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A Catalyst for Revitalization

With the Greater Omaha Chamber as a catalyst, Omaha’s most historic communities are steadily being refreshed and revitalized.

Destination Midtown

An unprecedented collaborative community development effort dedicated to raising the quality of life and returning Midtown Omaha to prominence.

Since 2005, Destination Midtown—in collaboration with the Greater Omaha Chamber, the City of Omaha, business, academic institutions, neighborhood organizations and residents—has announced over 90 projects in excess of $600 million. While some projects are massive—like the $300 million Midtown Crossing at Turner Park—others are more grass-roots; individuals or companies making their mark one building at a time.

Veteran photographer Dave Jenkins, a longtime Midtown resident, transformed a former plumbing shop into Midwest Photo Pro.

Landmark Group, a full-service real estate and property management firm, renovated and moved into the former Sophir Morris building. The Alliance Group, an off-site human resource office for small businesses, transformed a rundown building into their new $1.5 million headquarters on Leavenworth Street, complete with cubicle-free workspace, a recreation room and indoor driving range.

Duchesne Academy and St. Cecilia Cathedral dedicated significant additions in 2008—a state-of-the art athletic center at Duchesne and a $950,000 hospitality center at St. Cecilia’s. Mercy High School updated its look with a new $550,000 reception plaza. "We made a decision about 25 years ago that Midtown is our home," said Sister Johanna Burnell, president of Mercy High School.

Key projects ahead for Destination Midtown include implementing the Park Avenue Redevelopment Study. “The Park Avenue neighborhood is perfectly situated, just minutes away from a re-energized downtown Omaha. People see the potential in this neighborhood and this redevelopment plan, and they’re backing that optimism with significant investment,” said Jamie Grayson-Berglund, executive director of Destination Midtown.

“For decades, St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church, which is undergoing a $1.2 million expansion and renovation, has been a cultural anchor in Midtown’s Park Avenue area,” said Grayson-Berglund. “Its involvement with community-building events like the Big Fat Greek Festival, fish fries and church tours really help make Midtown a great place to live, work and play.”

“Bike Blast,” an exciting new public art project is in the works. Specially- embellished, artistic bike racks are being installed at sponsored locations throughout the city, encouraging bike riding for better well-being and a healthier global environment, while promoting public art.

Destination Midtown focuses on a 3.6-square-mile area bordered on the north by Cuming Street, the south by Center Street, the east by 24th Street and the west by Saddle Creek Road.
DestinationMidtown.org

Midtown Crossing

What began with a bold vision three years ago is now one of Omaha’s grandest new additions. Midtown Crossing at Turner Park, a $300 million mixed-use development, is on schedule for a November 2009 grand opening.

The seven building, 15-acre complex features 297 luxury condominiums, 196 luxury apartments, fine and casual dining, entertainment and shopping—more than one million square feet built around an expanded and revitalized Turner Park. “Turner Park will be a destination very active with farmers’ markets and concerts and art shows, you name it,” said Keith Bawolek, executive vice-president of ECI Investment Advisors, Inc., Midtown Crossing’s master developer.

Residents will begin moving into Midtown Crossing’s condos and apartments in November.

Key anchor tenants Prairie Life Fitness Center and Marcus Theaters will celebrate with grand openings of their own—a 31,000-square-foot executive fitness center and an upscale, five-screen movie theater. A 132-room Element Hotel by Westin, which will be 100 percent LEED certified, is set to open in late 2010 with a 15,000-square-foot urban grocer on the first floor.

North Omaha Development Project

A commitment of the Chamber, African American business leaders, the North Omaha community, corporate leaders and elected officials to encourage significant business investments in North Omaha.

“Building on the successes and hard work of the past, we are pursuing a number of funding opportunities this year that we believe will result in several million dollars worth of investment in the North Omaha study area,” said NODP executive director Ed Cochran.

A vital project of the NODP, North Omaha Business Park I is flourishing with tenants that include Armored Knights, Cintas, First National Bank, New Community Development Corp., Wes & Willy and soon, Signs & Shapes.

