Old Union Pacific Headquarters Lot

legato9 · Post by **legato9** » Mon Mar 13, 2023 1:38 pm

I've got $20 that says we end up with a 5-over-1 apartment building that has 19+ different stick-on exterior finishes and a dentist and a State Farm agent on the ground floor.

Takers?

ita · Post by **ita** » Mon Mar 13, 2023 1:46 pm

legato9 wrote: Mon Mar 13, 2023 1:38 pm I've got $20 that says we end up with a 5-over-1 apartment building that has 19+ different stick-on exterior finishes and a dentist and a State Farm agent on the ground floor.

Takers?

I don't gamble, but how dare you!

stadsborgare · Post by **stadsborgare** » Mon Mar 13, 2023 2:25 pm

I'd just assume leaving this block undeveloped until the absolute right project comes along, no matter how long it takes. And we'll know it's the right one when it is "screaming YES!" No need to rush on such a prime piece of ground as this. Same goes for the lot east of Mutual tower/west of GLM.

PotatoeEatsFish · Post by **PotatoeEatsFish** » Mon Mar 13, 2023 5:12 pm

Rumor alert: 100 story mixed use skyscraper going on this location. Very reliable source (my imagination).

stormchaser · Post by **stormchaser** » Tue Mar 14, 2023 6:41 am

I realize there has been an increase in seemingly bogus rumors on here as of late, but I hope as a community we stay away from mocking those who share what they’ve heard (in general anyway) - especially since Skip has been here for a few months and hasn’t shared any info that turned out to be bogus as far as I’m aware. Otherwise someone else may have some good intel but they choose to keep it to themselves because they'd rather not deal with being mocked. This isn't Reddit, etc

.

Every rumor from anyone should be taken as what it is - just a rumor. But the intel is appreciated.

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Tue Mar 14, 2023 8:57 am

Indeed. Well put. Let the rumors pan out or not. That's why they're rumors.

ita · Post by **ita** » Tue Mar 14, 2023 9:00 am

stormchaser wrote: Tue Mar 14, 2023 6:41 am I realize there has been an increase in seemingly bogus rumors on here as of late, but I hope as a community we stay away from mocking those who share what they’ve heard (in general anyway) - especially since Skip has been here for a few months and hasn’t shared any info that turned out to be bogus as far as I’m aware. Otherwise someone else may have some good intel but they choose to keep it to themselves because they'd rather not deal with being mocked. This isn't Reddit, etc .

Every rumor from anyone should be taken as what it is - just a rumor. But the intel is appreciated.

Here, here. Take these rumors with a grain of salt. Skip is a registered user, so no need attacking them. I like to believe these because it's fun. If it doesn't come to pass, oh well. I think it's worse when we have something like Wallstreet tower/Lanoha Tower, or HDR downtown HQ, with renderings and all that, and the project fails.

skip · Post by **skip** » Tue Mar 14, 2023 9:03 am

ita wrote: Tue Mar 14, 2023 9:00 am
stormchaser wrote: Tue Mar 14, 2023 6:41 am I realize there has been an increase in seemingly bogus rumors on here as of late, but I hope as a community we stay away from mocking those who share what they’ve heard (in general anyway) - especially since Skip has been here for a few months and hasn’t shared any info that turned out to be bogus as far as I’m aware. Otherwise someone else may have some good intel but they choose to keep it to themselves because they'd rather not deal with being mocked. This isn't Reddit, etc .

Every rumor from anyone should be taken as what it is - just a rumor. But the intel is appreciated.
Here, here. Take these rumors with a grain of salt. Skip is a registered user, so no need attacking them. I like to believe these because it's fun. If it doesn't come to pass, oh well. I think it's worse when we have something like Wallstreet tower/Lanoha Tower, or HDR downtown HQ, with renderings and all that, and the project fails.

Haha thank you - heard the rumor over the weekend and I figured it would be a disservice to the pro-development community on the forum if I didn't post about it

Doctor Fate · Post by **Doctor Fate** » Tue Mar 14, 2023 9:06 am

skip wrote: Tue Mar 14, 2023 9:03 am
ita wrote: Tue Mar 14, 2023 9:00 am
stormchaser wrote: Tue Mar 14, 2023 6:41 am I realize there has been an increase in seemingly bogus rumors on here as of late, but I hope as a community we stay away from mocking those who share what they’ve heard (in general anyway) - especially since Skip has been here for a few months and hasn’t shared any info that turned out to be bogus as far as I’m aware. Otherwise someone else may have some good intel but they choose to keep it to themselves because they'd rather not deal with being mocked. This isn't Reddit, etc .

