Capitol District (NWC 10th & Capitol)

iamjacobm · Post by **iamjacobm** » Fri Nov 21, 2014 9:07 am

I wonder if MECA or Shamrock is getting the parking fees for events at CLink. I noticed the lot was full on Wednesday and it piqued my interest.

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Fri Nov 21, 2014 4:15 pm

Yeah it was definitely a fully operational battle station, I mean parking lot on Wednesday.

Greg

Collin · Post by **Collin** » Tue Nov 25, 2014 10:24 am

$205M 10th and Capitol project won’t be completed in time for 2016 swim trials

While behind schedule again, the $205 million Capitol District project in downtown Omaha is “absolutely” moving forward, the developer said Monday.

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Tue Nov 25, 2014 10:31 am

I think that was pretty obvious to all of us on this board, but at least the article still sounds upbeat about the project still happening. Definitely sounds like they have been in contact with the city more than Townsend was for the Wallstreet tower. Another thing I liked about the article is stating that construction is going to start at the same time for the hotel, apartments and parking garage. At least once construction begins, the site should be buzzing with activity.

Post by **Brad** » Tue Nov 25, 2014 10:33 am

That's too bad. I hope they can get all thee "I"s dotted and "T"s crossed soon!

MadMartin8 · Post by **MadMartin8** » Tue Nov 25, 2014 12:03 pm

Too big of a project at one time. They should have broken the lots up and allowed multiple developers. I'm willing to bet we won't see action on this site TILL 2016 at the rate this is going.

HskrFanMike · Post by **HskrFanMike** » Tue Nov 25, 2014 12:34 pm

I disagree about that. One developer means you'll have a more consistent, integrated development. That being said, the all-or-nothing approach isn't getting stuff done.

I suspect that MECA and the city are planning on something happening soon, though. They've removed the light poles from one of the surface lots; it also looks like they shut off the sprinklers this summer as the grass around the lot looks like it hasn't been maintained since the CWS. Or maybe Shamrock has already closed on that lot.

iamjacobm · Post by **iamjacobm** » Tue Nov 25, 2014 12:46 pm

Shamrock owns the land now but it has still been used for parking during events.

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Wed Nov 26, 2014 9:25 am

HskrFanMike wrote:I disagree about that. One developer means you'll have a more consistent, integrated development. That being said, the all-or-nothing approach isn't getting stuff done.

I suspect that MECA and the city are planning on something happening soon, though. They've removed the light poles from one of the surface lots; it also looks like they shut off the sprinklers this summer as the grass around the lot looks like it hasn't been maintained since the CWS. Or maybe Shamrock has already closed on that lot.

I agree on the one developer approach. I still wish we had somehow partnered with Cordish when that whole area kicked off with the arena years ago. At times the whole thing just seems so haphazard. It's not really bad just wondering if we could have had something as Mike said more consistent and integrated.

Greg

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Wed Nov 26, 2014 11:28 am

Collin wrote:$205M 10th and Capitol project won’t be completed in time for 2016 swim trials

While behind schedule again, the $205 million Capitol District project in downtown Omaha is “absolutely” moving forward, the developer said Monday.

bu-bu-bu-bulllllllll-$hiiiiit.....

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Wed Nov 26, 2014 3:18 pm

Des Moines is still having a problem trying to secure financing for their convention hotel and the WFA was opened in 2005. They have gone 10 years already and still working out the details. Des Moines was proposing a 450 room hotel, but now it seems like its going to scaled back to less, possibly 330 rooms. Just goes to show, like Brad has stated many times before, projects of this scale take time and a lot of hard work to have everything fall into place.

Downtown convention hotel could be scaled back

nativeomahan · Post by **nativeomahan** » Thu Nov 27, 2014 9:33 am

MTO wrote:
Collin wrote:$205M 10th and Capitol project won’t be completed in time for 2016 swim trials

While behind schedule again, the $205 million Capitol District project in downtown Omaha is “absolutely” moving forward, the developer said Monday.
bu-bu-bu-bulllllllll-$hiiiiit.....

Same old Claptrap. It took each of us more energy to read this news article than the developers have expended on the work site since last summer.
Maybe it should be renamed Wall Street.

S33 · Post by **S33** » Thu Nov 27, 2014 10:50 am

MadMartin8 wrote:Too big of a project at one time. They should have broken the lots up and allowed multiple developers. I'm willing to bet we won't see action on this site TILL 2016 at the rate this is going.