Over the last two years, NODP helped attract companies like B Street Collision Center and Big Mama’s Kitchen and Catering to North Omaha. Metropolitan Community College opens its $16 million Institute for the Culinary Arts in 2009, and Interstate Printing, a fixture in North Omaha since 1956, updated its facility with a state-of-the-art, $3 million printer.

ALDI, a leader in the grocery industry, recently broke ground on a $3.5 million store—built by Oakview Construction— that will open in the high-traffic 30th and Sorensen Parkway area in the fall of 2009.

On the housing front, several neighborhood design planning sessions have brought together designers, architects, community residents and engineers. “We value the neighborhood and community involvement in the process,” said Cochran. “The combined sewer overflow infrastructure project and, of course, the proximity to the new TD AMERITRADE Park Omaha are opportunities we’d like to take advantage of.”

“Without the concerted effort of a coalition of business, civic and community partners investing in the community and pulling in the same direction, we would not be successful,” added Cochran. “We are now building the foundation for the development of North Omaha Business Park II.”

Located just north of Omaha’s downtown, the NODP area is bordered by Sorensen Parkway on the north, Cuming Street on the south, 16th Street on the east and 52nd Street on the west.
ProjectNorthOmaha.org

Omaha Vision Unlimited I

Davis Business Ventures, an African American owned development company, joined with Bluestone Development, an urban development firm, to bring Omaha Vision Unlimited I to reality. Scheduled to open in late 2010 across the street from the new baseball stadium on 13th and Cuming streets, “this $5 million, four-story, mixed-use building, promises new jobs and a reason for more companies to consider making North Omaha their home,” said Lisa Laday-Davis, chief financial officer for Davis Companies and managing director for Davis Business Ventures.

“We want Omaha Vision Unlimited I to serve first as an economic development project to provide jobs for people from the African American community and North Omaha, and to provide the services and goods they want,” said Laday-Davis.

Bluestone Development will own and oversee 7,100 square feet of retail area including 3,000 square feet of restaurant space with outdoor dining available on the first floor, and 24 apartments on the third and fourth floors, offering open, artist-style lofts, each with an average of 600 square feet of living space.

“We structured the project to leverage minority opportunities and access. I hope it can serve as a model to other businesses and inspire additional investment within the minority community and in the North Omaha area. We want this to succeed so that many more companies will come to North Omaha to provide the jobs, goods and services people need,” said Laday-Davis.

Christian Christensen, president of Bluestone Development, said, “Davis Business Ventures brought to the table the office space connections from the business community and an expertise in business capacity building, and we brought our portion of the project toward Generation Y, taking advantage of our track record appealing to younger customers.”

Serving the World from North Omaha

Close to the airport. Close to the interstate. Good for business.

Serving a local, national and global client base requires swift access to the city’s transportation network. And nowhere is that access swifter, a growing number of companies are finding, than a burgeoning North Omaha.

Signs & Shapes International, the sole manufacturer of air-inflated WalkAround® mascots, will soon construct a global headquarters building in the North Omaha Business Park I. “We have customers in more than 60 countries,” said Scott Bowen, who co-owns Signs & Shapes with his father, Lee.

The new facility will provide plenty of space for this fast-growing enterprise, housing its sales, design and manufacturing operations. The location also offers plenty of ease for employees and the clients they serve. “It’s handy to be by the interstate,” said Bowen. “It’s very convenient for our employees and visitors; same with the airport. We travel for business and have people who come in for conferences and our mascot camps.”

If Signs & Shapes is the “new kid” on North Omaha’s corporate block, Interstate Printing Company is the “veteran neighbor.” The full-service, national printer has been taking advantage of its North Omaha location since 1956, enjoying its own proximity to Eppley Airfield, Interstates 80 and 29 and truck terminals. “We have clients spread out across the U.S.,” said Jim Mancuso, Interstate Printing’s vice president of sales. “And, our proximity to the airport has always helped with expedited deliveries for next day air shipments.”

“The North Omaha Development Project is pleased that Interstate Printing and Signs & Shapes see the advantages of growing businesses North Omaha,” said Ed Cochran, North Omaha Development Project executive director.

