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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 10, 1975)
dpcember 10, 1975 page 10 daily nebraskan Vvu Development plans bolster downtown attractiveness Cont from pg. 7 Magee said pedestrians would be able to cross O Street without the fear of traffic, much like in a shopping center. There would be grass and trees," he said. "These are things I think people go to a shopping center for and enjoy. "If we're going to compete with shopping centers we have got to have some of the same things downtown." Adding to the shopping center effect would be a series of pedestrian walkways, or skywalks, connecting much of the downtown business district. Bob Simon, head of the pedestrian walkway task force and president of Ben Simon's, said, "We have developed a plan to have a connection from Brandeis, to the Centrum, into the Magee-Miller and Paine block, to the Atrium (plan ned for the current National Bank of Commerce (NBC) offices). "From there it would cross to the First Great West Building, to the Sharp Building, then to the First National Bank, to the Cengas Building and back to the Atrium. The walkway system is supposed to provide the shopper with a shopping center atmosphere where he would never have to leave a building's warmth or coolness. Some talk exists about a skywalk from Miller and Paine to Hovland Swanson's on the north side of O Street, but plans have not been drawn up, Simon said. Avoid pressure "We are in the process of investigating what types of legislative act we're going to need in order to finance this for downtown," he said. "We want to know if there is a vehicle to get it done without forcing anyone into it." Present legislation forces approval by 51 percent of the businesses, he said, "and we don't want to force this down anyone's back if we can help it." It would be difficult for businesses like Walgreen's at 13th and O streets, with only two stories, to use the system, he added. "We feel it's the obligation of the businesses to pay the bill, not the city, so we must work it out ourselves. Simon said his store will be moving into the new Atrium complex at 12th and N streets after its completion in late 1976 or 1977. Two atriums He said the remodeling of the former Scars Building, which was originally the Rudge and Gunzel department store, will include two atrium areas extending the full seven floors with skylights at the top and plants and greenery on each floor. Ben Simon's is the first business to sign a lease with the Chicago-based Hawthorne Reality Group, which has bought" the building and is doing the remodeling work. Simon's will occupy part of the first and second floors of the $4.5 million Atrium, along with nearly 60 other shops, Simon said. v,nht r,, (i the current Simon's store) we have a vertical situation which poses a problem with the small floors," he said, "but hopefully the move will solve this problem." Building priorities Extensive remodeling of the old Western Electric Build ing in the Gunny's parking-shopping-entertaining complex at I3th and Q streets has been successful, according to downtown merchants. Remodeling of the older building has been offset by the construction of new buildings in the Lincoln Center. Four building projects, totaling $61 million, are completed or nearing completion. Only a year old, the $6 'million Hilton Hotel on the Western entrance to downtown is accompanied by the $16 million Federal Office Building and garage at O St. and Cen tennial Mall; the nearly completed $9 million NBC Bank Building at 13th and O streets, and the $20 million State Office Building and garages along Centennial Mall. More parking needed Although the Lincoln Center project is extensive, Magee expressed concern that improvements won't bring many more people downtown until the Centrum is constructed with more downtown parking. "I think the project will help keep the businesses from leaving and vacating the downtown area and retain it as the major shopping and business area," he said. Projects that now are occurring in downtown Lincoln are ones that Magee said he hopes will make for more inter esting viewing. "It is people oriented, rather than automobile oriented" he said, favoring the pedestrian change. "We think we've got a very strong and vibrant, vital downtown Lincoln. We just don't want it to go down the drain and become kind of a ghost town." I ffl PR al Wk f9 p JIMMY FAST FIHSSERS1 and his Chicago Blues Band Dec. 11, 12, 13 Tickets on cab at Dirt Cheap and tho Zoo How about giving a ham for the holidays. I Tosswx: I , I AnuKArl 1 I The Block and Bridle Club is selling Hormel Cure 81 whole and half hams till Dec. 19. CaU 472-3095 Mon.-Fri. 1 r l r""" , ' mMMUMmmm r 1111 m mm " x" - - lGreen.. 1 Colonial ft 1 1 n .... ringers - 5ST 55s 1 V . V TYT. w jyi, - , .miri iirv Piv . 1 I '.muni). r -" "" w t i i m TURQUOISE JEWELRY Stop in and see our fine selection of turquoise rings, bracelets, chokers and earrings. LOST-WAX CASTING Ancient Egyptian art process used in designing one of a kind jewelry. Have your own designs made into one of a kind. JEWELS 13190 St. 477-6177 If Tropical Foliage 119 North 14th ;"nt 1 "fei Nebraska Union Re-opening this week with a new face, a new menu, and some special new features! SOUP 'N SALAD BAR X U vsu uuu 3 U'W-. 1 .. . .V V I i 1 Make your meal or merely accompany it wiin supero soups we make and lavish salads you make yourself! STEAK SOUP Well worth a wintry walk to the Union - it will warm your soul! SANDWICHES with IMAGINATION Your old favorites, plus some brand new ones I SPEEDY SERVICE Put the same sit-down civility! Open 11:30 am -1:15 pm Mon. - Fri. Faculty, staff, students and University guests welcome i bh mm mm mm tm tsm a ma mm ma em Atsociata Degresi (13 Months) Frsfss!;::! lrsttrhl mm mm mm vm mm mm mm mm tm mm mama information cn Diploma Programs (12 Months) Exisstfta lisnttflil btl l-isriUrbS tsu iizhtratba (if) B Itrisi' ttst3 Mildly ssnooi or KcmmD?G3 1 IOfc.1 "It" Ss. Lincoln, rJcbp. G00B1 I Kaflf 3
