Gretna Goodlife District

[Coyote]

Developers promote plan for ‘transformational’ destination development at Nebraska Crossing
‘The could change Nebraska’s image as a fly-over state,’ says Gretna mayor

LINCOLN — Developers joined a state senator on Wednesday in seeking state help to create a “destination” retail-sports-entertainment complex that would rival “The Legends” area in Kansas City, which draws 15 million visitors a year. Such a development — a proposed 1,000-acre expansion of the existing Nebraska Crossings outlet mall in Gretna — could include new-to-Nebraska retailers such as Ikea and Nordstrom’s, hotels and waterparks, as well as fields to host regional soccer and baseball tournaments. “This could change Nebraska’s image as a fly-over state,” Gretna Mayor Mike Evans told the Legislature’s Revenue Committee.

Could be a ‘game changer’

“This legitimately could be a game changer,” said State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn. Her Legislative Bill 692, the “Good Life Transformational Projects Act,” would help finance such huge developments by devoting up to half of the state’s 5.5-cent sales tax revenue in the district for development expenses. Various areas of the state could qualify, but testifiers for the bill Wednesday focused on the area of the Interstate 80 interchange with Nebraska Highway 31 at Gretna. Rod Yates, the owner and developer of Nebraska Crossing, said that LB 692 is somewhat similar to “STAR bonds” — sales tax anticipation revenue bonds. Such state-backed bonds, financed by sales tax revenue, provided $450 million toward the development of the Legends area in Kansas City, Kansas. Besides more than 75 outlet stores, the Legends area is surrounded by several other attractions, including stadiums for professional soccer and minor league baseball teams, a waterpark, the Kansas Speedway and a Nebraska Furniture Mart store. Yates at one time was involved in the multimillion-dollar transformation vision for Omaha’s Crossroads mall, but his business partner ended up joining forces with a different developer.

‘Retail leakage’ to other states

Promoters said that Nebraska loses an estimated $1.6 billion a year in “retail leakage” to other states and that a proposed 1,000-acre expansion of Nebraska Crossing would keep shoppers in the state and lure youth sports tournaments now held in other states. “Youth sports is a $25 billion a year industry, and Nebraska right now gets zero,” Yates said. Robb Heineman, a sports developer and part-owner of the Sporting Kansas City professional soccer team, said Nebraska is “totally underserved” in terms of soccer complexes. He said the Legends area has eight baseball fields and 10 soccer fields and is adding a 200,000-square-foot building for athletic training and volleyball. Similar facilities would be envisioned at Nebraska Crossing, Heineman said. In recent years, state lawmakers have provided incentives for construction of several youth sports complexes, from LaVista to Valley and Lincoln, spawning an “arms race” of sorts for “sports tourism” spending by families. But Yates said there’s still room for more.

[ita]

Developers promote plan for ‘transformational’ destination development at Nebraska Crossing
‘The could change Nebraska’s image as a fly-over state,’ says Gretna mayor

LINCOLN — Developers joined a state senator on Wednesday in seeking state help to create a “destination” retail-sports-entertainment complex that would rival “The Legends” area in Kansas City, which draws 15 million visitors a year. Such a development — a proposed 1,000-acre expansion of the existing Nebraska Crossings outlet mall in Gretna — could include new-to-Nebraska retailers such as Ikea and Nordstrom’s, hotels and waterparks, as well as fields to host regional soccer and baseball tournaments. “This could change Nebraska’s image as a fly-over state,” Gretna Mayor Mike Evans told the Legislature’s Revenue Committee.

Could be a ‘game changer’

“This legitimately could be a game changer,” said State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn. Her Legislative Bill 692, the “Good Life Transformational Projects Act,” would help finance such huge developments by devoting up to half of the state’s 5.5-cent sales tax revenue in the district for development expenses. Various areas of the state could qualify, but testifiers for the bill Wednesday focused on the area of the Interstate 80 interchange with Nebraska Highway 31 at Gretna. Rod Yates, the owner and developer of Nebraska Crossing, said that LB 692 is somewhat similar to “STAR bonds” — sales tax anticipation revenue bonds. Such state-backed bonds, financed by sales tax revenue, provided $450 million toward the development of the Legends area in Kansas City, Kansas. Besides more than 75 outlet stores, the Legends area is surrounded by several other attractions, including stadiums for professional soccer and minor league baseball teams, a waterpark, the Kansas Speedway and a Nebraska Furniture Mart store. Yates at one time was involved in the multimillion-dollar transformation vision for Omaha’s Crossroads mall, but his business partner ended up joining forces with a different developer.

