Official: Missouri River Pedestrian Bridge

DMRyan · Post by **DMRyan** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 4:48 pm

Do you recall how much (if they released it) the bridge was over budget after the tweaking of the design? Private donations sounds like a good idea. There's got to be some company in Omaha that wouldn't mind having their name plastered to a local icon like this for the tune of a couple of million dollars. I'm still convinced it'll get built with that much federal money already in place and hopefully they won't have to retweak the already retweaked design.

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 5:09 pm

DMRyan wrote:There's got to be some company in Omaha that wouldn't mind having their name plastered to a local icon like this for the tune of a couple of million dollars.

Wow, I truely hope you are speaking figuratively. A landmark bridge like that should not be called "The Cox Bridge", despite the ironic computer humor.

omahahawk · Post by **omahahawk** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 5:09 pm

Thanks for the replies. I guess from what I heard the redesign came back a lot closer to target but I don't actually remember how close. Since then though I haven't heard much more. Corporate sponsorship would be a good thing and I agree that the Mutual of Omaha pedestrian bridge doesn't sound too bad. I wish I could find some more information though about what the likelihood of it's reality is and how concrete the start plans are.

DMRyan · Post by **DMRyan** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 5:14 pm

Unfortunately my tuna friend, I was being serious. Those are the times we live in and if that's what it takes to get the project going so be it, IMO.

omahahawk · Post by **omahahawk** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 5:53 pm

I think if I remember right they were just about in 3-5 million of their target range. I could live with a coroporate bridge as long as it wasn't totally plastered up like a billboard.

redfield · Post by **redfield** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 6:07 pm

It's really a shame that the bridge encountered so many problems. I'm sure it will still happen, but in the meantime it killed the One Rennaissance Center condo/apartment project that was to be on the Iowa end.

Signa perhaps shouldn't have depended so heavily on a public project like that, and while it was financing uncertainty that caused CB not to approve it, financing probably wouldn't have been in question if the bridge had been on track still. Without the bridge in place, One Renaissance Center would have been pretty risky investment for any bank. I expect that when they finally break ground for the bridge, that Signa or somebody else will renew the idea of developing playland park.

Riverfront Place on the other hand, will sell out just fine with or without the bridge. The bridge would just speed that process up, as it would/will be a very nice feature to market.

projectman · Post by **projectman** » Wed Dec 15, 2004 12:39 am

Philanthropy is alive and well in Omaha. I am sure there is someone who will dig deep in their pockets if this project is in trouble. I agree with Tuna and hope we don't give it some tacky corporate name.

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Sun Dec 19, 2004 8:28 am

It looks like if and when the bridge is constructed, it will be poised to be the record holder for "Most Drawn Out, Delayed Project in Omaha"

.

redfield · Post by **redfield** » Sun Dec 19, 2004 4:03 pm

It looks like if and when the bridge is constructed, it will be poised to be the record holder for "Most Drawn Out, Delayed Project in Omaha"

It will be a contender no doubt, but when you do a weigted comparison between complexity and delay, the recently completed Fort street widenning project probably wins the prize

POTUS · Post by **POTUS** » Sun Dec 19, 2004 4:27 pm

Personally, I don't care for it much.

I like the idea of putting a bridge there, but I'd rather a different design went up.

Seems to me that someone tried to copy Santiago Calatrava (http://www.calatrava.com), so why don't we just ask him to design it. Look at his Alamillo Bridge, I love that one.

eomaha · Post by **eomaha** » Sun Dec 19, 2004 6:48 pm

I think you're in the minority on this one POTUS.

omahahawk · Post by **omahahawk** » Sun Dec 19, 2004 6:59 pm

That photo is very striking. It really gives a sense of scale and the possibility the area holds. I can't believe how much of a dump all of that land was just a few years ago. I'm hoping once the Riverfront condos start to go up, especially if they sell as well as things look, there will a renewed push to get it done. Just hope steel, labor, design costs etc. fall into line when it happens.

POTUS · Post by **POTUS** » Sun Dec 19, 2004 7:42 pm

It seems to me that I am in the minority quite a bit on this board.

But nevertheless, I will continue to post my crazy schemes and ask my questions.