This might not have been a bad idea. Obviously the project would need some pretty strong leadership and planning, but outside of that, I don't see the harm in have multiple developers bid out portions of the project. A developer seeking financing for 75 million as opposed to 300 million, is a whole different ball game.

S33 · Post by **S33** » Thu Nov 27, 2014 10:54 am

HskrFanMike wrote:I disagree about that. One developer means you'll have a more consistent, integrated development. That being said, the all-or-nothing approach isn't getting stuff done.

again, all of that could be sorted out through good planning. Each developer still has to deliver what is requested.

iamjacobm · Post by **iamjacobm** » Sun Dec 14, 2014 4:25 pm

PDF I don't think we have seen before. Lots of repeat info and the timeline is the old one, but this was posted on a Loopnet page for "The Capitol District" 20 days ago. The last few pages of the pdf show some of the retail locations/sizes.

http://x.lnimg.com/attachments/6C428599 ... AE59A3.pdf

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Sun Dec 14, 2014 7:39 pm

At least this failure didn't leave the city with a dirt hole...

RNcyanide · Post by **RNcyanide** » Sun Dec 14, 2014 9:43 pm

MTO wrote:At least this failure didn't leave the city with a dirt hole...

I'm holding out on calling it a failure yet. I just hope the architecture is still in style when it finally is built.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Thu Dec 18, 2014 11:59 pm

iamjacobm wrote:PDF I don't think we have seen before. Lots of repeat info and the timeline is the old one, but this was posted on a Loopnet page for "The Capitol District" 20 days ago. The last few pages of the pdf show some of the retail locations/sizes.

http://x.lnimg.com/attachments/6C428599 ... AE59A3.pdf

According to this pdf, Shamrock owns the 1000 Dodge building? And now there is a $200k remodeling contract out to turn this into an 'event center' ? What's up?

daveoma · Post by **daveoma** » Fri Dec 19, 2014 12:06 am

Coyote wrote:
iamjacobm wrote:PDF I don't think we have seen before. Lots of repeat info and the timeline is the old one, but this was posted on a Loopnet page for "The Capitol District" 20 days ago. The last few pages of the pdf show some of the retail locations/sizes.

http://x.lnimg.com/attachments/6C428599 ... AE59A3.pdf
According to this pdf, Shamrock owns the 1000 Dodge building? And now there is a $200k remodeling contract out to turn this into an 'event center' ? What's up?

Interesting...I would love to see what Shamrock has planned for the space. It's a great location with tons of frontage and exposure to auto and pedestrian traffic.

Ben · Post by **Ben** » Fri Dec 19, 2014 8:21 am

daveoma wrote:
Coyote wrote:
iamjacobm wrote:PDF I don't think we have seen before. Lots of repeat info and the timeline is the old one, but this was posted on a Loopnet page for "The Capitol District" 20 days ago. The last few pages of the pdf show some of the retail locations/sizes.

http://x.lnimg.com/attachments/6C428599 ... AE59A3.pdf
According to this pdf, Shamrock owns the 1000 Dodge building? And now there is a $200k remodeling contract out to turn this into an 'event center' ? What's up?
Interesting...I would love to see what Shamrock has planned for the space. It's a great location with tons of frontage and exposure to auto and pedestrian traffic.

Yes, Nosh, and that entire building (or at least the 1st floor commercial spaces) are part of the Capitol district. The permit is likely for the corner spot that has been vacant forever. Its been host to several short term tenants (CWS vendors, Body exhibit, BSB theater), but hasn't ever been permanently occupied, from what I can remember. Biggest problem with this space is parking, unless they can work out an agreement with the garden inn across the street or something. While I know nobody wants to hear the parking excuse, if you're going to have an "event center", with 150+ guests, there has to be somewhere to park, as they won't all be downtowners. With the MECA lot to the north going away, the only options within a block or two are the Garden Inn lot, or the one owned by the Holland on Capital. This is especially true for an event spot - who will want to walk to a wedding in heels for more than a block or so?

