Drury Hotel (10th & Harney)

[jjjjhskr]

The trees on the plot of land where the Drury Inn is going to be dealt are being removed. The hotel is definitely happening.

[jjjjhskr]

[nativeomahan]

Wow. They were there yesterday when I drove by.

[iamjacobm]

TIF packing for the Drury Hotel before the planning board next week.

[Garrett]

Nothing new, same renderings

https://planning.cityofomaha.org/images ... e/07_1.pdf

[bldgengineer2015]

It is interesting that the city recommends denial based on not meeting the downtown hotel requirements. However, the Moxy which is very near here qualified for TIF and is in the same scale rating as the Drury.

[iamjacobm]

It is interesting that the city recommends denial based on not meeting the downtown hotel requirements. However, the Moxy which is very near here qualified for TIF and is in the same scale rating as the Drury.

I believe that is a relatively new policy designed for upscale hotels only and wasn’t in place when Moxy started.

I am surprised it applies to TIF though. I thought it was just for the enhanced employment area incentive.

[Garrett]

It is interesting that the city recommends denial based on not meeting the downtown hotel requirements. However, the Moxy which is very near here qualified for TIF and is in the same scale rating as the Drury.

I believe that is a relatively new policy designed for upscale hotels only and wasn’t in place when Moxy started.

I am surprised it applies to TIF though. I thought it was just for the enhanced employment area incentive.

Ahhh I was lazy and didn't read.

Specifically, the city hotel policy for EEAs is now specifically focused on Upper Upscale and Luxury Brands. Drury Plaza falls two tiers below Upper Upscale, at Upper Midscale.

https://www.hotelnewsnow.com/Media/Defa ... scales.pdf

We discussed this policy change here in December 2025

viewtopic.php?p=422426

From the application:

ANALYSIS: The City’s Downtown Hotel Incentive Policy specifies that “the City will not make
TIF or EEA available for new construction hotel development that is classified as Economy,
Midscale, Upper Midscale, or Upscale properties.” Staff finds the proposed hotel does not
comply with the City’s Hotel Policy, as the proposed facility is not considered an upper-upscale
or luxury hotel.

This could be dead in the water unless they can get a better brand.

[iamjacobm]

It is interesting that the city recommends denial based on not meeting the downtown hotel requirements. However, the Moxy which is very near here qualified for TIF and is in the same scale rating as the Drury.

I believe that is a relatively new policy designed for upscale hotels only and wasn’t in place when Moxy started.

I am surprised it applies to TIF though. I thought it was just for the enhanced employment area incentive.

Ahhh I was lazy and didn't read.

Specifically, the city hotel policy for EEAs is now specifically focused on Upper Upscale and Luxury Brands. Drury Plaza falls two tiers below Upper Upscale, at Upper Midscale.

https://www.hotelnewsnow.com/Media/Defa ... scales.pdf

We discussed this policy change here in December 2025

viewtopic.php?p=422426

From the application:

ANALYSIS: The City’s Downtown Hotel Incentive Policy specifies that “the City will not make
TIF or EEA available for new construction hotel development that is classified as Economy,
Midscale, Upper Midscale, or Upscale properties.” Staff finds the proposed hotel does not
comply with the City’s Hotel Policy, as the proposed facility is not considered an upper-upscale
or luxury hotel.

This could be dead in the water unless they can get a better brand.

The more I think about this the more surprised I am the city structured this new rule to apply to both TIF and the additional upscale hotel incentive. I had figured the new incentive would be an additional carrot for the top of the market but they wouldn’t shut off TIF for the mid level brands. Could limit new hotels DT.

This looks like maybe not the best DD by Drury to figure this out this far into the process as well.

[Mapguy]

I dont think its a bad policy to limit TIF to luxury hotels. Downtown is chock full of mid level hotels theres at least 6-12 average hotels already in a 1 mile radius why would we subsidize more of the same?

The point of any incentive is to get something you normally cant. A skyscraper, a streetcar, a stadium. A nicer hotel than the market would dictate.

I dont think anybody would point to a Drury and be like and we wouldnt have had this slightly above average level hotel in this super prime spot without the public footing part of the bill.

[Garrett]

It is interesting that the city recommends denial based on not meeting the downtown hotel requirements. However, the Moxy which is very near here qualified for TIF and is in the same scale rating as the Drury.

I believe that is a relatively new policy designed for upscale hotels only and wasn’t in place when Moxy started.

I am surprised it applies to TIF though. I thought it was just for the enhanced employment area incentive.

Ahhh I was lazy and didn't read.

Specifically, the city hotel policy for EEAs is now specifically focused on Upper Upscale and Luxury Brands. Drury Plaza falls two tiers below Upper Upscale, at Upper Midscale.

https://www.hotelnewsnow.com/Media/Defa ... scales.pdf

We discussed this policy change here in December 2025

viewtopic.php?p=422426

From the application:

ANALYSIS: The City’s Downtown Hotel Incentive Policy specifies that “the City will not make
TIF or EEA available for new construction hotel development that is classified as Economy,
Midscale, Upper Midscale, or Upscale properties.” Staff finds the proposed hotel does not
comply with the City’s Hotel Policy, as the proposed facility is not considered an upper-upscale
or luxury hotel.

