If the writing isn't on the wall for the Civic Auditorium, it just might be on its aging boiler, or the roof that needs a major repair.
Omaha Mayor Jim Suttle announced Wednesday that a study will take one more look at the city's 57-year-old events center — the third study in a decade on the facility.
With this analysis, Suttle said he wants to determine the best course for the Civic — continue its operation or turn the property into something else.
Officials were careful not to declare the Civic dead. But it's clear the Civic is in a difficult position.
The facility still has $7 million in unresolved maintenance problems, uncovered in the last study done in 2007. The new six-month study, funded by the nonprofit fundraising group Heritage Services, will take a fresh look at the need for repairs.
Whatever the study finds, Suttle said the city does not have the funding necessary to carry out a renovation.
At the same time, the Civic, which lost $30,000 in the last fiscal year, is getting squeezed by competition from other arenas in the metro area. This week Ralston moved closer to building a $32 million arena after voters in the suburb gave their strong support.
If the Civic is destined to be redeveloped, it will be difficult in today's real-estate market to pull off a major residential and retail project. Plus, whoever might claim the property would likely face a $5 million tab to demolish the Civic.
Conceding that the city has few answers, Suttle said Wednesday that it's time to determine the Civic's future.
“We don't have a plan,” he said. “We need to have a plan in place so we know where we're going.”
While officials said they will look at demand for ice rinks and possible future uses at the Civic, they stopped short of outlining the next major project in the community.
Heritage Services' involvement is notable because the organization, through its work with the city's leading philanthropists, has helped spearhead projects including the Qwest Center Omaha, Holland Performing Arts Center and TD Ameritrade Park.
As the Civic discussions proceed, the University of Nebraska at Omaha says it remains interested in a new arena for its hockey and basketball teams.
But Sue Morris, the organization's president, said Heritage Services has no philanthropic commitment for another project. She said she didn't know yet how much the study would cost.
If the Ralston project happens, the arena at 72nd and Q Streets would take Omaha Lancers hockey from the Civic, and officials also are negotiating to lure away Omaha Beef indoor football.
Although the $32 million proposal still needs state approval for its state arena incentives, Suttle said it appears Ralston's project will move forward.
“We're a metropolitan area,” he said. “We have goals and dreams, whether you're in Council Bluffs or Ralston or Sarpy County.”
Roger Dixon, president of the Metropolitan Entertainment and Convention Authority, which runs the facility, said the Civic remains busy, holding 113 events last year. But he said he expects the study to find significant needs for the Civic's upkeep.
“Quite frankly,” he said, “we're living on borrowed time.”
The 2007 study found $7 million in outstanding structural issues at the Civic, including problems with the roof, plumbing and heating system. Before that, a 2003 study concluded the Civic still had a functional role once the Qwest Center opened, although the study left open the possibility of redeveloping the property.
In 2009, the broadly-focused downtown master plan suggested redeveloping seven blocks on and around the Civic property into urban housing and shops.
Trenton Magid, principal of World Group Commercial Real Estate, said the Civic site has redevelopment potential. But he said downtown already has a lot of space available for development projects.
“It will be a great location,” Magid said. “But it's not going to get developed overnight.”
Officials said the coming study is just phase one in the analysis of the Civic, and the results could lead to another phase of study.
Suttle said the city wants to take a comprehensive look at Omaha ice facilities, including the Benson Park rink, which remains closed after its roof collapsed last year. But he said the study will first focus on the Civic Auditorium.
Asked about the possibility of a partnership with UNO, Suttle said the city would be open to working with UNO, Creighton University or other potential partners.
“We will continue to have an open mind.”
Contact the writer:
402-444-1128, jeff.robb@owh.com
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