I want to say that this board is cool in that you all accept and criticize equally. There is no bashing so to speak here, and that's good.

OhioStreetKid · Post by **OhioStreetKid** » Sun Dec 19, 2004 8:08 pm

Please do keep posting! You have some very well thought out and visionary type plans. I don't know if they are always feasible, but at least they are original. Your posts kind of break up the Omaha-Lincoln metro, we must find a place for the Marriott, and when are we going to get are Cheesecake Factory posts.

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 5:31 pm

Potus, thanks for that link. Those are some beautiful and innovative bridge designs!

OmahaDevelopmentMan · Post by **OmahaDevelopmentMan** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 5:58 pm

I sure hope we hear something in the next couple months. I don't want another 1RC thing to happen. That would screw 1RP even more.

CountOfMC · Post by **CountOfMC** » Mon Jan 24, 2005 9:35 pm

When the flip are we gonna hear about this thing? My patience is starting to wear thin..

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Mon Jan 24, 2005 9:51 pm

Hopefully this year. Construction on Riverfront Place start's this spring and when I talked yo one of the sales ladies she said as far as she knew they were still planning on the bridge being part of the site. The condos and the bridge are done by seperate entities but I imagine they share some info since they are kind of tied together.

omahahawk · Post by **omahahawk** » Tue Jan 25, 2005 1:51 am

CountOfMC wrote:When the flip are we gonna hear about this thing? My patience is starting to wear thin..

I know, mine too. This is my favorite public works project coming down the pipe. I've written a few offices every couple of months to see where things stand but the response is always something like "its on hold for now, we'll let you know when we do". I don't even live DT but I'm a pretty avid biker. I know if they build it I will come. And I have to imagine quite a few others would enjoy the area too. More people = more potential DT spending (from Iowans too)

= more potential goods and services = a better downtown.

Finn · Post by **Finn** » Tue Jan 25, 2005 3:23 pm

I think that we will start to hear things this spring. I know that officials on the Iowa side will soon be marketing the Playland Park site where the One Renaissance Center project died. Also, Riverfront Place will commence construction this spring. All of this activity and heightened interest should bring forth an announcement.

omahahawk · Post by **omahahawk** » Tue Jan 25, 2005 4:43 pm

Finn wrote:I think that we will start to hear things this spring. I know that officials on the Iowa side will soon be marketing the Playland Park site where the One Renaissance Center project died. Also, Riverfront Place will commence construction this spring. All of this activity and heightened interest should bring forth an announcement.

I hope so because I also haven't heard much from Iowa side of things for awhile either. Anybody know if the the ORC cancellation caused any delay or changes for the Playland Park site?

Finn · Post by **Finn** » Tue Jan 25, 2005 5:41 pm

Anybody know if the the ORC cancellation caused any delay or changes for the Playland Park site?

They will have a market study conducted for the site to get a better idea of what is possible. They will use the study to market the site and get proposals from developers.

icejammer · Post by **icejammer** » Tue Jan 25, 2005 5:49 pm

Here's a story on the most recent action on the Playland site:

Daily Nonpareil wrote:Council scraps plan for condos

At one time there was a vision of a large condominium/apartment complex on the Council Bluffs side of the Missouri River near Playland Park.

Now, the city plans to buy back the land and start over.

The Council Bluffs City Council Monday night approved the reacquisition of the property. City officials will also begin refining development concepts for the site, which may include market studies.

"This allows us the opportunity to buy the land back and then we can do a study on what's best there," Mayor Tom Hanafan said.

The condominium/apartment project would have featured two condominium towers, one 14 stories tall and the other 12 stories, with a total of 208 units. Plans for the apartment complex called for two five-story buildings with 60 units each. Cost was estimated between $80 million and $90 million and was to bring in $2.3 million in new tax revenue yearly.

In March 2003, the city sold the land for about $540,000 so that the project could be built.

But the council at the time also wanted to see some money up front from the developers, which included a local group, One Renaissance Center LLC, and set a deadline of Aug. 23, 2004, for that.

The developers were unable to meet the deadline.

Last September, the council voted that the city was no longer be obligated to provide financial assistance for the project.

