The Builders District (15th and Mike Fahey)

[iamjacobm]

Builder's District redevelopment plan.

https://planning.cityofomaha.org/images ... ber/04.pdf

Not a ton of earth shattering info. Mostly Kiewit stuff and potential future development.

Maybe the most interesting is the potential for a 500-1000 stall city garage on the surface lot directly east of Morrison stadium that is currently owned by First National.

[Doctor Fate]

Builder's District redevelopment plan.

https://planning.cityofomaha.org/images ... ber/04.pdf

Not a ton of earth shattering info. Mostly Kiewit stuff and potential future development.

Maybe the most interesting is the potential for a 500-1000 stall city garage on the surface lot directly east of Morrison stadium that is currently owned by First National.

It says there could be an expansion of the Wareham Office Building up to 140K sq ft. Is it at about 40K right now? That would be a huge expansion!

Also, did I read it right that Kiewit will build one building of up to 180K sq ft and possible another building of equal size?

[obvious2677]

Builder's District redevelopment plan.

https://planning.cityofomaha.org/images ... ber/04.pdf

Not a ton of earth shattering info. Mostly Kiewit stuff and potential future development.

Maybe the most interesting is the potential for a 500-1000 stall city garage on the surface lot directly east of Morrison stadium that is currently owned by First National.

It says there could be an expansion of the Wareham Office Building up to 140K sq ft. Is it at about 40K right now? That would be a huge expansion!

....I would put this on the list of "extremely unlikely to ever happen." The Wareham Building is on the NRHP and is in very good condition. The 4th(?) floor was redesigned about 6-7 years ago. The 1st and 2nd were vacated by Creighton Medical Associates when the University sold those off - they were then leased to Straight Shot Accelerator, One Million Cups and Interface Web School - each of these has since moved out. I haven't been in the building in a long time, but I'd imagine its use hasn't changed - University office space (I believe alumni relations (~80 employees) and marketing and communications(~35 employees) are in there). Not sure who else. The building received new windows and mechanical equipment in 2008.

[Brad]

The Builders District at North Downtown

Plan would widen development in north downtown using city money slated for Crossroads Mall

https://www.omaha.com/money/plus/plan-w ... 844ab.html

A new plan calls for the City of Omaha to work with Kiewit Corp., Creighton University, Union Pacific and First National Bank to redevelop about a dozen city blocks in north downtown.

The Builders District at North Downtown Redevelopment Plan would expand the area to be redeveloped around Kiewit’s planned new global headquarters, which will connect to the recently opened Kiewit University training center at 15th and Mike Fahey Streets.

[Uffda]

The area would be

"The area is sort of L-shaped. The long part of the L goes from 15th Street to about 22nd Street, between Cuming and Mike Fahey Street, generally. The short part includes parts of blocks generally from 14th Street on the east to 17th Street on the west, from Cass Street to Mike Fahey Street."

[skinzfan23]

The area would be

"The area is sort of L-shaped. The long part of the L goes from 15th Street to about 22nd Street, between Cuming and Mike Fahey Street, generally. The short part includes parts of blocks generally from 14th Street on the east to 17th Street on the west, from Cass Street to Mike Fahey Street."

Thanks for the map...hopefully they wont tear out all the old structures in the area. There are some really nice old buildings around where Sol's is, but they do need to be fixed up.

[obvious2677]

The area would be

"The area is sort of L-shaped. The long part of the L goes from 15th Street to about 22nd Street, between Cuming and Mike Fahey Street, generally. The short part includes parts of blocks generally from 14th Street on the east to 17th Street on the west, from Cass Street to Mike Fahey Street."

Thanks for the map...hopefully they wont tear out all the old structures in the area. There are some really nice old buildings around where Sol's is, but they do need to be fixed up.

The block from 16th-17th, Fahey to Cass is FNBO (aside from Sols and Pettit's)
From 16th to 22nd, Fahey to Cuming is Max I Walker and Creighton (aside from a few small plots, like Automatic Printing, Grace Tabernacle Church, and a small privately-owned storage shed.) I would imagine Creighton would have first right of refusal on all those properties.

