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TD Ameritrade's new headquarters in Omaha's Old Mill area won the endorsement of the Omaha Planning Board on Wednesday.
But the board's chairwoman wondered: Why not build downtown?
The company's new campus near 108th Avenue and Old Mill Road will have enough square feet to surpass the Woodman Tower and could have made a mark on the downtown skyline. Or TD Ameritrade could have joined the likes of ConAgra and Gallup with a downtown corporate campus.
Company officials say TD Ameritrade's established presence in Old Mill, the central location, and the easy access to the West Dodge Expressway and the Interstate solidified the choice.
Kim Hillyer, a spokeswoman for TD Ameritrade, said in an interview that half the local employees live west of 72nd Street and half east.
“What's the most efficient, best location for all the people?” she asked. “That was someplace right in the middle of the city.”
TD Ameritrade has said it will invest up to $80 million in its Old Mill campus, which will consolidate 2,000 employees from four metro area sites. The company renovated and is leasing three existing buildings and wants to build a 12-story, 230-foot-tall headquarters.
Planning Board member Thomas Kelley said he is “extremely excited” about the project and commended TD Ameritrade for its decision, affirming Omaha as its headquarters.
“I think it's wonderful for the city,” he said.
The board voted 5-0 in favor of a special permit allowing TD Ameritrade to build and exceed the city's building height restrictions. Normally, a building in the area couldn't exceed 120 feet.
The plans still must go before the Omaha City Council.
Board chairwoman Anna Nubel asked about downtown.
Rick Anderson, an Omaha attorney representing TD Ameritrade, said he was not aware of an area downtown that would support the company's plans.
“It all came into place over time,” he said, “that allowed them to do this kind of project at this location.”
TD Ameritrade first located in Old Mill in 2007 and found an opportunity to expand when, in 2008, ACI Worldwide moved to 204th and Q Streets.
A groundbreaking is set for this summer. The headquarters building is scheduled to be finished and occupied by fall 2012.
Contact the writer:
444-1128, jeff.robb@owh.com
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