Did Grow Omaha kill this forum?

[BN1]

It feels like Interesting news and topics of discussion has slowed considerably.

Maybe the moderators could share some stats on users and activity now vs prior years.

[Louie]

Seeing as Grow Omaha doesn't have an existing forum for discussion, the answer is probably no.

[nebport5]

A lot of what shows up on G.O. is business news( say like a new bank location) doesn't always excite this crowd. In terms of development that does excite this crowd I think we're in a down cycle as such with economic ebbs and flows.

There are also many times news and information shows up here before Grow Omaha. I'm not saying G.O. is particularly sourcing info from here but clearly there's an interaction between the two beyond obviously Brad. The commercial real estate folks(which of course includes those also outside NAI NP Dodge association) are obviously privy to more than most of us on here. And I would also cite the number of discussions here that link to G.O. stories.

[BRoss]

It's summer and many are busy with other activities. Things were very active earlier in the year/during the winter.

[Ben]

If anything, I'd say they're complimentary... Some of the stuff here isn't found on GO, I'd also guess they source some stuff from here...

There are certainly times that this forum gets stuff in advance of GO. Used to happen more frequently when it was just a weekly newsletter / radio show. The gap has tightened some since they started doing daily news briefs.

Pretty sure the map of the Amazon Prime Air radius they posted on Facebook was the snip I'd taken from the FAA document and posted here..

[Flyer14]

There are some massive projects that are kind of chugging along with not tons of breaking news like the airport, streetcar and mutual. Hopefully as these near their finish lines new stuff comes on board!

[Garrett]

A lot of what shows up on G.O. is business news( say like a new bank location) doesn't always excite this crowd. In terms of development that does excite this crowd I think we're in a down cycle as such with economic ebbs and flows.

There are also many times news and information shows up here before Grow Omaha. I'm not saying G.O. is particularly sourcing info from here but clearly there's an interaction between the two beyond obviously Brad. The commercial real estate folks(which of course includes those also outside NAI NP Dodge association) are obviously privy to more than most of us on here. And I would also cite the number of discussions here that link to G.O. stories.

Pretty much this. They often know more than we do as far as the rumor mill goes, but we also have a penchant for diving into documents or new information that may appear on their stories at a later point. Grow Omaha has always been symbiotic to this forum, and if anything, they've drawn more people into discussing urban development in Omaha. Active members have certainly come and gone over the years, but I also like that, for the most part, this is a relatively tight circle of urban nerds over the more general audiences on facebook or reddit. A lot of other cities have far quieter urban development forums than eOmaha.

[Omaha Cowboy]

A lot of what shows up on G.O. is business news( say like a new bank location) doesn't always excite this crowd. In terms of development that does excite this crowd I think we're in a down cycle as such with economic ebbs and flows.

There are also many times news and information shows up here before Grow Omaha. I'm not saying G.O. is particularly sourcing info from here but clearly there's an interaction between the two beyond obviously Brad. The commercial real estate folks(which of course includes those also outside NAI NP Dodge association) are obviously privy to more than most of us on here. And I would also cite the number of discussions here that link to G.O. stories.

Pretty much this. They often know more than we do as far as the rumor mill goes, but we also have a penchant for diving into documents or new information that may appear on their stories at a later point. Grow Omaha has always been symbiotic to this forum, and if anything, they've drawn more people into discussing urban development in Omaha. Active members have certainly come and gone over the years, but I also like that, for the most part, this is a relatively tight circle of urban nerds over the more general audiences on facebook or reddit. A lot of other cities have far quieter urban development forums than eOmaha.

Both of these comments are spot on…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[djc311]

A lot of what shows up on G.O. is business news( say like a new bank location) doesn't always excite this crowd. In terms of development that does excite this crowd I think we're in a down cycle as such with economic ebbs and flows.

There are also many times news and information shows up here before Grow Omaha. I'm not saying G.O. is particularly sourcing info from here but clearly there's an interaction between the two beyond obviously Brad. The commercial real estate folks(which of course includes those also outside NAI NP Dodge association) are obviously privy to more than most of us on here. And I would also cite the number of discussions here that link to G.O. stories.

Pretty much this. They often know more than we do as far as the rumor mill goes, but we also have a penchant for diving into documents or new information that may appear on their stories at a later point. Grow Omaha has always been symbiotic to this forum, and if anything, they've drawn more people into discussing urban development in Omaha. Active members have certainly come and gone over the years, but I also like that, for the most part, this is a relatively tight circle of urban nerds over the more general audiences on facebook or reddit. A lot of other cities have far quieter urban development forums than eOmaha.

