They're making good progress...



Other renderings of the plaza area on the Nebraska side... for which $2 million in funding has been secured...








Another $2 million has been raised towards starting work on Council Bluffs' Playland Park on the Iowa side...

Site of new CostCo, Dodge at 138th, I believe. Opening in Spring '08?

The Qwest Center DT is the 10th largest arena in the U.S. and the 15th largest in the world in terms of annual tickets sold! Waaaay out of our league here (which is pretty sweet!):

Nationwide rankings for concert tickets sold during the first quarter of 2007:

1. Madison Square Garden Arena, New York (202,295)
2. Amway Arena, Orlando, Fla. (160,333)
3. American Airlines Center, Dallas (141,080)
4. St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, Fla. (133,942)
5. Scottrade Center, St. Louis (130,493)
6. Toyota Center, Houston (119,901)
7. Allstate Arena, Rosemont, Ill. (111,627)
8. Verizon Center, Washington, D.C. (97,122)
9. The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Mich. (94,754)
10. Qwest Center Omaha (91,498)

Read more here>>

We need to move forward, not only to keep the College World Series but to capitalize on the amazing economic development that would spin off from a major sports facility... By moving our yard downtown, we can lock up the CWS and create an amazing entertainment zone filled by 70 Omaha Royals home games and other special events. Throw in the proposed downtown streetcar line, which could run right next to the stadium, and we would have an area primed for incredible economic growth.

Steve & Barry's will open a store in La Vista before the end of the year.

The 55,393-square-foot store will be at Brentwood Square near 84th Street and Giles Road, according to representatives for the casual apparel retail chain. The store is expected to open in mid-November.

The store opening also marked a milestone for the developing downtown area west of the Qwest Center Omaha and a proposed ballpark. It's the first time in decades that a major national clothing retailer has operated in Omaha's downtown area, as well as the Philadelphia-based company's first foray into Nebraska.

Fahey said Thursday that the estimated price tag for the 23,600-seat ballpark is between $95.1million and $116.5 million.

College World Series of Omaha Inc. and the mayor's office released a statement saying that the NCAA had told them that the NCAA would agree to consider a long-term contract of 10, 15 or 20 years if a new downtown stadium was part of the deal.

Interesting street new alignment. Looks chaotic on the north-end; kinda cool.

For the 12-month period ending July 31, the Omaha economy had a net gain of 9,800 jobs and the unemployment rate remained low at a healthy 3.4 percent. Net taxable sales are running 6.5 percent ahead of last year’s pace.

During the week of Sept. 17, the first of two 25-foot, metallic “anchorheads” will arrive. The first one will crown the top of the pylon on the Omaha side. Two weeks later, the second anchorhead will arrive for the Iowa-side pylon. Once these metallic caps are in place, both pylons will be taller than 200 feet.

That’s when crews will begin constructing the span. Starting in mid-October, we will see a large increase in the number of on-site workers, who will be working on the main span over the river. It will be fascinating to watch how the cables are attached to the top of the pylons and then strung downward to hold up portions of the horizontal span. Anyone who enjoys watching construction will find this project of particular interest.

UNMC has pushed to beautify and relocate Saddle Creek Road. Its current route hems in westward growth of the campus, say medical center administrators.

UNMC Chancellor Harold Maurer has also sought a more attractive entrance to the expanding campus. An alternative route, depending on its design and features, could allow for a high-tech office or research park on the west side of Saddle Creek Road.

"They're kind of landlocked where they are," Huber said of Kiewit's present office building and property, Kiewit Plaza, on the corner across 36th Street.

Kiewit recently expanded its parking garage to the south and is bounded on the east by WOWT television. The 2.7-acre Blackstone property includes parking lots.

Georgia Mace, a vice president of tenant IAT Reinsurance Group, said the present owners have done a good job of maintaining the old building. "I'm sure Kiewit will, too. It's a perfect fit for them."

Some Kiewit personnel have moved into the building in recent months, occupying space vacated by MidAmerican Energy Holdings Inc., which moved to One Pacific Place near 103rd and Pacific Streets.

MidAmerican began as a Kiewit division and now is part of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., which has its offices in Kiewit Plaza. Other tenants in the Blackstone include the Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben Foundation and the Omaha Community Foundation.

The results could be stricter building standards and landscaping requirements for all the I-80 interchanges, or it could be that each existing or potential interchange is designated for specific purposes, said planner Doug Bisson of Omaha.

The commission established by the Legislature two years ago to protect and manage growth in the Omaha-Lincoln corridor got down to business Thursday as the members heard from the team of planners they hired to deal with competing visions for the land along I-80.

Underwood's company is building Legacy Row at 17310 Wright St. The two-story, 34,000-square-foot office building has upscale amenities such as underground parking. Its brick facade mimics a Chicago row house, with high antique cornices, slate roofs and different window types.

