“In the end, the project just became too divisive,” Slosburg said.

He said the organization is “taking a leap of faith” by selling the future HDR site, which Omaha Performing Arts had bought for its own possible expansion, without having an alternate site locked up.

Stothert welcomed the decision.

She said she was grateful that Omaha Performing Arts will still sell its parking lot land to HDR.

Stothert said she was surprised when John Gottschalk, chairman of the Omaha Performing Arts board, called her at noon Monday to say the group was withdrawing its desire to acquire the 11th and Douglas land and buildings.

Stothert said she talked briefly with HDR Chairman and CEO George Little on Monday. She said Little told her that HDR hopes to break ground as planned early this summer.

Stothert noted that she still opposed demolishing the Christian Specht building for parking, which had been talked about as a possibility for a Holland Center expansion.

“I think they (Omaha Performing Arts leaders) realized, as everyone did, that there was a public outcry and a sentiment that they didn’t want those buildings destroyed for what the public considered a parking garage,” Stothert said.