MadMartin8 · Post by **MadMartin8** » Fri Dec 19, 2014 4:22 pm

daveoma wrote:
Coyote wrote:
iamjacobm wrote:PDF I don't think we have seen before. Lots of repeat info and the timeline is the old one, but this was posted on a Loopnet page for "The Capitol District" 20 days ago. The last few pages of the pdf show some of the retail locations/sizes.

http://x.lnimg.com/attachments/6C428599 ... AE59A3.pdf
According to this pdf, Shamrock owns the 1000 Dodge building? And now there is a $200k remodeling contract out to turn this into an 'event center' ? What's up?
Interesting...I would love to see what Shamrock has planned for the space. It's a great location with tons of frontage and exposure to auto and pedestrian traffic.

What Shamrock plans and what Shamrock "does" are two different things. It'll probably be left vacant for years.

OmahaJaysCU · Post by **OmahaJaysCU** » Fri Dec 19, 2014 5:30 pm

I think some of you need to chill. Bashing shamrock? Do we forget they saved the Paxton from being demoed and some of their other successful projects? Learn some patience for Christ sake. Some of you are acting like high school girls who just got broken up with.

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 11:28 am

I'll bash Shamrock as often as I feel.. And I'll certainly bash them until they build something, then I will eat crow all day. As long as they build something before I pass.

iamjacobm · Post by **iamjacobm** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 3:26 pm

OmahaJaysCU wrote:I think some of you need to chill. Bashing shamrock? Do we forget they saved the Paxton from being demoed and some of their other successful projects? Learn some patience for Christ sake. Some of you are acting like high school girls who just got broken up with.

They have a good pedigree at smaller scale projects. Paxton, 1501 Jackson, 1000 Dodge and the Barker. I do remember more than one person worried that they haven't done anything to this scale before when it was announced, which is and was a legitimate concern.

nativeomahan · Post by **nativeomahan** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 5:49 pm

OmahaJaysCU wrote:I think some of you need to chill. Bashing shamrock? Do we forget they saved the Paxton from being demoed and some of their other successful projects? Learn some patience for Christ sake. Some of you are acting like high school girls who just got broken up with.

Umm, they held a much ballyhooed "ground breaking" for construction of this project last June! That was more than 6 months ago, according to my calendar. They were playing the city, the press and the citizens as fools. I don't appreciate being treated like a fool.

MadMartin8 · Post by **MadMartin8** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 8:05 pm

OmahaJaysCU wrote:I think some of you need to chill. Bashing shamrock? Do we forget they saved the Paxton from being demoed and some of their other successful projects? Learn some patience for Christ sake. Some of you are acting like high school girls who just got broken up with.

Thank you Mr. Moylan for your view, but until you show that you can handle building a project of this size, and not have a mysterious "ground breaking" without actual work following it for who knows how long, I'll continue to bash your company and management capability.

OmahaJaysCU · Post by **OmahaJaysCU** » Sun Dec 21, 2014 12:32 pm

You people are |expletive| idiots. 90% of you don't know a god damn thing about real estate. Whatever. Only a handful of you actually have valid opinions. The rest of you are jokes. Seriously. |expletive| this place. Bunch of babies.

RNcyanide · Post by **RNcyanide** » Sun Dec 21, 2014 12:58 pm

OmahaJaysCU wrote:You people are |expletive| idiots. 90% of you don't know a god darn thing about real estate. Whatever. Only a handful of you actually have valid opinions. The rest of you are jokes. Seriously. |expletive| this place. Bunch of babies.

It doesn't take a real estate shark to know that doing a ground breaking ceremony should promptly be followed by, you know, breaking ground. People visit here and post here to post their opinions. They are all valid. Don't berate and belittle people for using the forum what it's actually intended for.

MSizlack · Post by **MSizlack** » Sun Dec 21, 2014 1:12 pm

Sounds like some of you wont be getting Christmas cards this year from OmahaJaysCU...
Shamrock has done some nice projects, but they seriously over reached on this. They had to get financing from China to attempt this project! The announcement of the hotel not being done by the 2016 CWS/swim trials is the first of what I suspect is the first of a number of delays that will continue to come. I do however believe that they will get some of what the say there are planning to build. I also would highly expect to hear that they are going to announce that another developer will be involved in this project as a co-developer.

MadMartin8 · Post by **MadMartin8** » Sun Dec 21, 2014 2:51 pm

RNcyanide wrote:
OmahaJaysCU wrote:You people are |expletive| idiots. 90% of you don't know a god darn thing about real estate. Whatever. Only a handful of you actually have valid opinions. The rest of you are jokes. Seriously. |expletive| this place. Bunch of babies.
People visit here and post here to post their opinions. They are all valid. Don't berate and belittle people for using the forum what it's actually intended for.

