The Plaza at Mid-America Center

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TitosBuritoBarn
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Post by TitosBuritoBarn »

Good, retail is finally starting to move into the MAC. Its about time.....
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Post by OmahaDevelopmentMan »

It's about time this place started to see something other than Bass Pro Shop, this will add to the theme so to speak. I mean a country BBQ place, and a Bass Pro shop, perfect for council bluffs (just kidding, i love ya cb)
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Post by eomaha »

Famous Dave's actually was planning on that Mid America Plaza location for years now (no doubt just waiting for someone else to go in along with them).
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Post by DTO Luv »

Do they really need two within 3 miles of each other? There's already one DT.
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Post by almighty_tuna »

The river is a big wall which prevents us from crossing into Council Bluffs! ;)

Seriously though, I think it will be a totally different crowd going to that FD. It will play off the popularity of Bass Pro Shops and MAC events.
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Post by eomaha »

They'll both do fine. I'll tell you something else... this location is somewhat unique along I-80. I mean think about it... there really aren't any 'Apple Bee type' chain restaurants anywhere in the metro along I-80 (I take that back... the Manawa power center is probably the only other one... guess CB has this market cornered). You have to go further into the city/suburbs to get to them. Chain 'hungry' travelers are going to... well... eat this up. This is one of the reasons I'm expecting something much bigger, than just Embassy Suites... at the South Port development. It is a great I-80/Papio-La Vista location.
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Post by CountOfMC »

jhuston wrote: This is one of the reasons I'm expecting something much bigger, than just Embassy Suites... at the South Port development. It is a great I-80/Papio-La Vista location.
I agree here.. there is some real potential in this area with great interstate access. I don't know if anyone pays attention to details like I do but around I-80 @ 144th St. there's a wonderful view of the city at night.. it's like the whole city opens up and you feel like you're in one of these "outer rings" heading further into the city.. if you look in the distance you'll know what I'm talking about.

Anyone been to Gretna lately? They've been grading a lot of land out there.. anyone know what's going on? More houses I assume?
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Post by jsheets »

I think Cracker Barrel benefits from this same theory, and is why they are always packed. Coming from the West it is the first, and maybe the only, recognizable chain-style restaurant off of the interstate. Also, as mentioned before, a chain style restaurant near the zoo and stadium could benefit from the same proximity to the interstate...
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Opening is drawing closer

Post by icejammer »

Famous Dave's expected to open in February
CHAD NATION, Staff Writer 12/07/2004

Start salivating, the barbecue is coming.

Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que will move into 7,800 square feet of space at the Plaza, near the Mid-America Center.

The new restaurant will feature an exclusive take-out pick-up area, catering capabilities and a bar.

Paul Comeau, president of the Plaza, said that the Council Bluffs Famous Dave's will be the biggest in the metro.

Willy Theisen owns the restaurant chain's four locations in Omaha. He will also own the Council Bluffs operation.

Theisen is well known in the area for starting the Godfather's Pizza chain.

He opened the first Godfather's in Omaha in 1973. The company went public in 1982 and was later sold to Pillsbury.

The new Famous Dave's will feature a theme that has only appeared in two other stores nationally. The concept is called the Smokehouse.

Comeau expects the eatery to be open in the first part of February.

"It's going to be a phenomenal store," Comeau said. "Mr. Theisen has been quite successful with Famous Dave's."

Comeau said that the addition of Famous Dave's is the first of what he hopes will be many national tenants at the Plaza.

"Everything has been on hold until the Bass Pro Shops had their final development plans ready," he said. "Now that we can see where their store will be, others can begin to plan accordingly."

Construction of Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World canceled Comeau's plans of building two additional buildings to join the current two on-site at the Plaza. It's a development that he has accepted.

"I am not sure if everyone understands what a major, major development the Bass Pro Shop will be," he said. "It will take a little time to develop the area, but in three to five years, you won't recognize it."

Construction of Outdoor World has already forced the designers to shift the current path of 27th Avenue. The road will be re-routed to the north, around the store and closer to the Plaza.

While Comeau loses land, he gains from Bass Pro's ability to draw 3,000 people a day and between 12,000 and 14,000 on the weekend.

"The area is a work in progress, and Famous Dave's is going to be a great addition," he said.

Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que features hickory-smoked St. Louis-style ribs, Texas Beef Brisket, and Famous Dave's award-winning Rich and Sassy Barbecue sauce. Additionally, the menu offers BBQ and Country Roasted Chicken, BBQ sandwiches, burgers and salads. Plus, the restaurant serves up such down-home classics as made-from-scratch cole slaw, potato salad, Wilbur Beans, corn bread muffins and Famous Fries.

Famous Dave's delectable homemade desserts include its award-winning bread pudding and hot fudge Kahlua brownie.

Having won awards for everything from best sauce to best ribs to best cookbook, Famous Dave's has received wide acclaim and praise from customers and critics alike.