Every rumor from anyone should be taken as what it is - just a rumor. But the intel is appreciated.
Here, here. Take these rumors with a grain of salt. Skip is a registered user, so no need attacking them. I like to believe these because it's fun. If it doesn't come to pass, oh well. I think it's worse when we have something like Wallstreet tower/Lanoha Tower, or HDR downtown HQ, with renderings and all that, and the project fails.
Haha thank you - heard the rumor over the weekend and I figured it would be a disservice to the pro-development community on the forum if I didn't post about it

I appreciate it!

Garrett · Post by **Garrett** » Tue Mar 14, 2023 10:16 am

ita wrote: Tue Mar 14, 2023 9:00 am
stormchaser wrote: Tue Mar 14, 2023 6:41 am I realize there has been an increase in seemingly bogus rumors on here as of late, but I hope as a community we stay away from mocking those who share what they’ve heard (in general anyway) - especially since Skip has been here for a few months and hasn’t shared any info that turned out to be bogus as far as I’m aware. Otherwise someone else may have some good intel but they choose to keep it to themselves because they'd rather not deal with being mocked. This isn't Reddit, etc .

Every rumor from anyone should be taken as what it is - just a rumor. But the intel is appreciated.
Here, here. Take these rumors with a grain of salt. Skip is a registered user, so no need attacking them. I like to believe these because it's fun. If it doesn't come to pass, oh well. I think it's worse when we have something like Wallstreet tower/Lanoha Tower, or HDR downtown HQ, with renderings and all that, and the project fails.

Agreed. Technically we’ve been hearing rumors about this lot for almost 20 years now, some just had shiny pictures. What’s one more?

ita · Post by **ita** » Tue Mar 14, 2023 12:27 pm

I went back to listen to what the Mayor said on Grow Omaha about this site. It was the January 7 show. She said that the City would send out an RFP with what they're looking for, so it sounded like RFP was out for the site yet. However, she said there were already prospects and interest for site. If the City sent the RFP would it be public? I tried searching the Daily Record and couldn't find anything related since December 21, 2022, when the City took back the property.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Tue Mar 14, 2023 3:49 pm

ita wrote: Tue Mar 14, 2023 12:27 pm I went back to listen to what the Mayor said on Grow Omaha about this site. It was the January 7 show. She said that the City would send out an RFP with what they're looking for, so it sounded like RFP was out for the site yet. However, she said there were already prospects and interest for site. If the City sent the RFP would it be public? I tried searching the Daily Record and couldn't find anything related since December 21, 2022, when the City took back the property.

Like I stated in one of my last posts, here’s what we do know- the city has currently received multiple RFP’s for this parcel. Nothing has been shared with any media outlets as it relates to any specifics of any of these proposals..Nor, to my knowledge, has anything been made available to the public..

The running joke on the forum is 60-90 days.. We are basically to that 60 day point since the mayor indicated on Grow Omaha the city was entertaining RFP’s.. I’d suspect we’d at least get a public peek (through media outlets) what the proposed RFP proposals look like, and the elements contained in each- likely (and hopefully) by sometime this Spring (think mid April to mid May).. Just my guess…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

Bob from Omaha · Post by **Bob from Omaha** » Tue Mar 14, 2023 5:53 pm

Lincoln is and has been going vertical all over downtown yet Omaha with the exception of Mutual can't get so much as a step ladder hoisted. Outstanding.

PotatoeEatsFish · Post by **PotatoeEatsFish** » Tue Mar 14, 2023 7:20 pm

Bob from Omaha wrote: Tue Mar 14, 2023 5:53 pm Lincoln is and has been going vertical all over downtown yet Omaha with the exception of Mutual can't get so much as a step ladder hoisted. Outstanding.