‘Retail leakage’ to other states

Promoters said that Nebraska loses an estimated $1.6 billion a year in “retail leakage” to other states and that a proposed 1,000-acre expansion of Nebraska Crossing would keep shoppers in the state and lure youth sports tournaments now held in other states. “Youth sports is a $25 billion a year industry, and Nebraska right now gets zero,” Yates said. Robb Heineman, a sports developer and part-owner of the Sporting Kansas City professional soccer team, said Nebraska is “totally underserved” in terms of soccer complexes. He said the Legends area has eight baseball fields and 10 soccer fields and is adding a 200,000-square-foot building for athletic training and volleyball. Similar facilities would be envisioned at Nebraska Crossing, Heineman said. In recent years, state lawmakers have provided incentives for construction of several youth sports complexes, from LaVista to Valley and Lincoln, spawning an “arms race” of sorts for “sports tourism” spending by families. But Yates said there’s still room for more.

If this is all about youth tournaments and that's what they have in mind, they are late to the game. Lincoln and Papillion and CB have and are making similar projects. More youth sports fields and facilities? I think Yates and Gretna can figure that out without state funds.

[TitosBuritoBarn]

So let me see if I'm following the line of thought here.. They want to use state funds to attract certain retailers so that we will no longer be a flyover state, and the example used as a standard is a center in Kansas? A center that is anchored, in part, by a store that has its HQ here in Omaha? And the new retailers sought are ones found in other flyover states? And this will be the front door to Nebraska, located passed its largest and most unique city, because what is attractive about a place is stuff you find in all the other places and is not unique local character?

Best case scenario this would result in a Great Wolf Lodge, a Nordstrom Rack, like three baseball fields, and a few more tourists from Sioux City.

[Louie]

So let me see if I'm following the line of thought here.. They want to use state funds to attract certain retailers so that we will no longer be a flyover state, and the example used as a standard is a center in Kansas? A center that is anchored, in part, by a store that has its HQ here in Omaha? And the new retailers sought are ones found in other flyover states? And this will be the front door to Nebraska, located passed its largest and most unique city, because what is attractive about a place is stuff you find in all the other places and is not unique local character?

Best case scenario this would result in a Great Wolf Lodge, a Nordstrom Rack, like three baseball fields, and a few more tourists from Sioux City.

I totally agree with you. This line of thinking is just grasping at funds without any modicum of research into the probable outcome.

[PWL73316]

Nebraska Crossing is significantly more successful for retail shopping than the Legends in the first place. Legends is struggling to hold onto tenants. Yes it has a lot of visitors, because it has a race track and a professional soccer team, duh.

[Brad]

Nebraska Crossing Village District

As reported on this morning's Grow Omaha radio show, the owners of Nebraska Crossing plan to build a 10-story residential tower and a 4-story residential loft building on top a new gourmet grocery store using mostly mass timber in the new Nebraska Crossing Village District. Total cost will exceed $200 million. The picture below is an example of how the new tower might look although not quite as tall as the building in this rendering. Big things are coming to Gretna!

[NEDodger]

24 stories of residential at Nebraska Crossing....who'd have thought it?

Now to do the same thing at Sarku Japan Mall at 144th and Center, after someone buys it.

[BRoss]

Wow! Is this north of the existing development?

[Garrett]

Impressive! I wonder if there are longer term plans beyond just this component. The name Nebraska Crossing Village feels like it would be something more than just a tower and a base building.

[djc311]

Impressive! I wonder if there are longer term plans beyond just this component. The name Nebraska Crossing Village feels like it would be something more than just a tower and a base building.

Yes… I think they will be adding a “Village Inn”

[ricko]

My first thought——-who would want to live there? Aside from an occasional trip to a discount outlet mall, I really don’t think there’s much nearby. I can’t imagine living that far from stuff that makes life interesting, but hey, whatever; it’s their money.

[ita]

My first thought——-who would want to live there? Aside from an occasional trip to a discount outlet mall, I really don’t think there’s much nearby. I can’t imagine living that far from stuff that makes life interesting, but hey, whatever; it’s their money.

You forgot, they are planning youth sports facilities.

Seriously though, I had the same thought. But people, mostly families like Gretna, but I imagine these aren't going to be built for families. Maybe for workers? It would be nice if people working there got a discount or something, kind of like what Streck did, but this also doesn't seem to be the case. I guess I am as lost as you are.

The other thing I thought about was if they can get two 10 story residential buildings here, what in the world is stopping that from happening at River's Edge in CB?

