An ambitious plan to bring the elevated lanes of Interstate 480 down to street level would help Creighton University’s campus become better integrated into downtown Omaha, the university’s president said Monday.
The Rev. Daniel Hendrickson said $250 million in improvement projects already are underway on campus. Those projects would complement the Greater Omaha Chamber’s urban core plan, which would breathe more life into Omaha’s midtown, downtown and riverfront areas.
In the chamber’s vision for improving the city’s urban core over the next 20 years, officials envision 30,000 more workers and 30,000 more residents in the area stretching from midtown Omaha through downtown and to the river’s edge in Council Bluffs.
Creighton’s campus sits roughly east of U.S. Highway 75, west of 16th Street, north of I-480 and south of Cuming Street, which is part of the area targeted by the chamber for its redevelopment plan.
Creighton officials already are working on improvements to campus. Projects that are underway or in the planning stages include a new health sciences facility, playing fields, a campus quad and a Jesuit residence. Those projects are being completed with $250 million in donor funding, Hendrickson said.
As for the chamber’s plans, Hendrickson said he’s most excited about ideas for removing Interstate ramps at 19th, 20th and 30th Streets, as well as lowering the elevated portions of I-480.
Both projects would free up several blocks for new development as well as remove a barrier separating campus from the rest of downtown Omaha.
The aging, elevated I-480 freeway forms a northern barrier for downtown. It would be razed in favor of a slower, street-level boulevard lined by new housing, offices, restaurants and shops.
The streetcar line, which is already in the works, is another highlight. Ideally, Hendrickson said, he would like to see a branch of the system extending closer to or on the university campus.
“The stronger the downtown community, the better for us,” he said. “It’s a visionary, bold, courageous project, and I want Creighton excited about it.”
Creighton’s campus projects include the $75 million CL Werner Center for Health Sciences Education, a five-story facility rising near the I-480 and U.S. Highway 75 interchange at Cuming Street. It will serve as a hub for all of the university’s health sciences schools and colleges. The new center is expected to open in fall 2023.
New playing fields for baseball and softball teams would free up space for a campus quad, which would provide much-needed green space in the heart of campus, Hendrickson said. The ballfields also would be another step toward developing the Cuming Street corridor.
A “next generation library” also is in the works. Hendrickson said that facility would be built in the footprint of Gallagher Hall, a residence hall that is set to be demolished in May. The building would serve the Creighton community as well as the Omaha community at large, Hendrickson said.
In recent years, the university has moved out of some buildings on the western edge of campus.
The former Creighton University Medical Center is now the Atlas apartment complex, a common housing option for Creighton students since its opening in 2018. The building is the metro area’s largest single structure of market-rate apartments.
A highway-spanning pedestrian overpass connects the campus to the apartments, and to the Gifford Park neighborhood to the west.
The university moved its dental school east into the campus in 2018.
“In one small way, we’re retracting campus,” Hendrickson said. “I think we’ve expanded as far as we need and want right now going east. We have a lot of room within our current perimeter.”
Hendrickson was one of several people interviewed while the chamber assembled its urban core plan. In addition to addressing the university’s capital investments over the last several years, he also brought up workforce development.
The university serves about 9,000 students, about half of whom are undergraduates. The majority of Creighton undergrads hail from out of state and about 50% of those students stick around in Omaha for a first job or to pursue continued education, Hendrickson said.
The addition of about 2,000 faculty and staff members leads to a daily community of 11,000 individuals on campus, Hendrickson said. The campus community is part of the “life and vitality of the downtown community.”
The university offers programs spanning the spectrum of health care. But university officials are also adding new programming, such as ones for business leadership and innovation and data analytics.
“We’re steadfast in the programs, which have been here for decades,” Hendrickson said. “We’re also continuing to dream of new programs which meet the needs of the city. We’re stepping up to bring in new faculty, staff and students in those areas.”
Jesuit universities are typically based in urban areas to engage the arts and civic centers of communities, Hendrickson said. The strength, health and synergy of the downtown community is key to the university.
“The downtown community is really the front yard for Creighton,” he added. “It’s where our students work and play and study. Who we are is downtown.”
World-Herald Staff Writer Jessica Wade contributed to this report.
Photos: Omaha’s historic Jobbers Canyon
1. Nash Block, 902-912 Farnam, 1980 – Lynn Meyer.jpg
Nash Block, 902 Farnam St. One of two eight-story structures were designed by Thomas Kimball in the Renaissance Revival style and built between 1905-1907 for the M.E. Smith Company, a major manufacturer and wholesaler of dry goods. It is now the site of the Greenhouse apartments.