I’m really confused by this too. It seems like all the Lincoln projects are residential towers. Yet Omaha hasn’t built one since the riverfront ones? It’s really pathetic that they just allow all these 5 story |expletive| boxes all over. Is there some sort of zoning issue or something that’s preventing this or is Omaha just the land for developers to throw |expletive| up and call it a day?

We Don’t Coast · Post by **We Don’t Coast** » Tue Mar 14, 2023 8:05 pm

Lol some of the comments here are really comical. Lincoln has built one 20 story with another 13 story building under construction. Make no mistake, this is awesome for Lincoln, but to somehow insinuate this as “going vertical all over the place” to Minimize Omaha is quite the disingenuous leap. Omaha is breaking ground on a 677 FT skyscraper (tallest in the region) is currently fielding RFP’s for the UP site for yet another significant high rise development. Combine this, with the incredible density the Mercantile Development brings and all that is happening in North Downtown, along with the 3 park riverfront plan and a brand new science center; give me a break with the Omaha is doing nothing crapola. Some of you sound like you came straight from that toxic and silly Omaha Reddit forum. Geez SMH.

Bob from Omaha · Post by **Bob from Omaha** » Tue Mar 14, 2023 8:47 pm

We Don’t Coast wrote: Tue Mar 14, 2023 8:05 pm Lol some of the comments here are really comical. Lincoln has built one 20 story with another 13 story building under construction. Make no mistake, this is awesome for Lincoln, but to somehow insinuate this as “going vertical all over the place” to Minimize Omaha is quite the disingenuous leap. Omaha is breaking ground on a 677 FT skyscraper (tallest in the region) is currently fielding RFP’s for the UP site for yet another significant high rise development. Combine this, with the incredible density the Mercantile Development brings and all that is happening in North Downtown, along with the 3 park riverfront plan and a brand new science center; give me a break with the Omaha is doing nothing crapola. Some of you sound like you came straight from that toxic and silly Omaha Reddit forum. Geez SMH.

I reread my post and yes I actually did mention the Mutual tower. Density of the Mercantile development? I maintain that the former Conagra campus redevelopment is slipshod and has no soul. North Downtown? Not nearly as well developed as initially imagined. A few suburban hotels and yes some interesting developments but again, no real serious thought as to what on earth it as a whole looks like. Yes the three park riverfront plan is nice but where's the wow factor?
I never ever said Omaha is doing nothing, crapola or otherwise.

I lived in Omaha for 50 years and moved in 2008. When the FNBO Tower was about to open I was helping a friend finish data cable runs and at 3 in the morning we were on the roof admiring the view. I watched as the WOW building was demolished for the incredibly ugly State building. I watched Northern Natural build the first of six office buildings and then the other five were never built and Enron tore the company apart. I was in the Central Park Mall the week it opened at 10:30 at night when before that downtown after 5 was hookers and druggies. I took one of the first boat rides at Heartland of America Park where the battery plant used to be. I went to Central High in the late 70s and cut class for lunch downtown. I watched Brandeis close downtown. I ate Satan's Pizza in the old Market and watched the Old Market grow up. I watched as Pacific Life moved from downtown, HDR didn't move downtown, others moved to 192nd and farther out, moving to "mixed use" that in many ways didn't pan out. Aksarben Village? Good that something was done with a former top 10 horse track. Conagra's snot nosed boss moved to a big "ugly brick building" in Chicago for whatever reason. So yeah, I've seen a lot of changes downtown. But I never, ever saw a highrise residential tower being built.

None of that is part of my point. One of the hopes from the original Central Park Mall vision was that it would spur residential high rises along with office buildings. Didn't happen. Wall Street Tower? Zip. The former Civic land? Nada. I have to believe that there was and still is demand for 25-30 story (at least) residential downtown.

SMH

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Tue Mar 14, 2023 9:19 pm

Well in the end, the hope is downtown will see residential high rise development in the coming 2-5 years..He!l, we might even see it happen on this UP parcel..

In any case, Omaha is doing great, and I believe it’ll continue to get better. Same with Lincoln..

I’m in the same age bracket as Bob, and like him, have seen many changes to the downtown core..I was eyewitness to the horror of Jobbers Canyon getting bulldozed, and several other opportunities lost for the core..but I’m optimistic Omaha is finally turning a corner today..and I hope I live long enough to see most of it’s potential realized..

