Heavy equipment is finally rolling at one of Omaha’s busiest intersections.
Late 2027 is the expected opening date for the first anchor tenant of the more than $900 million Crossroads redevelopment project at 72nd and Dodge streets.
The 40-acre property changed hands multiple times in the past decade. Plans for the site were drafted and redrafted, proposed completion dates came and went, and the price tag for redevelopment rose by hundreds of millions of dollars.
Woodbury Corporation is the latest owner. Representatives of the Utah-based company gathered with city leaders Sept. 12 to share an update on the project.
The public will likely see vertical progress early next year, said Josh Berger, director of development with Woodbury. Much of the work in 2025 will involve building a foundation for the massive project.
“Now that we’ve started, we’re going to keep going,” Berger said. “It’s a big project. We’re building a city within a city and it takes time.”
An “immersive entertainment company” called Gamescape by Cinemark was announced as the first tenant in late April. The building will offer movie theaters, bowling, an arcade, laser tag and a full-service restaurant.
Long road to redevelopment
For years, the City of Omaha and developers have looked to Crossroads as a major opportunity for mixed use space. The spot previously hosted Crossroads Mall, a once popular shopping center that was largely abandoned in the early 2000s.
Real estate developer Frank Krejci of KJ Ventures bought the struggling shopping center in 2010 with ambitious plans for redevelopment. Instead of breaking ground, he entered a multi-year debate with the city over financing requests.
It took until August 2020 for the city to commit a financial contribution to the project. Then-Mayor Jean Stothert announced the city’s intent to join the venture with an anticipated contribution of $12.5 million in redevelopment bonds to help cover infrastructure costs.
The City Council also approved a $105 million tax increment financing request in 2024.
In December 2020, KJ Ventures began the demolition of the vacant Crossroads. The group also completed infrastructure work on streets, sewers and utilities.
Woodbury Corporation took ownership of Crossroads in December 2024. The first phase of the group’s project is currently underway. That includes Gamescape by Cinemark, multi-family residential units, office space, shopping and parking.
Omaha Mayor John Ewing said he felt it important to update the public on the project’s progress.
“This has been a process that has gone on for 15 years,” Ewing said. “We are not responsible for the past 15 years, but we are responsible for getting this done now, and that’s what’s going to happen.”
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