Anyway, despite my questions, more height and density out in the exurbs is pretty cool. I am hoping this turns out. Looking forward to the seeing the plans.

[djc311]

My first thought——-who would want to live there? Aside from an occasional trip to a discount outlet mall, I really don’t think there’s much nearby. I can’t imagine living that far from stuff that makes life interesting, but hey, whatever; it’s their money.

How dare you refer to NEX Crossing as an outlet mall! It is no such thing!

[Athomsfere]

As happy as I am to see something in Gretna less depressing that the typical west I development...

I can't for the life of me make this make sense. Who has ever said "I want to live in the middle of nowhere, on the top floor of a midrise with endless views of corn and strip malls"?

[Chungus]

Lol nobody is paying luxury apartment prices in Gretna. They'll drop a couple 100k in design fees before realizing this isn't feasible and end up building some 5 over 1 |expletive| instead. Dumb project, cool building.

[djc311]

Lol nobody is paying luxury apartment prices in Gretna. They'll drop a couple 100k in design fees before realizing this isn't feasible and end up building some 5 over 1 |expletive| instead. Dumb project, cool building.

Agreed - why don’t they concentrate on bringing in more national brands to shop rather than build a useless 10 story apartment building. I mean WOW is the LEGO store that was all hyped up???

[Athomsfere]

I mean, if they could fill it and build some decent mixed use / third place type of activities it would be great. Perhaps a couple with jobs in Lincoln and Omaha could have a life and split the distance...

But that feels like decades away and a stretch.

[nebugeater]

I mean, if they could fill it and build some decent mixed use / third place type of activities it would be great. Perhaps a couple with jobs in Lincoln and Omaha could have a life and split the distance...

But that feels like decades away and a stretch.

Have to start somewhere.

[Athomsfere]

I mean, if they could fill it and build some decent mixed use / third place type of activities it would be great. Perhaps a couple with jobs in Lincoln and Omaha could have a life and split the distance...

But that feels like decades away and a stretch.

Have to start somewhere.

Exactly why you won't see my complain about this. I can't make it work in my head, but I support it.

[nebugeater]

I mean, if they could fill it and build some decent mixed use / third place type of activities it would be great. Perhaps a couple with jobs in Lincoln and Omaha could have a life and split the distance...

But that feels like decades away and a stretch.

Have to start somewhere.

Exactly why you won't see my complain about this. I can't make it work in my head, but I support it.

I just wonder witch version of the developer we will see on this one:

The one that said they were going to start over and rebuild Nebraska Crossing all in less than a year, and most everyone said "no way." Got it done in record time, and it has been very successful IMO

OR

The one that said they were going to redevelop the Crossroads site, and a lot thought this would be good. After a lot of nothing, they had to step aside.

[Dundeemaha]

On Grow Omaha they said the developers were attempting to secure a $3 billion development loan. If they manage that, there will be much more to do and enjoy out there for the residents of these buildings

[djc311]

On Grow Omaha they said the developers were attempting to secure a $3 billion development loan. If they manage that, there will be much more to do and enjoy out there for the residents of these buildings

$3 billion? Couldn’t they build like 2-3 more Mutual Towers for that? Maybe an amusement park too?

[NEDodger]

On Grow Omaha they said the developers were attempting to secure a $3 billion development loan. If they manage that, there will be much more to do and enjoy out there for the residents of these buildings

$3 billion? Couldn’t they build like 2-3 more Mutual Towers for that? Maybe an amusement park too?

Five. They could be five Mutual Towers with that.

I believe the previous rumors were IKEA and a raceway. Probably looking to do a Nebraska version of Legends.

[TitosBuritoBarn]

What a bizarre proposal. Part of the reason you live in a tower like that is for the views. What is out here to look at? Even if they are trying to build $3 billion worth of stuff, why here? I'm sure the land is cheap and Gretna seems like it would sell it's soul to anyone helping them expand, but it's so isolated and relatively unconnected from anything else. Who among those who prefer mid-rise residential living would choose here?

[ita]

On Grow Omaha they said the developers were attempting to secure a $3 billion development loan. If they manage that, there will be much more to do and enjoy out there for the residents of these buildings

$3 billion? Couldn’t they build like 2-3 more Mutual Towers for that? Maybe an amusement park too?

Five. They could be five Mutual Towers with that.

I believe the previous rumors were IKEA and a raceway. Probably looking to do a Nebraska version of Legends.

Wowzer, $3 billion is a crazy amount for this area! Would make sense if there is a mega site industrial project, or even just a really big one, that will piggy back.

