Gene Leahy Mall Remodel

projectman · Post by **projectman** » Mon Nov 08, 2004 3:51 pm

Yes I do remember that. I think he wanted to tie in the Marriott and Qwest Center into downtown. I thought it sounded kind of cool.

Finn · Post by **Finn** » Mon Nov 08, 2004 4:18 pm

Actually, it was Councilman Lormong Lo who proposed that idea and he was laughed out of office. We talked about it on this forum a few months ago. I think that it was a great idea but the perception seemed to be that it was frivoulous use of public funds.

Post by **Brad** » Mon Nov 08, 2004 5:45 pm

Who ever thought of it, it is a good idea.

SBNathan · Post by **SBNathan** » Tue Nov 09, 2004 9:45 pm

Regarding the Riverwalk idea, I think it has some merit. Back in the 70's, San Antonio spent about $425,000 on a 1.5 strip of urban river. Development adjacent to the "river" sprouted, and now the Riverwalk is responsible for more tourist dollars than the Alamo. All told, tourism is about a $2.5 billion industry in SA and the Riverwalk is responsible for a big piece of that.

Now could Omaha pull off something of that caliber? Perhaps, but our climate and lack of other big name attractions really limits our national presence. I certainly adhere to the adage of make no small plans. I really hope that the current downtown revitalization momentum isn't lost anytime soon. But any plan that involves razing buildings, especially historic, won't be popular. We've been down that path once before. We clearly gave up way too much by allowing ConAgra to build a suburban-style campus in the heart of downtown Omaha.

From what I've heard, we can count on some neat changes to our Gene Leahy Mall. Maybe not Riverwalk quality improvements, but at least some improvements that will help make downtown Omaha a more vibrant and popular destination.

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Wed Nov 10, 2004 8:08 pm

POTUS

It's not all about having 500ft buildings for an acttractive DT. If you have ever been to San Francisco or Seattle you will see that around their DTs are tons of warehouse style buildings that are no more than 5-6 stories, but they are the homes to the artists, musicians, and other people that add to the vibrancy of those DTs. What you painted over is still the OM even though its not right on 11th and Howard.

POTUS · Post by **POTUS** » Fri Nov 12, 2004 8:46 pm

Don't get me wrong here. I am not running for city council and have no plans to enforce any new drastic changes to any part of DTO. I was just throwing an idea out on the table.

The problem with SF, LA, NYC, and Chicago, and the like, is they no longer have the option to do stuff like my proposal in their downtowns. We still have time left to make a drastic change. I'm sure we can think of something.

Besides, no one pointed out one obvious flaw to my proposal. My picture seems to suggest that the water starts from where I placed the two yellow buildings, then down to where the Clark Library is now, then out to Heartland of America Park. But where the two yellow buildings are is actually downhill from the Clark Library. Oh well, it was just a fun idea anyways.

Finn · Post by **Finn** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 11:21 am

Omaha World Herald:

Big plans for Gene Leahy Mall

BY C. DAVID KOTOK

Serious reconstructive surgery - not just a nip here and a tuck there - could be in store for the Gene Leahy Mall if Omahans buy into a new plan for the downtown green space.

Michael Van Valkenburgh, the New York and Boston-based landscape architect, will unveil his proposed makeover for the city's postcard park today.

The plan will be somewhere between the extremes of starting from scratch and merely making a few cosmetic changes to improve the views of the sunken pond and footpaths.

Creating a more inviting experience and connecting the Old Market to the Qwest Center Omaha and the new Holland Performing Arts Center were "the two big drivers in this master plan," Van Valkenburgh said Monday after arriving in Omaha.

Van Valkenburgh said the plan goes beyond an earlier idea just to prune the trees.

It won't involve, however, a radical redesign that seriously alters the character of the mall because that would cause serious political objections, he said. Much was invested in creating the park, and it is still viewed as a catalyst for downtown redevelopment.

"We don't want to rip it out and start over," he said.

One of the advantages of the mall's design is that the it feels much larger than it is because of its multiple levels. The mall would feel smaller as a flat park that's one block wide and about four blocks long, he said. "People want parks to be expansive," Van Valkenburgh said.

People go to a park as much to see other people as to observe birds, trees and water. The people part is what has been missing, Van Valkenburgh said.

"A good park needs to have range," he said, "with more things for more people to do."

Another test will be to excite potential donors to finance mall improvements, said Connie Spellman of Omaha By Design, which managed the $130,000 study by Van Valkenburgh's firm.

