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Developer for downtown project chosen

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By MATT OLBERDING / Lincoln Journal Star

Wednesday, Apr 25, 2007 - 07:39:49 pm CDT

If things go as planned, the Lincoln skyline could undergo a major transformation by the end of the decade.

Mayor Coleen Seng announced Wednesday that she has chosen the Lincoln Synergy Group’s proposed $180 million redevelopment project for the block bounded by P, Q, 13th and 14th streets.

The proposal includes a 22-story tower with a parking garage, hotel, apartment condominiums and office and retail space on the southwest corner of the intersection.

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It also features an 18-story tower across the street on the northwest corner of 14th and Q streets that would house a garage, retirement housing units, space for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and retail space.

“We call this the Catalyst Project because it will spur more development downtown,” Seng said. “This major investment will change our skyline and result in even more economic development in our city core.”

Monte Froehlich of Lincoln Synergy Group agreed.

“I’m thrilled to see what the impact could be on Lincoln,” he said.

Froehlich said few details have been worked out. The hotel developer has not yet picked a brand, he said. And although interest has been expressed in about 85,000 square feet of the project’s office space, no agreements have been signed.

And, he said, he has had only preliminary discussions with property owners who would have to move to make way for the retirement complex.

Developers also must work out many details with the city, including how much tax-increment financing would be possible.

Once that is done and a redevelopment agreement has been negotiated, the project will need the blessing of the City Council.

So, Froehlich didn’t want to speculate on a timeline for the project. He did say, however, that construction of what would be Lincoln’s second- and fourth-tallest buildings likely would take 18 to 24 months.

And Froehlich said his team is committed to building both at the same time.

“Our approach is going to be to tie both together,” he said.

For those who might question whether a retirement center in downtown Lincoln is viable, know this: The university has done its homework.

Ed Paquette, executive director of the Nebraska Alumni Association, said the university started talking about the concept more than seven years ago.

Focus groups and independent surveys showed a lot of interest in having such housing on or near campus, he said. And there are more than 50 similar projects around the country, showing that the concept really works, Paquette said.

“I’m very excited about the opportunity,” he said.

The Lincoln Synergy Group proposal was recommended by an 11-member advisory committee over a competing proposal from Dial Realty Corp. of Omaha.

That $45 million proposal included a 13-story building with parking for 600 cars, a 112-room Residence Inn by Marriott, 14 condominiums, a sports bar and entertainment complex and a smaller building with office and retail space.

Missouri hotel developer John Q. Hammons also had submitted a bid, but he withdrew it two weeks ago, saying he wants to focus his energy on the proposed arena and hotel/convention center in the Haymarket.

Reach Matt Olberding at 473-2647 or molberding@journalstar.com.


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omnione wrote on April 25, 2007 11:55 am:
" Great decision! I still laugh when "skyline" and "Lincoln" appear in the same sentence, but hey, at least Seng did one thing right before leaving office. "

 Ben L. wrote on April 25, 2007 12:06 pm:
" You've got to be kidding me. The retirment housing plan was chosen? What a joke! "

 This will happen... wrote on April 25, 2007 12:13 pm:
" when pigs fly. "

 Here we go again... wrote on April 25, 2007 1:04 pm:
" ...the retirement project is a "2nd phase" project. In order for it to become reality a number of businesses (including a church) would most likely have to be relocated/razed. The "1st phase" project is the 22 story tower. So, it's not a joke...it's a fabulous idea! Good luck Snergy. "

 You Gotta Be Kidding wrote on April 25, 2007 1:09 pm:
" This is just unreal. A retirement community downtown, bordering the campus? You people are out of your minds. "

 KLM wrote on April 25, 2007 1:13 pm:
" The Retirement Community is just plain absurd and has no place downtown. If Colleen Seng wants to live downtown, she can afford a condo. "

 Jan wrote on April 25, 2007 1:18 pm:
" This is great. Lets get it done. Now all the nay sayers can throw there negative 2 cents in. They chose the best plan so I'm not sure what Ben L. is whining about. "