This could be dead in the water unless they can get a better brand.

The more I think about this the more surprised I am the city structured this new rule to apply to both TIF and the additional upscale hotel incentive. I had figured the new incentive would be an additional carrot for the top of the market but they wouldn’t shut off TIF for the mid level brands. Could limit new hotels DT.

This looks like maybe not the best DD by Drury to figure this out this far into the process as well.

As I recall, the change was prompted by the city doing a study that showed that the core was essentially saturated if not over served by mid scale hotels. The changes to the law do make exceptions for hotels that are going into NRHP properties, serve the med center, or include significant convention/amenity spaces, which this project doesn’t. I wonder if the planning board meeting will end up shedding more light on this process.

[Brad]

I had the thought that site might be used as the staging area for the Drury hotel construction but will be interesting to see what happened with that at the planning meeting.

Here is the video from the meeting. It was denied with a 4-1

Item 7 is the Drury Plaza TIF
Starts at the 1 hour 14 min mark.

[Brad]

One more note from that video. Even though it was Denied, they can still go to the City Council, it just goes with a "recommendation of denial" from the planning board. All planning board decisions are just a recommendation.

[TitosBuritoBarn]

I guess it was worth a try for Drury. I only watched part of the video, including the part where Drury referenced existing properties that this hotel would be similar too. The Drury Plaza brand is not at upper-upscale or luxury level. I think the planning board made the right decision here.

[Garrett]

It’s an interesting argument, particularly referencing how the standards of Upper-Upscale is decided based on room rates and not much else, but I hope this lights a fire for Drury to beef up their proposal.

[ita]

It’s an interesting argument, particularly referencing how the standards of Upper-Upscale is decided based on room rates and not much else, but I hope this lights a fire for Drury to beef up their proposal.

I don't think Drury can do anything at this point. The City seems dead set on enforcing this restriction, based on their comments; they are not budging from the STR distinctions. I think there might be something going on with trying to get the third convention hotel. Supposedly, with the expansion, we need another 800-1000 rooms downtown, so you would think Drury would be needed to help fill that need. However, Jasmine from Visit Omaha, said something about needed an 800-1000 room hotel because convention people want to be all under one roof as much as possible. I don't know, those comments jumped out to me when I watched it.

[NEDodger]

It’s an interesting argument, particularly referencing how the standards of Upper-Upscale is decided based on room rates and not much else, but I hope this lights a fire for Drury to beef up their proposal.

I don't think Drury can do anything at this point. The City seems dead set on enforcing this restriction, based on their comments; they are not budging from the STR distinctions. I think there might be something going on with trying to get the third convention hotel. Supposedly, with the expansion, we need another 800-1000 rooms downtown, so you would think Drury would be needed to help fill that need. However, Jasmine from Visit Omaha, said something about needed an 800-1000 room hotel because convention people want to be all under one roof as much as possible. I don't know, those comments jumped out to me when I watched it.

If we lose the Drury to get a 30-story luxury hotel by the convention center….Im happy with that trade-off.

[nebport5]

It’s an interesting argument, particularly referencing how the standards of Upper-Upscale is decided based on room rates and not much else, but I hope this lights a fire for Drury to beef up their proposal.

Realistically, what do you think that might entail?

In spite of the arbitrariness of the STR ratings it seems Drury has a branding issue by lumping their Plaza and Suites concepts together. Their argument seems to be they offer as much or more as the upper upscale and luxury hotels at economy prices. As congruent as those two things could possibly be the bottom line is that the Drury brand doesn't move the needle for attracting convention business.

I'm afraid this could result in them abandoning the podium design and building a small parking garage at the 10th & Harney lot.

[Garrett]

It’s an interesting argument, particularly referencing how the standards of Upper-Upscale is decided based on room rates and not much else, but I hope this lights a fire for Drury to beef up their proposal.

Realistically, what do you think that might entail?

In spite of the arbitrariness of the STR ratings it seems Drury has a branding issue by lumping their Plaza and Suites concepts together. Their argument seems to be they offer as much or more as the upper upscale and luxury hotels at economy prices. As congruent as those two things could possibly be the bottom line is that the Drury brand doesn't move the needle for attracting convention business.

I'm afraid this could result in them abandoning the podium design and building a small parking garage at the 10th & Harney lot.

Honestly I’m not sure, it was more me spitballing. The ordinance does say that they’ll also consider hotels that include significant amounts of convention space. Perhaps even a larger hotel would be more enticing. I still need to finish watching the testimony to be honest.

Edit: having now watched Jazz’s testimony, starting at 1:48:30 in the video, there’s no way in heck Drury can pull this off. The convention bureau pushing for a 800-1000 room hotel really hits home how much of a mistake it was to go for the smaller Hilton over the big Marriott back in the day.

