A World War II veteran who ‘never took his foot off the gas’ dies at age 97
OMAHA – From the stores of Gretna to Crossroads and Oak View malls and beyond, Frank Krejci in his nearly 100 years has made landscape-changing impressions on the Omaha metro area. See the article : Fifty-two years after the West Virginia coeds were found to have been decapitated, researchers expect the advanced “X-Ray machine” will find the final evidence..
Not only was the self-made real estate developer behind several high-profile retail ventures, he also took on residential projects such as the West Shores lakefront community in Waterloo. He pushed many industrial, commercial and charitable land deals.
He once placed a $1.6 million winning bid on a 17-room mansion in Gretna, planned a family-themed RV park on 230 acres of Sarpy County and bought a sprawling 31,000 acres of Wyoming cattle, fishing and game ranch land.
“The wild thing about Frank is that he did a lot of everything — he never took his foot off the gas,” said Brian Kuehl, an Omaha Investors Realty broker who has assisted Krejci on multiple investments.
Picked up the pace
Until recently, Kuehl said, Krejci even picked up the pace because “he had this overwhelming desire to complete what he set out to do, which was to make his mark. See the article : Is public confidence in science — and scientists — restored?.”
Krejci died Monday at Methodist Hospital, a few weeks after his 97th birthday.
He was surrounded by family. Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Jane, and four children.
Krejci, of Century Development, told a reporter a few years ago that he had goals to accomplish before he retired or died, and one was the remodeling of the Crossroads shopping center at 72nd and Dodge Streets.
Krejci’s partner in that project, Chip James of Lockwood Development, said Tuesday that the renovation will proceed as Krejci wanted.
“Frank has said from the beginning of the redevelopment of The Crossroads that he wanted to create a legacy project for Omaha – and we will continue to strive to fulfill Frank’s vision,” said James.
‘Business visionary’
James, Lockwood’s president, offered few other details Tuesday about the mixed-use campus expected to open in 2024. This may interest you : APSU Community School of the Arts’ summer art camp immerses children in creative experiences. He said he will miss Krecji, who he called a business visionary on several fronts.
“His desire and determination to bring the Crossroads renovation to fruition is a testament to his lifelong pursuit of transforming his community,” James said. “Frank influenced my life. He pushed me, he taught me and he supported me. And I am grateful for his partnership.”
He loved land, but he also loved something that was ruined and something he could improve upon.
– Trenton Magid, NAI NP Dodge
He loved land, but he also loved something that was ruined and something he could improve upon.
Krejci bought the deteriorating Crossroads property 12 years ago, raising hopes among downtown residents and leaders that Omaha’s first mall west of 42nd Street would return to its glory at what remains one of the area’s busiest intersections.
Many proposals fell through before Krejci partnered with Lockwood on a plan to transform the 40 acres or so into a hub of entertainment, office, residential and retail activities. The cost is expected to reach about $600 million, with about $80 million in public tax-increment financing.
Among others of Krejci’s recent projects is the High Point, a multiple-building commercial complex that Century Development has assembled in the Elkhorn area near 204th Street north of West Dodge Road.
Kuehl helped Krejci market that property and said his brokerage work with Krejci spans perhaps 15 years, going back to the Pacific Springs commercial project near 158th and Pacific Streets.
“I couldn’t even begin to name all the projects Frank was involved in in the Omaha area,” he said.
Brazen, no filter, ‘golden touch’
No fuss, no filter, “golden touch”
Those who worked with Krejci said he was as determined as he was candid, unabashed and without much of a filter.
“He never pulled any punches,” Kuehl said. “Even if it wasn’t right, it was the way he saw it, and he didn’t apologize.”
Trenton Magid, of NAI NP Dodge and co-host of the “Grow Omaha” radio show, helped Krejci celebrate his 90th birthday. Magid sent a balloon ogram in which he had the singer describe his friend as “an equal perpetrator of all”.
“For someone who had so much of it, he wasn’t about money,” Magid said. “Money was just a way of keeping score. And he had the golden touch.”
A World War II veteran, Krejci was drafted into the Army shortly after graduating from Omaha Technical High School.
Deals, lots of them
After returning from battle, he bought an auto body business in Omaha and three years later, in 1950, used profits to buy his first real estate package.
A biography in a property listing said Krejci’s developments included Millard Business Park, Blackstone Centre, Nicholas Plaza, Centech Business Park and buildings in the Old Mill and North Park office parks.
Retail and residential projects included Nebraska Crossing Outlet Mall, Brentwood Square shopping center, Elk Ranch and Indian Pointe Estates, Valley Shores and projects in several other states including Arizona, Florida and Texas.
Magid said Krejci had an eye for choosing the right property and for real estate.
“He loved land, but he also loved something that was ruined and something he could improve,” he said.
After learning of his friend’s death, Magid sent a text to some colleagues: “I’m sure he offended a lot of people in line in front of the pearly gates. Tomorrow he will build houses.”