That requires the plan to be grand enough to attract donors and excite the public, without being so grandiose that the price tag frightens people away, Spellman said. The study was paid for with private donations.

The goal is not to unveil a glorious model and elaborate pictures that will never be transformed into a new reality for downtown Omaha, Spellman and Van Valkenburgh said.

Many elements of the mall will be retained, including the historic arch at 11th and Farnam Streets. Others elements will change, including paths and stairways that create blind corners and cause safety worries.

Van Valkenburgh was tight-lipped about changes he will suggest for the plaza along 14th Street at the mall's west end.

Erwin Larson, the HDR Inc. executive who is heading the project committee, said the decision to look at the mall emerged during a study on improving 11th Street. The street through the Old Market could lead to new venues to the north, but the mall acts as a roadblock.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 11:25 am

Yep..It looks the the Gene Leahy Mall may get more than the standard tummy-tuck..

Can't wait for the revealed plans

..

..Ciao..LiO....Peace

Big E · Post by **Big E** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 12:56 pm

And the new development plans are:

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pg=1636&u_sid=1360633

-Big E

omahahawk · Post by **omahahawk** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 2:45 pm

Are those renderings going to be put on display publicly somewhere? The OWH photos don't really give a good idea.

Post by **Brad** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 3:43 pm

AT first I didn't like the idea of changing the mall, but now that I see the model in the OWH photos, it still looks like it is going to be the oasis it currently is.

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 4:07 pm

It looks like they took the island out. I didn't know they closed the bridge because of it not hlding people up. Honestly I don't know why this took so long. It last year when the ideas came up and they're saying there aren't any concrete plans? Kind of a rip off but what can you do. I think the rink will get done pretty quickly since it's right in front of the Holland Center.

Finn · Post by **Finn** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 5:09 pm

I was kind of bummed by the removal of the island (not as much as the geese!) but overall I like the plans. I think the rink is a great idea and will become popular. I also like the idea of creating a larger lawn with a gentle slope from the NW corner. However, I wish they would have improved the waterfall a little (maybe have it dropping from the aqueduct-like pipe into a pile of rocks). I am glad that they are not raising the mall up to street level, it really would have minimized its presence.

eomaha · Post by **eomaha** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 7:41 pm

I think it's funny there's all this emphasis on eliminating the hiding places... obviously in response to the epidemic of crime which has plagued the mall (I guess I can't even remember an assault ever occuring down there... but my memory isn't the greatest I know). Whatever makes people feel better.

I do like the idea of opening it up for more activity than just walking around... certainly the ice skating would be cool (so to speak).

SBNathan · Post by **SBNathan** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 9:17 pm

Mr. Huston...

I completely agree with you regarding the safety of DT Omaha and the GLM. I can't remember the last reported mugging, rape, or assult. However, during the public input sessions, many women said that they didn't think the park felt safe. So it's really more of a *perception* of the park being unsafe. That being said, the mall has developed a reputation for being a dark and scary place. Which, as you and both know, isn't the case at all.

But perception is reality. Based on that feedback, safety became a primary theme of the redesign.

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 11:39 pm

It's great to run things based on fear.

I like the plans overall but I will miss the lake. Another thing I saw on tv if I saw it right was a fenced in play area. I remember one guy saying it should be fenced in because of all the people walking by that could take children.

A fence would be so ugly in the park and kids have been playing fine on the slides for years.

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 11:44 pm

Expanded Playground

I hope they put in more of those slides they are the shiznich.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 11:45 pm

OWH wrote: More people appeal proposed for Leahy Mall

Karen Levin starts her days with a walk through Gene Leahy Mall for exercise, but she never feels completely relaxed.

"I do feel vulnerable," said Levin, who lives nearby in the Old Market.

Safety is one issue addressed in a plan unveiled Tuesday for breathing new life into the 30-year-old mall.

Old Market residents and business owners praised the plan, saying it would keep alive the spirit of the park while making it safer, more accessible and more alluring to people from across the city.

A winter ice rink, playground, wide paths, three bridges, more visibility.

"It's really a rebirth," said Valerie Abbott, co-owner of the French Cafe and vice president of the Old Market Business Association.

Levin, who is vice president of the Old Market Downtown Residents Association, said the changes would make the park more inviting.

Business owners were particularly happy with bridges and other elements that would make the park a better link between the Old Market and the Holland Performing Arts Center.

The changes would cost $14 million. For an additional $2.9 million, 11th Street would take on the look of the Old Market from Farnam to Leavenworth Streets.

