Civic Square (former Civic Auditorium)

[Doctor Fate]

I asked White Lotus:
Why is there so much low to mid-rise development being proposed on such a prime downtown location? There are only 400 units on 9 acres and hundreds of street level parking, in addition to the existing garage? This seems like a poor use of land and this development could probably be phased out so you can build taller and more dense over time.

They replied:
Great question. We have explored high rise construction. We have concepted it, however the code requirement changes cause a substantial premium and the time pressure has not allowed us to continue to explore that. This is why we believe making generational decisions requires patience so we can make good decisions for the community as a whole.

I responded:
Didn’t your conceptual proposal for Civic Square/The Nest come out almost two and a half years ago with no high rises shown? This was before the current time pressures you’ve alluded to and if done in phases, you couldn’t you have met the initial timelines from the city for starting road and infrastructure work with the high rises being in the last phase?

I’m confused on Agrawal’s comments about why this has taken so long to begin any type of movement when the project components are so small? And you’re saying the components are so small and suburban in your proposal from two and a half years ago because the city has given you time pressures?

White Lotus replied:
We appreciate your continued engagement and desire for understanding. We want to clarify that time pressure has always been a factor here, even predating our ownership, and the City specifically stressed housing for this location. However, the biggest constraint is affordability. The high-end code requirements introduce a massive 40-60% cost premium for taller construction. If we build tall now, that financial burden immediately hits the residents, completely undermining our goal of providing accessible housing in Omaha. Our current mid-rise proposal is the most responsible, financially sustainable way to activate this pivotal site and deliver much-needed housing to the community now.

All of this has been on their post about Civic Square on LinkedIn. After the last comment I made, I made one more reply and they asked me to email them to continue the conversation. I emailed them almost two weeks ago and no reply, plus they deleted their original post which had a few other comments and over 100 reactions.

[djc311]

I asked White Lotus:
Why is there so much low to mid-rise development being proposed on such a prime downtown location? There are only 400 units on 9 acres and hundreds of street level parking, in addition to the existing garage? This seems like a poor use of land and this development could probably be phased out so you can build taller and more dense over time.

They replied:
Great question. We have explored high rise construction. We have concepted it, however the code requirement changes cause a substantial premium and the time pressure has not allowed us to continue to explore that. This is why we believe making generational decisions requires patience so we can make good decisions for the community as a whole.

I responded:
Didn’t your conceptual proposal for Civic Square/The Nest come out almost two and a half years ago with no high rises shown? This was before the current time pressures you’ve alluded to and if done in phases, you couldn’t you have met the initial timelines from the city for starting road and infrastructure work with the high rises being in the last phase?

I’m confused on Agrawal’s comments about why this has taken so long to begin any type of movement when the project components are so small? And you’re saying the components are so small and suburban in your proposal from two and a half years ago because the city has given you time pressures?

White Lotus replied:
We appreciate your continued engagement and desire for understanding. We want to clarify that time pressure has always been a factor here, even predating our ownership, and the City specifically stressed housing for this location. However, the biggest constraint is affordability. The high-end code requirements introduce a massive 40-60% cost premium for taller construction. If we build tall now, that financial burden immediately hits the residents, completely undermining our goal of providing accessible housing in Omaha. Our current mid-rise proposal is the most responsible, financially sustainable way to activate this pivotal site and deliver much-needed housing to the community now.

All of this has been on their post about Civic Square on LinkedIn. After the last comment I made, I made one more reply and they asked me to email them to continue the conversation. I emailed them almost two weeks ago and no reply, plus they deleted their original post which had a few other comments and over 100 reactions.

Interesting - wonder if that's a sign they are going to be "kicked off"... or the property is being purchased back as previously stated by the mayor's office.

[PotatoeEatsFish]

Let’s make it a park at this point ffs, same with the UP lot

[mcarch]

Dr. Fate: I agree with what you asked/said. I hate wasting such prime locations downtown for low-rise buildings. I don't consider 5 floors to be mid-rise.

