Old Union Pacific Headquarters Lot

[iamjacobm]

This thread isn't really to moan about the missed project. Just got some info on the lot and how it could affect future development. Apparently Gavilon looked at this lot when they were starting their search and the asking price was over $7 million, they paid about half that for their current site.

Someone is going to really fall in love with the property to buy it at that price with all the other options downtown.

[RNcyanide]

I bet if the right player comes to town, they'll lower the price.

[twiztid1]

Does Townsend still own this lot?

[RNcyanide]

Good god, I hope not... They just might hold onto it forever out of spite...

[ShawJ]

Does Townsend still own this lot?

Owner:

WALLSTREET TOWER OMAHA LLC


12635 HEMLOCK ST
OVERLAND PARK KS 66213-0000

[RNcyanide]

Does Townsend still own this lot?

Owner:

WALLSTREET TOWER OMAHA LLC


12635 HEMLOCK ST
OVERLAND PARK KS 66213-0000

Dammit.

[Coyote]

Just how much did they invest in he site for demolition, minus the $1.00 selling price...

[MadMartin8]

Can the city use eminent domain and get it back for a fraction of that?

[Coyote]

There must have been some agreement if WST never succeeded, can't remember any details...

[Garrett]

There must have been some agreement if WST never succeeded, can't remember any details...

Actually, I don't think there was, which is what made the city start making those agreements. I think it's been talked about before how the city made a big mistake by not having a development clause or something.

[MTO]

Maybe it's time for some ol' gangster $hit.

[Turtle9160]

I had thought the city took it back awhile back, unless that was just Townsend's office on Cass. Shame since they may hold on to it just too spite the city in the long run.

[ShawJ]

This could be a stupid question, but how difficult is it to divide a plot of land like this up into smaller parcels for development? Develop a 10-12 story apartment building on half of the land and later a 20 story office building on the other half (in a hypothetical fantasy world).

[Coyote]

In a hypothetical fantasy world not hard at all, just rezone the plot. Now, to change the city's Master Plan and get the Planning Commission and City Council to agree...

[Joe_Sovereign]

The should demand that it be kept up better and seize it if it is not. Since it was given away by the city, I think it not being an eyesore isn't too much to ask.

[ShawJ]

Now, to change the city's Master Plan and get the Planning Commission and City Council to agree...

It's that simple, huh? :D

[MadMartin8]

In a hypothetical fantasy world not hard at all, just rezone the plot. Now, to change the city's Master Plan and get the Planning Commission and City Council to agree...

So you're saying there's a chance?

[RNcyanide]

What it is now is better than the whole that once was...

[Schwartzkoff]

This may sound like a total hippy idea, but would there be any way we could turn this into an urban public shared garden in the short term. Similar to the one in Dundee. It's close to a lot of residences and would turn an eye sore to a "oh that's cool" for people visiting.

[Coyote]

This may sound like a total hippy idea, but would there be any way we could turn this into an urban public shared garden in the short term. Similar to the one in Dundee. It's close to a lot of residences and would turn an eye sore to a "oh that's cool" for people visiting.

Didn't Herb talk about something like that at Leytham?

[RNcyanide]

This may sound like a total hippy idea, but would there be any way we could turn this into an urban public shared garden in the short term. Similar to the one in Dundee. It's close to a lot of residences and would turn an eye sore to a "oh that's cool" for people visiting.

That sounds like a neat idea.

[Brad]

This could be a stupid question, but how difficult is it to divide a plot of land like this up into smaller parcels for development? Develop a 10-12 story apartment building on half of the land and later a 20 story office building on the other half (in a hypothetical fantasy world).

I am not as educated on the CBD, however Omaha as a whole, lots get replated all the time. I am literally working on a project right now that includes an existing lot, a replated lot and a street vacation in between.

[TitosBuritoBarn]

The 60-90 day wait may finally be over.

Developer's plans for downtown Omaha high-rise excite officials

A building as high as 25 stories — topped with condos and filled with office, retail and parking space — could finally rise on a prominent downtown Omaha square block that has sat vacant and weed-infested for the past five years.

The project envisioned by Omaha's Lanoha Development for 14th and Dodge Streets would replace the failed WallStreet Tower project proposed in 2005 by Kansas-based Townsend Inc.

http://www.omaha.com/article/20131117/M ... -officials

[iamjacobm]

Wow this is massive news!

[RNcyanide]

Marvelous. Part of me really hopes they push the height to something taller than Elmwood Tower... Awesome news either way!!!

[MadMartin8]

Lots of hurdles still to overcome, but I like that Lanaha has the lead on this. Now we just need a tenant...

[RNcyanide]

Cutting edge design would be a plus, too.

[Coyote]

Just read a list of their projects, I had no idea Lanaha was that much into construction.

[RNcyanide]

Just read a list of their projects, I had no idea Lanaha was that much into construction.

Me neither! I thought the only thing they built were nice trees!!

[RNcyanide]

Lots of hurdles still to overcome, but I like that Lanaha has the lead on this. Now we just need a tenant...

Is it too soon to add fuel to the Pac Life Headquarters rumor??

[Tornado]

Wow, talk about great news to wake up to on a Sunday morning. Obviously a long way to go but to see a major project like this go up a couple blocks from the Shamrock development would be really impressive. Maybe we'll have some nice shots of a new and improved skyline from Abbott drive in a couple years. I'm just hoping that Townsend doesn't end up actually making a decent profit out of all this.

[guy4omaha]

Lots of hurdles still to overcome, but I like that Lanaha has the lead on this. Now we just need a tenant...

Is it too soon to add fuel to the Pac Life Headquarters rumor??

Well actually Pacific Life is supposed to announce a decision to employees by the end of the year whether they stay at the Landmark Center, move to a different building or build anew. It is fun to ponder whether Pacific Life and the developer are aware of each other's efforts. I think the current lease runs out in 2015. My guess is the Lanaha project even under the most optimistic timelines would not be finished in time.

[Brad]

Wow, out of the blue awesome news

Just read a list of their projects, I had no idea Lanaha was that much into construction.

I believe it's the founder's son Jason that pushed them in in to development. Although on a smaller scale, I think Mullhall's sun has also done the same.

If you have never been to the Scantuary, it's awesome. Probably not as cool at the moment, but really cool in the warmer months when the flowers are in bloom and the waterfalls are turned on.

[guitarguy]

First let me say this... :banger: :banger: :coolwoot: :coolwoot: :cheers: :cheers:

Second.. this project in todays Omaha seems like a slam dunk with the recent increase in need for commercial office space!! Woo Hoo :mrgreen:

Third.. Omaha is really booming lately! I really do hope that we get to see this momentum continue and get to watch as the downtown area transforms into something amazing!

[Garrett]

First of all... *cries*

This is freaking awesome!

Secondly, no one has posted the rendering yet!

[RNcyanide]

Just saw a rendering in the paper. PLEASED!!!!

[Bosco55David]

That's |expletive| awesome. Here's to hoping this one works out.

[guitarguy]

If it matches the UP building I'll be happy but I think it would even better if its just a little taller than the UP.

[MadMartin8]

How long of a time frame do you think we have before this gets actually underway? 2016 start?


I have a feeling the rendering and design will change by then...

[guitarguy]

Well as do most projects of this magnitude I don't expect anything for a few years.. In the article it states that depending on demand for the space that will determine the height.