Michael Van Valkenburgh, the New York- and Boston-based architect whose firm prepared the plan, said it is geared to "taking the Leahy Mall to the next level."

The mall was created as "an engine for economic development," Rex Fisher, chairman of Omaha By Design and a Qwest executive, told more than 50 business owners, downtown residents and city officials who gathered at The World-Herald's Freedom Center to hear the details.

But now, Fisher said, the mall is needed as "an engine for neighborhood development."

The task of finding the money comes next.

Connie Spellman, executive director of Omaha By Design, and several city officials said it is understood that the city's taxpayers won't be asked to come up with the whole $17 million.

"This is Stage Two, raising the money," Spellman said. "We know we can't ask to raise taxes to get this done."

Some parts of the project could be appealing to private donors. The ice rink, for example, could be named for a donor, as could the new playground.

City officials acknowledged that finding donors to rebuild streets or install large flower pots might be tougher.

The design contains easy north-south connections that would make people feel safe at night as they left the Holland Performing Arts Center for the Old Market, said Elwin Larson, the HDR Inc. executive who led the mall project.

The current bridge east of 13th Street would be replaced. It is so low that it is not considered accessible or safe. And it can't support the weight of a large number of people, so it is closed during popular events such as the Holiday Lights Festival.

Aspects such as the waterfall and the lagoon would remain, although the lagoon would be narrower.

The ice rink would be kept frozen in winter, instead of relying on nature to freeze over the lagoon.

A kiosk would house skate and rink-time rentals, refreshments and restrooms. Picnic tables and benches would replace the ice in summer, providing a venue for small concerts and other entertainment.

The $130,000 master plan was financed by Omaha By Design with private donations and support from the city's parks and public works staff.

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 11:50 pm

It looks like the island will still be there. Cool!

zedmib · Post by **zedmib** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 7:17 am

I have one major issue with this plan. There should be a street level bridge running from a newly updated and enlarged arch plaza directly across the lagoon. This would allow a future pedestrian mall on 11th street from SOMA to whatever mixed use project is created at the Swanson site. Think 16th street in Denver. Dream Big

the1wags · Post by **the1wags** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 8:23 am

Zedmib took the words right outta my mouth, overall I like the plan but the bridge really needs to continue the 11th street corridor IMO. I made this little modification to a pic I took and was planning on sending it to be considered in the design of the park, but didn't get it sent off in time.

I thought this with some old style lighting on the rails that was consistent with lighting placed all down 11th from the Swanson site to SoMa would be great. Also, half way out the bridge you could have something like a circle area with some benches so you could sit and face the CBD.

omahahawk · Post by **omahahawk** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 10:11 am

Yes Wags, that is awesome! Send it in anyway. I'm sure the improvements probably won't proceed 100 percent according to plan anyway. If its not necessarily set in stone anyway, its worth a shot.

smeace · Post by **smeace** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 2:09 pm

Did they say anything about replacing the lighting scheme througout the park? To me it looks outdated and, well, crappy.

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 2:30 pm

It was brought up last so I'm sure it's worked in those placs somwhere.

Post by **Brad** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 9:49 pm

Who says there is no crime in the mall just look at the bike rack in the lower left corrner of wags picture.

Anyways...I think that is a great idea and you should submit that picture/drawing to someone important.

Blazepaw · Post by **Blazepaw** » Mon Mar 21, 2005 8:47 am

Thanks for posting a copy of the master plan.

I saw it on the news and in the paper but now I can really see what they have in mind.

It looks as if they plan on splitting the 11th St. pedestrian traffic off in two directions.

The main bridge leading northwest to the new performing arts center and a boardwalk bridge crossing more directly north.

With the rebuilding of the existing bridge (hopfully strong enough to have open during the holidays!) it looks as if there is a nice balance to the spacing.

I liked your graphic but I hope they do angle the bridge. I think the lack of straight lines is part of the malls charm. Also there is a walkway leading back up to 11th St. planned that isn't there now.

I was concerned when I heard all the fear based talk of "blind corners" that we would be losing a lot of the variations of lines of sight. I really like this plan.

omahastylee459 · Post by **omahastylee459** » Mon Mar 21, 2005 11:35 am

when will this all start? or will that be determined by when they can get the money secured?

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 11:40 am

Okay, so I was in New Mexico all last week for my spring break, and was able to use my grandma's slow internet to view the forum, but could not respond....it almost drove me crazy

......almost.

Well, it may have already been said, but anyway....

