Omaha Changes

[tombecka]

I'm moving back to Omaha after a 5 years in Kansas City. I love all the changes and the growth Omaha has experienced. But I'm curious what the folks on this website think the biggest changes over the last 5 years have been and what are the biggest challenges facing the city for the next 5 years.

[eomaha]

Welcome to the forum Tom!

I'm sure you'll get widely varying answers, but in my opinion...

Changes
- Corporate commitment to downtown
First National, the World Herald, the arrival of Gallup, Union Pacific relocating it's corporate headquarters here, along with 800-1,000 St Louis jobs.
- Qwest Center/riverfront
It was just announced, the Qwest Center was in the top 5 arenas in the nation in terms of concert attendance. The Old Market district is getting a huge boost as well as downtown in general. Items #1 and #2 could probably be broken down and take up all 5 'changes'. The downtown residential boom we're seeing wouldn't have happened without this. These first two changes can be almost entirely credited to former Mayor Hal Daub.
- Stratcom/Space Command
Consolidations of Space Command under Stratcom, increased role for Offutt. We're just beginning to see an influx of information technology jobs, poised for a huge Bellevue military housing renovation/expansion.
- Immigration incl. Hispanic/Somalian/etc
Along with healthy 12% growth over the last decade, Omaha had one of the fastest growing Hispanic populations in the midwest (no coincidence there is now a Mexican Consulate here... something KC doesn't even have).
- Discoverered
For better or for worse, the next level of American chain restaurants/retail has discovered the Omaha market, with a proliferation of retail store/restaurant offerings Omahans had to drive to larger cities to find. No doubt, this puts pressure on local favorites to compete (I guess that's a challenge!). On the other hand, this improves the quality of live factor, which in turn may help stem the problem of 'brain drain'.

Challenges
- Social conservatism
Great for 'raising a family'... not so great if you miss out on a younger, more diverse populous (ie brain drain). This is more of a midwestern challenge in general. Folks, diversity is a good thing, just ask Atlanta, Charlotte, Seattle, San Francisco, etc.
- Destination Midtown
The plan has been created, now the the must invest in revitalizing it's inner core. Alot of suburban metropolitan areas are apathetic about the core. Omahans need to show an interest... as we're one big city, the problems of the inner city become the problems of everyone including the suburban dwellers in the form of higher taxes to account for utilities, law enforcement, etc, etc.
- Downtown residential
We are poised to double the number of housing units downtown with 4 12+ story condominiums poised to break ground, and numerous loft conversions. Just as item #2 is vital... amenities/services must support these new residents so that the urban core will continue to grow and thrive (higher income/tax paying residents here, will reduce the 'subsidies' being provided from the suburbs).
- Suburban sprawl
We can't keep 'culdesac'ing' our way to Lincoln. The more spread out, the less dense we become, the more we are prone to becoming a victim down the road in terms of roads/utilities maintainence. I've said it before, in the decades to come... while the Chinese are sending people back to the moon... we may find ourselves rebuilding deteriorating roads/sewers.
- Corporate appeal
We just recently averted a threat (by Nebraskans for Peace? no less) to what little economic incentives we have to attract/retain business in Nebraska. These incentives are vital to keeping Nebraska competitive with other states (which in fact do have incentives of their own).
- Brain drain
Mentioned before... Omaha has already done much to change this, from an exciting downtown/riverfront, to more entertainment options through the Qwest Center (and the new performing arts center under construction), to expanded retail/dining options... perhaps the challenge of attracting/building an amusement park would be one of the final feathers the cap of an otherwise very well rounded city.

[almighty_tuna]

To add, I think one of the biggest challenges will be for the next mayor after these elections. In 4 years much of what is being built now will be complete and things will be at a new plateau of sorts. That mayor will have to be able to think big enough and agressive enough to go beyond what we're doing today. In other words I'm hoping Omaha doesn't get satisfied with itself and rest on its heels once the Riverfront and other current projects (loft conversions, Destination Midtown) are complete. To become stagnant after all this spectacular growth and development would be horrible.

[RyaninOrangeCounty]

Since I no longer live in Omaha, I don't really fee qualified to take a stab at Mr. Becka's super-question, but I would like to make a few comments about what I perceive to be "the big change" in Omaha.

I think it's the overwhelming civic pride that has taken over. I won't say that civic pride didn't exist in Omaha until about 5 years ago, but it seems like every since I too left 5 years ago, every time I talk to my family or friends, they are eager to fill me in on the latest in a long list of things that the city has recently accomplished. I've also noticed that when I visit Omaha, complete strangers are happy to share the news about the recent projects on the riverfront.

I know that to your average person, this all might almost sound like boasting, but in my opinion it's about time that Omaha got credit where credit was due. In not so many words, you've got damn good reason to be proud because the city is at a place it's never been before. Other cities, including the one I live in, Santa Ana, California, have tried so hard to generate the kind of civic pride that Omaha enjoys right now, but very few have come close to doing what Omaha has done.

[eomaha]

Thanks for that Ryan... we have a few more people to convince... but we're getting there!

[Erik]

I cannot be more pleased for what Omaha has done. Not only has it accomplished enough to be reckognized nationally, but its stuck in the middle of the plains city that has nothing, but it's own to sell. Omaha is not growing because of mountains or an ocean, it is growing because it is a great and very successfull city. Anyone who complains about this city always has a traditional reason to hate the city, such as "cowtown" or the "small-city, nothing to do" or something related to corn or being in the 18th century, theyre all irrelevant. And once we get an amusement park, I cannot ask for anything more.

[eomaha]

I couldn't agree more Erik.

[StreetsOfOmaha]

That's a very good point about Omaha being a success in its own right, not using "crutches" like mountains and oceans to get ahead.

[nativeomahan]

That's a very good point about Omaha being a success in its own right, not using "crutches" like mountains and oceans to get ahead.

Like Avis used to say, When you're #2, you try harder.

Actually I would take the mountains or an ocean coming to our area any day. You could call them a crutch if you wish. I see them as tremendous assets to any town that happens to be located by either one. Oceans and mountains tend to draw the best and brightest, who can afford to live the good life.

[StreetsOfOmaha]

Absolutely, Native. I'm not denying that at all. I'm just saying that the fact that Omaha does so well without what many people percieve as "natural beauty" is very telling of the city itself.

Of course, I love Omaha's natural setting.