Omaha, like many cities, went through it's backwards phases of urban developments which destroyed perfectly viable older structures only to be replaced by surface parking lots (if by anything at all) all in the name of "redevelopment". Thankfully things are improving in even the long quiet parts of Downtown Omaha.
Leaving Mi Casa, The Westbrook Tower, which would later experience a fire on one of the upper floors. Luckily the sprinklers kicked in and flooded down to my apartment, drenching my roommates room.
Parking Garages for the old NNG (Enron) Building, Joslyn Art Museum in background.
These garages aren't as derelict as they look; they are still in use and full of cars. The graffiti is fairly recent but the building is still maintained and has a security presence.
NNG south entrance
This is where I often see police cars parked overnight. I wondered what it would look like from there.
I've really come to appreciate this buildings style; it is rather frowned upon by many on a local Omaha board. I was never a fan of it before but it has grown on me. It definitely has a certain kind of charm of it's era and is not entirely without merit architecturally. Sadly, the building is now vacant though it has been rumored to attract possible tenants. This corner is popular with skaters from nearby Central High School.
A classic example of Downtown Omaha's urban high and low points criss-crossing each other. The Westbrook has been one of the few residential properties in this part of Downtown. Further down Douglas St. the Farm Credit building is undergoing a renovation from an underused office building to rental residential.
2400 Dodge (NNG Building)
Douglas Street: One of only 6 east/west streets into Downtown, is loaded with many civic institutions on the eastern side of DT. The western side is sparse, with only clusters of activity, though it can boast some of it's own powerhouse local attractions. (Not pictured)
"There's no parking Downtown." Uttered by many a naive citizen, DT is in fact littered with parking. Big, ugly parking.
I have a friend Nick who's very much Hollywood (by Omaha standards anyways) so this was a neat find.
A lovely view of more parking, and an entire block without even the courtesy of a parking lot.
Looking west towards Midtown, the view is not entirely bleak. Vacant lots could be future sites of numerous projects to create a more urban neighborhood. With recent momentum of large scale projects completed to the east and west of here, this area could have a bright future. Release the doves!
...but this being Omaha it's ripe for fuckuppery.
More massive, little used parking lots. Meanwhile the Joslyn Art Museum (on hill) has completed an outdoor sculpture garden and newly constructed apartments geared at students for nearby Creighton University students. Another complex was recently announced in addition to this one, I believe.
Midtown in the distance. The recently completed 600 unit Midtown Crossing sits in front of the Mutual of Omaha buildings. For having gaps in developments, all of the of the buildings in this picture are in use. The area is not derelict and low crime despite some people's impressions.
Facing east from atop the Douglas Parking Garage; largely empty.
Remember, "There's no parking Downtown!" And these spots cost a whopping $3 A DAY! The horror!
20th and Douglas overlooking the Masonic right manor and the windowless back of AT&T. That used to be an ornately decorated building until the hideous brick abortion was added to the back and the white ornamentation lining the roof swapped for the funky telcom towers; the buildings signature feature and one time highest point Downtown, pre-Woodmen.
Work on the Farm Credit conversion to residential.
First National
The name of the (taller) building escapes me now but it is slated to be converted to apartments as well. This would be the second residential conversion to take place on 19th St., not a historic residential center downtown.
Front to back: Wells Fargo, The Conant Apartments, Civic Center (City Hall).
Another shining example of Omaha's mish-mash of active nodes surrounded by blunders of poor urban planning. The Rose Theater and neighboring drive-thru for Wells Fargo...
...god bless it.
I had to run out quick into the street to get this before the light changed.
The Woodmen Tower with it's rarely photographed base. I think this pedestal sets it apart from it's other top-to-bottom WTC-esque contemporaries.
Around the CBD.
This is one of the strangest parking garages I have seen in any city. It is built over the street between the buildings. The Brandies (pictured) used to be Omaha's last Downtown department store and at one time shoppers filled the necessary, if oddly placed, garage.
Looking out from the other side.
Heading up.
First National and the Brandies. While the outside still retains it's original character, much of it was swapped for cookie-cutter suburbia styled interiors. Sad.
The next night I went out and snapped these from the Iowa side of the Kerrey Bridge. This view was previously unseen due to trees on this side of the levy. It was a sporadic warm day so there were many people outside taking advantage of it.
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I agree!! There is a lot of work to be done. Hopefully, if and when the economy changes for the better, there will be more of a demand for mid to hi-rise residential development. But definately, use up the older buildings first, then start bulldozing the parking lots!! Nice thread BTW!! 
Anyway, I've often wondered if Kansas City has the same affect on Omaha as Seattle does on Portland. 
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