With an occasional SW Omaha / Sarpy County resident thrown in the mix. LOL

I wish we'd hear something in regards to the growth along HWY 370 as well as the area around NEX. There were some blurbs about a Target at Gretna Crossing which must not have panned out (or they're REALLY dragging their feet at this point) and IKEA going out near NEX.

I assume a CHI hospital will sprout up near 192nd & 370 if they decide to keep that land. Perhaps everyone is simply waiting for more infill. I imagine in the next 5-10 years, it may be difficult to find a residential lot around these developments.

[Brad]

There’s really not a lot going on?

- North Downtown and Millwork Commons have a couple parking garages and an apartment.
- Mutual Tower and Duo in the core
- The Streetcar
- Chi Expansion
- Airport Terminal
- UNMC tower
- Couple New Bakers
- Suburban Residential

Other than the debate about the UNMC height people are posting updates on these projects and people just are not commenting on the updates.

I did find it interesting that other day when I asked if Crystal Jade was moving and several of you were like oh yeah, old news, but nobody ever took the time to post it.

[nebport5]

There’s really not a lot going on?

- North Downtown and Millwork Commons have a couple parking garages and an apartment.
- Mutual Tower and Duo in the core
- The Streetcar
- Chi Expansion
- Airport Terminal
- UNMC tower
- Couple New Bakers
- Suburban Residential

Other than the debate about the UNMC height people are posting updates on these projects and people just are not commenting on the updates.

I did find it interesting that other day when I asked if Crystal Jade was moving and several of you were like oh yeah, old news, but nobody ever took the time to post it.

It's not that there's so much of a lack of things going on so much as what is going on may not stimulate much discussion(like new Baker's *yawn*) or some of the ongoing longer projects, like the airport, streetcar and Mutual fluctuate with "discussion worthy" progress. In terms of newly announced "exciting projects", the first half of this year hasn't been the most thrilling.


Funny I meant to post about Crystal Jade but I forgot the address of the new location but then used the power of the web when you asked about it.

[Brad]

It's not that there's so much of a lack of things going on so much as what is going on may not stimulate much discussion(like new Baker's *yawn*)

I agree, but I also listed that because they are two of the larger projects actually going on right now

or some of the ongoing longer projects, like the airport, streetcar and Mutual fluctuate with "discussion worthy" progress.

Also, we are at the mercy of the airport for information on that project. Its not like I can roll through there at any time and take update photos.

In terms of newly announced "exciting projects", the first half of this year hasn't been the most thrilling.

True, and I don't see a lot on the radar for the lest of 2026... I sure hope I am wrong.

[Garrett]

In terms of newly announced "exciting projects", the first half of this year hasn't been the most thrilling.

True, and I don't see a lot on the radar for the lest of 2026... I sure hope I am wrong.

Still nothing for Mutual Campus redevelopment? That's a bit disappointing.

At least we seem to have movement on the public market.

[Brad]

Still nothing for Mutual Campus redevelopment? That's a bit disappointing.

Haven't heard anything about that project since the last time Stothert was on Grow Omaha when she was still Mayor.

[Renovator2559]

This Mayor all is doing is finishing the projects that Mayor Jean Stothert started. I haven't heard of new projects and a vision from this mayor. I was disappointed that the new mayor was not physically able to present himself to Grow Omaha.

I miss all the frequent projects happening with mayor Jean stothert.

[almighty_tuna]

This Mayor all is doing is finishing the projects that Mayor Jean Stothert started.

As opposed to dropping them like a hot rock and not following through to completion?? Continuity is important - there was a lot in progress when Stothert left.

If Ewing can't get his own projects moving and take advantage of the recent success from the previous administration then that would be a problem and we can vote him out at the next election.

[thenewguy]

This Mayor all is doing is finishing the projects that Mayor Jean Stothert started.

As opposed to dropping them like a hot rock and not following through to completion?? Continuity is important - there was a lot in progress when Stothert left.

If Ewing can't get his own projects moving and take advantage of the recent success from the previous administration then that would be a problem and we can vote him out at the next election.

Genuine question from across the river: is the consensus that he's doing well or not doing well in Omahan's eyes? The only real news lately that's stuck out to me was his $15/hr minimum wage mandate, but it does seem like Stothert was much more development minded than he is.