The basic answer is financing, the Banks' patience on when they want their money back. And for that site, the city - who usually doesn't have a clue what they want. To them, development is development = tax dollars, rather than a vacant lot.

I could go on with zoning and the city plan on that as well, but I'll save that for another time.

[Night Train]

Civic Site as of today…

Progress!

[GenX]

Civic Site as of today…

Progress!

Indeed! The grass is the only thing going vertical on this site.

[djc311]

Any word on the city acquiring the land back yet? They said they were going to initiate the process which I'm sure takes some time, but I was more curious as to whether or not White Lotus tries to sue/contest/challenge this from happening.

I would hope they're smart enough to simply walk away because they've done virtually nothing with this land.

[Doctor Fate]

Any word on the city acquiring the land back yet? They said they were going to initiate the process which I'm sure takes some time, but I was more curious as to whether or not White Lotus tries to sue/contest/challenge this from happening.

I would hope they're smart enough to simply walk away because they've done virtually nothing with this land.

The city has given White Lotus 60 days from Sept. 8th to finish 50% of the public infrastructure. Not sure what the next step would be legally but from the picture above it looks like they’ve done nothing since 9/8.

Based on how White Lotus has tried to frame their complete lack of progress as the city’s fault, I expect they will fight back to try and save face.

[Brad]

I can’t see from that image, but they have tore out the intersection on the NE corner of the site to tie in to the sewer manhole.

[nebport5]

Well this is an interesting read…

from The Reader What’s up with Omaha’s Civic Auditorium site? An ownership battle and an interested nonprofit

White Lotus CEO Arun Agarwal said that he had met with a representative of a nonprofit that expressed interest to the city “on developing a youth sports project.” Agarwal stated that although he’s not interested in selling the property, he shared with the unnamed nonprofit what he believed to be fair market value of the site.

In an emailed statement to The Reader Wednesday, Agarwal wrote that White Lotus Group was never informed of the identity of the nonprofit that expressed an interest in acquiring the site but had met with a real estate agent representing the nonprofit.

White Lotus is also expecting to be paid “fair market value” if the city takes the property back.

[djc311]

Well this is an interesting read…

from The Reader What’s up with Omaha’s Civic Auditorium site? An ownership battle and an interested nonprofit

White Lotus CEO Arun Agarwal said that he had met with a representative of a nonprofit that expressed interest to the city “on developing a youth sports project.” Agarwal stated that although he’s not interested in selling the property, he shared with the unnamed nonprofit what he believed to be fair market value of the site.

In an emailed statement to The Reader Wednesday, Agarwal wrote that White Lotus Group was never informed of the identity of the nonprofit that expressed an interest in acquiring the site but had met with a real estate agent representing the nonprofit.

White Lotus is also expecting to be paid “fair market value” if the city takes the property back.

They need to get them (White Lotus) off the property and move in another direction.

[Linkin5]

“(White Lotus) worked diligently and in good faith on this project for two years,” Agarwal told The Reader. “If the city chooses to go a different direction and transfer the property to a nonprofit developer, White Lotus Group only wishes to be treated fairly with regard to acknowledging its efforts and being paid fair market price for the site, of which WLG has spent two years enhancing the value.”

Would love to hear how they enhanced the value of the site. I cannot think of a worse use of this land than a youth sports complex, what a complete joke.

[djc311]

“(White Lotus) worked diligently and in good faith on this project for two years,” Agarwal told The Reader. “If the city chooses to go a different direction and transfer the property to a nonprofit developer, White Lotus Group only wishes to be treated fairly with regard to acknowledging its efforts and being paid fair market price for the site, of which WLG has spent two years enhancing the value.”

Would love to hear how they enhanced the value of the site. I cannot think of a worse use of this land than a youth sports complex, what a complete joke.