Let’s hope we hear some news on the 1416 parcel within the next month or 2..

Ciao..LiO…Peace

Athomsfere · Post by **Athomsfere** » Tue Mar 14, 2023 9:28 pm

Couple things too though, Lincoln has some great density and not a ton of lots. Omaha wishes it had that "problem" I think.

The 20/30/30 or whatever the plan was, the street car, a lot of reasons to think a resi tower isn't too far off.

Hawkeye · Post by **Hawkeye** » Wed Mar 15, 2023 8:51 am

Just for the sake of "what if". This is a quick and dirty 'shop based on a 600-foot mixed-use residential/retail project proposed for Chicago's West Loop neighborhood.

Doctor Fate · Post by **Doctor Fate** » Wed Mar 15, 2023 9:16 am

Hawkeye wrote: Wed Mar 15, 2023 8:51 am Just for the sake of "what if". This is a quick and dirty 'shop based on a 600-foot mixed-use residential/retail project proposed for Chicago's West Loop neighborhood.

Juicy!

NEDodger · Post by **NEDodger** » Wed Mar 15, 2023 11:59 am

Another bullseye from Hawkeye!

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Wed Mar 15, 2023 12:29 pm

NEDodger wrote: Wed Mar 15, 2023 11:59 am Another bullseye from Hawkeye!

‘Ol Hawkeye almost always hits his target…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Wed Mar 15, 2023 12:30 pm

Hawkeye wrote: Wed Mar 15, 2023 8:51 am Just for the sake of "what if". This is a quick and dirty 'shop based on a 600-foot mixed-use residential/retail project proposed for Chicago's West Loop neighborhood.

Looking good my friend

…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

thenewguy · Post by **thenewguy** » Wed Mar 15, 2023 6:53 pm

That fill has a good feel

ryan311 · Post by **ryan311** » Sat Mar 25, 2023 7:45 pm

skip wrote: Sun Mar 12, 2023 9:03 pm Yeah it’s one of the submitted RFPs and it sounds like the city will be going with this option. But like I said, it is a rumor and I can’t 100% confirm it. Figured to toss it on the thread when I heard about this weekend.

Talked with my source for info on the mutual tower today and I mentioned this to them. Their response was that they thought the RFP was 55 stories and DLR was involved.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Sat Mar 25, 2023 7:50 pm

ryan311 wrote: Sat Mar 25, 2023 7:45 pm
skip wrote: Sun Mar 12, 2023 9:03 pm Yeah it’s one of the submitted RFPs and it sounds like the city will be going with this option. But like I said, it is a rumor and I can’t 100% confirm it. Figured to toss it on the thread when I heard about this weekend.
Talked with my source for info on the mutual tower today and I mentioned this to them. Their response was that they thought the RFP was 55 stories and DLR was involved.

The plot (fun) thickens…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

Doctor Fate · Post by **Doctor Fate** » Sat Mar 25, 2023 11:02 pm

Omaha Cowboy wrote: Sat Mar 25, 2023 7:50 pm
ryan311 wrote: Sat Mar 25, 2023 7:45 pm
skip wrote: Sun Mar 12, 2023 9:03 pm Yeah it’s one of the submitted RFPs and it sounds like the city will be going with this option. But like I said, it is a rumor and I can’t 100% confirm it. Figured to toss it on the thread when I heard about this weekend.
Talked with my source for info on the mutual tower today and I mentioned this to them. Their response was that they thought the RFP was 55 stories and DLR was involved.
The plot (fun) thickens…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

If this is all residential, a 55 story tower would be 650+ ft like the Modern Austin Residences tower. If it's mixed-use it would likely be closer to 700 ft or taller.

ita · Post by **ita** » Sun Mar 26, 2023 12:15 am

Doctor Fate wrote: Sat Mar 25, 2023 11:02 pm
Omaha Cowboy wrote: Sat Mar 25, 2023 7:50 pm
ryan311 wrote: Sat Mar 25, 2023 7:45 pm
skip wrote: Sun Mar 12, 2023 9:03 pm Yeah it’s one of the submitted RFPs and it sounds like the city will be going with this option. But like I said, it is a rumor and I can’t 100% confirm it. Figured to toss it on the thread when I heard about this weekend.
Talked with my source for info on the mutual tower today and I mentioned this to them. Their response was that they thought the RFP was 55 stories and DLR was involved.
The plot (fun) thickens…

Ciao..LiO…Peace
If this is all residential, a 55 story tower would be 650+ ft like the Modern Austin Residences tower. If it's mixed-use it would likely be closer to 700 ft or taller.