I don't think he likes having it put back into his face after he throws it out. He'll get over it like the rest of us do when our forum feelings are hurt.

And yes, I agree with MSIzlack, they overreached big time on this project, I think the city did as well. I really do think that this site should have been broken up into smaller parcels of land for developers to use rather than trying to get one big one right from the start. It's a like easier to get financing for a 25 million dollar apartment complex than it is for a 205+ million dollar project.

iamjacobm · Post by **iamjacobm** » Sun Dec 21, 2014 10:40 pm

I don't agree with parceling it up and making it open to 4 $20 million stick built apartment buildings. This lot is at the front door of one of the largest public investments in our city's history and it is an opportunity that needs to be done right. Having the project under one umbrella allows for things like a shared parking structure and a common event space in the center of the project. Plus this allowed the developer to shift TIF from the entire project toward the hotel, which is without a doubt the hardest part of the entire proposal. Sometimes you gotta swing for the fences, we will find out how it all plays out in due time.

Bobcat · Post by **Bobcat** » Mon Dec 22, 2014 2:07 pm

Can't overlook MECA's culpability. Does demanding a new, separate hotel when the attached hotel struggles year after year make sense? I can see both sides of the argument. Why not expand the current, attached Hilton with a tower on the parking deck (or it’s location) with their higher-level brand?

Egos instead of prudent long term planning are the deciding factor. Still harboring ill feelings about the Marriot that was scrapped by a previous administration more than a decade ago.

As the World Herald pointed out this year, Werner Park has already attracted over 1 Million visitors. Missed out on by an overbuilt stadium that is rarely used and at capacity, but built at the same time. These are basic reasons why this project is a challenge.

Noddle (Nexus) would have been a more logical choice for project developer (Aksarben!) and Lot B would be a better site.

The entire development should be part of a methodical; long-term master plan that ties in all of the MECA controlled land. Both Lincoln and Kansas City have surpassed this area because of the short sightedness.

Unless new leadership emerges someday for MECA that is less interested in size of their private parts relative to others this area will always be a struggle for a large, private development.

MadMartin8 · Post by **MadMartin8** » Mon Dec 22, 2014 2:43 pm

iamjacobm wrote:I don't agree with parceling it up and making it open to 4 $20 million stick built apartment buildings. This lot is at the front door of one of the largest public investments in our city's history and it is an opportunity that needs to be done right. Having the project under one umbrella allows for things like a shared parking structure and a common event space in the center of the project. Plus this allowed the developer to shift TIF from the entire project toward the hotel, which is without a doubt the hardest part of the entire proposal. Sometimes you gotta swing for the fences, we will find out how it all plays out in due time.

I'd rather have one or two Apartment Complexes and a hotel that have great first floor restaraunts/amenities built by different developers (who may work together?) than having an open parking lot. If there is a developer that is actually capable and has a proven track record of large projects, perhaps then we can bring them in for a one big extravganza (Like the new Detroit Arena district maybe? Not sure if that is one developer or many...). Right now, though, it looks like we've swung for the fences only to have the bat fly out of our hand and into the crowd and then messed our pants at the plate.

But you're right, we'll see how it plays out...but ultimately, how long is "due time"?

iamjacobm · Post by **iamjacobm** » Mon Dec 22, 2014 3:18 pm

Having the entire thing under one TIF is also allowing the developers to shift a higher % of the funding toward the hotel portion, the most difficult part. If they were separate a hotel of that size and scale wouldn't even be proposed.

MSizlack · Post by **MSizlack** » Mon Dec 22, 2014 5:46 pm

Bobcat is spot on. 10 yrs since CLC/river front opened and look at how the area has "grown". Compare this to what has taken place at/around Aksarben Village. I know it's not apples to apples, but the last 10 yrs lost in developing the river front/N downtown won't soon change with the continued delays that Shamrock will surely have. 5 yrs from now, developers will be looking for more land to continue the growth of AV, and Shamrock will be 1/2 of what was proposed.

Bob from Omaha · Post by **Bob from Omaha** » Mon Dec 22, 2014 8:46 pm

MadMartin8 wrote: I'd rather have one or two Apartment Complexes and a hotel that have great first floor restaraunts/amenities built by different developers (who may work together?) than having an open parking lot. If there is a developer that is actually capable and has a proven track record of large projects, perhaps then we can bring them in for a one big extravganza (Like the new Detroit Arena district maybe? Not sure if that is one developer or many...). Right now, though, it looks like we've swung for the fences only to have the bat fly out of our hand and into the crowd and then messed our pants at the plate.