Regarding Grow Omaha killing the forum: I don't think so at all. In fact, I'd only say that the forum has helped Grow Omaha, and vice versa. There are several good things happening, but it's not a constant flurry of activity like other larger cities. The only component I am personally looking for is some tower development near the old UP headquarters.

[nebugeater]

The eOmaha and Grow Omaha sites complement each other, and IMO have a positive impact on each other with really no negative influence.

[Greg S]

This Mayor all is doing is finishing the projects that Mayor Jean Stothert started. I haven't heard of new projects and a vision from this mayor. I was disappointed that the new mayor was not physically able to present himself to Grow Omaha.

I miss all the frequent projects happening with mayor Jean stothert.

You seem to have been pushing a narrative here, and not just recently, right after he got elected. First, I didn't vote for Ewing, I voted Stothert. That being said it's far too early to be trying to paint a broad stroke on his term or terms as mayor. You clearly don't like him and are trying to convince others.

[almighty_tuna]

Genuine question from across the river: is the consensus that he's doing well or not doing well in Omahan's eyes? The only real news lately that's stuck out to me was his $15/hr minimum wage mandate, but it does seem like Stothert was much more development minded than he is.

I give him an "okay" rating at this point, but it's early. I don't think he's a development forward kind of guy and seems to focus more on quality of life and safety. Let's see what he grows in the pipeline over the next couple of years. I hope he can still seize on the streetcar to encourage growth along the line and get more people to move here. Without a good steady influx of new workers it's hard to be attractive to relocating businesses.

[Garrett]

I will also say, there are a few major projects going on beyond the Mutual Tower (namely, the Duo and conversion of the old FNBO tower by NuStyle) that just aren't as watchable. I think there's also a bevy of more minor projects, such as the Carnac, that would have been exciting years ago but now are relatively minor compared to the big stuff we've been getting.

[Brad]

I think there's also a bevy of more minor projects, such as the Carnac, that would have been exciting years ago but now are relatively minor compared to the big stuff we've been getting.

I agree, people on here just don't seem to care about small projects anymore. Most won't comment unless they have something negative to say.

I just posted photo updates for The Frame Apartment, Block 38 apartments, Jackson Street Townhomes, 36 & Leavenworth Apartments, and The Carnac Apartments. Between the 5 of them, one person commented on one of them. A couple weeks ago I posted about Rows at Field Club, Walter Apartments too.

I was going to say that nobody commented on the The Mueller photos, but it looks like I forgot to post those. Grow Omaha did a full tour on those and I have photos inside and out.

[Louie]

I think there's also a bevy of more minor projects, such as the Carnac, that would have been exciting years ago but now are relatively minor compared to the big stuff we've been getting.

I agree, people on here just don't seem to care about small projects anymore. Most won't comment unless they have something negative to say.

I just posted photo updates for The Frame Apartment, Block 38 apartments, Jackson Street Townhomes, 36 & Leavenworth Apartments, and The Carnac Apartments. Between the 5 of them, one person commented on one of them. A couple weeks ago I posted about Rows at Field Club, Walter Apartments too.

I was going to say that nobody commented on the The Mueller photos, but it looks like I forgot to post those. Grow Omaha did a full tour on those and I have photos inside and out.

Yeah, I think maybe some people are expecting more stuff in the proposal stages, outlining the future development. But we are in the middle of a rather intense construction phase of so many projects, maybe we got greedy lol.

[Brad]

Yeah, I think maybe some people are expecting more stuff in the proposal stages, outlining the future development. But we are in the middle of a rather intense construction phase of so many projects, maybe we got greedy lol.

Yeah, but you gotta keep the pipeline full. That's what I worry about. What happens when these finish up. Hope to see more announcements soon. It would really be nice to see the Children's Museum and Beam come back to life and if the museum can't pull it off, hopefully the Beam comes back in some form.

[Louie]

Yeah, I think maybe some people are expecting more stuff in the proposal stages, outlining the future development. But we are in the middle of a rather intense construction phase of so many projects, maybe we got greedy lol.

Yeah, but you gotta keep the pipeline full. That's what I worry about. What happens when these finish up. Hope to see more announcements soon. It would really be nice to see the Children's Museum and Beam come back to life and if the museum can't pull it off, hopefully the Beam comes back in some form.

Bro, we have the new police hq, what more do we need lol.

I would like a few more irons in the fire as the streetcar build out inches closer and closer to the finish line.

