OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — Developers officially broke ground on the Crossroads project. The first piece to see construction, the first tenant, Gamescape by Cinemark, and below it a parking garage. But that is still about two years away.
- After years of waiting for something, some neighbors remain cautiously optimistic, others feel it's just checking a box.
- This summer, developers will also start construction on Block B. That will include retail, housing, and a parking garage along Cass Street.
BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT:
A celebration years in the making.
"The neat thing about today is it's an indication that we are there," said Jeff Woodbury, VP of Acquisition, Woodbury Corporation.
But after years of waiting for something, some neighbors remain cautiously optimistic.
"We've had a lot of false starts, but it looks like things are moving in the right direction, so we are again very excited. We have been waiting on this for a long time, so hopefully this will be the time," said Michael Pirruccello, owner of West Lanes Bowling.
Others feel it's just checking a box.
"I don't think there is anything to be upset about or to be glad about. It's just a contractor who's got to put a mark in the ground to let somebody know, ‘Yeah, we are still working on it," said Larry Leeds, a Crossroads neighbor.
Jeff Woodbury says he understands the skepticism.
"I certainly understand the skeptics, and all I can say is we are just going to have to prove them wrong," Woodbury said.
Monday marked a milestone for the project—breaking ground on the first tenant, Gamescape by Cinemark, an arcade with other activities and a restaurant.
"I have a commitment to Cinemark, so this will happen," Woodbury said.
Gamescape will take two years to complete, which includes the 538-space parking garage that will sit below.
Larry Leeds, a neighbor to Crossroads for 15 years, is unsure about the need for an arcade, but he would like to see development.
"Housing, apartments, small mom-and-pop type stores, lots of parking," Leeds said.
Pirruccello is looking forward to the future of this neighborhood.
"We welcome everything. It's going to be a destination spot, brings more traffic, it's good for the whole neighborhood," Pirruccello said.
This summer, developers will also start construction on Block B. That will include retail, housing, and a parking garage along Cass Street.
