MCL Relocates and Preserves Omaha's Art History

Wyatt Hansen

The vision was clear:  the process required ingenuity, skill, and most importantly, respect. 

As the City of Omaha said goodbye to the Gene Leahy Mall and Heartland of America Park on February 28, 2019, MCL Construction was there to preserve the art that tells the stories of Omaha history and military service. 
 
Omaha Parks and Recreation chose MCL to remove and relocate seven art statues and monuments that sat on the riverfront parks, some for more than 40 years. 

At MCL, we are committed to performing at the highest level while always respecting those impacted by our work. 

In this case, the artists who created these monuments and those the monuments represent deserved great care and respect. 

“Just amazing care was taken to the best of our ability so that everybody would be happy,” said Omaha Parks and Recreation Project Manager, Tim Carmichael. 
 
Each structure had its own challenge.  Two needed to be removed from water, two required salvaging.

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The Airborne Trooper

Victory '95

The Airborne Trooper and Victory ‘95 honor the valor and sacrifice of those who have served and currently serve our country.  

A brick plaza underneath the monuments was originally built with 17,000 bricks, 4,100 with the names of service members engraved on them.  For families and friends, these bricks are symbols of service and sacrifice. 

Led by MCL Superintendent Wyatt Hansen, our team began the process of relocating them to Memorial Park.  We noticed the deteriorated structure of the original bricks.  The names had faded, but not the memory of each person. 

Rather than relocating them in that condition, our team replaced each brick and placed them within five feet of their original location under the statue.  A time-consuming, detailed task that recreated the personal connection every donor had to the service member honored. 

“He wanted to give every bit of respect to the art and who the artwork was for,” said Carmichael. 

Victory '95

Brick Pathway

Pathway To Victory '95

​In addition to those two monuments, MCL removed and relocated the following:

Marine Corps Medallion

• One of two ever created, the first one is located in Guantanamo Bay 
• 8 ft concrete medallion 
• Previously located in Heartland of America Park 
• Relocated by MCL to Memorial Park 

 

Marine Corps Medallion

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Mangonel II

• Sculpted in 1980 by Sidney Buchanan
• Made of welded plate steel with a concrete foundation 
• Previously located in the grass near the water, east of 13th St. Bridge 
• Relocated by MCL to One Pacific Place Par​

Mangonel II

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Time Capsules

• ​Sculpted in 2003 by artists Jim Moser and Rebecca Herman 
• The cattail is a symbol of and a survivor of the plans 
• Previously located in the water at Gene Leahy Mall   
• Relocated by MCL to Hanscom Park ​

Time Capsules

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Thistle Flower

• ​​Sculpted in 2003 by artist Jim Moser 
• The art is a representation of the artist’s summer days exploring Rawhide Creek where thistles and milkweeds were abundant. 
• Made from acid-aged steel and located in the water at Gene Leahy Mall 
• Relocated by MCL to Hanscom Park 

Thistle Flower

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Tree House-French Doors

• Sculpted in 2003 by artist Sidney Buchanan 
• The art provides a constantly changing view as you move around the piece 
• Took more than four months to create 
• Made from red welded steel, concrete base, weighs 10,000 lbs., and measures 30’ x 13' x 12’ 
• Previously located near the water in the Gene Leahy Mall 
• Relocated by MCL to Flanagan Lake 

Tree House

All Photos By: Architectural Photography Inc.

About MCL Construction:
For many businesses, navigating the entire construction process and knowing who to trust can be overwhelming.  At MCL Construction, our people simplify the process by listening, planning, executing, and continuing the relationship to build their vision.