What I don't understand is how this company (White Lotus) supposedly can successfully develop other projects, yet fail miserably at this. And on top of it, try to claim they've provided added value through "enhancements". Give me a break - IMO, sound like snake oil salesmen. Seriously, he should partner up with Yates somewhere out west so they can make a giga-kids sports complex with amusement park rides to lure in the NHL team (Yates) claims we can get.

[Bob from Omaha]

[djc311]

[Busguy2010]

I wasn't even gonna give 'em that much. Sitting on the property so long the value went up?

[ita]

What I don't understand is how this company (White Lotus) supposedly can successfully develop other projects, yet fail miserably at this.

I visited Millwork Commons last week and construction is booming. If anyone hasn't been there check it out. To your point though, White Lotus has a mixed-use building going up in Millwork Commons. I think they've been working on it since 2022, about the same timeline of when they took over the Civic Site. Now, I am comparing apples to oranges, but it's on purpose. White Lotus is a competent developer. Yes, they have dropped the ball on Civic Site and I don't know how the Lincoln Library site is going, but Argawal and his team have been able to complete several substantial projects. This includes the building going up in Millwork Commons.

I was thinking about Millwork Commons and the Civic Site and why the former has had so much more success than the Civic Site. The inherent locations are important considerations. The Civic Site, with its 'prime' location, has garnered big dreams from developers that were unproven to develop something at that scale. Millwork Commons, while master planned, has a few developers working within the overall development. This gets to another point; Civic, an 8 acre, four block site, has always had one developer tied to it, trying to take that on, while Millwork has smaller lots that are much easier for developers, even White Lotus, to successfully build on. The City needs to break up Civic to smaller more developable lots. Existing infrastructure and building stock is important. Millwork was just asking for the type of development we are seeing today and had existing grid system to support it. The truck route will be such a huge benefit for the area and will help transform the pedestrian experience within the district even more. The Civic Site, I think is hurt by lack of existing grid streets and its neighboring I-480 and the off ramp. Argawal saw it as a plus, but it hurts it in my opinion.

Lastly, a youth sports complex at the Civic Site, please no.

[F0R_L1F3]

Don't think they're working on the new Lincoln library anymore. They've moved to repurpose the Southeast Community College facility downtown.

[Gobears27]

Could the “youth sports complex” be union Omahas stadium?

[Linkin5]

Don't think they're working on the new Lincoln library anymore. They've moved to repurpose the Southeast Community College facility downtown.

I could be wrong but I don’t think they are doing anything with the Lincoln City Library which would include the SCC downtown facility, which is where the new central library will be located. I believe they built some (very ugly) housing on the former Pershing site.

As ita said, just break up this area into traditional city lots and allow developers to build on parcels. At the end of the day I bet it would look better and take about the same amount of time to complete.

[OutoftheCanyon]

Could the “youth sports complex” be union Omahas stadium?

It’s not. Honestly, what she wants to do is a horrible use of the space.

[nebport5]

UPDATE:

City of Omaha extends deadline, continues talks with developer of former Civic Auditorium site

Under a contract signed in 2022, White Lotus was required, through its best efforts, to complete installation of at least 50% of the project’s public infrastructure within 18 months of closing on the property in the fall of 2023.

That level of work has not been accomplished, said Deputy City Attorney Jennifer Taylor. The city sent a notice of default Sept. 8 that gave White Lotus 60 days to meet a number of requirements. Those 60 days were up last Friday.

“The city has provided for additional time to discuss the matter with White Lotus Group,” Taylor said in an emailed statement Monday.

[Doctor Fate]

UPDATE:

City of Omaha extends deadline, continues talks with developer of former Civic Auditorium site

Under a contract signed in 2022, White Lotus was required, through its best efforts, to complete installation of at least 50% of the project’s public infrastructure within 18 months of closing on the property in the fall of 2023.

That level of work has not been accomplished, said Deputy City Attorney Jennifer Taylor. The city sent a notice of default Sept. 8 that gave White Lotus 60 days to meet a number of requirements. Those 60 days were up last Friday.

“The city has provided for additional time to discuss the matter with White Lotus Group,” Taylor said in an emailed statement Monday.

