User:WiinterU/sandbox

The Lincoln Haymakers were founded as the Iowa Blackhawks in 2004. They were founded as members of the American Professional Football League, and opened their first season at Mid-America Center.^[1] In 2007, the Iowa Blackhawks renewed their agreement to stay at Mid-America Center.^[2] In 2008, the Iowa Blackhawks announced an extension of their broadcasting deal with CyaNet Sports.^[3] That same year, the Blackhawks announced that they would be replacing their former general manager Jake Hifferman with Jeremy Poore.^[4]

In October 2011, it was announced that the Iowa Blackhawks would be sold to different owners and would change their name to the Council Bluffs Express. The new owners also announced that the team would stay in Council Bluffs.^[5] In 2012, it was announced that the Council Bluffs express would be moving to Lincoln, Nebraska and would change their name to the Lincoln Haymakers.^[6] Their home stadium would become the former Pershing Center.^[7] The Lincoln Haymakers ceased operations after the 2014 season.^[8]

In July 1990, a commercial area was announced and planned to be built on Interstate 80 located right outside Omaha, Nebraska.^[9] The factory outlet would cost $15 million and would be known as the Nebraska Crossing Manufacturers Outlet.^[10] Despite initial plans to break ground in early 1991, financial difficulties pushed its groundbreaking to 1992.^[11] Construction began in late 1992 and the mall began to open in October 1993.^[12] By 1995, the mall had 56 stores and total area of 200,000 square feet (0.0072 sq mi).^[13]

In December 2010, a major redevelopment plan was announced for Nebraska Crossing. These plans would increase the amount of property to 310,000 square feet (0.011 sq mi).^[14] In spite of initial plans to expand the original building, in late 2012 it was announced that the original building be demolished. The building would then be replaced with a new $70 million facility.^[15] As a part of the redevelopment, the mall changed its name to Smart Outlets at Nebraska Crossing.^[16] Demolition began in early 2013 and was completed by May. Construction of the new mall began shortly after.^[17] The mall officially re-opened in November 2013.^[18]

Despite concerns from public health officials, Nebraska Crossing became one of the first malls to re-open during the COVID-19 pandemic.^[19]

In January 2024, a $3.2 billion expansion project to Nebraska Crossing, titled, "The Good Life District," was announced.^[20] In January 2025, Rod Yates, an approved applicant for the project, notified the state that the project would not be viable under current conditions.^[21] Gretna mayor Mike Evans expressed disappointment that his and Yates' visions did not align.^[22]

By February 2025, Yates team outlined Legislative Bill 637, which would establish the Destination Nebraska Act, which would drastically expand Nebraska Crossing. It would Additionally, Yates came out with a new plan to de-annex Nebraska Crossing from Gretna in favor of making it become its own village.^[23]

Riverview Park officially opened in June 1894.^[25]

The Lied Jungle was announced in August 1988 at an estimated cost of $15 million.^[26] The indoor jungle officially opened on April 4, 1992.^[27]

In November 1992, a $16 million aquarium was announced.^[28] Ground was broken in June 1993 and the aquarium, now known as the Walter and Suzanne Scott Aquarium, opened on March 26, 1995.^[29][30]

In March 1997, the $7.6 million IMAX Lozier Theater opened.^[31]

In January 1999, the zoo announced a $30 million dollar glasslike dome that would be built on the site of a former maintenance shop.^[32] It would have a diameter of 230 feet, and would be 130 feet tall, making it the tallest at the time.^[33] The dome was topped out in November 2000 and opened in March 2002.^[34][35]

In October 2002, a $13.5 million gorilla complex, to be known as the Hubbard Gorilla Valley, was announced.^[36] The complex was completed in April 2004.^[37]

In 2016, six African elephants arrived at the zoo from Eswatini's Hlane Royal National Park to survive a drought on March 11.^[38][39] On May 27, African Grasslands opened after two years of construction.