[TitosBuritoBarn]

Yeah, I think maybe some people are expecting more stuff in the proposal stages, outlining the future development. But we are in the middle of a rather intense construction phase of so many projects, maybe we got greedy lol.

I think we're definitely a bit greedy at the moment. Omaha has a lot going on right now. Currently under construction are a new tallest, a (more or less) new airport, a new rail-based transit line, a new regional park in CB, a convention center addition, the builders district and 13th street are rapidly changing and expanding, and more new apartment buildings than I can keep track of. Not to mention a new high-end shopping center at 192nd and Dodge. I'm not sure what else we could want right now.

[Garrett]

Yeah, I think maybe some people are expecting more stuff in the proposal stages, outlining the future development. But we are in the middle of a rather intense construction phase of so many projects, maybe we got greedy lol.

Yeah, but you gotta keep the pipeline full. That's what I worry about. What happens when these finish up. Hope to see more announcements soon. It would really be nice to see the Children's Museum and Beam come back to life and if the museum can't pull it off, hopefully the Beam comes back in some form.

What was the thought process on NuStyle pulling out of The Beam? Were they that contingent on the children's museum construction?

Yeah, I think maybe some people are expecting more stuff in the proposal stages, outlining the future development. But we are in the middle of a rather intense construction phase of so many projects, maybe we got greedy lol.

I think we're definitely a bit greedy at the moment. Omaha has a lot going on right now. Currently under construction are a new tallest, a (more or less) new airport, a new rail-based transit line, a new regional park in CB, a convention center addition, the builders district and 13th street are rapidly changing and expanding, and more new apartment buildings than I can keep track of. Not to mention a new high-end shopping center at 192nd and Dodge. I'm not sure what else we could want right now.

Add Project Health onto this, a new 4th tallest building starting soon? Now? And the public market on deck as well.

[MetcalfeHarrison]

The next more exciting one for me is the soccer stadium, and the city council just approved the contracting type a couple of weeks ago so we should see an RFP out in the next month or so. I know they want to start work this fall so that will be a fun one to follow. It should move pretty quickly since they want to open in the spring of 2028.

[CrankyOldDude]

This forum (or it's predecessor) dates to the 90s. Prior to that the Omaha Chamber had a forum. Things change over more than three decades. This forum is still relevant. Grow Omaha is nice and also relevant.

I went to the Chamber forum because I had a business that was a member of the Chamber and was hoping to share ideas on how to grow my company. I did get ideas but over time the Chamber forum changed. When Jeff/Stargazer started Eomaha.com I found out about it on the Chamber forum and checked it out. The rest is history.

In it's heyday this forum was amazing, in large part due to the prospect of an arena/convention center. In addition, the internet was like the wild west. Before internet forums there was just the public pulse in the owh. A majority of the letters to the editor was from those with a gripe. Or those with fitted tin hats.

With regard to the convention center/arena there was a small group who wrote letters to the editor that were positive that "no one will come to Omaha", "It will never be able to pay its bills and taxes will go up", "Daub and his cronies will get rich", etc. Why the owh published those letters is still beyond me.

[Louie]

With regard to the convention center/arena there was a small group who wrote letters to the editor that were positive that "no one will come to Omaha", "It will never be able to pay its bills and taxes will go up", "Daub and his cronies will get rich", etc. Why the owh published those letters is still beyond me.

Clearly, OWH had a a preference to how that played out.

[TitosBuritoBarn]

Add Project Health onto this, a new 4th tallest building starting soon? Now? And the public market on deck as well.

Ah yes. I forgot about those. I'll also add that Creighton continues to expand with new athletic facilities and dorms at a time when a lot of colleges are worried about enrollment and having to cut programs. It also helps that they are largely along Cuming Street, bringing aesthetically pleasing and active spaces to a corridor that many visitors take from the airport.

My city planner mind doesn't really let me get excited about projects until bulldozers are on site, but the public market could be a real sleeper of a project right now. Compared to the more trendy food hall concept, I think the public market's typical compact, chaos-inducing layout paired with a range of less curated vendors brings so much more vibrancy and placemaking.

[Garrett]

With regard to the convention center/arena there was a small group who wrote letters to the editor that were positive that "no one will come to Omaha", "It will never be able to pay its bills and taxes will go up", "Daub and his cronies will get rich", etc. Why the owh published those letters is still beyond me.

Clearly, OWH had a a preference to how that played out.