 Since when wrote on April 25, 2007 1:29 pm:
" do economic development and retirement communities go together? "

 omnione wrote on April 25, 2007 1:33 pm:
" Apparently, some people here have "selective reading" where the only see the stuff that allows them to rant. You know, the main project is that 22-story building for hotel rooms, apartments, office space, and retail. "

 CSS wrote on April 25, 2007 1:39 pm:
" Great decision! Bravo to Seng and all involved. This is ESSENTIAL for our city to continue developing and growing and preventing the "brain drain" that is absolutely killing our community. Also, all of you crying about the retirement community downtown need to educate yourselves: there are already at least two retirement communities within 7 blocks of campus. Get a clue. "

 Mrs. Johnson wrote on April 25, 2007 1:58 pm:
" The people who congregate on here slay me. They'll find a reason to complain not matter what. The city and the mayor are not doing enough, there doing too much, blah blah blah. You naysayers should go take a hike, or better yet why don't you get involved in politics and do something? "

 Wow! wrote on April 25, 2007 2:12 pm:
" Typical how people want to find flaws. This is what Lincoln needs; to show we are investing in our city. It could then lead to furhter investment with new business. Let us not forget that Lincoln has to deal with a skyline that is limited in height by law. "

 E Jr wrote on April 25, 2007 2:12 pm:
" My wife and I plan to move downtown when we retire. Why do some of you think this is a bad idea? Right next to the university would be a great spot for us. We will watch this project with definite interest. "

 Mike Honcho wrote on April 25, 2007 2:14 pm:
" The retirement community downtown is probably the ONLY reason this plan was even approved with all all the old people on the commitee, this town is definitely aging. It's a sad sight to see. "

 Timmy wrote on April 25, 2007 2:35 pm:
" The upscale retirement community downtown is a major trend that has recently been rolling across many cities in the nation, including San Francisco, Boston, Seattle, Chicago, and Philadelphia, with the first in New York slated to open next year. Lincoln will be very fortunate to climb on board. For further information see, for example, the April 1, 2007 New York Times article, "Retirement Homes Go High-Rise and Urban." Retirement ain't what it used to be. These are people with a degree of wealth and leisure who desire to live downtown where there are arts, interesting restaurants, and entertainment they can take advantage of. Downtowns benefit greatly from their leisure time and dollars. Aging baby boomers aren't looking to hang out at the Old Country Buffet. Having hundreds of residents downtown with both money and leisure will go a long way in supporting further development in an organic way -- something Lincoln has long needed. In addition, it's providing a new hotel, retail space (please, oh please, let it be devoted to small local shops and eateries) and upscale condos. This is the best news I've seen for downtown in the twenty-five years I've known Lincoln. "

 Great! wrote on April 25, 2007 2:41 pm:
" This is great for Lincoln. I hope that this will encourage more econimic growth for the city. As for skyline; please remember that Lincoln is limited by law on the height of buildings. "

 JR wrote on April 25, 2007 2:44 pm:
" It looks as though Mayor Seng saved her best decision for one of her last decisions, and I applaud her for it! As a life-long Lincoln resident who has worked downtown for the last 20 years, I believe the development proposed by Lincoln Synergy Group is an exciting and positive first step. Couple this with the Haymarket development being explored with John Q. Hammons, and now we have an engine to spur revitalization in downtown Lincoln and make it more on par with what is expected of a community of a quarter-million people. For those thinking Lincoln doesn't need this, may I suggest Seward or Beatrice or Nebraska City if it's the quaintness of smaller-town life you desire; and for those knocking the prospect of retirement condominiums downtown...don't choose to live there! "

 JJ wrote on April 25, 2007 2:47 pm:
" At least they aren't forgetting to include downtown's lifeblood, another bar! "