God.

[almighty_tuna]

I'm not mad. This feels like the city is playing CYA to make sure that Lotus doesn't have standing for a lawsuit when the city takes the land back.

[nebport5]

Gotta love the pic from The Reader article...

[djc311]

Gotta love the pic from The Reader article...

Perhaps the graffiti is what WL is referring to as far as "enhancing the value" of the property.

[ita]

Gotta love the pic from The Reader article...

Perhaps the graffiti art is what WL is referring to as far as "enhancing the value" of the property.

I fixed it for you.

On a serious note, I think the City is buying this back eventually. For Mayor Ewing, I think he wants to show that he will hold developers of these sites accountable. White Lotus agreed with the timeline. If they thought 18-24 months was too short to build infrastructure, then that is on them and they should not have agreed to it. They do not have a reason to complain. The City has leverage in this situation, but I do not like the sports complex idea for downtown, unless it's a sports complex with a couple towers of 10 stories of residential or hotel on top.

[Doctor Fate]

I'm not mad. This feels like the city is playing CYA to make sure that Lotus doesn't have standing for a lawsuit when the city takes the land back.

Good point. If that's the case then great move.

[Renovator2559]

Just cancel the Civic Square cheap modernist eyesore buildings.

We need a competent developer, that will respect our traditional architecture in downtown, hopefully as charming as Millwork Commons.

We need buildings we can take pictures not the typical Noddle companies compare stale boxes look.

[iamjacobm]

Well this sounds like it will get a little messy.

https://thereader.com/2026/01/06/develo ... -of-omaha/

The developer of the former Civic Auditorium site has sued the City of Omaha, alleging the city’s conduct interfered with what has been a years-long downtown redevelopment project.

Civic Corner, a limited liability company owned by developer White Lotus Group, filed the lawsuit Jan. 1. The group alleges that delays in the project are in part due to delayed approvals, a clerical error and lack of communication from the city.

“The City’s conduct destroyed Civic Corner’s reasonable contractual expectations, materially interfered with Civic Corner’s ability to perform, and violated the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing inherent in the purchase agreement and its amendments,” the complaint alleged.

Through the lawsuit, Civic Corner will attempt to stop the city from repurchasing the roughly seven acres of land between 17th and 19th streets along Capitol Avenue.

The city law department is considering its own legal action against the developer, alleging the group has failed to meet contractual requirements.

[Doctor Fate]

Well this sounds like it will get a little messy.

https://thereader.com/2026/01/06/develo ... -of-omaha/

The developer of the former Civic Auditorium site has sued the City of Omaha, alleging the city’s conduct interfered with what has been a years-long downtown redevelopment project.

Civic Corner, a limited liability company owned by developer White Lotus Group, filed the lawsuit Jan. 1. The group alleges that delays in the project are in part due to delayed approvals, a clerical error and lack of communication from the city.

“The City’s conduct destroyed Civic Corner’s reasonable contractual expectations, materially interfered with Civic Corner’s ability to perform, and violated the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing inherent in the purchase agreement and its amendments,” the complaint alleged.

Through the lawsuit, Civic Corner will attempt to stop the city from repurchasing the roughly seven acres of land between 17th and 19th streets along Capitol Avenue.

The city law department is considering its own legal action against the developer, alleging the group has failed to meet contractual requirements.

So White Lotus is basically claiming that a clerical error by the city on their TIF application is why nothing has been done here in nearly 3 years? I’m confused. What am I missing?

[Louie]

God I hope White Lotus goes under

[skinzfan23]

God I hope White Lotus goes under

Same

[djc311]

God I hope White Lotus goes under

Samesies - this is ridiculous to say the least. As far as I'm concerned, they can get out of town and no longer develop anything in the area.

This is their own doing - they had plenty of chances and time. My guess is they simply looked at the Crossroads activity (or lack thereof) and figured they had 5 years or more to drag their feet.

I have zero empathy for this clown show.