[iamjacobm]

I would assume Creighton has been included in these plans.

The biggest immediate opportunity I see is the FNB lot by the soccer stadium. Work with a developer on a mixed use structure incorporating a city garage if parking is a big key here rather than another dead block with only parking.

Lincoln figured it out with Parkhaus, loads of parking, retail on the bottom, and student housing on top.

[obvious2677]

I would assume Creighton has been included in these plans.

The biggest immediate opportunity I see is the FNB lot by the soccer stadium. Work with a developer on a mixed use structure incorporating a city garage if parking is a big key here rather than another dead block with only parking.

Lincoln figured it out with Parkhaus, loads of parking, retail on the bottom, and student housing on top.

Yes, Creighton has been included. From Creighton's perspective, you're really only looking at redevelopment between Cuming and Burt though. From the baseball stadium to the east (south of burt) you have davis square, a new womens athletic gym, ryan athletics center, DJ Sokol Arena, the Rasmussen Fitness and sports center then the wareham building. All/most of these - except Wareham - are new within the last decade. This isn't to say they won't find some infill projects, such as the parking lot and mail center, between 20th and Florence, or transforming the Jelinek building, on the backside of the Rasmussen center, but if you're looking for mega projects, look north of Burt. From Cuming to Burt, west of 21st is the new dental school.

I forgot to uncolor/note that they do not own the Mystery Manor building/land or the one next to it. There is talk about relocating the health sciences library from the west side of the north freeway to the east. That would completely remove Creighton's academics from being divided by the highway.

I wouldn't be surprised if CU built two more dorms, which may or may not be 'mixed use'. A parking garage off Cuming street could remove a lot of the surface lots they have and make it easier for people to attend women's sporting events on campus - but they also have historically not done anything with the surface lots. Really wish I could see the campus master plan - but it's not online and our firm didn't do it.

Parkhaus is "student housing" - but not university owned, it's technically "rent by bedroom" and open to anyone. Parkhaus' "stark" suite is pretty much the same as Creighton's apartment-style dorms. Just replace the deck with more living room. Parkhaus is also "furnished with hip, modern IKEA furniture." Read: cheap as heck.

[iamjacobm]

The finishes can be anything, don't get caught up on the residential being student housing. The concept is what I am interested in, Omaha rarely activates its garages and this would be an opportunity to get a development to achieve multiple goals of mixed use, density and activity that doesn't become a black hole after 5 PM.

[iamjacobm]

[Busguy2010]

The building in the lower left looks like an elementary school. It would be great if we are planning for that many new people to be in North downtown to require an elementary school. They've really gotta get the streetcar started before any of this happens or there will be so much lost potential.

[obvious2677]

The building in the lower left looks like an elementary school. It would be great if we are planning for that many new people to be in North downtown to require an elementary school. They've really gotta get the streetcar started before any of this happens or there will be so much lost potential.

There's an elementary school going in on 30th across from the former CUMC - Gifford Park.

[Brad]

The building in the lower left looks like an elementary school. It would be great if we are planning for that many new people to be in North downtown to require an elementary school. They've really gotta get the streetcar started before any of this happens or there will be so much lost potential.

I believe that's the expanded Union Pacific Daycare.

[Busguy2010]

I believe that's the expanded Union Pacific Daycare.

Yeah, after a second look, i did think it was kind of small for a school...

There's an elementary school going in on 30th across from the former CUMC - Gifford Park.

I know they're making that school, but I was trying to speculate on the number of children that could be in North Downtown in the future. That Gifford park school is kinda far away too, so I was trying to say maybe one day there would be enough children there to make their own school. Not out of question, but obviously a while out and not in current plans.

[obvious2677]

I believe that's the expanded Union Pacific Daycare.

Yeah, after a second look, i did think it was kind of small for a school...

There's an elementary school going in on 30th across from the former CUMC - Gifford Park.

