ORD 36508 - Landmark Designation - Dodge Street Pedestrian Overpass CY
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NEBRASKA STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY UST. :4_� -ti ,
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1500 R STREET,P.O.BOX 82554,LINCOLN,NE 68501-2554 Q; "--- -!
■ (402)471-3270 Fax:(402)471-3100 1-800-833-6747 www.nebraskahistory.org I3i L 1• " _ (_
November 6, 2003
NOV 10 i3
Omaha City Council
• -- 1819 Farnam Street, Suite LC-1 1 _-�- -�/,= ZOJ.
Omaha, NE 68183 -
Dear City Council Member:
As Nebraska's State Historic Preservation Officer, I would like to express my support of the
Dodge Street Pedestrian Overpass nomination as a City of Omaha local landmark.
The overpass represents a high point in the community's efforts to provide an aesthetic solution
to serious safety issues facing Omaha in the mid-20`h century. Constructing this overpass
received the support of then-Mayor Sorensen, despite ever-present budgetary concerns. The
resultant national award-winning design has provided a safe and graceful pathway for the
thousands of school children and adults alike who use it daily. The Dodge Street Pedestrian
Overpass stands out among other, more utilitarian overpass solutions, and deserves recognition
for its elegant design.
I strongly encourage the City of Omaha to designate more of its mid-20th century resources. I
hope that this nomination represents the beginning of additional designations recognizing the
city's rich heritage.
Sincerely,
aw ence ommer
Director&
State Historic Preservation Officer •
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"It is a great melding of utility and
grace. . .Few who see it forget
it...The-pedestrian overpass
between Memorial- and Elmwood
park should by all means-lie.named
an historical landmark"
November 9, 2003
Omaha World Herald
Furthermore Editorial •
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2020 Omaha promotes the preservation of 20th century
structures, signs, and landscapes as significant elements of ,
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Omaha's cultural heritage. Dodge Street Ova
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• ti� �1 AIA Omaha
'j a Chapter of The American Institute of Architects
•••^•^ ••• P.O.Box 31337
psalm
Omaha,NE 681 3 1-01 337
December 1, 2003
2003 Board of Directors Dear Omaha City Council, •
Martin J.Janousek,AIA
President The Omaha Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (A.I.A)
Michael J.Kros,AIA would like to extend our support of designating the Dodge Street
President Elect
Pedestrian Overpass as a local Landmark. The simple,elegant lines and
Robert.R.Krupa,
A
Secrre airy dramatic form of this structure has long been an integral`part of
RogerL.Doehling,AIA everyday life here in Omaha. It has added visual interest in a city that is
Treasurer in need of more and it has evolved into an excellent example of how
John A.Hrivnak,AIA Director both function and style can coexist. Additionally, this structure is a
Greg Staskiewicz, remarkable example of how the automobile has influenced the growth
Assoc.AIA of Omaha and it's architecture. The 2003 AIA Omaha Board of
Associate Director
Directors enthusiastically extends our support of this visually striking
Bryan S.Nielsen,
Assoc.AIA structure for historical designation.
Associate Director
Michael P.Hamilton,
Assoc.AIA . -
Associate Director
Patrick J.Leahy,AIA Sincerely,
Past President
•
Martin Janousek j4' IA
2003 AIA Omaha''r i'ent
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INTER-OFFICE COMMUNICATION 03 DEC P!9 ?`° 22
December 15, 2003 -'. ' ;,i
TO: Councilmembers and Lou An 6'<'
FROM: Ro ustin, Council Staff Assistant 0 L1L .
SUBJECT: Dodge Street Pedestrian Overpass —Agenda Item #98
Attached you will find a copy of a memo from Norm Jackman to Lynn Meyer outlining the
Public Works Department's position on the proposal to assign a historic landmark status
upon the Dodge Street pedestrian overpass.
The memo dated September 3, 2003, is to the point on the problems that could come to any
future plans to widen Dodge Street if the historic designation is granted.
If a future Council should be faced with a need to rescind the historic designation, it would
mean taking the issue before the Landmark Commission, then the Planning Board for their
determination as to whether or not such rescission is in conformance with the Master Plan
for the City. Then the rescinding action would come before the City Council for final action.
This designation is being sought under local ordinance and does not involve any State of
Nebraska or Federal statute. Assuming that this historic designation is declined by the
Council, and should it come to pass that something needs to be done in terms of widening
Dodge Street or changing the turn at the northeast corner of Dodge Street and UNO and
Federal dollars are involved, then Federal law automatically kicks in and a historic review
automatically takes place.
The historic documentation that could take place would be just like that which was done
before the South Omaha Stockyards was demolished recently.
An inherent
danger to assigning historic 9 g designation is that emotional baggage is assigned
to the structure, and if a future Council finds itself in a position to need to remove the
historic designation, that removal will be further burdened by the emotionalism that will
attach itself to the Dodge Street overpass.
RA/wl
Attachment
c: Norm Jackman, Acting Public Works Director
City Clerk
Council Staff
AGENDA#98
•
INTER-OFFICE COMMUNICATION
September 3, 2003
TO: Lynn Meyer, Planning Department
FROM: Norm Jackman, ActingPublic Works Director
SUBJECT: Dodge Street Pedestrian Overpass, west of Happy Hollow
This memo is prepared as a result of our discussion regarding this structure. I request
that it be presented to the Landmarks Heritage Preservation Commission for their
consideration regarding the application of this overpass as a landmark.
The Public Works Department is responsible for the inspection and maintenance of this
structure. Although we recognize the beauty of this bridge and have maintained its
original appearance for the last 35 years, the Department does not support designating
this structure as a landmark.
We believe that this designation could result in an undue financial burden to the citizens
of Omaha or as a possible constraint upon the future use of Dodge Street. Current _
transportation studies have indicated the potential need for additional lanes on Dodge to
serve as an improved access to the University. A recent study of the midtown area
immediately east of the structure discussed the possibility of widening Dodge Street.
The Public Works Department does not presently have any plans for modification or
removal of this structure. Any future change to Dodge Street or to the overpass will
require public hearings and City Council approval. We do not believe that the additional
hurdle of historic designation serves the best interests of the citizens.
Cc: Mayor Mike Fahey
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