Children's Nebraska opened as Children's Memorial Hospital on March 14, 1948. The institution was founded by Dr. C.W.M. Poynter, dean of the University of Nebraska Medical Center, and Henry Doorly, publisher of the Omaha World-Herald.^[40]

In May 1981, Children's Hospital moved to the North Tower of the Methodist Hospital.^[41]

In January 1993, plans were announced to move the hospital out of leased space in Methodist's North hospital tower and into it's own dedicated facility.^[40] However, these plans were later put on hold. In August 1997, plans were again announced, with an estimated cost of $83 million.^[42] The building opened in 2000.^[43]

The Children's Specialty Pediatric Center opened on September 1, 2010.^[44]

In December 2016, ground was broken for the Hubbard Center for Children.^[45] The addition would increase the overall bed count from 140 to 250. Construction began in January 2018.^[46] The building was completed in August 2021.^[47]

In October 2023, Children's Hospital & Medical Center changed its name to Children's Nebraska.^[48]

The Indian Hills Theater opened in December 1962 and had a capacity of 806 persons. It was the first Cinerama theater in Nebraska and was originally operated by the Cooper Foundation.^[49]

In April 1977, an additional theater, known as, "Cameo," was announced and would add 300 seats.^[50] Cameo was completed in 1977 of that same year.^[51]

In August 1987, an addition two 200-seat auditoriums was announced.^[52] The addition was completed in December of that same year.^[53]

As a result of its then-operator, Carmike Cinemas, bankruptcy, Indian Hills Theater was closed in September 2000. The theater was believed to be only one of four theaters capable of showing Cinerama films in the United States.^[54] By December, many groups had shown interest in reopening, and even restoring the theater.^[55] By April 2001, Nebraska Methodist Health System made an offer to purchase the building.^[56] Despite initial hopes to restore the theater, Methodist announced that it would demolish the building and replace it with a parking lot.^[57]

Methodist refused to sell the building and refused to restore it itself, citing costs of $1.7 million.^[58][59] Actos such as Kirk Douglas, Janet Leigh, Patricia Neal, and director Robert Wise wrote letters to Methodist against demolition.^[60] In July 2001, 115 people gathered to protest the demolition.^[61] The National Trust for Historic Preservation announced its support for keeping the theater.^[62] Demolition work started on July 17 at the three smaller theaters.^[63] A city commission voted to give Indian Hills Theater landmark status. However, many did not believe that landmark status would prevent the building from being demolished, as demolition had already started.^[64] Demolition of the main theater began in August 2001.^[65]

In April 1999, Union Pacific, then based in Dallas, Texas, announced that it would be moving its headquarters to Omaha, Nebraska.^[66] Their first headquarters in Omaha was built in 1910 and hadn't been expanded since 1971.^[67] Construction of a new Union Pacific headquarters had been speculated for years. However, it wasn't until June, 2001, that plans for a new headquarters were announced. The building would have 19 floors, contain 1,100,000 square feet (0.10 km²) of space, and was at an estimated cost of $260 million.^[68] Union Pacific also announced that it would consolidate employees from ten locations in Omaha, with around 700 customer service jobs from St. Louis, Missouri.^[69]

The center was built on the former site of the Rialto Theater, which was demolished in 1986 to make a parking lot.^[70] The rest of the buildings were demolished in December 2001.^[71] Ground was broken on May 10, 2002, commemorating the 133rd anniversary of the golden spike.^[72] Union Pacific Center officially opened on June 2, 2004.^[73]

In June 1973, the Omaha City Council dedicated $2.37 million for construction of a downtown mall. Demolition of properties on the malls site began in August 1975 and was completed by May 1980.^[74] In September 1977, Burger King announced that it would be gifting $5,000 to aid in the construction of a playground for the mall.^[75]

In 1977, the first block, directly East of the W. Dale Clark Library, officially opened. Plans were to have the rest of the mall completed by 1981. However, when construction started in 1981, $11 million had been spent and it had only appeared to be a hole in the ground.^[76][77] The lagoon portion of the Gene Leahy Mall officially opened on July 15, 1982.^[78]

In 1989, the Nash Block, which was partially razed in 1975 for the mall, was renovated into an apartment complex known as the Greenhouse.^[79] In May 1992, Central Park Mall's name was changed to Gene Leahy Mall to honor former Omaha mayor Gene Leahy.^[80] The last major portion of the mall to be completed, located between 8th and 10th street, was completed in 1995.^[81]

In March 2013, a $1.8 million contract was approved for an overhaul of the lagoon and other mall renovations.^[82] Renovations started in March and were completed in November.^[83]

In 2018, further renovation projects were announced. These would include raising the mall to street level, removing the lagoon, and adding more space for public activities.^[84] The Gene Leahy Mall closed for renovations in March 2019.^[85] In July 2022, the redevelopment of the Mall was completed; featuring a new concert venue pavilion, open lawn area, and redesigned waterfront walkway, while retaining the iconic metal slides.^[86]

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