Ralston Hinge project

[ita]

Ralston's redevelopment plans are in full swing. OWH reported about the City's master plan for an area they call the Hinge, essential east of downtown Ralston up to 72nd. There is a link to the initial draft of the master plan here:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/2xrrrndsbn0hw ... L.pdf?dl=0
Ralston's plan is to reinvigorate and redevelop their downtown first and hopes that it ignites redevelopment of the Hinge area. Typical multi use development language and plans, but I do like that they address the need for more missing middle housing. Anyway, between La Vista, Bellevue, and now Ralston, the metro's neighboring city suburbs will hopefully look a lot different in the next decade. I am glad they are all taking initiatives as many these areas are not very attractive (particularly Bellevue's area focus for redevelopment) and have been extremely underused.

Page 45-47 has the preferred layout concept, which includes downtown Ralston. Thereafter, each component of the plan is highlighted in greater detail.

[skinzfan23]

[ita]

https://www.omaha.com/news/local/millio ... 82443.html

I know many are not optimistic about this Hinge project, but the City of Ralston was gifted $7.5 million by a resident who recently passed away to help with the project. It's a sizable donation and I hope Ralston is able to use the funds to get this project off the ground.

One question I had, is how did a piano teacher have $7.5 million to donate? I must be in the wrong occupation...

Edit: updated article on the donation: https://www.omaha.com/news/local/a-real ... 82443.html

[Coyote]

[youtube]
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[ita]

I don't know if the Hinge project needs its own thread, but there is some good momentum behind the project:

$14 million investment is coming to downtown Ralston, Old Granary building

Those plans by investor Gordon Whitten and his company I See It Ventures represent another key investment in Ralston’s Hinge project, which aims to revitalize the downtown area and attract people from the Ralston Arena into the city itself to live, work and play.

Whitten, who founded Sojern, among other companies, joined Mayor Don Groesser and local business owners Wednesday to announce plans to renovate the historic Old Granary building, a roughly 7-acre property southeast of 75th and Main Streets where the redevelopment will occur.
...
Jody Strauch, who owns Out of the Box with her husband, Steen Lundberg, said Wednesday that the city’s Hinge project was an attractive option as the couple sought an Omaha location for a second branch of the business, which will be in a 20,000-square-foot space expected to open in August.

A $2 million investment by Whitten and fellow investors will create a new business accelerator that will provide up-and-coming companies with guidance, support and capital investment. Whitten said the goal is to create 10 new businesses and 100 new jobs.
...
In December, the city announced that LaDonna Johnson, a longtime Ralston piano teacher, had bequeathed $7.5 million to the city to be used for the Hinge project.

Wednesday’s $14 million announcement includes a $2.5 million contribution from the city. That money will come from Johnson’s gift.

Whitten said he and other investors want to continue investing in the area and are looking at putting $10 million more into the Hinge.

It sounds like a mini-Mastercraft development. In addition to the renovation to the Old Granary, green space and Missing Middle townhomes are in the plans with this initial investment. The article also mentions a 36 unit apartment project called Zehv's Place, with construction starting in August.

[Omaha Cowboy]

It’s amazing to me these projects actually get announced during a pandemic crisis..and the articles we read “matter of factly” leave the impression they’re going off without a hitch..

Like all other announcements of this nature, I hope this project comes through.. But I am wondering.. the article does mention the project is 2 years away from completion..

We’ll see...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[skinzfan23]

Here is the conceptual rendering:



That would be great if this were to happen, but it is going to be challenge in the current environment.

[S.O.Boy]

That would be great if this were to happen, but it is going to be challenge in the current environment.

Bingo


You hit the nail on the head.

[Fireman Freddy]

But the bigger problem is the 20 plus year Mayor for life, who brought to Ralston the Stadium that leads to dead ends. He changed the manager 3 times in 4 years, and just cannot keep his fingers out of the pie (Ralston) even though they have hired a City Administrator. Look out Ralston land owners, the tax man cometh after you.

[ita]

It’s amazing to me these projects actually get announced during a pandemic crisis..and the articles we read “matter of factly” leave the impression they’re going off without a hitch..

Like all other announcements of this nature, I hope this project comes through.. But I am wondering.. the article does mention the project is 2 years away from completion..

We’ll see...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

While for most everyone else, people with lots of money to burn still look at ways to invest and make more money despite the pandemic and economic recession. I am not saying that is the only reason for this project, but it's no coincidence that there is new investment in downtown Ralston, which is a defined opportunity zone. Additionally, even if they are not trying to utilize that tax shelter tool, it seems like a good opportunity for some long term growth as long as the City does not royally mess it up.

[Taco]

Some nice renderings included

https://www.ketv.com/article/were-going ... n/35983876

[Coyote]

Old Ralston Granary to Be Redeveloped

[Brad]

That's a really old Video Coyote. The stage is up and running and the exterior of the building has been re-done.

[Coyote]

That's a really old Video Coyote. The stage is up and running and the exterior of the building has been re-done.

I tried to find a new KETV article today showed a video of today’s grand opening but couldn’t find it online this afternoon.

