t's been in the news for quite some time now but the much anticipated opening of Omaha's new

	'Qwest Center Omaha' scheduled to open September 1st

convention center/arena - recently named 'Qwest Center Omaha', is almost here. Finishing touches are being applied to both the convention center and arena in preparation for its big debut next month.

Qwest Center Omaha will be one of the major destinations on the riverfront for most Omahan's. Although the riverfront park - Lewis and Clark Landing and Rick's Cafe Boatyard have been open for several months now, many local residents probably have not yet ventured down that close to the water's edge. If you're one of those people, you are in for quite a surprise.

	Map of Omaha's Riverfront Development

Getting to the riverfront may be quite challenging for some people at first. The only current entrance to 10th Street (location of Qwest Center Omaha) is from Cuming Street right now. You can no longer take the familiar route of Douglas Street to reach the convention center. After September 12th, traffic patterns shift dramatically when 10th, 12th, Cass and Webster Streets open. To reach the convention center and its parking lots after the 12th, drivers should enter from either Cuming or Capitol Avenue.

There will be an invitation only concert held at the new arena by Grand Funk Railroad on September 12th to test equipment and acoustics. The first public concert will not be until October 3rd when 'Cher' will take the stage. The Metropolitan Entertainment and Convention Authority (MECA) had been promising a big super-star musical grand opening but could not seem to close a deal with any of their top prospects. It now appears the concert scheduled for October 9th by Fleetwood Mac will be the headliner.

	Gallup University opened its doors August 18th (ORF 8-23-03)

Also on the convention center/arena calendar is the annual River City Roundup scheduled to run September 19 - 28. This 10-day celebration includes events such as the ProRodeo Summer Tour Finale, a carnival, trail rides, parades and the State Barbeque Championship.

The riverfront has also recently become the destination for about about 500 Gallup employees. The nation's best-known research company opened its doors to the new Gallup University on August 18th. The $75 million campus built on 50 acres along the Missouri River shoreline will bring thousands of executives to Omaha each year. Corporations from around the world will be sending their

	Construction underway for facilities at Miller's Land Park. (ORF 8-23-03)

employees to learn how to manage their companies the Gallup way. 

The majority of programs offered by the university will only be for 2 or 3 days but they are also planning on offering master's and master's of business administration degrees in conjunction with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The company plans to eventually employ around 900 people at the Omaha facility.

	Carl Curtis National Park Service Building under construction. (ORF 8-23-03)

Other riverfront attractions still under construction include:

The Carl Curtis National Park Service Building, set to open next Spring. 

Miller's Landing Park, which will include a dock for the River City Star, a shallow man-made lake, a 300-seat amphitheater, a pedestrian trail, parking lots, public restrooms and picnic pavilions. 

A docking area at Lewis and Clark Landing 

	City owned boat docking area with Omaha's new convention center/arena in the background. (ORF 8-23-03)

for visiting boats that should be completed sometime next summer.

Bids will also be going out this December for the construction of the new pedestrian bridge that will span the river and link Omaha's riverfront to Council Bluffs. 

City officials are currently looking over proposals for additional development work along the riverfront that could include condominium, apartments and office buildings.

	A view from the water of Omaha's new developing riverfront. (ORF 8-23-03)

So much has changed in this area that if you leave the city for a period of time and return, you just may not recognize it.