I have said this before, but if this ends up like Legends, I will be disappointed. I went there recently to stay at great wolf lodge for the kids for a couple nights. It was a weekday, so take it with a grain of salt, but it was dead. Again no events, racing or sports, but wow, it's a wasteland of parking lots. Kind of depressing. They did have whataburger, which was awesome, so that's a positive.

Anyway, maybe their plans for Nebraska crossing is more pedestrian and people oriented and not just built for destinations. I will hold my breath while we see this unfold.

[Dusty]

I think it's a bit of a stretch to call it a Village or a District. The whole thing seems like a bunch of random ideas that don't go together. What can we add to a shopping center to make it spectacular? I know some soccer/baseball fields. And then we can add 10 story residential towers! What's next? A petting zoo and rotating observation tower?

I wish the best of luck to them, but I would rather see towers like this in a development like Crossroads or Civic Square.

[djc311]

I think it's a bit of a stretch to call it a Village or a District. The whole thing seems like a bunch of random ideas that don't go together. What can we add to a shopping center to make it spectacular? I know some soccer/baseball fields. And then we can add 10 story residential towers! What's next? A petting zoo and rotating observation tower?

I wish the best of luck to them, but I would rather see towers like this in a development like Crossroads or Civic Square.

I swear if it was the end of March that this would be a huge April Fool's joke. It seriously can't be real... $3 billion dollars? Like someone else mentioned that amount could include a full size race track, probably an amusement park and probably a few other nice-ities.

[almighty_tuna]

rotating observation tower?

It's time, everyone. Time for the Vortex Tower.

[John10]

Good luck selling 1-bedroom 900 sq ft apartments for $3000 in Gretna!

[Gangdalf]

I'm always surprised at the amount of hate Gretna generally gets in this forum. People would be all over it If someone's building something in the north of Elkhorn but when it comes to Gretna it's in the middle of nowhere.

Ofcourse Gretna is in the middle of nowhere and many places would have been before getting 'developed', so I guess everyone has to start somewhere and this might be that for Gretna!

Also I don't think any company would invest that much money without doing their research and without looking at potential ROI numbers.

So to me this is a very interesting project and I'm really excited to see how Gretna shapes up over the next decade!

[djc311]

I'm always surprised at the amount of hate Gretna generally gets in this forum. People would be all over it If someone's building something in the north of Elkhorn but when it comes to Gretna it's in the middle of nowhere.

Ofcourse Gretna is in the middle of nowhere and many places would have been before getting 'developed', so I guess everyone has to start somewhere and this might be that for Gretna!

Also I don't think any company would invest that much money without doing their research and without looking at potential ROI numbers.

So to me this is a very interesting project and I'm really excited to see how Gretna shapes up over the next decade!

I'd LOVE to see this happen. I probably live closer to this site than the majority of those that post on here. Being right off I-80 definitely helps add "value" to the site. However I'm simply skeptical at this point in time because things seem a bit out of sorts given the area. There really isn't that much population density by that site so I'm not sure where the need lies in this 10 story residential building with an upscale grocery store is coming from. Maybe this is on the north side of that main road taking you into NEX Crossing but if it happens to be on the same side then I can't see anyone in their right mind wanting to navigate that area to grocery shop, especially on a weekend.

The developer obviously did turn NEX around, bringing in several national brands we didn't have in Omaha (or Nebraska) before. They also continue to keep adding square footage to the development. However, it is the same investor that was suppose to tear down Crossroads and make this amazing destination center with Nebraska's second Apple store and several other possible tenants. My understanding is their Crossroads plans fell through because they couldn't get the millions in TIF they wanted (or expected). TIF shouldn't even be on the table for the Gretna site so I imagine that's already been addressed as far as the investment goes.

Like I said, I'm all for the expansion and development out here. Hopefully it's real!

[nebugeater]

When I see "upscale Grocery," Whole Foods comes to mind for me. What else would fit that category?

[JDJase]

I think it's a bit of a stretch to call it a Village or a District. The whole thing seems like a bunch of random ideas that don't go together. What can we add to a shopping center to make it spectacular? I know some soccer/baseball fields. And then we can add 10 story residential towers! What's next? A petting zoo and rotating observation tower?

I wish the best of luck to them, but I would rather see towers like this in a development like Crossroads or Civic Square.

I swear if it was the end of March that this would be a huge April Fool's joke. It seriously can't be real... $3 billion dollars? Like someone else mentioned that amount could include a full size race track, probably an amusement park and probably a few other nice-ities.

