2020 Omaha

HISTORY OF 2020 OMAHA

2020 Omaha was founded in 2001 in response to the demolition of key 20th century Omaha buildings, and the failure of preservation efforts to save the Indian Hills Theater. In order to effect more successful solutions in future planning and development plans, the founding members recognizing the need to establish a proactive organization dedicated to promoting the preservation of Omaha’s 20th century architecture and landscape architecture, focusing on those resources built after 1920.

The term 2020 represents the two primary goals of the organization:

1) to provide the “clear vision” required to recognize the importance of Omaha’s historic 20th century fabric; and

2) the 100-year span between 1920 and the decade in which structures built in the 1970s will become eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

2020 Omaha membership includes architects, landscape architects, historians, preservationists, conservators, educators, small-businesspeople and others interested in preserving Omaha’s 20th century historic resources.

MISSION STATEMENT OF 2020 OMAHA

TO INFORM AND EDUCATE THE PUBLIC AND PUBLIC OFFICIALS TO THE VALUE OF 2OTH CENTURY HISTORIC RESOURCES IN THE OMAHA VICINITY, INCLUDING

* Promotion of sound and informed decision-making with respect to the fate of publicly-owned 20th century historic resources;

* Creation of a 2020 Omaha website;

* Publication of surveys and guides on the development and evolution of Omaha’s 20th century historic resources;

* Presentations at public venues to educate citizens, public servants and civic organizations to the quality and value of Omaha’s 20th century historic resources;

* Acknowledge, with the presentation of a 2020 Omaha Award, outstanding contributions of individuals or groups to the preservation of Omaha’s 20th century historic resources.

Contact Us At

2020 Omaha
P.O. Box 31672
Omaha, NE 68131-0672

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Update September 2003:

Omaha 2020 (a recent past preservation organization) presented our first batch of nominations to
the city Landmarks Heritage Preservation Commission of the City of Omaha September 10, 2003.

1--Dodge Street overpass/pedestrian bridge Architect: William H. Durand (Durand Jackson and Associates, Inc.) Built: 1968 by Foster-Smetana Company Fabricators: Omaha Steel Works Style: Box-girder steel beam, Modern design

2--La Casa neon sign Architect: n/a Built: 1957 Style: Free-standing neon sign ("Peppi")

3--Paxton Hotel Architect: Joseph G. McArthur Built: 1929 Style: Art Deco

The Commission voted unanimously to accept and forward to the city Planning Commission the La Casa neon sign "Peppi" and the Dodge Street/Memoriaal Park Pedestrian Bridge. The commission voted not to accept the application at that time for the Paxton Hotel in hopes that the owner would agree and the commission could again review the application.

Detail of Paxton Hotel at left.

 

Other structures in this area:

Photograph by Frank Merwald Closed September 2000 Demolished August 2001

Indian Hills Theater, Omaha, Nebraska, by Richard Crowther, 1962. Designed by an innovative Denver architect, the Indian Hills was the last of three “hatbox” round Cinerama movie theaters built by the Cooper Foundation. The base of the exterior of the building and other masonry was made up of black Roman brick, which was rare and expensive at the time. The upper portion of the exterior, formed of insulated Monopanels, was of a burnt orange color called Swedish red. The final cost to build The Indian Hills was a million dollars, making it the most expensive movie theater built in Omaha at that time. See also Cinema Treasures Indian Hills page.