 57and counting wrote on April 25, 2007 2:58 pm:
" Hey folks, forget the image of a"retirement home" and think of active seniors enjoying all the activities of downtown--and spending money on movies, shows, bars restaurants, shopping. 18-22 year olds are fine, but us seniors got the money and want to have some fun too. "

 excited but how wrote on April 25, 2007 3:19 pm:
" I'm excited about the announcement and I for one look forward to continued growth in Lincoln and especially downtown. A project like this would have happened with about anyone being mayor. This didn't happen because of Seng. Everytime I see her picture, I'm forced to ask, "How did we ever elect Mayor Seng?" That is a bigger joke than the new project! "

 Whoo-Hoo! wrote on April 25, 2007 4:04 pm:
" I will never understand why people complain so much about Seng. This may have happened with or without her, but I think she has done a good job encouraging smart growth in Lincoln. This is a great idea. I think the most negative people in town gather on this board to complain for the sake of complaining. Lincoln should be happy that people are willing to build such projects downtown. "

 JJ wrote on April 25, 2007 4:08 pm:
" This is a great project that will spur further development in Lincoln...which is much overdue in my opinion. There's always people that will find some way to put a negative spin on it. It's not like we're Chicago adding another huge building, but for Lincoln...this is a really big deal and a step in the right direction to promote economic growth in a city that's been traditionally way too conservative. "

 Mabel Lott wrote on April 25, 2007 4:09 pm:
" I hope everything is handicapped accessible because I'm 87 and I'm moving down there. It sounds lovely. I can go to Sheldon and the other museums. "

 sounds good wrote on April 25, 2007 4:52 pm:
" Seniors do often have a more difficult time travelling across town and this will give them great access. It should also be a positive interaction for both the seniors and college students, there is a lot they can learn from each other. Great idea! "

 Good Work wrote on April 25, 2007 5:41 pm:
" Its better than all the Walmarts they want to build around Lincoln. I thought I moved to Nebraska not Arkansas. "

 tom wrote on April 25, 2007 6:25 pm:
" There's a lot of empty office & retail space downtown right now. I guess adding another 22 floors of additional empty office & retail space won't hurt anything. Been to the Centrum, Atrium, or Magees building recently? Remember the hole in the ground for the Centrum basement that got filled up because of meager tenant commitment? It sat empty for years, was taken over by private concerns, and still has a lot of vacancy. "

 thanks tom wrote on April 25, 2007 7:26 pm:
" What a great point Tom! At one time, the Centrum and other buildings was a good project too. It was fun to go downtown and walk through the skywalks and visit the great shops. Where did they all go? Now we want to do it again. Thanks for the reminder. "

 way to go! wrote on April 25, 2007 8:25 pm:
" yep just what Lincoln needs more empty new retail space may as well have it in all parts of the city this is the only city that I know of In the State that has brand new retail space sitting empty lets keep Wal-mart from building space that will generate tax dollars so we can have empty retail space giving the owners tax breaks not generating revenue I still say build a wal-mart down town that will bring in more business that any high rise or event center "

 nemo wrote on April 25, 2007 8:56 pm:
" do you people have an idea how many baby boomers are going to be retiring in the next 15-20 years? yea i do think retirement and economic developement go together "

 Thomas Irvin wrote on April 25, 2007 11:10 pm:
" Before everyone gets excited about this new project, the City Council and the people of Lincoln need to see illustrations and mock-ups of how this will affect the Lincoln skyline. If its height significantly blocks the view of the Capitol from either the campus or I-180, people will regret it. But thanks to modern architectural rendering software, we don't have to guess--we can know for sure, provided we demand the renderings be produced. "