Several weeks ago, the city received notice from the Iowa West Foundation that a grant was awarded in the amount of $715,000 to buy back the land and undertake new planning and market analysis activities.

OmahaDevelopmentMan · Wed Jan 26, 2005 12:28 am

Good to know that they don't want the land to go to waste, hopefully we can hear something in the near future. When was this article dated?

CountOfMC · Post by **CountOfMC** » Wed Jan 26, 2005 12:34 am

Was it just me or was ORC absolutely a beaut? That stucco-green color was awesome. I really hope they come back with that kind of a color/design.. it almost depreciates your eyesight

redfield · Post by **redfield** » Wed Jan 26, 2005 1:27 am

The Renaissance Center project was perfect for this site. It was the timing that killed it.

If the pedestrian bridge hadn't been delayed, that project would be pre-selling units right now.

eomaha · Post by **eomaha** » Wed Jan 26, 2005 1:44 am

Well don't give up yet. There is money available to allow CB to continue developing the site... I am sure they will seek out new proposals for residential here.

icejammer · Post by **icejammer** » Wed Jan 26, 2005 3:30 am

OmahaDevelopmentMan wrote:Good to know that they don't want the land to go to waste, hopefully we can hear something in the near future. When was this article dated?

The article was in today's (25 Jan) Nonpareil. The action was taken at last night's City Council meeting.

dmluvr · Post by **dmluvr** » Thu Jan 27, 2005 1:10 am

that's too bad you guys, is the bridge still a go??

There was talk on here ealier about corporate money for your bridge, the principal riverwalk in des moines is now under construction along with our signature bridge.... obviously.....our pimp daddy--principal is paying for most of this.

I really hope you guys can land this.....construction has barley started here and there is already a lot of buzz building and spins have already begun.

DMRyan · Post by **DMRyan** » Thu Jan 27, 2005 1:25 am

The riverwalk bridge in DSM won't be constructed until 2006 or 2007 though. They're still waiting on some Corps of Engineers permits.

dmluvr · Post by **dmluvr** » Thu Jan 27, 2005 2:38 am

thanks for clarifing dmryan...do you know how close they are to getting permits??

omahahawk · Post by **omahahawk** » Thu Jan 27, 2005 3:40 am

Ryan, do you got any pics of these plans. I checked on the Des Moines site and didn't see any, might have overlooked them though. Is this riverwalk idea going to be similar to San Antonio?

Finn · Post by **Finn** » Thu Jan 27, 2005 4:16 am

Mayors Mike Fahey and Tom Hanafan face a $5.3 million fund-raising task in order to save their plan to link Omaha and Council Bluffs with a curving pedestrian bridge.

A rendering of the lower cost alternate for the Missouri River pedestrian bridge.

Fahey, of Omaha, and Hanafan, of Council Bluffs, agreed Wednesday not to scrap plans for the pedestrian bridge, which faltered after the first attempt came back with bids nearly double the projected $22.6 million cost.

The two mayors committed to push forward. On Wednesday, their aides, Iowa and Nebraska roads officials, federal transportation employees and representatives of the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District signed off on a new $28 million design.

Fahey said he plans to talk with Hanafan this week on how they will go about finding the additional money to build the curving Missouri River bridge supported by two gleaming pillars.

In a change from his past statements, Fahey did not rule out using some city tax funds. "My preference is not to do that, but we have to consider the options," Fahey said.

"I'm optimistic private donations can fill the void."

Hanafan wasn't quite as optimistic.

"Is this a doable number? I don't know. We will see what we can do," Hanafan said. "Certainly $5.3 million is a lot better than $20 million."

Jennifer Mahlendorf, deputy chief of staff to Fahey, said no solicitations have been made nor has any determination been made about seeking additional federal funds.

The bridge plans have been five years in the making, since then-Sen. Bob Kerrey, D-Neb., landed $19 million in federal funds, matched by $1.5 million from each state and $1 million from the resources district.

An additional $5.3 million is needed to cover the bridge's new $28 million estimated cost, plus expenses for preliminary planning work.

After the first bids came in at $45 million, a combination of shock and frustration nearly led to abandonment of the project. Additional paperwork caused an 18-month delay. The best hope is that new bids can go out this fall, Omaha Parks Director Larry Foster said.