I know they're making that school, but I was trying to speculate on the number of children that could be in North Downtown in the future. That Gifford park school is kinda far away too, so I was trying to say maybe one day there would be enough children there to make their own school. Not out of question, but obviously a while out and not in current plans.

Families with small kids live in condos/apartments in north downtown Omaha for the same price they can have an expansive suburban house? Doubtful in my mind. Not to say I don't think that's a good idea, I'm just skeptical of it ever happening.

[ita]

I believe that's the expanded Union Pacific Daycare.

Yeah, after a second look, i did think it was kind of small for a school...

There's an elementary school going in on 30th across from the former CUMC - Gifford Park.

I know they're making that school, but I was trying to speculate on the number of children that could be in North Downtown in the future. That Gifford park school is kinda far away too, so I was trying to say maybe one day there would be enough children there to make their own school. Not out of question, but obviously a while out and not in current plans.

Families with small kids live in condos/apartments in north downtown Omaha for the same price they can have an expansive suburban house? Doubtful in my mind. Not to say I don't think that's a good idea, I'm just skeptical of it ever happening.

I just heard a discussion on KIOS about the new Gifford Park elementary school. There will be a community meeting on Monday night where people can ask questions and meet the candidate principal for the new school. Questions have to be submitted online by midnight tonight. In any case, the person being interviewed said that the Gifford Park school would be taking kids from Dundee and Kellom Elementary. As most now, Kellom is located in North Downtown. The interviewee claimed that there is a need there due to crowded schools at those elementary schools. Additionally, he said 5 more schools are in the pipeline to accommodate growing school populations in the midtown, downtown, and South O. He alluded to the large increase of immigrant families that have buoyed the population growth.

[Uffda]

I just heard a discussion on KIOS about the new Gifford Park elementary school. There will be a community meeting on Monday night where people can ask questions and meet the candidate principal for the new school. Questions have to be submitted online by midnight tonight. In any case, the person being interviewed said that the Gifford Park school would be taking kids from Dundee and Kellom Elementary. As most now, Kellom is located in North Downtown. The interviewee claimed that there is a need there due to crowded schools at those elementary schools. Additionally, he said 5 more schools are in the pipeline to accommodate growing school populations in the midtown, downtown, and South O. He alluded to the large increase of immigrant families that have buoyed the population growth.

This is probably the 5 schools.

The new schools include:

» A 1,500-capacity high school at 60th and L Streets to ease crowding at South and Bryan High Schools. South enrolls more than 2,500 students, and 13 portables sit outside Bryan.

» A 1,500-capacity high school at 156th and Ida Streets to provide a neighborhood high school option to families in far northwest Omaha. Burke High, in west Omaha, is also crowded, with almost 2,000 students and 10 portables. Northwest High’s enrollment has been growing, too.

» Two 600-capacity elementary schools, at 10th and Pine Streets in Omaha and 1000 N. Fort Crook Road in Bellevue.

» A 1,000-capacity middle school at 42nd and U Streets.

[mistergutierrez]

Some kind of "suburban" infrastructuree for families in downtown won't be a bad dea. Ok, there is the Children's Museum and the slides in Gene Leahy Mall, but, for limitations on hours and size, I think it's not enough.
The park in the picture is just next to Hancock Tower in Chicago. Playground and courts for the residents in that area. The closest park to downtown is next to Midtown in Turner Boulevard.
To add density and life downtown you need to add families and, to add families you need infrastructure in advance.

[obvious2677]

I believe that's the expanded Union Pacific Daycare.

Yeah, after a second look, i did think it was kind of small for a school...

There's an elementary school going in on 30th across from the former CUMC - Gifford Park.

I know they're making that school, but I was trying to speculate on the number of children that could be in North Downtown in the future. That Gifford park school is kinda far away too, so I was trying to say maybe one day there would be enough children there to make their own school. Not out of question, but obviously a while out and not in current plans.