Y'all are killing me posting this on Saturday night.

So, dlr is designing or occupying said 55 story building?

ItsAllAboutMe · Post by **ItsAllAboutMe** » Sun Mar 26, 2023 10:44 am

While the thought of a 55 story building on this site is exciting I hope they chose the high rise that is most likely to get built. Even if that means it only 20-30 stories. Nobody wants to go through Wall Street tower park deux.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Sun Mar 26, 2023 5:22 pm

Friends..

The Cryptic Rumor Dept has informed me that the city has yet to issue RFP’s for this parcel- meaning the request has yet to go out.. But it is being worked on..

This does not mean work isn’t being done in the background. Several developers have expressed interest in the parcel, and it is possible this info regarding a 55 story development is indeed being worked on as a component for the forthcoming RFP request for 1416 Dodge..

All I can say as of today is, stay tuned…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

Cermak · Post by **Cermak** » Sun Mar 26, 2023 6:38 pm

ItsAllAboutMe wrote: Sun Mar 26, 2023 10:44 am While the thought of a 55 story building on this site is exciting I hope they chose the high rise that is most likely to get built. Even if that means it only 20-30 stories. Nobody wants to go through Wall Street tower park deux.

Agree, even a sharp looking 25-30 story building would be more than welcomed after looking at a green lawn smack dab in the core of downtown for what seems like the past 20 years.

ita · Post by **ita** » Sun Mar 26, 2023 8:18 pm

Omaha Cowboy wrote: Sun Mar 26, 2023 5:22 pm Friends..

The Cryptic Rumor Dept has informed me that the city has yet to issue RFP’s for this parcel- meaning the request has yet to go out.. But it is being worked on..

This does not mean work isn’t being done in the background. Several developers have expressed interest in the parcel, and it is possible this info regarding a 55 story development is indeed being worked on as a component for the forthcoming RFP request for 1416 Dodge..

All I can say as of today is, stay tuned…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

This is what I've been wanting to know, whether the rfp has even been sent out yet. Since they haven't yet, it's going to be a few months until we hear anything about this site.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Sun Mar 26, 2023 8:54 pm

ita wrote: Sun Mar 26, 2023 8:18 pm
Omaha Cowboy wrote: Sun Mar 26, 2023 5:22 pm Friends..

The Cryptic Rumor Dept has informed me that the city has yet to issue RFP’s for this parcel- meaning the request has yet to go out.. But it is being worked on..

This does not mean work isn’t being done in the background. Several developers have expressed interest in the parcel, and it is possible this info regarding a 55 story development is indeed being worked on as a component for the forthcoming RFP request for 1416 Dodge..

All I can say as of today is, stay tuned…

Ciao..LiO…Peace
This is what I've been wanting to know, whether the rfp has even been sent out yet. Since they haven't yet, it's going to be a few months until we hear anything about this site.

From what I understand, this is pretty much correct.. Likely, we’ll hear something by July/August.. At the soonest, June..

60 to 120 days would be a good spread..Maybe 60-150…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

Athomsfere · Post by **Athomsfere** » Sun Mar 26, 2023 10:54 pm

ita wrote: Sun Mar 26, 2023 8:18 pm
Omaha Cowboy wrote: Sun Mar 26, 2023 5:22 pm Friends..

The Cryptic Rumor Dept has informed me that the city has yet to issue RFP’s for this parcel- meaning the request has yet to go out.. But it is being worked on..

This does not mean work isn’t being done in the background. Several developers have expressed interest in the parcel, and it is possible this info regarding a 55 story development is indeed being worked on as a component for the forthcoming RFP request for 1416 Dodge..

All I can say as of today is, stay tuned…

Ciao..LiO…Peace
This is what I've been wanting to know, whether the rfp has even been sent out yet. Since they haven't yet, it's going to be a few months until we hear anything about this site.

