddit post from a few months ago it basically stated that White lotus had 2 grocery stores commit and fell through so they were trying to switch the original plans but the City wasnt letting them because Susie Buffet now wanted the land to build a new swimming pool for CHS. I wonder if there trying to do something similar to the last 3 OPS schools and do a partnership with the YMCA and build a new on there while opening up the old location for development to go along with the childrens museum block.
-
nebport5
- Planning Board
- Posts: 2848
- Joined: Sun Jun 06, 2004 8:13 pm
- Location: 68102
Re: Civic Square (former Civic Auditorium)
Interesting. That's not a bad plan if it doesn't take up the whole space which it shouldn't. A swimming pool and new Y could fit easily on 1/3 of the space(or less) and leave the other 2/3s for something that generates tax revenue.BIGO88 wrote: Wed Oct 21, 2026 4:45 pm They are no longer on there listings on Crexi and Loopnet either so guessing something happened. Re reading the reddit post from a few months ago it basically stated that White lotus had 2 grocery stores commit and fell through so they were trying to switch the original plans but the City wasnt letting them because Susie Buffet now wanted the land to build a new swimming pool for CHS. I wonder if there trying to do something similar to the last 3 OPS schools and do a partnership with the YMCA and build a new on there while opening up the old location for development to go along with the childrens museum block.
"It's just a rendering."
-
ita
- County Board
- Posts: 4764
- Joined: Thu Jul 12, 2018 9:11 pm
Re: Civic Square (former Civic Auditorium)
From what I can tell, the litigation is ongoing.Garrett wrote: Wed Oct 21, 2026 2:50 pm Knowing White Lotus they just let the domain expire out of laziness but are still fighting
-
Garrett
- County Board
- Posts: 4733
- Joined: Thu Nov 27, 2008 12:29 am
- Location: New York City
Re: Civic Square (former Civic Auditorium)
As noted by Mr. Engineer in the planning board thread:
The agenda item is from the city, not White Lotus. Interesting interesting.bldgengineer2015 wrote: Fri Oct 23, 2026 1:44 pm Looks like there is an item for Civic Corner TIF approval on the meeting agenda for November.
OMA-->CHI-->NYC
-
OutoftheCanyon
- Home Owners Association
- Posts: 76
- Joined: Fri Nov 28, 2014 2:20 am
Re: Civic Square (former Civic Auditorium)
From my understanding the city has completely backed off of getting the site back. No idea what this could be.Garrett wrote: Fri Oct 23, 2026 4:54 pm As noted by Mr. Engineer in the planning board thread:
The agenda item is from the city, not White Lotus. Interesting interesting.bldgengineer2015 wrote: Fri Oct 23, 2026 1:44 pm Looks like there is an item for Civic Corner TIF approval on the meeting agenda for November.
-
CompSci99
- New to the Neighborhood
- Posts: 37
- Joined: Thu Aug 17, 2023 5:09 am
Re: Civic Square (former Civic Auditorium)
Absolutely ridiculous that the city already made this mistake once and never learned from it. Guess the civic site is destined to have a couple 4 over 1's and a 2 story megasaver convenience store, probably with its own surface parking lot.OutoftheCanyon wrote: Sat Oct 24, 2026 2:20 amFrom my understanding the city has completely backed off of getting the site back. No idea what this could be.Garrett wrote: Fri Oct 23, 2026 4:54 pm As noted by Mr. Engineer in the planning board thread:
The agenda item is from the city, not White Lotus. Interesting interesting.bldgengineer2015 wrote: Fri Oct 23, 2026 1:44 pm Looks like there is an item for Civic Corner TIF approval on the meeting agenda for November.
-
Garrett
- County Board
- Posts: 4733
- Joined: Thu Nov 27, 2008 12:29 am
- Location: New York City
Re: Civic Square (former Civic Auditorium)
Well, most optimistically, the city has made a feasible plan with White Lotus to get something built on the site. Most pessimistically(realistically?), that plan is gonna suck.OutoftheCanyon wrote: Sat Oct 24, 2026 2:20 amFrom my understanding the city has completely backed off of getting the site back. No idea what this could be.Garrett wrote: Fri Oct 23, 2026 4:54 pm As noted by Mr. Engineer in the planning board thread:
The agenda item is from the city, not White Lotus. Interesting interesting.bldgengineer2015 wrote: Fri Oct 23, 2026 1:44 pm Looks like there is an item for Civic Corner TIF approval on the meeting agenda for November.
OMA-->CHI-->NYC
-
ita
- County Board
- Posts: 4764
- Joined: Thu Jul 12, 2018 9:11 pm
Re: Civic Square (former Civic Auditorium)
It's a bummer, isn't it? The developer initiated litigation over the city's attempt to exercise it's right to buy it back. They have been in the thick of litigation this whole calendar year. Yet, here they are with a TIF application on the planning board agenda.Garrett wrote: Sat Oct 24, 2026 4:49 amWell, most optimistically, the city has made a feasible plan with White Lotus to get something built on the site. Most pessimistically(realistically?), that plan is gonna suck.OutoftheCanyon wrote: Sat Oct 24, 2026 2:20 amFrom my understanding the city has completely backed off of getting the site back. No idea what this could be.Garrett wrote: Fri Oct 23, 2026 4:54 pm As noted by Mr. Engineer in the planning board thread:
The agenda item is from the city, not White Lotus. Interesting interesting.bldgengineer2015 wrote: Fri Oct 23, 2026 1:44 pm Looks like there is an item for Civic Corner TIF approval on the meeting agenda for November.