"It's supposed to feel like you've got four buildings next to each other - four row houses," Underwood said. "The nice thing about the building is the flexibility - it can be divided any way a tenant would want."

He recently revealed new designs for the 48,000-square-foot Lakeside Professional Building at Tivoli north of West Center at 175th Street.

The new designs include an additional 10,000 square feet of heated underground parking, which he and architect Keith Basham of Holland Basham Architects said is an expected amenity for high-end offices.

And the newly designed building is meant to be a focal point for Tivoli, blending the large overhangs and horizontal lines of classic prairie architecture with the more modern Scandinavian style.

Slusky also plans to spend $500,000 on landscaping and lighting to unify the Tivoli area and create a village feel, he said. "We're going to spend quite a bit on making this a very beautiful place."

The plans discussed by Wal-Mart in May 2006 called for a 150,000-square-foot Sam's Club that officials estimated would have created 175 jobs.

"There was some concern about it when we went forward with it originally, and it was kind of a cumulative process," Horn said of the decision.

Costco, a membership-based warehouse retailer similar to Sam's Club, is currently building its first Nebraska location on West Dodge Road near 120th Street. That 153,000-square-foot project is expected to open this fall.

"Wholesale clubs, whether it's Sam's Club or Costco . . . you need a bigger market, a bigger trade area," Horn said.

Thanks for the updates and graphics Rardy, sounds like this might be tricky as what to do?? Though I have never been to Omaha, I guess the city could be torn in deciding?? The No-Do location sounds great! Esp. next to Qwest Center; could be a nice Entertainment District with the hotels and restuarants. The awesome pedestrian bridge sets it off. However down near the Zoo could be O.K. too I guess?? College atmosphere?

The mayor's proposal — which was part of a pitch last week to the NCAA in an effort to extend the College World Series' commitment to Omaha — is better, they say, for several reasons:

• It could keep the CWS in Omaha.

• It would save money, because the city already owns the new proposed site, a parking lot north of Qwest Center Omaha.

• It could keep the previously targeted ballpark land on the tax rolls and in the hands of private developers, who ultimately could build another anchor.

• And if that happens, the north downtown area would get a double shot of momentum — because that private anchor combined with a ballpark could spark the retail, residential and entertainment development key to the urban village concept.

Fahey said the NCAA indicated that it wants a stadium with open concourses, hospitality suites and a clean zone where things like alcohol and unlicensed merchandise are not allowed.

"The other issue was proximity to restaurants, attractions, hotels and the riverfront," Fahey said. "It became obvious that we can't meet a lot of those needs at Rosenblatt."

Fahey's chief of staff, Paul Landow, said that within a mile radius of the proposed stadium site, there are 40 full-service restaurants and 11 hotels. He said more development would follow if a ballpark were built.

"Regardless of the location in NoDo, the stadium would be a catalyst for the area," Landow said.

The site also would be aesthetically pleasing, Fahey said. "We think it aligns beautifully with the pedestrian bridge," he said.

Dennis Poppe, NCAA senior director for baseball and football, said the proposal puts the downtown stadium north of the Qwest Center Omaha. He said it would have 25,000 to 30,000 seats, though it is still undecided whether those would all be permanent or be a mix of permanent and temporary.

The initial proposal included a stadium that would cost upward of $50 million and would be built in the so-called NoDo area between Creighton University and the Qwest Center Omaha. It was to have 9,000 permanent seats, with the ability to expand to 25,000 seats for the CWS. The Omaha Royals were also to play in that stadium.

Where: Ak-Sar-Ben Village, 67th and Center Streets

What: Commercial and residential development. The first phase of the project includes about 200 apartments, a 135-room Marriott Courtyard Hotel, a five-acre park, 135,000 square feet of office space and 65,000 square feet of retail and restaurants.

When: The project's first phase should be done in the summer of 2008. The entire project will take six to eight years to complete.

Cost: about $200 million

Details: Motorists have been noticing a large dirt pile that resembles a wall. Beyond that, there are several other piles of dirt. Developers say they brought in the dirt to raise the property above the flood plain. Once they spread the dirt, it has to be given time to naturally settle and reach a density that would support construction, said Jay Noddle, president of Noddle Cos., the lead developer of Ak-Sar-Ben Village. It can take eight to 16 weeks to achieve the necessary height and density.

Workers also have started building a $2 million sales and marketing center at 1207 Cass St.

Strawhecker said the project has 104 reservations for 270 available units. To reserve a unit, a prospective buyer must put up 1 percent of the purchase price.

He expects more activity when demolition is complete and there are condo models to show to customers.

Units start at around $202,000 and go up to the high $600,000s, he said. The penthouse units start at around $900,000.

Despite a price increase in July of up to $35,000 for the most popular units, Novak said, WallStreet Tower is steadily drawing reservations.

Cabela's, west Nebraska's only Fortune 1000 company, is buying up Canadian rival S.I.R. Warehouse Sports Store, based in Winnipeg. SIR has a loyal following both through its store, located DT Winnipeg, and through its online mail-order system.