If all goes well, he said, the pedestrian link would be open by fall 2007.

A number of changes were made in the bridge plans while maintaining the basic design.

The plan is for the bridge to rise from a plaza south of the Gallup University campus, span the river in an "S" curve and land in the planned new park along the floodplain on the Iowa side.

The major factor in shaving $16 million from the previous construction bid is breaking the project into parts and simplifying the engineering and construction plans.

For example, the earth work on each side would be bid separately to attract lower-cost, local firms, Foster said. Instead of trying to pour the concrete overhead, he said, preformed sections would be used for the bridge platform.

Many techniques in the first design were untested in the Midwest, Foster said, and construction companies were uncomfortable with the cost estimates.

From the beginning, the project has been a cooperative effort between Omaha and Council Bluffs, both sides said.

"We are all comfortable with this," said Gayle Malmquist, Council Bluffs' development services coordinator. "We play good together."

Finn · Post by **Finn** » Thu Jan 27, 2005 4:23 am

This sounds somewhat optimistic but I am disappointed about the timing. I am sure we can get the extra funds through donations, so let's just start the darn thing already before steel prices, etc. increase again. It sounds like tax funds could be used to save it, so why not begin under that premise while continuing attempts for grants and donations? Some corporations/foundations will step up.

Begin!

omahahawk · Post by **omahahawk** » Thu Jan 27, 2005 5:02 am

Finn, you are so right. I don't know if there will be something set up for the general public to donate outside of major donations but that would make sense to me. And I'll be honest when I say I'm not going to have the weight of a corporate contributor or a wealthy private benefactor. But from a prorated perspective, I believe in the project enough to donate what I can afford personally (think $100

) if it would get the ball rolling. I think I'm going to inquire with the mayor's office if there is a general fund for these type of contributions.

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Thu Jan 27, 2005 5:07 am

I know, just freakin' start it already. Jeez! $23 million is already secured for it.

And $5.3 million dollars seems like chump change to the Iowa West Foundation. Why don't they just foot the bill. We could even let Council Bluffs name it. Whatever, just build it! I wouldn't even mind if it's called the Council Bluffs Bridge.

Man, I can't believe how long this is getting stretched out.

Of course I'm pleased that it's not dead, but my god, what does it take to build a frikkin bridge these days!

omahahawk · Post by **omahahawk** » Thu Jan 27, 2005 5:27 am

Well, just wrote the mayor's office to see if a general fund might be established to secure the difference. I hope so because I'm ready to see the thing go up. I'll let you know what I find out.

eomaha · Post by **eomaha** » Thu Jan 27, 2005 6:49 am

Be happy the sales tax receipts situation has turned around... a year ago Fahey wouldn't have even mentioned the 'T word'.

And do you realize... Iowa West gave over $2 million just to the Bayliss Park renovation?!

I think this would be the perfect opportunity for them to show a little support towards the side of the river from which the vast majority of it's patronage come (of course it's a huge win for both sides).

Well I'm ready to make a small donation... someone just needs to tell me who to write the check to.

icejammer · Post by **icejammer** » Thu Jan 27, 2005 3:36 pm

jhuston wrote:I think this would be the perfect opportunity for them to show a little support towards the side of the river from which the vast majority of it's patronage come (of course it's a huge win for both sides).

Just so there's no misunderstanding on the issue, the Iowa West Foundation already hands out grants/scholarships to entities on the west banks of the river. Generally, 10-15% of their awards have gone to Nebraska entities. Granted, it's not in proportion to the customer base, but I believe the same was said of the Ak-Sar-Ben Foundation when horse racing was king around here.

Anyways, I believe this project would fit very nicely into the grant priority areas of community beautification. Given the foundation giving to Nebraska entities has been in the $1-1.5 million range annually, I think (hope) we could see at least that much going towards this project, but it's not a given, for sure.

And ditto, who do I make a check out to?

redfield · Post by **redfield** » Thu Jan 27, 2005 3:56 pm

Well I'm ready to make a small donation... someone just needs to tell me who to write the check to.

Me too.

Lets build this thing.

I would prefer it not be named after Omaha OR Council Bluffs, since it's supposed to be a joint effort to connect the two cities.