My understanding is that the planning department submits applications to the planning board with a recommendation to approve or deny the application. Pretty much, if the developer presents a feasible plan that adheres to both TIF and building code/zoning requirements, the planning board really does not have a basis to recommend denial.
We'll see, but I highly doubt White Lotus provides anything but what has already been shown, if not worse. If they had something better, or had tenants secured, would that not have been in the news or one of their arguments in the litigation? I saw no such argument in the complaint. And with the property being tied up in litigation, there is very little chance a better plan was put together as I would imagine White Lotus would not be able to secure commitments from commercial users since filing its complaint. Hopefully I am proven wrong, but I think we should be prepared for the worst.
-
djc311
- Planning Board
- Posts: 2162
- Joined: Wed Mar 10, 2004 4:44 am
- Location: Omaha
Re: Civic Square (former Civic Auditorium)
Even if White Lotus is the only one with a plan, I would feel they can deny the approval/application simply due to them not following the "completed by" dates under the current agreement.ita wrote: Mon Oct 26, 2026 3:30 pmIt's a bummer, isn't it? The developer initiated litigation over the city's attempt to exercise it's right to buy it back. They have been in the thick of litigation this whole calendar year. Yet, here they are with a TIF application on the planning board agenda.Garrett wrote: Sat Oct 24, 2026 4:49 amWell, most optimistically, the city has made a feasible plan with White Lotus to get something built on the site. Most pessimistically(realistically?), that plan is gonna suck.OutoftheCanyon wrote: Sat Oct 24, 2026 2:20 amFrom my understanding the city has completely backed off of getting the site back. No idea what this could be.Garrett wrote: Fri Oct 23, 2026 4:54 pm As noted by Mr. Engineer in the planning board thread:
The agenda item is from the city, not White Lotus. Interesting interesting.bldgengineer2015 wrote: Fri Oct 23, 2026 1:44 pm Looks like there is an item for Civic Corner TIF approval on the meeting agenda for November.
My understanding is that the planning department submits applications to the planning board with a recommendation to approve or deny the application. Pretty much, if the developer presents a feasible plan that adheres to both TIF and building code/zoning requirements, the planning board really does not have a basis to recommend denial.
We'll see, but I highly doubt White Lotus provides anything but what has already been shown, if not worse. If they had something better, or had tenants secured, would that not have been in the news or one of their arguments in the litigation? I saw no such argument in the complaint. And with the property being tied up in litigation, there is very little chance a better plan was put together as I would imagine White Lotus would not be able to secure commitments from commercial users since filing its complaint. Hopefully I am proven wrong, but I think we should be prepared for the worst.
I'd rather have it sit with no movement than to give that clown show a chance to do anything again.
Easily one of the dumbest decisions made by city personnel in the past 10-20 years.
-
nebport5
- Planning Board
- Posts: 2848
- Joined: Sun Jun 06, 2004 8:13 pm
- Location: 68102
Re: Civic Square (former Civic Auditorium)
In the wagers for "will anything ever get built here?"
Crossroads for the win.
Crossroads for the win.
"It's just a rendering."
-
Hawkeye
- Library Board
- Posts: 258
- Joined: Mon Jan 31, 2005 7:58 pm
- Location: Minneapolis/St. Paul
Re: Civic Square (former Civic Auditorium)
You're all such pessimists.nebport5 wrote: Mon Oct 26, 2026 5:19 pm In the wagers for "will anything ever get built here?"
Crossroads for the win.
Just wait and see. In six to nine months, that one-lane superhighway will extend almost halfway across the entire property!
Then you'll be eating crow.
"In Heaven there is no beer. That's why we drink it here." -Plato (Probably. No one is really sure.)
-
nebport5
- Planning Board
- Posts: 2848
- Joined: Sun Jun 06, 2004 8:13 pm
- Location: 68102
Re: Civic Square (former Civic Auditorium)
Unless of course that fine superhighway continues to crumble and doesn't make it through the winter...Hawkeye wrote: Mon Oct 26, 2026 6:27 pmYou're all such pessimists.nebport5 wrote: Mon Oct 26, 2026 5:19 pm In the wagers for "will anything ever get built here?"
Crossroads for the win.
Just wait and see. In six to nine months, that one-lane superhighway will extend almost halfway across the entire property!
Then you'll be eating crow.


"It's just a rendering."
-
Brad
- Photographer
- Posts: 1036674
- Joined: Sun Feb 29, 2004 12:03 am
- Location: Omaha, NE
Re: Civic Square (former Civic Auditorium)
Concrete Curb? I thought Granite Curbs were required in the Urban Core?

Omaha Skyline Photos, Omaha Aerial Photos, and More.
Website: www.bradwilliamsphotography.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bradwilliamsphotography
Twitter: www.twitter.com/bradwphoto
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bradwilliamsphotography
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@bradwilliamsphoto