South Omaha Development Project

A commitment of the Chamber, Latino Center of the Midlands, business leaders, the South Omaha community and elected officials to develop a strategy that will result in significant increased business investments in South Omaha.

The Chamber’s newest community development project focuses on South Omaha, a historic and vibrant community boasting landmark attractions and exciting new projects—from Omaha’s renowned Henry Doorly Zoo and Lauritzen Gardens, Omaha’s Botanical Center, to the $30 million Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center and $8.7 million Collin Stadium, Omaha South High Magnet School’s first-ever sports stadium.

Building upon South Omaha’s economic momentum, the South Omaha Development Project (SODP) is conducting a yearlong study to identify needed infrastructure improvements and community and business development opportunities.

“Within the framework of the final plan, South Omaha’s entrepreneurial spirit and energy will boost economic investment, and that investment will complement the history and heritage of the community,” said Jim Grotrian, the Chamber‘s vice president of public policy and community development.

The South Omaha study area is bordered by Harrison Street on the south, the Missouri River on the east. The western boundary varies from Interstate 480 to 42nd Street and the northern boundary varies from Center Street to Interstate 80.
ProjectSouthOmaha.org

The Kroc Center: A Gift to the Community

Soon, the South Omaha community will enjoy the Salvation Army’s $30 million Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center, set for dedication in November 2009 with a grand public opening in January.

“The mission is to offer programs and events that focus on the development of mind, body and spirit. We want to help people realize their natural giftedness,” said Molly Skold, the Kroc Center’s marketing director.

The Kroc Center’s 122,000-plus square feet incorporates an athletic complex with three gyms and a modern fitness center; an aquatic center with both a recreation and a competitive pool; a computer lab and study center; classrooms for education and the arts; a chapel; and a 600-seat assembly hall for performing arts, conferences and worship. Outside the center, recreation fields and a “festival plaza” sit on almost 390,000 square feet of green space. Omaha-based HDR, Inc. designed the center, which is being built by Kiewit.

Omaha’s Kroc Center will be second only in size to the original Kroc Center in San Diego, Calif. A gift of $1.5 billion from the estate of the late Joan Kroc, wife of McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc, will fund the construction of and partially endow approximately 30 centers across the United States.

Kroc’s $60 million gift for construction and operating endowment will be supplemented by $15 million endowment funding raised by Heritage Services. “This project would not have happened without Heritage Services’ vision,” said Skold.

It’s a phenomenal project, and what an amazing gift to the Omaha community,” said Sue Morris, president of Heritage Services. “Mrs. Kroc recognized that facilities inspire excellence. That’s a philosophy that Heritage Services has always believed and understood.”

Heritage Services is providing construction management, as well as legal and accounting expertise through the construction of the project.

The Salvation Army’s Kroc Center is also working closely with the South Omaha Development Project “as they work to enhance the vitality and energy of South Omaha,” said Skold.

A Home Field at Last

It’s Hans Christian Andersen meets high school football. For years, Omaha South High School’s Collin Field played the role of ugly duckling; “the hole” they called it, just a rough patch of practice field. Those days are over. The beautiful swan has arrived. Today, Collin Stadium is transformed and freshly turf-covered, the centerpiece of a magnificent new South High stadium. For South High’s students and student-athletes, the $8.7 million project means, for the first time, a true “home field” of their own.

“It’s exciting to see what’s going to happen for the school,” said Sue Morris, president of Heritage Services, the nonprofit group that raised funds for the stadium and oversaw its construction.

Collin Stadium, named after South High coaching legend Cornie Collin, doubles as a regulation size soccer field and is surrounded by a synthetic surface track.

Designed by Holland Basham Architects and built by Kiewit, South High’s new stadium debuted in August 2009. It joins the $30 million Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center as symbols of the powerful revitalization taking place in South Omaha.

“I think it’s wonderful that these two projects are being developed at the same time for the South Omaha community,” said Morris.

South High Principal Cara Riggs said, “Collin Stadium’s coming to life contributes to the community’s entire efforts of renewal. It truly enhances everyone’s sense of pride for South High and South Omaha.”