Similar thoughts were here. My understanding was the RFP was out, but I couldn't find one.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Sun Mar 26, 2023 11:48 pm

Athomsfere wrote: Sun Mar 26, 2023 10:54 pm
ita wrote: Sun Mar 26, 2023 8:18 pm
Omaha Cowboy wrote: Sun Mar 26, 2023 5:22 pm Friends..

The Cryptic Rumor Dept has informed me that the city has yet to issue RFP’s for this parcel- meaning the request has yet to go out.. But it is being worked on..

This does not mean work isn’t being done in the background. Several developers have expressed interest in the parcel, and it is possible this info regarding a 55 story development is indeed being worked on as a component for the forthcoming RFP request for 1416 Dodge..

All I can say as of today is, stay tuned…

Ciao..LiO…Peace
This is what I've been wanting to know, whether the rfp has even been sent out yet. Since they haven't yet, it's going to be a few months until we hear anything about this site.
Similar thoughts were here. My understanding was the RFP was out, but I couldn't find one.

I was under the same impression.. Until I was informed otherwise today. It basically means we’ll be waiting a bit longer for intel on development for this parcel..

It doesn’t mean that developers aren’t putting plans together to present once the city issues the RFP; which I believe they are..and some of that could very well be what has been leaked here in this thread over the past few days…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

Hawkeye · Post by **Hawkeye** » Wed Mar 29, 2023 5:23 pm

Just for grins, here's a conceptual view (obviously) from the CB side of the river with an approx. 400-ish foot apartment/condo type building in this spot. Even somethin' in that range would be pretty impressive (and if we're being honest, much more likely to come to fruition than 600+). And before you say anything, yes, I'm well aware this has the original rendering of MOOT. But it doesn't make my post....wait for it.........moot.

Thank you. Thank you. You've been a great crowd. I'll be here all week. Two shows on Friday and Saturday nights. Don't forget to tip your waitress. Try the veal. Thanks for comin' out everybody. Get home safely. Goodnight!!

I based it on the 374-foot LPM tower here in Minneapolis, which is kind of football shaped and definitely different than the typical residential box. Link to pic of actual bldg. to not clog this post with multiple images.
https://images.fineartamerica.com/image ... l-cobb.jpg

Post by **BRoss** » Wed Mar 29, 2023 6:03 pm

Love it!

Athomsfere · Post by **Athomsfere** » Thu Mar 30, 2023 9:28 am

Hawkeye wrote: Wed Mar 29, 2023 5:23 pm Just for grins, here's a conceptual view (obviously) from the CB side of the river with an approx. 400-ish foot apartment/condo type building in this spot. Even somethin' in that range would be pretty impressive (and if we're being honest, much more likely to come to fruition than 600+). And before you say anything, yes, I'm well aware this has the original rendering of MOOT. But it doesn't make my post....wait for it.........moot.

Thank you. Thank you. You've been a great crowd. I'll be here all week. Two shows on Friday and Saturday nights. Don't forget to tip your waitress. Try the veal. Thanks for comin' out everybody. Get home safely. Goodnight!!

I based it on the 374-foot LPM tower here in Minneapolis, which is kind of football shaped and definitely different than the typical residential box. Link to pic of actual bldg. to not clog this post with multiple images.
https://images.fineartamerica.com/image ... l-cobb.jpg

What I'd love to see:

Another 300+ footer in that lot at 15th and Howard. Bookending our little highrise section of town.

Doctor Fate · Post by **Doctor Fate** » Thu Mar 30, 2023 9:46 am

Athomsfere wrote: Thu Mar 30, 2023 9:28 am
What I'd love to see:

Another 300+ footer in that lot at 15th and Howard. Bookending our little highrise section of town.

If you're thinking of the surface lot on the NW corner, another forum member looked this up and said that OPA owns that lot.

nebport5 · Post by **nebport5** » Thu Mar 30, 2023 9:59 am

Athomsfere wrote: Thu Mar 30, 2023 9:28 am
What I'd love to see:

Another 300+ footer in that lot at 15th and Howard. Bookending our little highrise section of town.

As much as we all like to reduce open lots I think most here would raise you 1313 Farnam. The lot in question is indeed big and ugly, but if your point is partially about balancing the skyline what about the lot NE of 15th and Harney? The building to the east isn't exactly a landmark either.