Families with small kids live in condos/apartments in north downtown Omaha for the same price they can have an expansive suburban house? Doubtful in my mind. Not to say I don't think that's a good idea, I'm just skeptical of it ever happening.

I just heard a discussion on KIOS about the new Gifford Park elementary school. There will be a community meeting on Monday night where people can ask questions and meet the candidate principal for the new school. Questions have to be submitted online by midnight tonight. In any case, the person being interviewed said that the Gifford Park school would be taking kids from Dundee and Kellom Elementary. As most now, Kellom is located in North Downtown. The interviewee claimed that there is a need there due to crowded schools at those elementary schools. Additionally, he said 5 more schools are in the pipeline to accommodate growing school populations in the midtown, downtown, and South O. He alluded to the large increase of immigrant families that have buoyed the population growth.

Just my opinion, I suppose, but I highly doubt Creighton will redevelop anything that doesn't support their student base - and is also unlikely to sell off land that they just spent the last 20 years acquiring for campus growth. With that, you can see what little land is available in north downtown to support an additional elementary school. I'm betting that the new Gifford Park school will take everywhere south of Cuming from Kellom and maybe a small part from Dundee. The Kellom footprint was absolutely enormous to begin with.

The greyed out portions are what I assume will likely not become residential property that supports an additional elementary school in north downtown. Arguably, something massive could change - if Physician's Mutual sells off their property, Metro removes the bus HQ or I-480 is removed...

[TitosBuritoBarn]

I dunno guys. If this ends up looking anything like the rendering, it's going to be a massive disappointment. This is the part of town that is supposed to function as an extension of downtown and help facilitate urban growth for the city, is it not? Although I'm sure the plan will change down the road, this layout has neither good urban form nor good urban function. A block long parking garage, surface lots, buildings without any significant density, and an elementary school with a design that belongs in Elkhorn will not create a vibrant neighborhood that deserves a moniker like North Downtown. This is more appropriate for Millard. I don't know what Noddle is thinking on this one.

[daveoma]

I agree totally. There needs to be more pressure put on Kiewit and others to allow residential above parking garages. How is it going to be a vibrant urban neighborhood without people? Where is the mayor? Why isn't she engaging with these large companies? I guess I'll put my hope with the planning committee.

[Louie]

Agreed. Not conducive with the location.

[asherballa]

Is it really too much to ask that we follow the density model of basically every other city (including Lincoln's Railyard devleopments for pete's sake), and design our parking garages so they have ground-level retail on the first floor and loft-style apartments on the top floors? I see too many blocks in Omaha that are dead zones after 5 p.m. because they consist an entire block of nothing but parking garages.

[Louie]

Is it really too much to ask that we follow the density model of basically every other city (including Lincoln's Railyard devleopments for pete's sake), and design our parking garages so they have ground-level retail on the first floor and loft-style apartments on the top floors? I see too many blocks in Omaha that are dead zones after 5 p.m. because they consist an entire block of nothing but parking garages.

There should be no excuse to still be building that bland style of garage in these locations.

[GetUrban]

So far, I'm skeptical about whether development of this district will turn out as well as the incremental redevelopment we've seen happen naturally over the last several years in the Blackstone, Midtown, and Benson areas. I'd rather see them sell-off small parcels to a number of different businesses or investors who are looking for low-cost locations for start-ups. Even AK village has happened fairly incrementally over several years. I hope the planning department applies some basic good urban design guidelines before it's too late.

[obvious2677]

From Noddle:

https://www.creightonian.com/news/artic ... fb037.html

Looks like Wareham Buildign will remain - but changed into a residential structure, but a building to be built in that parking lot.
Looks like they have Burt Street cut off in this too...
This entire development hedges on what FNBO wants to do with their two surface lots (noted 'future development' on the image)

John Pascarella, one of the bartenders and owners of Happy Bar, said that the news has been “like a funeral” for his family.

“We’ll never have what we have down here with the customers we’ve built up,” Pascarella said. “It’s like getting hit in the stomach. Our family’s been very emotional.”