 Gabe wrote on April 26, 2007 12:19 am:
" I love this step forward! The empty space will fill in again with grocers, discount retailers, and other services. StarTran really needs to keep up with this to make it viable as well (expanding shuttle service, more convenient routes to external shopping markets and eateries), and the demand WILL come. The brain drain isn't all about keeping young people around; it's also about keeping the mentors close to the mentorees. Here's to a downtown to look forward to! "

 whatever wrote on April 26, 2007 6:04 am:
" If you can get significant numbers of people to move downtown this might work. You will also need to have some companies either expand or new companies come in to fill in empty retail space. Relying on college kids to keep things bustling downtown isn't the wave of the future for several reasons. One, the birth rate is too low. Two, tuition is too high. Three, more students will attend tech school not UNL. "

 well wrote on April 26, 2007 6:22 am:
" Lot's of comments about the brain drain. The brain drain that is "killing" Nebraska has been going on for decades. The problem is that now the numbers have finally caught up with Nebraska as the early boomers, World War/Depression era folks are retiring or moving out of the state leaving a severe void in business and political leadership. Not only is the brain drain being felt in the "college educated" areas, but also in the skilled "blue collar" fields. Lincoln is especially feeling the pinch because unlike Omaha, there really hasn't been a vision for the city or widespread recognition that there is even a problem until comparatively recently. I would venture to guess that at this point Nebraska will need to figure out a way to keep at least 90 percent of it's high school graduates in the state, plus bring in at least another 10,000 to 15,000 a year of educated/skilled workers each year over the next 15 to 20 years just to keep even with retirements. I know my generation of boomers was highly encouraged to move out of state to seek opportunity by high school educators and that trend has not stopped as I have watched my children and my friends children grow up. I think this is below the radar of most studies and discussions when figuring out what to do about the "brain drain". "

 CS wrote on April 26, 2007 7:25 am:
" Who cares if it blocks the capitol? Its a building, like any other building. I don't understand such a fascination with a building that no one in Lincoln dares not build higher than. Its pretty yes. Awe inspiring? No. "

 Jeremy wrote on April 26, 2007 9:16 am:
" Yeah build more buildings and offices way to waste our money. It doesn't matter what we do here, like others have kind of hit, Lincoln is a dying commuity, and we are run by those who are stuck in the old ways, and until we lose that mentality, lose the impact fees and all the other things that hold the middle class down, and keep those "In Charge" unaffected by there laws... Screw what's better for us, in their eyes, what is better for the new city!! "

 Not Surprised wrote on April 26, 2007 9:21 am:
" I'm not surprised that this was the plan picked, I'm surprised at how long it took. When Monte decided to throw money into the project out of the "goodness of his heart," I knew that his plan would be the one picked. Nobody throws that much of their money in without expecting something in return. "

 omnione wrote on April 26, 2007 9:48 am:
" There is some stupid ordinance that prevents buildings from being taller than the State Capitol building in Lincoln. Why? I have no idea. That's why Seng put a limit on how tall this project could be. Though these buildings will be relatively tall, they were designed to be shorter than the Capitol. Yet, I hope that the City Council doesn't have the "small town thinking" once again. If people want to see the Capitol, then they can simply GO AROUND and see it. Good thing that Omaha didn't get the State Capitol because Omaha wouldn't have been able to build the First National Tower........and a bunch of other buildings. "

 Fathead Neuman wrote on April 26, 2007 9:56 am:
" You know, all this bashing on the idea of a retirement community downtown makes a huge mis-conception about people who are retired; that they are old farts who don't enjoy life. With medical care pushing life expectancy into the upper 80s and 90s, people are more active in their retirement than ever before. Maybe they want to live close to downtown so they can walk to where they want to eat, hang out, and enjoy life after they leave the work force. I know some retired people who could party y'all under the table, so don't be so quick to judge! "

 russell wrote on April 26, 2007 10:04 am:
" I wish all the "this will not work" commentators would state what would be successful and sign their complete name so they can be put on the next development selection committee. "

 Scott wrote on April 26, 2007 10:07 am:
" Why is it the city has to push and subsidize development downtown? And why is it, when it does so, it always seems to address the wishes of business rather than the real needs of those that already live downtown - for things like a grocery store? The most interesting businesses are seeming more and more isolated downtown. Why isn't the city or the Chamber subsidizing small business and residents' needs? My opinion: Big contract, big boondoggle. "