[Coyote]

Ralston’s $30M Granary District unveiled

The City of Ralston made another step today on its journey to economic growth. The Granary District officially opened a venue that will feature social and business events along the city’s Main Street and give one of the city’s older buildings a much-needed facelift.

A few years ago Ralston Old Granary was just that, an old granary but I See It Ventures saw the potential here.

“Let’s just say it had been an eyesore in this community for many decades and we decided we were going to revitalize it, restore and create a hub for entrepreneurial and business start-ups right here in Ralston,” said Gordon Whitten, CEO of I See It Ventures.

[ita]

Midland Business Journal has an article that mentions Retail Aware, currently based in the Conagra offices, opened a hardware manufacturer space at the Granary in Ralston.

[ita]

Tenants raising questions over Ralston’s plans to demolish strip center

Johan Marin

The city of Ralston is planning to demolish the well-known 1950′s-era shopping center, Hillcrest Landing.

They plan to redevelop the site into a place for apartments and townhomes. Hillcrest is currently home to more than 30 businesses.

“We’ve had enough apartments in Omaha. They’re all over,” Lean Schaffer, Hillcrest Landing tenant said.

Rick Hoppe, Ralston city administrator, sees the $60 million dollar project as an economic opportunity.
...
“It was pretty clear it was not something we could redevelop and do it in a cost-effective fashion without tearing it down and starting new,” Hoppe said.

This potential project is part of a push for some funds at the state level explained in this article:

Ralston, Grand Island officials make late pitch for state help in economic development projects

Cindy Gonzalez
Officials with the Cities of Ralston and Grand Island are making a late pitch for state funds to help redevelop sites for new businesses and jobs.

But a legislative committee seemed cool to the idea after hearing their proposals Thursday.

In Ralston, officials are eyeing the demolition of a 1950s-era shopping center, called Hillcrest Landing, for redevelopment on the Omaha suburb’s Main Street. It is part of a larger “Hinge” redevelopment project that has already converted a former granary into a center for commerce and concerts.
...
Rick Hoppe, Ralston’s city administrator, said tearing down Hillcrest Landing – which he facetiously described as built “to survive a nuclear blast” — will be expensive, leaving few city and developer funds to build a road and bridge to 72nd Street.

Such an access road, Hoppe said, would also spur business development along 72nd Street.

I am a little confused about the bridge idea. Not sure where that is supposed to be, if it's a car or pedestrian bridge.

[omaha79]

I am 44 and have lived in South Omaha or Bellevue for my entire life. We frequented Ralston since I was a child for Marias. Honestly, I can't remember a time where Hillcrest was actually a player in terms of shopping and dining (although, I think Marias started there when I was really young). That development has been a failure for at least 40 years now. I don't know if it was ever really a success. It's time to move on. Those affected should be able to find many other options in a city full of vacant strip malls.

[Garrett]

The "Enough Apartments" part makes me laugh in the face of a local and national housing shortage.

[skinzfan23]

The "Enough Apartments" part makes me laugh in the face of a local and national housing shortage.

I know people who say that all the time, and it is clear by % leased that there is demand and it continues to grow. Don't think we are anywhere near being overbuilt for apts. I think people just assume b/c there are so many big complexes going up, but as you mentioned, there is a shortage.

[Athomsfere]

I saw this in the news this morning too.

Gotta say, I'm not sold its the right move.

30 units occupied? Out of how many?

There are several lots that would be better contenders for infill at a glance. 7605 Main, for example. A lot of grass lots, and sad looking houses with 10 cars in the yard... And all that industrial space.

Worst case, split the lot. If most of that space is underused, build the complex over 3 / 4 stories and build it up a little over a garage as needed.

[SunMan]

The vehicular bridge being talked about would be along an extension of Burlington Street over a creek and adjacent walking/bike path west of 72nd Street.

[ita]

30 units occupied? Out of how many?

There are several lots that would be better contenders for infill at a glance. 7605 Main, for example. A lot of grass lots, and sad looking houses with 10 cars in the yard... And all that industrial space.

Worst case, split the lot. If most of that space is underused, build the complex over 3 / 4 stories and build it up a little over a garage as needed.

Just to clarify, the article says there are 30 businesses located there.

I agree though, I think there is a better way to use this property. If it really is built to take a nuclear blast, build on top of it.

[Athomsfere]

30 units occupied? Out of how many?

There are several lots that would be better contenders for infill at a glance. 7605 Main, for example. A lot of grass lots, and sad looking houses with 10 cars in the yard... And all that industrial space.

Worst case, split the lot. If most of that space is underused, build the complex over 3 / 4 stories and build it up a little over a garage as needed.

Just to clarify, the article says there are 30 businesses located there.

I agree though, I think there is a better way to use this property. If it really is built to take a nuclear blast, build on top of it.

Right, 30 businesses renting units was my reading.

Like they say, you can really build new and cheap. So this is serving a purpose.

Like you said, build over it. Build in front of it, or behind it. Build on top or under it. Add to the fabric here. These could become vital third places even with good infill.