As I recall, didn't they feel slighted that they didn't get their name on the arena?

[jessep28]

People are busy during the summer, not to mention spillover to Bookface, and the rational discourse on Nextdoor yelling about the post office, and fiber install contractors setting off fireworks while riding e-bikes.

[CrankyOldDude]

With regard to the convention center/arena there was a small group who wrote letters to the editor that were positive that "no one will come to Omaha", "It will never be able to pay its bills and taxes will go up", "Daub and his cronies will get rich", etc. Why the owh published those letters is still beyond me.

Clearly, OWH had a a preference to how that played out.

As I recall, didn't they feel slighted that they didn't get their name on the arena?

Nope. Actually the opposite. They didn't want any name. Even those on the owh payroll were embarassed by the directive.

[nebugeater]

Remember when it was first built, the OWH would not use the sponsor's name at all in any of its coverage. Don't remember how long that lasted, but it was quite a while.

[nebport5]

In regard to getting "spoiled", since the announcement of Mutual/streetcar we had probably the highest two year run(2022-2024) of significant development in the history of this forum. Include the preceding riverfront parks redevelopment as the first of three major catalysts to ignite the revitalization of the urban core. 2025 hit a significantly slowed pace that's largely continued through this year. Such a slow down to some degree seems normal, though, I think we can point to the larger corresponding economic climate too.

As Brad and others have noted, there are still other significant developments underway. Yet with the streetcar particularly, there's an expectation of another boom on the horizon. We're already aware of a number of potentially big developments, though, those may take years to pan out.

-Beam/ Children's Museum (cautiously still hoping)
-Lot B/ New anchor hotel (why do we not have an RFP for this now?)
-Kiewit urban core investment (I would be surprised if we don't hear anything in the next few years)
-1416 Dodge (could take several years to play out)
-former Mutual Campus (this could take some time and multiple phases)
-1313 Farnam (cautious optimism)
-Freedom Center (more cautious optimism)
-Energy Plaza (Nustyle's next major project after FNB?)
-Mercantile lot between Drury and Con Agra lake (there's good momentum with the adjacent lot developments)
-Existing Police Headquarters redevelopment(a decade perhaps)
-Civic site (30-60...years)


In the meantime, I agree with the excitement for the public market, Union Omaha Stadium, Eppley's transformation, Millwork and The Builder's District continuing to gain steam(though it's hard to get excited for even more mediocre sports bars). I'm also hopeful that Project Health starting becomes a further catalyst, like the streetcar, for the current Mutual campus redevelopment.
While I may be in the minority, I'm also cautiously awaiting Crossroads retail/dinning announcements. I believe it was previously stated that we should hear something mid to late summer. Side note: if you're disappointed with the lack of Crossroads announcements and excited for the cannibal known as Avenue One, I can't help but think it's a factor.

Some talk of the good old days of the forum, and while there's the occasional troll and a few h e l l bent on making everything political, I'd say there's mostly still intelligent discussion here you won't find on social media cesspools like Reddit or FB. I'd also argue that if anything Grow Omaha has made this forum more active by providing more topics of discussion than what would have otherwise occurred.

[OverlookedFarm]

I think Grow Omaha is or at least can be a bit self-dealing (sorry if that is offends or too hot of a take). Afterall, the people behind it are involved in CRE, AND acting as growing arbiters of business and property development news through their radio and web platform.

Would the expedient disclosure of new information through their platform influence one of their deals?

This is why I prefer the forum platform. It at least gives people outside of the "approved" acceptable channel a voice to share information.

Point is, if Jim, the cashier at Jim's Florist was running Grow Omaha, I wouldn't raise an issue.

[nebugeater]

I think Grow Omaha is or at least can be a bit self-dealing (sorry if that is offends or too hot of a take). Afterall, the people behind it are involved in CRE, AND acting as growing arbiters of business and property development news through their radio and web platform.

Would the expedient disclosure of new information through their platform influence one of their deals?

This is why I prefer the forum platform. It at least gives people outside of the "approved" acceptable channel a voice to share information.

Point is, if Jim, the cashier at Jim's Florist was running Grow Omaha, I wouldn't raise an issue.

I can agree with this but would add it is a two-edged sword

They often have access to information well before others and also have more detail than others. With this they can share things sooner and when they do you have a solid chance that it is accurate. Even if they cannot or do not share everthing, and they often can't, they can base what they can share off of details that Jim the Florist will never see the light of.