2. U.S. Supply Bldg 901 Farnam St. 1985-Lynn Meyer.jpg
U.S. Supply Building – 901 Farnam St. Charles Cleves was the architect for this six-story brick warehouse built in 1906 for the U.S. Supply Co. Designed in the Renaissance Revival style. the body of the upper five stories of the structure was constructed of St. Louis red brick. The U.S. Supply Company was established in Omaha in about 1900 and distributed wholesale steam, water and plumbing supplies. The firm occupied this structure until 1983, followed by the Metropolitan Arts Council.
4. Lee-Colt-Andreesen Hardware Co. 815 Farnam 1986 – Lynn Meyer.jpg
Lee-Coit-Andreesen Hardware Co. – 815 Farnam St. The six-story red brick warehouse and tower was constructed on the site of the former Bailey Hotel in 1916, to expand the 1900 warehouse built by H.J. Lee adjacent to the south. The architect was Henry A. Raapke. The building was later taken over by the Omaha Cold Storage Co.
5. Crane Co. Bldg. 323 S. 10th St. – 1986 Lynn Meyer.jpg
Crane Co. Building – 323 S. 10th St. The building was designed by Omaha architects Fisher and Lawrie and built in1905 as a branch warehouse for the Crane Brothers Manufacturing Co. of Chicago. The six-story warehouse exemplifies the early 20th century tendency toward “realism” in warehouse design. The walls of the building are treated as smooth unadorned planes and trim was simple and sparse. The transomed, stone main entrance was the only feature on the building that could be considered ornamental.
5a. Omaha Cold Storage – 809 Farnam St. 1986 – Lynn Meyer.jpg
809 Farnam St. Design by Fisher and Lawrie and built in 1913. The immense Prairie style building had 10 stories; six built initially in 1913 and four more added in 1919. The company raised, purchased and distributed fresh and frozen poultry and manufactured and distributed all types of frozen foods. In 1919, the Omaha Cold Storage Company was said to have been the largest cold storage house between Chicago and the Pacific Coast.
6. The Dempster Bldg 908 Harney 1986 – Lynn Meyer.jpg
The Dempster Building – 908 Harney St. This Renaissance Revival style warehouse, designed by Omaha architect John Latenser, was built in 1902. The building was constructed to jointly house the Dempster Mill Manufacturing Co., a major manufacturer of windmills and farm implements, and the Great Western Stove Co. Other wholesalers to occupy the building during the 1940s and 1950s were the Peanut Products Company and the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, Between 1979 and 1983 the building was occupied by the International Tire and Rubber Co.
7. Fairbanks, Morse & Co. 902 Harney St. 1980- Lynn Meyer.jpg
123-22. Fairbanks, Morse and Co. – 902 Harney St. Omaha architects Fisher and Lawrie designed this six-story, dark brown brick warehouse in 1907. The 66 x 132-foot building is supported by exterior bearing walls of graduated masonry and a heavy timber frame. The six-story building featured a prominent arched entryway and stone cherubs depicting various aspects in the production of machinery.
8. Creighton Block 824 Howard St. 1986 – Lynn Meyer.jpg
Creighton Block – 824 Howard St. The eight-story Creighton Block, the most ornate structure in the district at the time, was designed in the Renaissance Revival style by Omaha architect Charles Cleves in 1905. The building housed the Byrne and Hammer Dry Goods Co. one of the largest wholesale dry goods company in the city in the early 20th century with over 50 representatives that traveled throughout the northwest territory.
9. H.J. Lee Warehouse Bldg 822 Harney St. 1986 – Lynn Meyer.jpg
H.J. Lee Warehouse Building – 822 Harney St. Architects Fisher and Lawrie designed this six-story red brick warehouse structure in 1900, for Henry J. Lee, president of the Lee Glass-Andreesen Hardware Co. The company were wholesalers of hardware, cutlery and tinware. The Omaha Cold Storage Company expanded its adjacent operation into part of the building in the late 1940s and continued to utilize the structure until it was razed.
10. Harding Cream Co. Bldg 802 Harney 1986 – Lynn Meyer.jpg
Harding Cream Co. – 802 Harney St. The brick structure was constructed in three phases. Architect Frederick Clarke designed the original three-story Renaissance Revival style building in 1904 for Harding Cream Co. The company manufactured butter, ice cream and beverages for distribution throughout the Omaha trade area. In 1915 Clarke designed a three-story addition to the east of the original building and Clarke was again retained in 1925 to design the buildings fourth floor. The Harding Company occupied the building until 1949, when it was purchased by the Paul A. Willsie Company. dealer in costumes, robes and academic gowns. Omaha Cold Storage Company acquired the structure in 1957.