I love that the mall is getting restored....it needed it SOOOOOO badly. I think it's brilliant that Lively Omaha, now Omaha By Design, realized this and are really taking action on it. And I think it's ABSOLUTELY INGENIOUS that they have cited the "safety" as a main reason for renovating the park. Let's face it, the actual detailing of the park is horrendous, but, for the majority of Omahans, that's not enough to raise concern for a renovation. But to bring up "safety concerns" as a reason to make some big changes? Oh, it's brilliant.

Way to go, Omaha By Design!!! Now let's see it get done!

Finn · Post by **Finn** » Fri Mar 25, 2005 3:14 pm

Omaha By Design has updated info on the mall renovation at their website, http://www.livelyomaha.org/whatsnew/11t ... ision.html.
The site shows the current status of the mall and how it will be transformed. The site also shows the plans for remaking 11th Street. There are great ideas here such as constructing more circular brick planters at more intersection corners, extending the Old Market's line of canopies and retrofitting artist space into the parking structure between Jackson and Jones Streets!

adam186 · Post by **adam186** » Fri Mar 25, 2005 3:33 pm

Wow, what a great website. I like how they have the animations switching from current to proposed. Very sweet

The restored brick roads and circular planter have dramatic affects.

Finn · Post by **Finn** » Fri Mar 25, 2005 3:36 pm

A few observations of some of the mall improvements:

I really like the way they are sloping the lawn near the stepped waterfall (and taking out the walls), it will really encourage more pedestrian use (sitting, eating, frisbee, etc.) rather than remain an isolated area where homeless congregate.

I think it is a great idea to put in stairs near the playground to open it up. This is where the safety issue really does come in to play (although many felt it was just an excuse to get the improvements passed) and reverses the isolated corner and will bring more people to use the playground.

Notice under the 10th Street Bridge there is a "future building" demarcation. This would be a great spot for a little cafe!

Of course the connections and bridges across the lake are great. However, I find it interesting that the path from 11th Street starts next to the arch rather than going through the arch.

I think the consultant did an excellent job and I can't wait until the improvements begin. Let's kick in for the 11th Street upgrade right away also ( I love that artist space!).

OmahaDevelopmentMan · Post by **OmahaDevelopmentMan** » Fri Mar 25, 2005 3:51 pm

Anyone notice the future buildings they put along 11th street accross from 1200 Landmark? They also put a block saying future building over the 11th and Harney parking lot where Finn's skyscraper is going.

Anyway great site, the park will be great once its done. I love how they have the changing pictures on the site.

Big E · Post by **Big E** » Fri Mar 25, 2005 10:52 pm

Can we officially call it "Fynn's Skyscraper" from now on?

You ain't seen nothin' like the might Finn...

-Big E

Swift · Post by **Swift** » Sat Mar 26, 2005 11:54 am

That's so cool!

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Sun Mar 27, 2005 6:09 pm

Yeah...that is awesome.

I love the new buildings, the artist's space, and just the entire plan in general.

Finn · Post by **Finn** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 3:08 pm

Now this is quick action!

From OWH

Wall at Leahy mall to fall

BY C. DAVID KOTOK
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

One of the original concrete walls that separates the Gene Leahy Mall from Farnam Street will come down this summer in a first step toward revitalizing the downtown park.

The $150,000 effort was announced Thursday by Mayor Mike Fahey.

Fahey said he's still looking to private fund-raising efforts to turn the dream of a more open park - with a winter skating rink, new fountains and an expanded playground - into reality. The project remains $13.85 million short of the estimated amount needed for a complete rehabilitation.

The 165-foot wall was chosen as a demonstration project. The southern part of the mall, targeted for change this summer, is midway between 11th and 13th Streets.

The wall can be removed and the elevation of the park can be raised to street level without more extensive renovations, said Larry Foster, the city parks director.

Connie Spellman, director of Omaha By Design, said a group is being assembled to raise money for the $14 million effort on the mall.

Fahey made no commitments beyond the $150,000 other than maintaining the park once it is rebuilt.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 6:05 pm

From the Omaha by Design website (pretty cool):

Swift · Post by **Swift** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 6:47 pm

Too bad there is no mention of widening 10th st bridge over the mall to make room for a cable car.

TitosBuritoBarn · Post by **TitosBuritoBarn** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 6:53 pm

What exactly is an "artist pavillion?"

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 10:38 pm

I wouldn't mind seeing a temp tax to get things like this and the bridge done. It'll will do so much for the city and I think we need these things just as much as we needed the Qwest Center.