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A March 2008 opening is anticipated for The Marketplace Council Bluffs, a 400,000-square-foot retail shopping center on the southeast corner of the South 24th Street-Interstate 80 interchange.

Joe Kutilek, a partner with John Hughes in Omaha-based Magnum Development Corp., confirmed that plans have been submitted to the Council Bluffs Community Development Department.

Mayor Tom Hanafan said he heard a proposal for The Marketplace a few months ago and wasn't certain that it would happen.

"We're seeing a lot of different developments we didn't see before," he said. "That's nice to see."

Magnum Development buys existing properties and upgrades them and often brings in new tenants, Kutilek said. The company is involved in a 60-acre project with a Super Target at 120th and L Street in Omaha where dirt is expected to begin moving this fall. Magnum is partnering with Cormac, an Omaha-based commercial developer, on that project.

The development of the former Ak-Sar-Ben Racetrack property is another Magnum project, and Kutilek said the firm does much of its work outside the metro area.

The city's Planning Commission gave its unanimous nod to the preliminary plans for The Marketplace - Council Bluffs, proposed along South 24th Street, south of Interstate 80 and covering 49 acres.

One of the center's main entrances would align with the road that travels west to the Western Historic Trails Center on the other side of 24th Street. Six smaller stores, most of them eating establishments, would be at the front of the center, with other shops around a courtyard directly to the east.

The parking area would separate those stores from the larger retail establishments on the east side of the center, anchored by a 103,000-square-foot nationally known upscale department store.

An announcement on the name of that retailer should come within 30 days or so, Kutilek said.

There will be up to 14 smaller stores to the east of the anchor store, mostly famous-name retailers; and each store unique in architectural design.

The company should have the final plans for the center in February, with work to begin in the spring, Hughes said. The anchor store should be ready for shoppers in March 2008, with the other stores open for business in the following months.

Magnum Development Co. of Omaha has requested the council approve its preliminary plan for The Marketplace - Council Bluffs, proposed along South 24th Street, south of Interstate 80 and covering 49 acres. The shopping center is planned on the east side of the newly widened South 24th Street and will stretch all the way south to 34th Avenue, though land along that avenue would remain open for future development.

One of the center's main entrances would align with the road that travels west to the Western Historic Trails Center on the other side of South 24th Street. Six smaller stores, most of them eating establishments, would be in the front of the center, with other shops around a courtyard directly to the east.

The parking area would separate those stores from the larger retail establishments on the east side of the center, anchored by a 103,000-square-foot nationally known upscale department store. There would be more than a dozen smaller stores to the east of the anchor store, mostly famous-name retailers, with each store unique in architectural design.

The rumors are nearly unavoidable and have been around for weeks...

Is JC Penney, an original tenant, moving from Mall of the Bluffs to the new Marketplace - Council Bluffs?

JC Penney Mall of the Bluffs store manager Miller Derr would neither confirm nor deny the rumor and referred questions to JC Penney's corporate offices...

There's room for more retail in Council Bluffs, an area developer said, and that room should start to fill in the near future.

The City Council Monday night will hold a public hearing on the final plans for a commercial subdivision to be known as The Marketplace. . .

The size of the shopping and dining area will cover 353,000 square feet, with the vast majority of that devoted to retail stores. Approximately 21,200 square feet will be used for restaurants and 4,800 square feet will be set aside for fast food/coffee shops. . .

With council approval on Monday, it's hoped that construction could start this summer, he said.

The announcement of who will occupy the anchor location at the new Marketplace Shopping Center could come as early as May 1, a spokeswoman for the developer said Monday.

Meanwhile, the Council Bluffs City Council approved the final plans for the new shopping area to be located along South 24th Street just south of Interstate 29/80. . .

Approximately 21,200 square feet will be used for restaurants and 4,800 square feet will be set aside for fast food/coffee shops.

The size of the anchor store is to be 104,175 square feet, Ash said. Adjacent to the anchor will be five women's clothing stores new to Council Bluffs. There will also be a craft store, a pet supply store, a home specialty shop and a bookseller, all of whom are nationally known, Ash said.

It's hoped the anchor store can begin construction by June 1, she said. . .

Ben wrote:besides big name, wow, that's a BIG store at 104k sq/ft!!!!   That's got to be up there with the largest stores in the metro (trailing behind only Scheels, Bass Pro and Cabela's if memory serves me correctly).

Ben wrote:besides big name, wow, that's a BIG store at 104k sq/ft!!!!   That's got to be up there with the largest stores in the metro. . .

Ground will be broken July 10 for a large JC Penney Store at The Marketplace - Council Bluffs, a developer said Monday night. . .

"Penney's is due to open March 2, 2008," Ash said.

An 80,000-square-foot general merchandise retailer has just signed up for the center, she added, with an announcement on who that is in a month or so.

There will also be four nationally known women's clothing stores that will open in the early stages of the development, Ash said. Six smaller stores, most of them eating establishments, would be at the front of the center, with other shops around a courtyard directly to the east.

The City Council Monday night approved a development agreement with Magnum Realty for the center that would total 389,700 square feet with an estimated value of $29 million. To assist with the cost of site preparation, installation of infrastructure and to provide direct assistance to the economic development project, the company requested the use of tax increment financing. . .

icejammer wrote:Pretty sure that's JCP's new store.  East side of 24th, right?