 ith
all the attention being recently focused on Omaha's riverfront
development and Mayor Mike Fahey's announcement of the proposed
$35 million Riverfront Place, where does that leave Council
Bluffs? According to city officials and representatives of the
development group that plans
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 Council
Bluff's One Renaissance Center will consist of two upscale condo towers and 120 apartments. |
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to build a $72 million condo and
apartment complex on the opposite side of the river, there is room
and enough interest to build both.Council
Bluffs does not plan to be left out of the newest interest trend
of folks wanting to 'get back to the river'. Aside from the 13
acres once known as Playland Park where One Renaissance Center is
to be built, most of the bluffs side will conform to more of a
huge riverfront park. Planners have a 5.5 mile stretch of land to
work with from Interstate 80 on the south to the Narrows County
Park on the north. Commercial development is not possible on much
of this land because it lies within a quarter-mile strip between
the river and the levee and could sustain flooding should
high-water conditions occur. One Renaissance Center will consist
of two upscale condo towers and 120 apartments. Construction is
planned to start on the first phase next spring which will begin
with a 17-story, 96-unit tower. It will house condos starting at
about $235,000 for 1,300 square foot of living space. Later phases
will begin after residency is established in the first tower. The
development will sit at the foot of the planned $22.6 million
pedestrian bridge on the Iowa side of the river.
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Artist
Rendering of 'One Renaissance Center' as viewed from the
Omaha side of the river. The proposed $72 million condo
and apartment complex is being designed by Omaha-based
architectural and engineering firm DLR Group. Signa
Development, a subsidiary of DLR, is in charge of the
development stages of the project. |
Other key elements being considered by Council Bluffs planners
include:
- A 1.5-mile chute, created with the help of the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, that would create
Discovery Island. The area would include nature
walks and primitive campsites.
- Festival grounds, picnic areas and play equipment
visible from the pedestrian bridge.
- A 9-acre lake between the levee and the river's
edge.
- A new trail head for bicyclists near the Council
Bluffs Water Works.
- A possible marina south of the Ameristar Casino
Hotel.
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These proposals are dependent on a number of factors that are
out of the city's control. For instance, the chute and island
could only be built if approved by the Corps of Engineers and an
estimated $4.5 million from the Iowa West Foundation would be
needed to create the lake, parking and other improvements.
The two developments, separated only by the Missouri River,
will also be connected by the new pedestrian bridge and should
offer something for everyone venturing down near the waterfront.
As for those of us who have been enjoying the river for many
years, it brings a whole new look to what we once saw while
cruising on our boats through this area - definitely better scenery! 
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