This is good news for Cabela's as they continue their Canadian expansion. The Winnipeg store will also be their first in an urban core.
Read the article here>>

Those are some interesting stats Rardy, thanks for posting that. Poor Lincoln...what's going on(not going on) over their?? Interesting number leaving L.A. Is the trend for some to leave California? The co$t of living is outrageous.

Phoenix is a neat place. If I had to move a corporation out West; I'd choose Phoenix over California. The one negative is the drinking water. Kansas City seems like a cool place to go visit....major downtown improvements, "city of fountains"; all the parkways, etc.

That is quite a reversal from the usual position of a developer. I hope they will find success in attracting a local tenant for their space. The usual position is so terribly skewed against local businesses that most malls won't even consider allowing a store or restaurant in which isn't part of a huge chain. I love the idea of just saying NO to Ruby Tuesday's. Good luck to them.

And the space easily could be rented by now to a national chain, Nansel said. He declined to name the interested parties.

"It's really easy to see why our streets are lined with strip mall after strip mall of the same thing, because it's really easy to rent that stuff out," he said. "If we did that, we'd have just another replica of something six blocks up the road."

Saddle Creek's reluctance to lease to a national chain falls in line with the philosophy of independence that has guided the business.

"I just think that franchises and corporations are inherently bad for the development of culture," Nansel said. "It takes away any uniqueness of a city."

Dennis Highby, chief executive of Cabela's, said the acquisition would accelerate the growth of Cabela's retail, catalog and Internet business in Canada.

"Though we already have a loyal customer base in Canada, we expect significant growth in Canadian business as a result of this transaction," Highby said in announcing the purchase.

The purchase price was not disclosed. The deal is to close in 30 to 60 days, Cabela's said.

Cabela's, based in Sidney, Neb., announced in January 2006 it would build one of its large retail stores in Montreal. Construction has not started.

Scottsbluff airport may reach goal

Officials at Scottsbluff's Western Nebraska Regional Airport say they should have no problem making a critical goal of 10,000 passengers for the year.

Airport Director Darwin Skelton said that 6,331 passengers have flown out of Scottsbluff overall this year, with 5,948 of them traveling on Great Lakes Airlines.

The airport needs to have about 4,000 more boardings to meet the 10,000 mark, which will make the airport eligible for $1 million in federal funding for safety programs.

I seem to recall a lot of very good restaurants in the Old Market area- very few of them were chain places. I hope they are still going. Omaha's downtown did impress me, even if they have lost a number of important buildings, Omaha's downtown appears healthy- Jobber's Canyon and ConAgra notwithstanding.

Warren Buffet hails from there, thats a good attribute IMO.

Seriously though, from everything I read and hear its a great city. Everyone I have met who has lived there has had nothing but good things to say about it as well. Now I do hear they have some pretty cold and snow filled winters - - so it will differ from Memphis quite a bit in that regard.

Design initiative:
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Large retail buildings have limited material options for their facades, including stone or brick, and have minimum requirements for window space. The height of on-site store signs is limited.

In commercial centers, buildings have to be grouped in ways that create plazas or public spaces that encourage people to walk as they shop. Landscaping requirements apply for parking lots. Tall retaining walls must be terraced and landscaped.

Space at the corners of major intersections must be set aside for green space, instead of commercial buildings.

Established neighborhoods have the option of developing preservation plans and creating special zoning districts. The city offers a new zoning classification for "walkable neighborhoods" that blends different styles of housing and connects with commercial areas.

A new city board — the Design Review Board — will advise the city planning director on design matters

Beams of light will shoot up the cables suspending the new Missouri River pedestrian bridge, helping the project punctuate the city skyline.

Construction of the $22 million Missouri River pedestrian bridge, shown in this artist's drawing, is on schedule. Completion is set for fall 2008.The $300,000 for the lighting will help turn the bridge into the "icon" that Mayor Mike Fahey promised residents of the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro area, a city official said.

Thanks to a contribution from the Gallup Corp., Fahey won't be violating his other promise: not to spend additional tax dollars on the bridge linking Omaha's new riverfront with Council Bluffs' Playland Park.

The $300,000 pledge from Gallup will finance about $250,000 to light the cables with 96 additional 250-watt fixtures. The pledge also provides $50,000 to concentrate light on the bridge's 204-foot towers.

EDIT: I decided to check out the new state Nebraska.

This will be interesting to watch where this lands. Is Omaha the front-runner?? I realize there are developments nearby to comliment this. This is big news in the SBC area as well as the entire state of Louisiana.

Nice skyline shot! Is that body of water part of the Gene Lahey Mall?? connecting to the Mizzou River??

^And thanks for the aerial pic where Midtown Crossing will be located!

I think this is a great idea! Hopefully this becomes a trend across the U.S. What countries is this coming from?? Those terrorist bastards will have to rely on their opium trade alot more instead.