 St Marks on the Campus wrote on April 26, 2007 10:37 am:
" We have spoken with the mayor's office and have been assured that this project will not directly affect the church property. "

 concerned wrote on April 26, 2007 11:41 am:
" Does nobody see how much out of scale this project is? The proposed buildings are way to high for the campus border and are going to negatively affect the skyline of Lincoln.I am sad that the vision of the City does just see the big $ signs and forgets that there is a scale humans have to live with. I hoped that we learned from the mistakes of the seventies, but with this project it sure does not seem so! "

 mike grieger wrote on April 26, 2007 12:21 pm:
" I believe this project will not survive unless the developer pays cash and has has no debt. the largest decline in reginal real estate projects is here in the midwest. "

 Appreciation wrote on April 26, 2007 12:57 pm:
" It amazes me how many ignorant people actually take the time to type out their uninformed opinions. There's a damn good reason the city wants to keep the capitol building in sight. It's the most recognizable building in the state. It is a cherished piece of history. It was build over 12 years and paid for as it went up, so we never went into debt to construct it. It has been recognized by architects as one of the best designed, best looking public buildings in the world. Ever visited there? Take some time to walk through it's halls. Maybe you might learn a little something about where we came from as a state. And find a little appreciation in the process. "

 Patience and Optimism wrote on April 26, 2007 1:46 pm:
" We need to have a little patience and optimism while the city works out the details with the developer before we judge. This may be the greatest project with the largest private investment Lincoln has ever seen, or it may end up being half the size with few of it's original ideas. Either way, we should stay informed and involved with open pocket books for the civic plaza. "

 Shawn wrote on April 26, 2007 2:54 pm:
" Because, Lincoln thinks that 13 wal-marts are more homey and convenient than having little specialty shops in our down town area. Therefore the idea of them putting more shops downtown makes me laugh hysterically because nothing will last down there if it has to compete with all of our "Mega-stores". "

 omnione wrote on April 26, 2007 3:26 pm:
" Appreciation, I have visited the State Capitol building on many occasions. I just don't think it has to be the tallest building in Lincoln and that all other buildings to defer to it in order for us to enjoy its history. I don't think that the building needs to be clearly visible from I-180 and Omaha for people to appreciate the building's significance. It's not like the Capitol ceases to exist if other buildings are obstructing the view from a few angles. "

 Timmy wrote on April 26, 2007 4:02 pm:
" One way to deal with concerns about the new buildings competing with the capitol building is to insist that, rather than being vertical boxes, these new buildings are also architecturally interesting buildings that the city and state can be proud of. Other cities place such aesthetic requirements on developers, and it's high time Lincoln pays more attention to aesthetics and design so that it does not end up with another Centrum fiasco. "

 Just Me wrote on April 26, 2007 8:46 pm:
" Ok. There have been alot of things said on here that are true, and some not true. I don't mind the retirement community aspect of it, as long as it can peacefully coexist with the current tenants of downtown; students. I also think that a grocer needs to move downtown, be it wal-mart or another. If you don't want wal-mart downtown, then call B & R Stores and tell them you want a Super Saver or Russ's Market. I hope that this development spurs development in another direction; affordable housing for college students in the lofts downtown. Putting in a $200,000 condo is great, but it's a little out of the price range of a student. By affordable, I'm talking about $250-350 each a month, assuming roommates. And I am signing my name so that I can be put on the next Development Selection Committee. Matthew Roque "

 roger wrote on April 27, 2007 9:19 am:
" We recently hosted a friend from out of state. She was looking for a good place to raise her family. Her response was "if I wanted to live in strip-mall hell I would stay in Ohio." Lets think about creating a Lincoln identity (or at least saving the precious little that is left). Borrowing the blue print to build the exact same buildings every other city has does not dynamic skylines make. "

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