Great Plains Black History Museum, Science & Technology Cent

[Guest]

I was surprised no one has posted this, at least I couldn't find it:

http://www.omaha.com/article/20140123/LIVING/140129454" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

$25 million. They want to be downtown, and break ground in 2 years.

There are some floor plans and building designs in the article.

[iamjacobm]

Wow, completely missed that one. North Downtown would be the logical choice to help the district grow and to keep the museum near the neighborhoods and people it helps represent.

[Uffda]

[skinzfan23]

Wow, very nice.

[ShawJ]

[S33]

I guess this really isn't a rumor, anymore. There is some prime real estate for this south of Joslyn, to help clean/develop west downtown. Maybe where that sleazy motel is?

[Coyote]

I guess this really isn't a rumor, anymore. There is some prime real estate for this south of Joslyn, to help clean/develop west downtown. Maybe where that sleazy motel is?

Econolodge?

[S33]

I guess this really isn't a rumor, anymore. There is some prime real estate for this south of Joslyn, to help clean/develop west downtown. Maybe where that sleazy motel is?

Econolodge?

yes!

[iamjacobm]

I guess this really isn't a rumor, anymore. There is some prime real estate for this south of Joslyn, to help clean/develop west downtown. Maybe where that sleazy motel is?

Econolodge?

yes!

They just gave it a fresh coat of paint this summer I think they are in it for the long haul.

[S33]

They just gave it a fresh coat of paint this summer I think they are in it for the long haul.

lol.

[SaveOmaha]

Personally, I wish they would use the grant/fund toward restoring their old museum at 2213 Lake.

[Professor Woland]

Personally, I wish they would use the grant/fund toward restoring their old museum on 24th & Lake. That might be the only registered Omaha Landmark in that poor of condition. That would do wonders for the immediate area. Not that I don't welcome new development downtown by any mean. Guess their wish for a new building is more important at this point.

I think any group of people interested in building preservation should pitch in to buy the old building, it is a Thomas Rogers Kimball building and he might have been the most important Omaha architect. That is a building of actual historical importance.

[Garrett]

I just think its awesome that Omaha is getting a new museum like this. The layout looks nice.

[iamjacobm]

Personally, I wish they would use the grant/fund toward restoring their old museum on 24th & Lake. That might be the only registered Omaha Landmark in that poor of condition. That would do wonders for the immediate area. Not that I don't welcome new development downtown by any mean. Guess their wish for a new building is more important at this point.

That building is tiny though. This proposed museum is huge and incredibly easy to program the exhibits which the old building could never offer.

Anyways it will be interesting to see this project play out. Having a former OWH editor leading the charge is sure to help the fundraising here.

[iamjacobm]

http://www.omaha.com/article/20140211/N ... 19766/1707

If the bill passes in the Legislature, Beatty said he hopes a site can be selected and construction started this year. For every $2 million the museum raises, it would get $1 million from the state, up to $8 million.

The new building would be 35,000 square feet and cost about $25 million. The museum and the Omaha Convention and Visitors Bureau estimate it would draw 65,000 visitors in its first year and could have a $65 million economic impact in its first five years, Beatty said.

[SaveOmaha]

Comment deleted.

[Coyote]

Great Plains Black History Museum donates building to Bertha W. Calloway Foundation



The Great Plains Black History board of directors is finalizing the donation of the historical Webster Telephone Exchange building to the Bertha W. Calloway Foundation on Wednesday.

[Coyote]

Great Plains Black History Museum eyeing new location, celebrates 48th anniversary



A vision dating back to 1975. "So this museum, I think, gives people young people, people in the community and not only Black people but others an opportunity to learn more about the real history of Nebraska," said Ms. Bertha Calloway from an interview years ago with KETV.

[F0R_L1F3]

Awesome! Love the history that Omaha has and expanding the museum to be even bigger would be amazing. Will hopefully bring more visitors to that area as well allowing for more economic activity in that area and awareness of the history!

[Vitruvius]

Personally, I wish they would use the grant/fund toward restoring their old museum on 24th & Lake. That might be the only registered Omaha Landmark in that poor of condition. That would do wonders for the immediate area. Not that I don't welcome new development downtown by any mean. Guess their wish for a new building is more important at this point.

I think any group of people interested in building preservation should pitch in to buy the old building, it is a Thomas Rogers Kimball building and he might have been the most important Omaha architect. That is a building of actual historical importance.

Absolutely yes, the landmark building should be restored and renewed... and then, adjacent, build a contemporary and complementary work of true architecture to hold the museum galleries and storage/archive space.
This would be a slam dunk for a willing philanthropist.