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High-rise idea puts spurs to imagination

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Sunday, Feb 19, 2006 - 12:08:10 am CST

Mayor Coleen Seng deserves a high-five for suggesting a high-rise. Her decision to seek proposals for a new high-rise building in downtown Lincoln opens the door to new possibilities.

The move brings a ray of optimism after the city council’s discouraging strangulation of the recent effort to convert the former downtown power plant to loft-style housing.

Maybe the mayor’s efforts will elicit a proposal for an exciting, stylish high-rise condominium project that would bring new life to downtown.

Downtown condos have been booming in metropolitan areas for more than a decade.

Empty nesters, young professionals and other buyers often find downtown condos in tune with their lifestyle. Downtown condos are close to attractions such as the Lied Center and the Haymarket District. Condo living also makes it easier to leave home for travel.

Forty years ago, few wanted to live in downtowns. The urban environment was in decline. The living spaces usually were shabby. Then a few investors starting turning problem areas into an opportunity. Now it’s become fashionable to live in urban environments.

Other development possibilities for the high-rise building include office space or a hotel, or combination of uses.

Not surprisingly, John Q. Hammonds, who last year made an unsuccessful attempt to build an extended-stay hotel in Lincoln, expressed interest in the new location.

The Seng administration created the opportunity in a creative fashion that requires neither tax increment financing nor use of the city’s power of eminent domain.

Essentially the city plans to build a parking garage on a portion of the block now occupied by the Star Ship 9 theater. The city will pay the Douglas Theater Co. $2.1 million for the Star Ship 9, and $1.1 million for the Douglas 3 theater, using parking revenue rather than tax funds.

An added plus of the deal is that it clears the way for development of the civic plaza at the northeast corner of 13th and P streets. Envisioned as a new focal point in the downtown master plan, the plaza would have decorative bricks and greenery to make it an attractive spot for special events or just to enjoy an hour or two with a friend. Designed without curbs, the plaza could be expanded for outdoor concerts and other events by closing 13th Street.

One of the best things about Seng’s plan is that it generates momentum and fires the imagination.

It’s entirely possible, as pessimists no doubt will point out, that the proposed high rise could end up being nothing but a humble parking garage.

But by conceiving new opportunities and welcoming creative ideas, Seng is providing the sort of leadership that too often seems in short supply. The proposal deserves City Council approval and community support.


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tower backer wrote on February 19, 2006 9:58 am:
" Sounds like a no-brainer, but, call me a pessimist, I'll bet my share of the lottery winnings that we will see Lincoln's legions of naysayers begin criticizing this ambitious proposal as being out of line with our community's unique values... Funny, I never thought putting ones head in the sand to be a Nebraska value. I'll reserve a top floor condo. "

 Overtaxedpayer wrote on February 20, 2006 7:19 pm:
" The Mayor of downtown has struck again.When will this Mayor and her 4 minions on the City Council acknowledge there is more city than downtown!!! How can a 8.50 and hour retail job in downtown be worth more than the same retail job on 84'th and Adams??? When will the taxpayers wake up and realize that the more money that is dumped into downtown the more people and business move out! Lincoln Life and Security Mutual both left and took 1,000 jobs with them, now the Department Of Homeland is taking it's 800 employees to the Highlands and we need to pour more money into downtown???....Please! For the perfect object lesson on why this is a terrible idea just walk to the corner of 12'th and "o" street and look to the Centrum.This was a parking garage/retail "redevelopement" and it has been a money pit/white elephant since the day after it opened!! it was just 25 million in taxmoney down a rat hole! If this mayor were concerned with Lincoln's growth and downtowns growth maybe it would invest in a FREEWAY/EXPRESSWAY to get people down there in under a half and hours drive time! In short we need another Centrum like we need a downtown park for BUMS to sleep in! "

 poor student wrote on February 21, 2006 2:00 pm:
" I'm currently pursuing a graduate degree at UNL and as you can probably guess, I'm not all that thrilled with the prospect of losing the Starship. Movies are outrageously priced and my solace has been that if I wait a few weeks, I can see the same movie for one third of the price that I would pay on opening night. Now Lincoln wants to get rid of that option. It seems to me that the proposed new tenants are likely to appeal only to a select few residents. I’m only guessing here, but I think it’s likely that any specialty shops moving into the space will be similar to those in the Haymarket which offer limited products that many might consider overpriced. An extended stay hotel or condo would benefit those people with enough money to buy or rent such a dwelling and, presumably downtown business owners. What about the rest of us? A park with greenery and fountains? It sounds nice… a tad bit boring for some… will probably attract a number of homeless folks in good weather. Which will scare away all that money we’re trying to bring into downtown. The Starship has been very popular with younger kids who don’t have much to spend. What will they do now? The city doesn’t provide much entertainment for the under 21 crowd. I doubt they’ll be interested in jazz concerts at the new park. In short, it seems like one particular group of people is being targeted as the ideal downtown visitor and the rest of us are being ignored. There must be a compromise somewhere. Could we at least move the $2 matinees to another theater? Come on, don’t leave those on tight budgets with no options! "

 Lovin'Lincoln wrote on February 21, 2006 4:41 pm:
" I think it is a good idea to rebuild Downtown. This area of the city has the greatest amount of historic interest and it is home to thousands of students who live on UNL's city campus. Businesses survive when they meet the needs of their markets. It is important not to forget the students in these plans. As people continue to move into downtown, they will need groceries within walking distance, they will need a place to buy a spool of thread, or a quart of milk, or copy paper. They will also need reliable public transportation, as parking and gas prices increase. I would love to see some of this money going towards public transportation. It appears Lincoln is trying to grow into a metropolitan community. If this is the goal, it must have good public transportation like that found in metropolitan communities throughout the US. "

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