Downtown Revitalization: Omaha
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/3098348900_GjjV2hS-M.jpg)
Metro Jacksonville takes a visit to one of the more successful downtown revitalization scenes in the country: Omaha, Nebraska.
Read More: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2014-mar-downtown-revitalization-omaha
I must say, I'm impressed by what the Old Market has become. It appears to be a more more vibrant environment than what one would find in a typical second or third tier American city. Great pictures.
One interesting thing about the picture labeled #1. A few years ago those sunshades (and window ledges) on the side of the building had a problem with ice collecting on them in the winter and then when it would start to melt it would fall off in chunks and hit people passing under them. They had to put up a covered scaffolding system to protect people on the sidewalk. I know the window sills had some snow breakers installed on them to fix that problem but I do not know if they ever did anything about the sunshade blades
I worked at Creighton University for a few months back in 05. First time I have had Bison and Ostrich meat. They have a very nice aquarium and indoor rain forest built in their zoo. Seems like they have been very busy since 05. Goes to show how proper planning can change a city in a relative time frame. Great thread, info, and pics, Thanks
It is a shame about the Jobbers Canyon district, but at least they didn't extend that mistake to Old Market.
It took making a lot of mistakes nationwide during the '60's, '70's and '80's before the real solutions for urban redevelopment were found and implemented. Unfortunately Jax's mindset is still stuck in 1980 something.
Omaha was indeed impressive. If I were doing the Midtown project, I would have put more variation among all the tan brick, but otherwise it looks great.
The Midwest really does have some great cities, Milwaukee, Indy, Minneapolis,St. Paul, Kansas City Mo, St. Louis, and of course Chicago.
Jobbers Caynon looked pretty interesting.
(http://plainshumanities.unl.edu/encyclopedia/figures/800/egp.arc.053.jpg)
http://plainshumanities.unl.edu/encyclopedia/doc/egp.arc.053
There are some other beauties Omaha has lost over the years, so Jax isn't alone in its boneheaded moves regarding preservation of existing building stock. However, it does appear that Omaha has learned from its mistakes.
(http://content.omaha.com/media/maps/online/buildings/woodmen.jpg)
http://content.omaha.com/media/maps/online/buildings/woodmen.jpg
Quote from: vicupstate on March 06, 2014, 08:34:33 AMOmaha was indeed impressive.
Recently, much has been mentioned locally about Jax needing a "brand" or "identity". As a visitor, what was the brand or identity of Omaha?
Gosh these articles have just become so depressing to read as shows what incompetence our leadership is here in Jax when it comes to developing the urban core. All of these stories should be compiled together and SENT directly to our council members and anyone running for city council and mayor as required reading. And then with the question of Why is virtually none of this happening in our city???
Quote from: thelakelander on March 06, 2014, 09:19:27 AM
Quote from: vicupstate on March 06, 2014, 08:34:33 AMOmaha was indeed impressive.
Recently, much has been mentioned locally about Jax needing a "brand" or "identity". As a visitor, what was the brand or identity of Omaha?
I visited Omaha for a few days this past summer. I stayed at the Hotel Deco XV, link below, which was impressive for a 4 diamond boutique rehab of a deco building in a small city.
http://hoteldecoomaha.com/
And I would recommend it. There are other convenient and nice options, as well, however, the hotel will pick you up and take you to the airport in a limo, so that makes it even more convenient.
Omaha didn't seem to have a "brand" when I was there, because it's so small, however, it's definitely a prairie town with a very impressive warehouse building stock and lots of good meat offered up at all the restaurants. There was a farmer's market, breweries, restaurants, shops, and tons of bars all concentrated in outlying warehousy areas of downtown.
I rented a bike one day with some folks and we went around the waterfront and around downtown. It's a SUPER CLEAN city, one of the first things that struck me. Lots of new infill construction/renovations as well (anyone visiting from Jax would be very depressed).
Downtown seemed like a pretty large party, too. I saw pedal wagons going around town with folks playing drinking games on them, and I met up with a few Creighton students from Jax while I was there. My honest takeaway from Omaha was that I would MUCH rather live in DT or Midtown Omaha than in any particular neighborhood in Jax, however, Jax is larger and has better weather/more convenience to more things, so I would rather live in Jax overall.
I've had very surprisingly pleasant experiences in lots of Midwestern cities. Aside from having mom/family from Chicago and experience there, I have a good friend I visit in Milwaukee, which is easily one of my favorite cities in the country. I've added St. Louis and Omaha to the list of smaller favorites over the past few years.
When I was in Omaha back in 2010 there were plenty of restaurants in the downtown area, but they weren't very crowded and there weren't many people walking around. This was early spring so it was still a bit cool, but there was no ice or anything left. I did notice there appeared to be quite a few places to live in downtown Omaha which surprised me because I saw so few people walking to restaurants. I walked about 6-8 blocks from my hotel to a restaurant.