[Omahayngin]

God I hope White Lotus goes under

did white lotus at one point have some sort of credibility? I thought i remembered, back when this or another project was announced that people were praising them and claiming they thought/known to do a good job. maybe im misremembering but that’s all I think about when i see the posts. i will say that i personally don’t like the design of the project at all and three years is a long time to let it essentially sit. But yeah just wondering if prior to this there was a notion of white lotus being a credible entity.

[Louie]

God I hope White Lotus goes under

did white lotus at one point have some sort of credibility? I thought i remembered, back when this or another project was announced that people were praising them and claiming they thought/known to do a good job. maybe im misremembering but that’s all I think about when i see the posts. i will say that i personally don’t like the design of the project at all and three years is a long time to let it essentially sit. But yeah just wondering if prior to this there was a notion of white lotus being a credible entity.

The renovation of Hotel Deco is probably their best project IMO. And they've done good work in Millwork Commons, but most of their portfolio is pretty suburban.

[Brad]

God I hope White Lotus goes under

did white lotus at one point have some sort of credibility? I thought i remembered, back when this or another project was announced that people were praising them and claiming they thought/known to do a good job. maybe im misremembering but that’s all I think about when i see the posts. i will say that i personally don’t like the design of the project at all and three years is a long time to let it essentially sit. But yeah just wondering if prior to this there was a notion of white lotus being a credible entity.

The renovation of Hotel Deco is probably their best project IMO. And they've done good work in Millwork Commons, but most of their portfolio is pretty suburban.

As Louie said Hotel Deco, but they also did a couple projects up around 50th or 60th and Ames Ave that were successful that got their name out there. One of them was the old Ames Bowling Alley which they converted in to office space. They also redeveloped the old Mr C's property off 30th and Fort and built a mixed use apartment building which I believe was successful.

[djc311]

God I hope White Lotus goes under

did white lotus at one point have some sort of credibility? I thought i remembered, back when this or another project was announced that people were praising them and claiming they thought/known to do a good job. maybe im misremembering but that’s all I think about when i see the posts. i will say that i personally don’t like the design of the project at all and three years is a long time to let it essentially sit. But yeah just wondering if prior to this there was a notion of white lotus being a credible entity.

The renovation of Hotel Deco is probably their best project IMO. And they've done good work in Millwork Commons, but most of their portfolio is pretty suburban.

As Louie said Hotel Deco, but they also did a couple projects up around 50th or 60th and Ames Ave that were successful that got their name out there. One of them was the old Ames Bowling Alley which they converted in to office space. They also redeveloped the old Mr C's property off 30th and Fort and built a mixed use apartment building which I believe was successful.

I'm glad they had some successes... I am. However, this was probably too big of a project for them to take on. Too much on the line and too high of profile.

Unfortunately by them filing suit, it could end up being the fall of their company. I'm sure they don't want to walk, but this is likely going to go south quite quickly for them.

[ita]

Reading the complaint, there are some things that stand out to me. Civic Corner, ie. White Lotus claims millions spent on the work they've already done on the site. Usually, complaints identified specific amounts, but they do not in this complaint. Generally, the complaint, particularly the claims of relief, are soft of specifics and details outside of dates. I know there is still a fact-finding part of litigation that needs to occur if this proceeds, but I have a hard time giving White Lotus any chance in keeping the property. They are really trying to hang their hat on how to define commencing construction and whether that threshold was met. For sure, it was not met on time, they closed in September 2018 and, by their own admission, didn't even start doing grading until April 2025, let alone any actual construction as defined under the contract terms. I honestly think they will settle to cover costs and get out of it, but maybe that's me being optimistic.

[Bob from Omaha]

The Redick was renovated into a hotel in the mid 80's and neither White Lotus nor anyone associated with it had anything to do with it. I don't have anything against White Lotus but let's not give them credit for something they didn't do. I don't have time to post the stories about it but it was a gutsy thing to do at the time and there was no guaranty that it would succeed. Downtown was quite different in those days.