Pascarella said that he has worked at this bar since he was 18 years old; this bar is his whole livelihood. Happy Bar has been on 16th and California St. for 50 years.

According to Pascarella, Noddle companies has set this rough plan for 10 years from now, but they want all the properties gone before 2021, resulting in a short timeline for Happy Bar and the other local businesses.

[GetUrban]

Uhg...More super blocks and green space between 17th and Florence Blvd (19th) Cuming to Webster (Fahey) So much for higher density development.

Bye-bye Burt St.

Does anyone know what "institutional" building is planned along Cuming to Florence Blvd?

[TitosBuritoBarn]

Too many superblocks and too many surface lots. Again we're ignoring that downtown aspect of this being North Downtown.

[obvious2677]

Uhg...More super blocks and green space between 17th and Florence Blvd (19th) Cuming to Webster (Fahey) So much for higher density development.

Bye-bye Burt St.

Does anyone know what "institutional" building is planned along Cuming to Florence Blvd?

Institutional is Creighton. Meaning they will use it for student-related things, likely not 'open to the public'. The huge expansion looks like a softball/baseball field. I know this is just speculation because Creighton didn't put it together, but I could see them moving softball and baseball facilities down near the rest of the sports complexes and then redeveloping the area that their fields currently sit on (in the middle of campus).

If they did that, they could double the "apartment-style" housing on campus - Opus and Davis halls would fit exactly where the baseball/softball fields are now.

[Garrett]

Uhg...More super blocks and green space between 17th and Florence Blvd (19th) Cuming to Webster (Fahey) So much for higher density development.

Bye-bye Burt St.

Does anyone know what "institutional" building is planned along Cuming to Florence Blvd?

Institutional is Creighton. Meaning they will use it for student-related things, likely not 'open to the public'. The huge expansion looks like a softball/baseball field. I know this is just speculation because Creighton didn't put it together, but I could see them moving softball and baseball facilities down near the rest of the sports complexes and then redeveloping the area that their fields currently sit on (in the middle of campus).

Superblocks can be good so long as they are pedestrian permeable. But I am confused on the baseball field section: what's that other component? A track or something?

[GetUrban]

Uhg...More super blocks and green space between 17th and Florence Blvd (19th) Cuming to Webster (Fahey) So much for higher density development.

Bye-bye Burt St.

Does anyone know what "institutional" building is planned along Cuming to Florence Blvd?

Institutional is Creighton. Meaning they will use it for student-related things, likely not 'open to the public'. The huge expansion looks like a softball/baseball field. I know this is just speculation because Creighton didn't put it together, but I could see them moving softball and baseball facilities down near the rest of the sports complexes and then redeveloping the area that their fields currently sit on (in the middle of campus).

Superblocks can be good so long as they are pedestrian permeable. But I am confused on the baseball field section: what's that other component? A track or something?

I do like their current California St. & Webster Street pedestrian malls.

Seems like I remember Creighton mentioning plans to build a smaller, more intimate baseball stadium so they don't have to use TD Ameritrade for all of their games. But they already have two fields between 23rd-21st/California to Burt. Maybe they want to free-up that current field space for new buildings close to campus. Or maybe 19th-17th / Fahey-Cuming fields would just be for track & field/and/or intramural sports.

[bones]

Uhg...More super blocks and green space between 17th and Florence Blvd (19th) Cuming to Webster (Fahey) So much for higher density development.

Bye-bye Burt St.

Does anyone know what "institutional" building is planned along Cuming to Florence Blvd?

Institutional is Creighton. Meaning they will use it for student-related things, likely not 'open to the public'. The huge expansion looks like a softball/baseball field. I know this is just speculation because Creighton didn't put it together, but I could see them moving softball and baseball facilities down near the rest of the sports complexes and then redeveloping the area that their fields currently sit on (in the middle of campus).

Superblocks can be good so long as they are pedestrian permeable. But I am confused on the baseball field section: what's that other component? A track or something?

I do like their current California St. & Webster Street pedestrian malls.