When I saw the Grow Omaha post about "residential tower" and "Gretna" on Facebook right after waking up this weekend I legitimately checked the calendar to see if it was some sort of lesser known April Fools-style holiday lol.

I agree I'm not quite sure who these are for. Don't people generally choose to live in that area (as opposed to more urban areas) specifically so they don't have to live in a tower? I suppose there might be a small demographic that works at NEX and would like a more urban-style residence but can't live all the way in DTO that this might appeal to. But I think that would really only work if these apartments (are they even apartments? or will they be condos?) were priced at like $800 for a 1-bed. But in the much more likely event they're priced something like $1,800, I just don't see who this would appeal to. And if they're condos, I really don't see it (retirees maybe?)

[Athomsfere]

I'm always surprised at the amount of hate Gretna generally gets in this forum. People would be all over it If someone's building something in the north of Elkhorn but when it comes to Gretna it's in the middle of nowhere.

Ofcourse Gretna is in the middle of nowhere and many places would have been before getting 'developed', so I guess everyone has to start somewhere and this might be that for Gretna!

Also I don't think any company would invest that much money without doing their research and without looking at potential ROI numbers.

So to me this is a very interesting project and I'm really excited to see how Gretna shapes up over the next decade!

Elkhorn would make even less sense. At least this has NEX and I80 traffic.

[nebport5]

When I see "upscale Grocery," Whole Foods comes to mind for me. What else would fit that category?

I believe "gourmet" was used rather than upscale. I'm not sure I can see a Whole Foods here, nor does W.F. or big chains make me think gourmet. Of course, gourmet could be interpreted a number of ways. NeX seems to go for the new to the market angle. Perhaps something like The Fresh Market or Sprouts if were talking chains. Otherwise, many big metros have local "gourmet" stores that might have a few locations. I suppose Wohlner's would be the closest to that for Omaha.

[Cermak]

Hopefully we will see some better renderings soon. Good for Gretna ! Hope it all works out.

[Greg S]

I'm always surprised at the amount of hate Gretna generally gets in this forum. People would be all over it If someone's building something in the north of Elkhorn but when it comes to Gretna it's in the middle of nowhere.

Ofcourse Gretna is in the middle of nowhere and many places would have been before getting 'developed', so I guess everyone has to start somewhere and this might be that for Gretna!

Also I don't think any company would invest that much money without doing their research and without looking at potential ROI numbers.

So to me this is a very interesting project and I'm really excited to see how Gretna shapes up over the next decade!

It's not just Elkhorn. There will always be some on here that question anything out west or in previously undeveloped areas. I remember similar comments when Werner Park was announced. Terms like BFE and out in the middle of nowhere. Obviously that's no longer the case (though the recession slowed the progress early on).

For a time I had to commute to Lincoln semi regularly. I was surprised how many people seem to do that both ways. I know someone posted earlier about a couple where one works in Lincoln and the other in Omaha. The obvious choice to live in that scenario for me would be Gretna. When I was a kid, my Dad almost took a job in Lincoln. My parents were both from bigger cities and thought Omaha was small (Dad from KC and Mom from Liverpool). They looked at houses in Waverly because my mom wanted to be as close to Omaha as possible because she thought Lincoln was too small (I understand the irony due to the size of Waverly).

[OracleOfOmaha]

I bet they could fill this place up easily. State government workers who want to live in a bigger city but commute to Lincoln alone would fill half. I thought I read that there are something like 20k people who commute for work between the two cities. Right off I-80, probably a quicker drive to DT Lincoln than Omaha in rush hour.

Get the benefits of still being in the suburbs of Omaha with what I assume will be a lot of new amenities in the area being built as well, quick and painless commute to work in Lincoln, don't hate it at all.

Also, people in Omaha tend to have a warped since of time and distance with commutes or travel.

Going from one corner of a major metro's suburb to the other corner can easily be an hour plus drive in non-rush hour traffic. This location allows for ~30 min drive to both DT cores

[Garrett]

I think a lot of the success of this development is gonna hinge on what the other pieces are. This could be a full fledged mixed use, walkable district and that would be great, and help make the case for more transit along the I-80 corridor. If it’s a single tower and pedestal in a sea of parking surrounded by a race track or whatever other gimmicks they try to get from Legends, meh.

[iamjacobm]

Gretna is obviously the next Mississauga.

Seriously though I don't see a ton of demand for this type of product here like many already shared, but I am all for developers pushing the bar so I hope they can get this off the ground.