Downtown Renovation Gaining Speed

[icejammer]

Downtown renovation gains speed

The phone rings more often these days at the Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce; a long-awaited facelift is beginning to take shape in downtown Council Bluffs.

This kind of ties in with a thread a little ways down the page: http://www.eomaha.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3467

[icejammer]

A nice turnout for this meeting:

Downtown Bluffs' rebirth studied

Mayor Tom Hanafan was hardly surprised by what he heard during a Tuesday luncheon at Bayliss Hall where a group of consultants from the International Downtown Association provided a quick review of their two days of studying the city's old downtown area.

But he was shocked by the 200 people who attended meetings during the two days - about 15 to 20 times the number the IDA team said usually take part in such preliminary sessions.

[DTO Luv]

I can see DTCB from my place. If they had even a Sioux City sized DT it would be awesome.

[icejammer]

Not much by itself, but shows businesses are serious about improving the area...

Preservation to continue in the 100 block of West Broadway

Renovation to bring back the historic nature of the 100 block of West Broadway, the oldest commercial block in Council Bluffs, continues.

The city's Historic Preservation Commission on Wednesday unanimously approved requests for exterior enhancements by the owners of two businesses on that block.

[icejammer]

A little late coming, but welcome news to see this effort underway:

Input sought on downtown design standards

The Pottawattamie County Development Corp., through the Downtown Revitalization Fund, has commissioned the Chicago-based urban landscape-design firm Camiros to compile downtown design standards to be used on commercial and mixed-use downtown properties.

So far, Camiros has prepared preliminary work outlining the downtown districts and general guidelines. Public input is now being sought before advancing the project.

A public meeting has been planned for Wednesday, Feb. 28, at the Council Bluffs Public Library, 400 Willow St., to gather input on guidelines for the future look of downtown development. . .

[icejammer]

Design standards for downtown focus of meeting

The changing face of downtown Council Bluffs will begin to come into focus during a series of meetings Wednesday at the Council Bluffs Public Library. . .

So far, Camiros has prepared preliminary work outlining the downtown districts and general guidelines. Plans call for a traditional downtown district, a contemporary downtown district, an industrial area and an auto-oriented commercial (fast food-related) district.

The area is several blocks on each side and runs, roughly, from the Broadway viaduct and along Kanesville and Broadway to where the streets meet. Also included is the area south along Pearl and Main to 16th Avenue. . .

Formal presentations and question-and-answer sessions will be from noon to 1 p.m. and from 5 to 6 p.m. A general open house is planned from noon until 7 p.m.

[icejammer]

Plan in works to renovate business district

Downtown Council Bluffs is comprised of four distinct areas, landscape professionals said Wednesday. The goal for future development is to build designs that create a cohesive feel among these districts, without sacrificing the desired unique qualities of the development, they said.

"The goal is to create new development that has respect for what's there but still has its own style," said Douglas Hammel, an associate consultant for the Chicago-based Camiros firm. . .

Following are some of the major suggestions for future development for each of the districts:


Traditional District

- Maintain urban street wall by siting the buildings along the front property line.

- Locate parking behind buildings and provide access from side streets or alley.

- Prohibit drive-thru functions that disrupt the pedestrian environment.


Contemporary District

- Structures should be built to the property line on primary frontage and to secondary frontage lines and corners where possible.

- Parking should be located along secondary frontage with access from secondary streets and alleys.

- Drive-thru activity may be provided and should be accessed from secondary streets where possible.


Auto-oriented District

- Allow drive-thru activities that minimize conflicts with pedestrian activity and provide for logical traffic circulation.

- Provide decorative fencing and/or landscaping along parking areas to maintain a sidewalk edge and provide a safety buffer for pedestrians.

- Buildings should hold corners where possible, and parking should be located behind the building or towards the middle of the block.


Industrial Area

- Manufacturing and warehouse structures may be set back towards the center of the site to minimize impact on adjacent parcels.

- Encourage parking access from secondary streets.

- Create landscaping buffers between industrial structures and adjacent properties.

[icejammer]

Survey to be done of downtown business opportunities

Throughout the month of July, the Pottawattamie Growth Alliance will be conducting a survey of 500 properties in the central downtown Council Bluffs district.

Information from the study will be used to gain an accurate picture of local downtown conditions and identify growth opportunities for the future.

"With the creation of the Downtown Revitalization Fund, we needed a snapshot of current real estate trends, including rent levels and vacancy, in order to measure its need, success and effectiveness," said Sheryl Garst, director of redevelopment. "This survey will not only assist us in measuring the fund's success but also show us areas that are still in need of improvement, whether it is a certain section of the district or what types of businesses are lacking in our downtown."

The survey's results will provide the statistical information needed to push for more action and preserve the economic stability of the downtown area, as well as recruit new investment and tenants to the downtown district. . . .

[DTO Luv]

Does the area kind of north of Downtown along the curvy part of Kanesville still fall under "Downtown" CB or is another area entirely. I really like it around there.

[icejammer]

No, I don't think downtown is considered to cross Kanesville.  The area you're thinking of is pretty neat, I'm drawing a blank on the name right now, but it's being considered for adding to the National Register of Historic Places, like a couple other neighborhoods in town.

[DTO Luv]

Maybe they can call it NoDoCoBlu.

[icejammer]

Progress continues on restorations

What was once a vacant storefront is now alive with the lovely scent of flowers.
A few steps away, another business that was always open is nearing the end of major renovation.

Progress is indeed continuing on the redevelopment of the 100 block of West Broadway, the oldest commercial block in Council Bluffs.

One might even say a milestone is coming in the next few days. . . .

[thenewguy]

I talked to the owner of Main Street Tavern today and he said that there have been officials coming by, pushing to have their establishment join in and refurbish their building front, etc.  He said that some lawyers offices, bike shop, etc, have already signed on for the "free money" to do the work.  He said that any business planning on staying in the area for 5 or more years is eligible for the money.  I'm not sure if it would be some sort of tax credit or grant, but that's what he said.  He said that they were very persistent and that they wanted to get the entire project rolling at full steam.  I'm not sure if any of this has been covered (i'm sure it has) but i'm sick and didn't feel like going through and reading all the other posts to be sure ;)

[icejammer]

I'm not sure if any of this has been covered . . .

The posts 5, 6, 7, and 8 above yours are probably what you're looking for.  Good to see the City is being so aggressive in getting this moving.