Seems like I remember Creighton mentioning plans to build a smaller, more intimate baseball stadium so they don't have to use TD Ameritrade for all of their games. But they already have two fields between 23rd-21st/California to Burt. Maybe they want to free-up that current field space for new buildings close to campus. Or maybe 19th-17th / Fahey-Cuming fields would just be for track & field/and/or intramural sports.

Can confirm that CU would like to move the softball field and the IM fields from their current location east towards the rest of the athletic facilities.

[obvious2677]

Uhg...More super blocks and green space between 17th and Florence Blvd (19th) Cuming to Webster (Fahey) So much for higher density development.

Bye-bye Burt St.

Does anyone know what "institutional" building is planned along Cuming to Florence Blvd?

Institutional is Creighton. Meaning they will use it for student-related things, likely not 'open to the public'. The huge expansion looks like a softball/baseball field. I know this is just speculation because Creighton didn't put it together, but I could see them moving softball and baseball facilities down near the rest of the sports complexes and then redeveloping the area that their fields currently sit on (in the middle of campus).

Superblocks can be good so long as they are pedestrian permeable. But I am confused on the baseball field section: what's that other component? A track or something?

I believe the one to the west is an intramural field. When I went there, intramurals were played on the baseball field outfield at night. I do not know if that's changed, but I could see them building another field dedicated just to intramurals and recreation. When they built the new basketball practice facility on the front lawn of Morrison Stadium, they got rid of one of the last large greenspaces for unscheduled recreational use.

[obvious2677]

Uhg...More super blocks and green space between 17th and Florence Blvd (19th) Cuming to Webster (Fahey) So much for higher density development.

Bye-bye Burt St.

Does anyone know what "institutional" building is planned along Cuming to Florence Blvd?

Institutional is Creighton. Meaning they will use it for student-related things, likely not 'open to the public'. The huge expansion looks like a softball/baseball field. I know this is just speculation because Creighton didn't put it together, but I could see them moving softball and baseball facilities down near the rest of the sports complexes and then redeveloping the area that their fields currently sit on (in the middle of campus).

Superblocks can be good so long as they are pedestrian permeable. But I am confused on the baseball field section: what's that other component? A track or something?

I do like their current California St. & Webster Street pedestrian malls.

Seems like I remember Creighton mentioning plans to build a smaller, more intimate baseball stadium so they don't have to use TD Ameritrade for all of their games. But they already have two fields between 23rd-21st/California to Burt. Maybe they want to free-up that current field space for new buildings close to campus. Or maybe 19th-17th / Fahey-Cuming fields would just be for track & field/and/or intramural sports.

Creighton doesn't have track and field - so it'd just be intramurals.

[skinzfan23]

I hope that this doesn't come to fruition. I don't understand the short-sightedness that so many of the Omaha developers have. When you travel to other cities, they embrace the existing architecture already in place and try to find other uses. I don't understand why in Omaha this always starts with the buildings being torn down with no concrete plans in sight. We don't need any more empty parking lots or mid-rise buildings with no street level pedestrian space.

Aksarben Village is a little different in that there was nothing there since the horse track closed, but in this case downtown, they should revitalize the old buildings and build around them.

[ita]

I hope that this doesn't come to fruition. I don't understand the short-sightedness that so many of the Omaha developers have. When you travel to other cities, they embrace the existing architecture already in place and try to find other uses. I don't understand why in Omaha this always starts with the buildings being torn down with no concrete plans in sight. We don't need any more empty parking lots or mid-rise buildings with no street level pedestrian space.

Aksarben Village is a little different in that there was nothing there since the horse track closed, but in this case downtown, they should revitalize the old buildings and build around them.

I agree with your assessment concerning this particular project. There has been some reuse of buildings recently in North Downtown, particularly for residential purposes. However, there are blocks of buildings in North Downtown that really can't be repurposed, at least in a way that would be meaningful and/or increase value/use of the real estate. Their proposals are not perfect. I would personally like to see more density, for sure, in this plan. But I am not opposed to seeing some of these blocks cleared of the light industrial and one story commercial buildings (I'm looking at you, Sol's) that occupy lots and blocks that could be used for better purposes and bring people to the area.