[Garrett]

Drury filed for a new building permit on August 5: 8 stories (same as before) 210 rooms (up from 201 before), 138,000 sqft (down from 187,000 sqft). Not sure where the lost 50,000 sqft is coming from.

https://aca-prod.accela.com/OMAHA/Cap/C ... nspection=

[thenewguy]

Drury filed for a new building permit on August 5: 8 stories (same as before) 210 rooms (up from 201 before), 138,000 sqft (down from 187,000 sqft). Not sure where the lost 50,000 sqft is coming from.

https://aca-prod.accela.com/OMAHA/Cap/C ... nspection=

better than nothing? Yes.

better than what we thought? No.

[ita]

Drury filed for a new building permit on August 5: 8 stories (same as before) 210 rooms (up from 201 before), 138,000 sqft (down from 187,000 sqft). Not sure where the lost 50,000 sqft is coming from.

https://aca-prod.accela.com/OMAHA/Cap/C ... nspection=

Maybe it's a level of parking?

[Garrett]

Drury filed for a new building permit on August 5: 8 stories (same as before) 210 rooms (up from 201 before), 138,000 sqft (down from 187,000 sqft). Not sure where the lost 50,000 sqft is coming from.

https://aca-prod.accela.com/OMAHA/Cap/C ... nspection=

Maybe it's a level of parking?

The permit they pulled in April for infrastructure work does claim its 47k sqft but the scope of work they list feels more limited than that? But you may be right.

https://aca-prod.accela.com/OMAHA/Cap/C ... nspection=

[thenewguy]

so is the cost of the garage $5.8M? It can't be the entire thing...

[nebport5]

Drury filed for a new building permit on August 5: 8 stories (same as before) 210 rooms (up from 201 before), 138,000 sqft (down from 187,000 sqft). Not sure where the lost 50,000 sqft is coming from.

https://aca-prod.accela.com/OMAHA/Cap/C ... nspection=

Maybe it's a level of parking?

The permit they pulled in April for infrastructure work does claim its 47k sqft but the scope of work they list feels more limited than that? But you may be right.

https://aca-prod.accela.com/OMAHA/Cap/C ... nspection=

That sounds like it may not bode well for getting their 10th & Harney surface lot developed.

[ita]

Drury filed for a new building permit on August 5: 8 stories (same as before) 210 rooms (up from 201 before), 138,000 sqft (down from 187,000 sqft). Not sure where the lost 50,000 sqft is coming from.

https://aca-prod.accela.com/OMAHA/Cap/C ... nspection=

Maybe it's a level of parking?

The permit they pulled in April for infrastructure work does claim its 47k sqft but the scope of work they list feels more limited than that? But you may be right.

https://aca-prod.accela.com/OMAHA/Cap/C ... nspection=

That sounds like it may not bode well for getting their 10th & Harney surface lot developed.

Not necessarily. I am not a building/construction expert, so just conjecturing here, but maybe for some reason the garage and the hotel itself needed two separate permits.

[bldgengineer2015]

The two separate permits just allows them to start work on the podium/foundation/below grade items prior to final approval of the rest of the building.

[jjjjhskr]

They’re really working hard on the Drury this morning.

[Louie]

They’re really working hard on the Drury this morning.

More like dreary on a morning like this amirite

[jjjjhskr]

A bit

[iamjacobm]

Will be nice to see both the market and hotel go up at the same time. Really pulling the built environment east here.

I did notice there was a ton more bird poop on the HOA lake trail today, the birds really liked to hang out on the market site haha.

[thenewguy]

i hope they can do something to draw them away from there. That's always irritating to walk through a field of goose nuggets

[Brad]

Wonder if the Drury will have a tower crane?

[skinzfan23]

Wonder if the Drury will have a tower crane?

I would think so, the one in Lincoln did when it was built.

[nebport5]

RE: Drury Hotel

The City Council voted today in favor of "an Enhanced Employment Area (EEA), as
described in Exhibit "B", and the City’s authorization of a general business occupation tax
in an amount up to $7,550,000.00".

Agenda attachment.


The plan includes 160 underground parking spaces.

[thenewguy]

this is the rendering from the document. Not bad, not great, will fit with the area. 8 stories

[iamjacobm]

There is a bit sharper rendering at Drury's development page.

https://www.drurydevelopment.com/properties/omaha-ne/

[BRoss]

I think it looks pretty good. It adds height and density and should add to the skyline a bit. Plus Drury is a fairly nice family-owned hotel. My parents have told me they usually seek these out when they travel.

[thenewguy]

i do think it looks a lot better in this rendering than the computer renderings that were posted earlier. gives a way better sense of scale, and the whole area is starting to look like what could have existed decades ago if jobbers canyon wasn't removed.

[BuildTaller]

There is a bit sharper rendering at Drury's development page.

https://www.drurydevelopment.com/properties/omaha-ne/