Midtown Crossing

wbrook twr · Post by **wbrook twr** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 10:10 pm

You're welcome, this week was my last chance to get some overhead shots. Next week I'm WPS, no cameras allowed in the office

mcarch · Post by **mcarch** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 12:11 am

I didn't know we were gonna get a lake??? LOL![/u]

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 1:43 am

mcarch wrote:I didn't know we were gonna get a lake??? LOL![/u]

Ya know, even though you were joking, it would be kinda neat to have an outdoor skating rink there. Given the retail and other goings on there, it would be a nice touch.

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 2:22 am

And when people fall on their |expletive| the insurance company is just right across the street.

Raraavis · Post by **Raraavis** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 1:32 pm

How are the able to tear up the park for this project? I thought public park land in Omaha could not be used for any other purpose once it had been designated as a park. Isn't that why the couldn't widen Pacific Street near Aksarben

Post by **Brad** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 1:49 pm

In the end the park is going to be bigger so there must be some kind of land swap agreement.

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 2:03 pm

Yeah, the park is actually going to be expanded into the "crescent."

Thanks for the photos, wbrook twr!

shengs75 · Post by **shengs75** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 1:59 pm

almighty_tuna wrote:
mcarch wrote:I didn't know we were gonna get a lake??? LOL![/u]
Ya know, even though you were joking, it would be kinda neat to have an outdoor skating rink there. Given the retail and other goings on there, it would be a nice touch.

that would be cool....kind of like Providence

wbrook twr · Post by **wbrook twr** » Sat Nov 10, 2007 1:03 am

I'm going to try and get some more pictures this weekend. They've dug up the park now. You can barely see the cranes they're down so deep in the pit. They've really stepped up the work. Went by tonight on the bus and they have these bright lights on, it was after 9:00.

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Sat Nov 10, 2007 6:45 pm

There's so much equipment there now, and during the day it's buzzing with activity and workings.

It's so exciting to see such a huge scale project under construction!

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 12:20 pm

So I'm too lazy to do a search and as such will accept my lashings from Brad if this is a repost (especially since I called him out last week!). Anyway, rumor has it that Whole Foods is the grocery anchor for this project.

thenewguy · Post by **thenewguy** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 1:52 pm

Hmmm...i know someone who works there, i'll see if they know anything!

Swift · Post by **Swift** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 2:25 pm

I'm friends with like 3187539856918261 Whole Foods employees...a few days ago I was saying "you guys should open up another store in midtown, now that you closed down Wild Oats." And she said"

Her: "Well, actually..." and then stopped.
Me: "What? What do you know!?!"
Her: "Nothing."
Me: "You were starting to tell me a rumor! TELL ME NOW!!!!!AKGADKAGKJWKEJGA"

But yeah, she said she didn't actually know anything about anything, because if there was something like that being announced, they wouldn't tell the employees until everything was already signed, etc.

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 2:50 pm

From the way I heard it, this sounded like it was already in the bag.

wbrook twr · Post by **wbrook twr** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 11:02 pm

Pictures from this past Sunday, they've begun work on the park

I just noticed the new sign when I sat on a picnic bench and looked up

the1wags · Post by **the1wags** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 11:06 pm

Thanks for these update shots. Today was the first time I'd gone by there in a couple weeks, things are really moving now. There is also sections on site for what looks to be a MASSIVE tower crane.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 11:12 pm

Great shots! Thanks.
I do hope they get rid of those sewer blocks.

wbrook twr · Post by **wbrook twr** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 11:23 pm

Thanks, there's a huge red crane at the garage site. I ran down during the first half of the Dallas game to take pictures. Then the clouds came in, made it back home to catch the rest of the game and miss any rain that might come. Since I can't take my camera to work anymore I've either got to go back after work or wait until the weekend. I had some pictures of the red crane but the focus was off.

Swift · Post by **Swift** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 11:33 pm

Coyote wrote:Great shots! Thanks.
I do hope they get rid of those sewer blocks.

Not likely, considering how much they spent commissioning them.

They're actually sweet, if you take time to hang out in the park. You can curl up in them with a book on a hot summer day, and the concrete keeps you cool and in the shade.

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 11:52 pm

At least one of us still works there Toni. Can you have your camera on the S6 lobby? You can get some overhead shots from there.

wbrook twr · Post by **wbrook twr** » Thu Nov 15, 2007 12:20 am

I'd still be on WPS' dime, 6th and 7th floor are considered WPS. Coming in or leaving after hours we have a special WPS access card to scan to get into the building. (I still have to update you on all the changes.) I'll figure something out, there's some really nice shots to be had even from the window in our department. As a MOO "retiree" I can get in the main building if someone signs me in-I'm trying to work that angle too.

ShawJ · Post by **ShawJ** » Thu Nov 15, 2007 1:50 am

It's so exciting seeing all of the major projects in Omaha underway. Once the Wall Street Tower starts rising, we will have that, this project, and aksarben village all going at the same time. Gotta love it.

Post by **Brad** » Thu Nov 15, 2007 5:17 pm

Nice Shots!