[iamjacobm]

There are plenty of examples of great vibrant urban areas with 1 story commercial space mixed into modern more dense residential and office space.

RINO and Highland neighborhoods in Denver
Deep Ellum and Bishop Arts in Dallas
Rainey Street and South Congress in Austin
Westport, Crossroads and the River Market in KC
The Gulch in Nashville
Automobile Alley in OKC
The Brady District in Tulsa
Heck, Benson and Blackstone in Omaha have it largely figured out.

That was just places I have been over the last few years. There are surely countless more. Omaha has scrapped so much of North Downtown over the past decade there is barely anything left worth much I guess.

Titos hit it on the head saying land is cheap here, not reason to use the land efficiently yet. What is disappointing is that Noddle has a proven example of a better development than what North Downtown is getting. We know they can execute a better plan than this b/c they have the track record of doing it.

[obvious2677]

I hope that this doesn't come to fruition. I don't understand the short-sightedness that so many of the Omaha developers have. When you travel to other cities, they embrace the existing architecture already in place and try to find other uses. I don't understand why in Omaha this always starts with the buildings being torn down with no concrete plans in sight. We don't need any more empty parking lots or mid-rise buildings with no street level pedestrian space.

Aksarben Village is a little different in that there was nothing there since the horse track closed, but in this case downtown, they should revitalize the old buildings and build around them.

I agree with your assessment concerning this particular project. There has been some reuse of buildings recently in North Downtown, particularly for residential purposes. However, there are blocks of buildings in North Downtown that really can't be repurposed, at least in a way that would be meaningful and/or increase value/use of the real estate. Their proposals are not perfect. I would personally like to see more density, for sure, in this plan. But I am not opposed to seeing some of these blocks cleared of the light industrial and one story commercial buildings (I'm looking at you, Sol's) that occupy lots and blocks that could be used for better purposes and bring people to the area.

The M Tatle Building that Happy Bar resides in was built in 1910 as a hotel. That entire block could be saved and repurposed. From the looks of it the plan, I don't think it's going anywhere... It would be the furthest south building in red.

Even the furthest south building in yellow on 15th & Cass (the stand alone, across from the U-shaped one) may be left alone. Sols isn't great, but the buildings attached could be rehabed. Depends who buys them, I suppose.

Hard to believe Pettit's wouldn't stay in their building - add more people around it and the already popular store would be even better off.

The buildings that Creighton has marked for "Institutional" could possibly be integrated - meaning the few that are even worth saving. The NECO storage buildings can go as could anything Max I Walker owns. The one on 19th/Cuming would make a pretty interesting press box/stadium entrance - but it would be interesting to know how structurally sound these all are. The Grace Tabernacle Church is worth saving, guess we'll see what happens.

[ita]

There are plenty of examples of great vibrant urban areas with 1 story commercial space mixed into modern more dense residential and office space.

RINO and Highland neighborhoods in Denver
Deep Ellum and Bishop Arts in Dallas
Rainey Street and South Congress in Austin
Westport, Crossroads and the River Market in KC
The Gulch in Nashville
Automobile Alley in OKC
The Brady District in Tulsa
Heck, Benson and Blackstone in Omaha have it largely figured out.

That was just places I have been over the last few years. There are surely countless more. Omaha has scrapped so much of North Downtown over the past decade there is barely anything left worth much I guess.

Titos hit it on the head saying land is cheap here, not reason to use the land efficiently yet. What is disappointing is that Noddle has a proven example of a better development than what North Downtown is getting. We know they can execute a better plan than this b/c they have the track record of doing it.

These are good examples. You are right that we have some in the city. They are being and have been supplemented though by midrise residential. You're right that Noddle should have a better plan in place to incorporate some of the buildings worth saving rather than go full restart on the area. I just meant to point out that there are some blocks that are underutilized and probably should be redeveloped.