The Scoular Co.

[Doctor Fate]

One of downtown Omaha's oldest and largest businesses is moving west

The Scoular Co., one of the city’s oldest and largest businesses, announced Monday it will move out of the downtown headquarters where it’s been for 36 years, and put down new roots in west Omaha.

Though the global grain trader looked at options in and around the city's urban core, its leadership team couldn't find a place that suited growth and recruitment needs of the 128-year-company.

Chief executive Paul Maass told the World-Herald that Scoular's future home, an existing building at 13660 California St. in the Bank of the West Business Park, fits with the company vision for further growth. In the last four years since he was at the helm, the employee count in the Omaha headquarters has grown by nearly 50% to about 100.

Disappointing to see another company leaving downtown to head west. Especially when it sounds like they wanted to stay downtown and looked for places in the core. In the article, it says they didn't want to build downtown because it would take too long and there weren't any existing locations that fit their needs.

[Big E]

Maass said Scoular remains an advocate and financial supporter of downtown and downtown projects such as the riverfront revitalization effort.

He said the company is not as concerned with getting “top dollar” for its downtown complex as much as it wants the new use to mesh with the community vision to strengthen the urban core and position it for improved tourism and talent recruitment.

In other words we support downtown, but all of our employees want their kids to go to schools that are 98% white.

[ita]

One of downtown Omaha's oldest and largest businesses is moving west

The Scoular Co., one of the city’s oldest and largest businesses, announced Monday it will move out of the downtown headquarters where it’s been for 36 years, and put down new roots in west Omaha.

Though the global grain trader looked at options in and around the city's urban core, its leadership team couldn't find a place that suited growth and recruitment needs of the 128-year-company.

Chief executive Paul Maass told the World-Herald that Scoular's future home, an existing building at 13660 California St. in the Bank of the West Business Park, fits with the company vision for further growth. In the last four years since he was at the helm, the employee count in the Omaha headquarters has grown by nearly 50% to about 100.

Disappointing to see another company leaving downtown to head west. Especially when it sounds like they wanted to stay downtown and looked for places in the core. In the article, it says they didn't want to build downtown because it would take too long and there weren't any existing locations that fit their needs.

Is this a sign that more office is needed downtown or is Scouler just trying to avoid criticism that they are leaving downtown? Not trying to be critical of Scouler, but if it is the former, it's a good sign for downtown.

[Cermak]

Might of just wanted a change of scenery and I’m sure the new location is a shorter commute for most of the employees. It would of been nice if they could of found something DT. But at least they aren’t leaving town. Seems like West Omaha is really the preferred spot for office space these days, not downtown.

[Bob from Omaha]

Maybe I'm jaded but seriously? It would take too long to build new? Right now there is a glut of office space downtown. They could have stayed in their current building, rented whatever space they need until a new building is done and then unite the team in a new building downtown. My belief is that the Bank of the West building is cheaper, fits the bill and is available, or will be with minimal renovation. In addition I agree that in all likelihood the bulk of the employees wanted to work out west.

On the other hand, at least they aren't leaving for the Merchandise Mart in Chicago, or Denver or Dallas or Atlanta....or h e l l, even Detroit.

[Bob from Omaha]

Something just occurred to me. What happened to Bank of the West? They downsized their Omaha operations? I'm a bit out of the loop.

[IndigoAlliance]

Maybe I'm the only one but I assumed that this was, ultimately, good news for downtown.

I was a member at the Pinnacle Fitness gym in the Scoular basement and, while the building itself was nice, I wasn't surprised when it permanently closed due to Corona. It had good structure but was being underutilized to it's highest capacity.

If the banquet hall, gym, and offices are being vacated I assumed it'd be renovated into condos or apartments at some point in the near future.

So long as the business stays in Omaha id say good news all around.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Maybe I'm the only one but I assumed that this was, ultimately, good news for downtown.

I was a member at the Pinnacle Fitness gym in the Scoular basement and, while the building itself was nice, I wasn't surprised when it permanently closed due to Corona. It had good structure but was being underutilized to it's highest capacity.

If the banquet hall, gym, and offices are being vacated I assumed it'd be renovated into condos or apartments at some point in the near future.

So long as the business stays in Omaha id say good news all around.

That’s one good perspective I’m inclined to agree with.. Cup half full.. At least Scoular is relocating within the city.. And perhaps this will add an additional residential development for the downtown core..

Welcome to the forum ...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Omahacritic]

Or, it gets demolished, the structure/garage to East gets demolished, and the red brick building on 20 Douglas gets de,oil shed. Combine with the vacant lot ... create a nice big super-lot.

Then, us3 it for the Joslyn Museum of Modern Art. Or even ... create a Science Park and Museum instead of one planned at Lewis and Clark.

[PotatoeEatsFish]

Or, it gets demolished, the structure/garage to East gets demolished, and the red brick building on 20 Douglas gets de,oil shed. Combine with the vacant lot ... create a nice big super-lot.

Then, us3 it for the Joslyn Museum of Modern Art. Or even ... create a Science Park and Museum instead of one planned at Lewis and Clark.

Why are you suggesting more dirt lots?

[OmahaJaysCU]

Help me understand this, there are “no suitable options downtown,” but there is 80,000 sf of vacant office just built at the Capital District with no tenants? What am I missing here other than it doesn’t seem to me that they tried very hard?

[jessep28]

What am I missing here other than it doesn’t seem to me that they tried very hard?

The decision makers live out West, and wanted a shorter commute.

[yman97]

Something just occurred to me. What happened to Bank of the West? They downsized their Omaha operations? I'm a bit out of the loop.

BOW did not downsize operations in Omaha but they do have the vast majority of employees in the two buildings on California working from home.

[Cermak]

I like the old building. It’s probably one of the more attractive buildings in that part of DT. Would be an excellent conversion to Condo’s, Apartments or leave it as office space.

[GetUrban]

I like the old building. It’s probably one of the more attractive buildings in that part of DT. Would be an excellent conversion to Condo’s, Apartments or leave it as office space.

I agree, it should definitely be saved and possibly repurposed.