But you're right, we'll see how it plays out...but ultimately, how long is "due time"?

The Detroit Arena District is being developed by the Illich family's company. They own the Red Wings, the Tigers, Little Caesars Pizza, a casino and a ton of other businesses. They have the money, desire, ego, experience and passion for downtown Detroit. Gotta get somebody like that for the Capitol District in Omaha & then youll see something happen. The Detroit project was proposed, negotiated with the city of Detroit & the State of Michigan & the Downtown Development Authority, all in a shorter time than the Omaha project & construction has begun. I can provide links to the Detroit project if anyone wants them. $650 million project. Woof

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Tue Dec 23, 2014 8:14 am

I really like what Lincoln has done outside Pinnacle, and KC outside Sprint Center. Our "development" around TD and the Clink is so spread out and does not seem to be a well coordinated effort. I still wish we would have involved Cordish.

I have hopes for Shamrock and the entertainment area. Hoping for a cross between P and L and the Cube. Love both areas, would like to see something comparable.

Greg

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Tue Dec 23, 2014 8:38 am

Greg S wrote:I really like what Lincoln has done outside Pinnacle, and KC outside Sprint Center. Our "development" around TD and the Clink is so spread out and does not seem to be a well coordinated effort. I still wish we would have involved Cordish.

I have hopes for Shamrock and the entertainment area. Hoping for a cross between P and L and the Cube. Love both areas, would like to see something comparable.

Greg

Also important to note that neither Lincoln nor Kansas City have an area like the Old Market 5 blocks away. No doubt that holds North Downtown back some because there are already tons of restaurants and bars there.

MadMartin8 · Post by **MadMartin8** » Tue Dec 23, 2014 12:13 pm

Bob from Omaha wrote:
MadMartin8 wrote: I'd rather have one or two Apartment Complexes and a hotel that have great first floor restaraunts/amenities built by different developers (who may work together?) than having an open parking lot. If there is a developer that is actually capable and has a proven track record of large projects, perhaps then we can bring them in for a one big extravganza (Like the new Detroit Arena district maybe? Not sure if that is one developer or many...). Right now, though, it looks like we've swung for the fences only to have the bat fly out of our hand and into the crowd and then messed our pants at the plate.

But you're right, we'll see how it plays out...but ultimately, how long is "due time"?
The Detroit Arena District is being developed by the Illich family's company. They own the Red Wings, the Tigers, Little Caesars Pizza, a casino and a ton of other businesses. They have the money, desire, ego, experience and passion for downtown Detroit. Gotta get somebody like that for the Capitol District in Omaha & then youll see something happen. The Detroit project was proposed, negotiated with the city of Detroit & the State of Michigan & the Downtown Development Authority, all in a shorter time than the Omaha project & construction has begun. I can provide links to the Detroit project if anyone wants them. $650 million project. Woof

That's right, it is the Illich family. They do so much for my Red Wings and Lions, and they do even more for the city of Detroit. Not surprising that they are behind this push that involves more than just a new awesome arena.

skinzfan23 wrote: Also important to note that neither Lincoln nor Kansas City have an area like the Old Market 5 blocks away. No doubt that holds North Downtown back some because there are already tons of restaurants and bars there.

When it comes to Lincoln you could also add "Or an Aksarben Village. Or a Midown Crossing". Both of those aren't too far away either, especially MC.

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Tue Dec 23, 2014 4:12 pm

skinzfan23 wrote:
Greg S wrote:I really like what Lincoln has done outside Pinnacle, and KC outside Sprint Center. Our "development" around TD and the Clink is so spread out and does not seem to be a well coordinated effort. I still wish we would have involved Cordish.

I have hopes for Shamrock and the entertainment area. Hoping for a cross between P and L and the Cube. Love both areas, would like to see something comparable.

Greg
Also important to note that neither Lincoln nor Kansas City have an area like the Old Market 5 blocks away. No doubt that holds North Downtown back some because there are already tons of restaurants and bars there.

It may hold it back but still does not account for the hap hazard way the development has occurred. It's just too spread out down there. I've been to both NU and CU games this year. The atmosphere and activity outside PBA is just so much better. You have pockets around the Clink but it's just so spread out. The parking and the bars are just too far apart.

Greg