So whats the over/under on the number of tower cranes that will be on site?

the1wags · Post by **the1wags** » Thu Nov 15, 2007 5:36 pm

I'm gonna go with 3.

Post by **Brad** » Thu Nov 15, 2007 9:00 pm

I was hoping 5+ At least 4 for the main part and 1 for the south part.

wbrook twr · Post by **wbrook twr** » Thu Nov 15, 2007 9:37 pm

I'll check tomorrow. I think they've added a big red one on main site too. That would be 3 on the main and 1 on the south, unless they moved one of the yellow ones out. They have so much stuff going in and out of the site.

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Thu Nov 15, 2007 9:41 pm

Thanks for all those shots, Toni.

I can't wait to hear more tenant announcements! I'm sure many won't commit or be announced until summer/fall 08 and Spring of 09.

Stargazer · Post by **Stargazer** » Thu Nov 15, 2007 10:13 pm

Apparently the 'sewer blocks' are in trouble... they were to be moved to Memorial Park... and now a petition is being run to gather signatures against their being moved there.

Personally, I sort of like them... surely they have a place somewhere in Omaha!

the1wags · Post by **the1wags** » Thu Nov 15, 2007 10:22 pm

wbrook twr · Post by **wbrook twr** » Thu Nov 15, 2007 10:24 pm

Midtown Crossing Development and ECI Investment Advisors Inc are located in our building, or about to be. They moved the model to our lobby and had another party yesterday evening. I'm guessing it had to do with the bank and the project. This afternoon some of the development members were discussing the model with another developer. They were discussing the garage and the price of the model ($60,000) Guess I'll have to do more "lurking"

Oh Mutual First Federal has been given their walking (eviction notice!

) papers. Instead of moving out next December, MOO is booting them out the end of this year! MOO folks are very unhappy

wbrook twr · Post by **wbrook twr** » Thu Nov 15, 2007 10:25 pm

Just heard on channel 7 MOO might pay to move them

adam186 · Post by **adam186** » Thu Nov 15, 2007 11:25 pm

Aww, I'm so stupid. I actually tried to go to the website.

How about we actually use them for the billion dollar sewer project. All kidding aside, I think it would be cool they were spread across the metro and painted like public art. An idea?

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 12:28 am

I like them too, especially lit up at night. It would be cool if they would add some colored lights, too.

Swift · Post by **Swift** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 10:09 am

I think part of the problem is that people in the neighborhoods around UNO are particularly pissy right now because of all the UNO students that are parking right infront of their house every day due to the limited parking on campus. (Someone threw a bag of pee on my car. Granted, I was parked illegally, but after I got a car wash, I still parked there the next day).

This entire flap could be solved in one of two ways: 1) paint the things. because in most people's minds red = art.

or 2)make the entire neighborhood take a Modern Art History class. Then they'd relize that these sculptures aren't that bad...at least they'd be happy they didn't have a bunch of Duchamp pieces outside their houses. :yes:

Post by **Brad** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 10:13 am

wowt viewer comments:

Posted by: JC Location: Omaha
I always thought those were construction material that was being "stored" in the park until the city workers got around to finishing whatever project they belonged to. My apologies to the artist, however I am sure that the artist is aware of what and how the piece would/could be viewed by the public-that is all apart of being and artist-being comfortable with many different interpretations and views.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted by: Dean Location: Omaha
Could they somehow be used in the new drainage process of Saddle Creek if it gets rebuilt? Just consider them artistic culvert ends.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted by: Fred Location: Ralston
This so called sculpture looks like something that would be more at home at the Douglas County Landfill.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted by: J Location: Omaha
They do look like part of a sewer project. I've thought that for a long time. Now, my kids and I think they look like arm floaties for the pool. I don't blame the neighbors for not wanting to look at those. I would be upset too. Maybe the city could have a vote and move them to the bottom of a lake.

joeglow · Post by **joeglow** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 11:16 am

They beat the heck out what UNL paid for their stupid "Torn Notebook" sculpture.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 11:19 am

joeglow wrote:They beat the heck out what UNL paid for their stupid "Torn Notbook" sculpture.

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 12:07 pm

Well seeing as how they're controversial now I guess it's really art.

ShawJ · Post by **ShawJ** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 12:40 pm

As someone who grew up in the UNO neighborhood, I could really care less. I think they'll just get spray painted on though.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 4:52 pm

[wmp]http://mfile.akamai.com/12910/wmv/vod.i ... 5.200k.asx[/wmp]

KETV wrote:The "Sounding Stones" were created to call people to reflect on godly virtues as they drive past Turner Park on their way to and from downtown, the artist said. A plan is in place to move the sculptures, which weigh between 14 and 17 tons each. Earlier this year, Mutual of Omaha gave the artist two options -- move the sculpture to fit into the new Midtown Crossing condominium and commercial development, or move it somewhere else. "We probably investigated close to 20 different locations," said Larry Ferguson of the Omaha Public Art Commission. "It could be in any art magazine anywhere in the world." The appeal of the work isn't universally accepted.