11. Carpenter Paper Co. Bldg 815 Harney St. 1986 – Lynn Meyer.jpg
Carpenter Paper Co. – 815 Harney St. Designed by John Latenser Sr. and built in 1906 with an addition in 1928. Eight stories high, it displayed distinctive limestone trim on the exterior of the first two levels. It was Omaha’s first paper warehouse.
12. John Day Co. Bldg, left, Brunswick-Balke-Collender Bldg, right, 401-07 S. 10th 1986 – Lynn Meyer.jpg
John Day Co. – 401 S. 10th St. (on the left) Originally built in about 1892 as a four-story structure for E.E. Bruce and Co., a drug wholesaler. The building was extensively remodeled in 1932 by the John Day Rubber and Supply Co. The remodeling included the removal of the top floor and the complete rebuilding of the façade into a simple grid of brick and glass. The John Day firm was said to have carried the largest stock of mechanical rubber goods and belting between Chicago and the Pacific Coast. The company remained in the building until it was razed.
Brunswick-Balke-Collender Building – 407 S. 10th St. (on the right) The facade of this four-story structure was clad with rough, buff-colored limestone in the Richardsonian style. The second and third floors featured large, transomed Chicago windows.
13. Kingman Implement Co. Bldg 923 Farnam St. 1986 – Lynn Meyer.jpg
Kingman lmplement Co. – 923 Farnam St. Designed by Charles Cleves and built in 1900 for Kingman Implement Co., a wholesale distributor of farm implements and vehicles. In 1905 the Allen Brothers Co. purchased the building and employed Cleves to double its size for their growing operation of providing staple and fancy groceries throughout the region.
14. American Radiator Co. Bldg (left) 423 S. 10th St. in 1986 – Lynn Meyer.jpg
American Radiator Co. – 423 S. 10th St.
The Chicago-based American Radiator Co., a large manufacturer of radiators and boilers, hired local architect John Latenser to design this four-story brick building for its Omaha operation in 1905. The buildings Renaissance Revival design featured ornate brackets under the cornices and an attic-like top floor with decorative round windows.
15. John Deere Plow Co. Bldg 402 S. 9th 1986 – Lynn Meyer.jpg
John Deere Plow Co. – 402 S. 9th St. O.A. Eckerman of Moline, Illinois and Fisher and Lawrie of Omaha were the architects of this massive, completely fireproof building – notable for its progressive design and innovative structural system. It was constructed in 1908 as an implement distributing branch of the John Deere Plow Co.
16. Richardson Bldg, left, New Idea-Lindsay Bros Bldg, right, 902-908 Jackson 1985-Lynn Meyer.jpg
Richardson Building commonly known as the Lindsay Brothers/New ldea Building – 902/908 Jackson St. Richardson Drug Co., a wholesale supplier of medicine, liquor and paint supplies, occupied the building from 1891 to 1927 when the firm merged with the Churchill Drug Co. and moved to a larger facility. The building was subsequently occupied by the New ldea Spreader Co. (later, New ldea Farm Equipment Co., a manufacturer of farming implements based in Ohio). In 1958 the building was purchased by Lindsay Brothers Co., wholesale distributor of farm equipment and plumbing and heating supplies. The structure was converted into apartments and commercial space in 1986 before it was demolished.
18. J.J. Case Plow Works 814 Jackson 1986 – Lynn Meyer.jpg
J.J. Case Plow Works – 814 Jackson St. Omaha architect George Prinz designed the three-story brick warehouse for the J. l. Case Plow Works Co. in 1913. The Racine, Wisconsin based company manufactured and distributed of agricultural implements out of the building until the 1920s. D.H. Foods acquired the building in the mid-l950s.
19. Trimble Brothers Bldg 802 Jackson 1986 – Lynn Meyer.jpg
Trimble Brothers Building – 802 Jackson St. Architect John Latenser Jr. designed this five-story, brick warehouse for Trimble Brothers, fruit and vegetable commission merchants, in 1920. Before it was razed, the building was occupied by the D.H. Food Co., makers of cake mixes. They owned the entire block in which this structure was located.
20. Wright & Wilhemy 1986 523 S. 10th -Lynn Meyer.jpg
Rector and Wilhelmy Co. – 523 S. 10th St. In 1889 Omaha architects Fowler and Beindorff designed a five-story warehouse of red brick and stone at 10th and Jackson for Rector and Wilhelmy, a hardware wholesaler. A major addition by architect John Latenser doubled the size of the building in 1905 when the firm, then known as Wright and Wilhelmy, expanded the building to a six-stories.
Jobber’s Canyon – Contributing Properties.jpg
The document shows a map of Jobbers’ Canyon contributing properties.
Jobber’s Canyon – Type of Construction.jpg
The map shows the Jobbers’ Canyon type of construction.
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