Quote from: thelakelander on March 06, 2014, 09:19:27 AM
Quote from: vicupstate on March 06, 2014, 08:34:33 AMOmaha was indeed impressive.
Recently, much has been mentioned locally about Jax needing a "brand" or "identity". As a visitor, what was the brand or identity of Omaha?
Its identity is Berkshire Hathaway. The city's influence is Warren Buffett. Boo, evil money grubber.
To call Warren Buffett an evil moneygrubber is just rediculous. Cmon. Moneygrubber yes, evil, no.
^ :D I believe Sunking was just being sarcastic from some of the comments in this thread:
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php/topic,20970.msg367703/topicseen.html#new
Quote from: thelakelander on March 06, 2014, 09:19:27 AM
Quote from: vicupstate on March 06, 2014, 08:34:33 AMOmaha was indeed impressive.
Recently, much has been mentioned locally about Jax needing a "brand" or "identity". As a visitor, what was the brand or identity of Omaha?
college world series
Quote from: tufsu1 on March 06, 2014, 09:40:47 PM
Quote from: thelakelander on March 06, 2014, 09:19:27 AM
Quote from: vicupstate on March 06, 2014, 08:34:33 AMOmaha was indeed impressive.
Recently, much has been mentioned locally about Jax needing a "brand" or "identity". As a visitor, what was the brand or identity of Omaha?
college world series
Peyton Manning.
Quote from: tufsu1 on March 06, 2014, 09:40:47 PM
Quote from: thelakelander on March 06, 2014, 09:19:27 AM
Quote from: vicupstate on March 06, 2014, 08:34:33 AMOmaha was indeed impressive.
Recently, much has been mentioned locally about Jax needing a "brand" or "identity". As a visitor, what was the brand or identity of Omaha?
college world series
They just built a new stadium next to the convention center for the CWS. Omaha seems to get its fair share of conventions as well, but I am not sure why.
Really enjoy your story about Omaha which brought back my memories from my visit there years ago. So much DT Jacksonville can learn from Omaha in regards to reuse, preservation, revitalization, and walkability not to mention having a clean, well-run, decently stocked, 24 hour grocery/convenience store in the middle of Old Market (then I compare that to how at least DT Jax has a nicer river and the Landing, still makes me weep).
As impressed as I was by most of what Omaha had to offer, this was one of my most impressive takeaways from my visit: South Omaha...well, in particular, the area of S. 24th St. What seems to get lost in the shuffle of all the issues and concerns brought up on MJ is the importance of having tight-knit emerging minority communities. Yes, the Mexican-American community is much more established in Omaha, but seeing not just the number of small locally owned businesses but the vibrancy and variety of offerings on that stretch of road...would have been nice if you posted some pictures from there. It would be a good model for some of Jacksonville's Asian, Latin American, West-Indian, and Eastern European communities to consider as they grow population-wise.
I have my theories on why such communities find it harder to get that kind of foothold in NE Fla, and I've had friends tell me the number of good quality ethnic offerings have improved since I've last lived there years ago. But to me, the establishment of well organized communities and organizations serving the city's many up and coming ethnic groups is just as important as preserving established historic neighborhoods, encouraging creative re-use of the city's many older properties, promoting and supporting eclectic arts and entertainment destinations, encouraging a livable urban core, and having decent transit and transport options in attracting attention, visitors, new ventures, and people from all over that would be eager and proud to make Jacksonville their home.
TD Ameritrade is HQ'd there in Omaha, recently found that out. They have a vague unoriginal nickname like Jax (The River City). "Gateway to the West" which is more known with St Louis.
Bad news hit downtown Omaha this week. Omaha tore down an entire historic district in 1988 for a suburban ConAgra downtown headquarters and now it might regret that decision. ConAgra has decided to move their F500 headquarters to Chicago to take advantage of the skilled millennial population in that city. ConAgra told Nebraska no amount of incentives would have kept them from relocating to Chicago. Over a 1,000 jobs that came at the expense of Omaha's history, will be lost.
http://www.omaha.com/money/omahans-weigh-cost-of-destroying-jobbers-canyon-to-make-way/article_0e3988ef-6324-5e3a-a23f-8b1b16c01a9b.html
http://www.omaha.com/money/conagra-announces-headquarters-is-moving-to-chicago/article_40ef4148-6798-11e5-8f93-9bea8a0abeb2.html
Very devastating for Omaha. ConAgra should've moved to the suburbs of Omaha in '88, and should've kept that historical district intact. I heard of tearing down an old urban building for a new urban building (which is common) but to add a suburban campus dead snack in the middle of what was an urban historical district is beyond insane and nonsensical. Talk about horrible zoning laws.