©Daily Nonpareil 2004
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Post by eomaha »

I'm excited... hopefully Bass Pro will help attract some interesting new retailers.
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Post by icejammer »

It's taken more than 3 years, but it looks like maybe, maybe, another major tenant is preparing to move into The Plaza, as work is being done on several bays on the north building, closest to the MAC.  Of course, the recent announcement of 4-6 months free rent might have been an enticing feature...
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thenewguy
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Post by thenewguy »

that's a pretty decent amount of space!  I always wondered when that would happen, though some people I've spoken with said that the rent was pretty ridiculous...  i wonder what it will be.
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Post by thenewguy »

it'd be good if someone had the money to do a nice sports bar.  Serve some food, but specialize in drinks and entertainment so that it differentiates itself from Famous Dave's.  I think that if they got a good sports bar and a shop or 2 and things will be much more enticing for bass pro, and better for anyone looking to go in there.  Having some more concerts and events at the MAC won't hurt, either.
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Post by thenewguy »

any word on what is going on there?  They're getting to work on the entry way and it seems rather large...
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Post by thenewguy »

I'm giving this a bump because I'm having a heck of a time finding it out...  what do you think icejammer?  Find anything out at all?
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Post by icejammer »

I haven't heard anything that's panned out, but then again, I haven't had much time to find out.
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thenewguy
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Post by thenewguy »

saw today as i drove by on the interstate that there are new awnings (charcoal and burgundy striped) on the exterior of the new development in that building now
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icejammer
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Post by icejammer »

What a huge disappointment this continues to be...

Social Security office moving to new location Sept. 21
The Council Bluffs Social Security office will soon be moving to a location in the Mid-America Center area.

Doors will open at its new site, 20 Arena Way, Suite 1, on Monday, Sept. 21, said Denise Jones, office manager. . . .
What really chaps my hide is this:
The office outgrew its current location, Jones said, and after reviewing several sites, Social Security officials felt the MAC area was the best. . .
AND...
It will be about the same size as the current office, but with a new layout that should provide more efficient service . . .
So, same space, just different (and wasting our tax dollars redoing everything), right?  So the developer is basically tossing in the towel on this one and practically giving the space away, right?  The developer (from Omaha) has no interest in seeing this shopping area succeed in attracting retail, right?    :evil:
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Post by nebugeater »

My guess is that they have tried.  To think they haven't is short sited.  I bet this is not an area that some of the suggestions mentioned want to go with what I guess was HIGH rent to start with.  Once it sat empty for a long time it feeds on itself and even if the rent goes down no one wants to be first.  Why would you want to open in an area with nobody there and not the easiest to get to for a quick stop at a retail store.
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Post by icejammer »

No one's saying they haven't tried, but I don't think they've put nearly as much effort into this as some of their other properties.  The developer is currently trying to market another small retail strip mall right across from Quaker Steak and Lube (supposed to be called Clock Tower Plaza), and he can't even begin to fill this one without stooping to getting the Social Security office?  Nobody has to worry about being first, Famous Dave's has been sitting down there for several years now - yet, the developer can only bring in a chiropractor and a govt. office.  Not acceptable in my book.
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Post by S33 »

icejammer wrote:No one's saying they haven't tried, but I don't think they've put nearly as much effort into this as some of their other properties.  The developer is currently trying to market another small retail strip mall right across from Quaker Steak and Lube (supposed to be called Clock Tower Plaza), and he can't even begin to fill this one without stooping to getting the Social Security office?  Nobody has to worry about being first, Famous Dave's has been sitting down there for several years now - yet, the developer can only bring in a chiropractor and a govt. office.  Not acceptable in my book.
I don't know if you've seen all the empty storefront bays around the metro the last couple of years, I think they are just happy to finally have a tenant. (Which I completely understand) If there were better more appropriate options for that area, they would have found them. It is a shame an entertainment "district" will be watered down with the likes of a s.s. office though.
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Post by icejammer »

S33 wrote:
icejammer wrote:No one's saying they haven't tried, but I don't think they've put nearly as much effort into this as some of their other properties.  The developer is currently trying to market another small retail strip mall right across from Quaker Steak and Lube (supposed to be called Clock Tower Plaza), and he can't even begin to fill this one without stooping to getting the Social Security office?  Nobody has to worry about being first, Famous Dave's has been sitting down there for several years now - yet, the developer can only bring in a chiropractor and a govt. office.  Not acceptable in my book.
I don't know if you've seen all the empty storefront bays around the metro the last couple of years, I think they are just happy to finally have a tenant. (Which I completely understand) If there were better more appropriate options for that area, they would have found them. It is a shame an entertainment "district" will be watered down with the likes of a s.s. office though.
This has been nearly empty for over 5 years though, well before 2 other developers started on Metro Crossing and The Marketplace, they had plenty of opportunity to get something before now.
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Post by icejammer »

Shocker! </sarcasm>

Plaza to be sold at auction
The Plaza – located at 20 Arena Way, near the Mid-America Center – will be sold at a Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s auction.

Court documents indicated Mutual of Omaha LoanPro filed a mortgage foreclosure petition in December 2009 against CMK Development LLC, which built The Plaza in 2003.

In October 2010, a Fourth District Court judge ruled in favor of Mutual of Omaha.

According to the sheriff’s office foreclosure posting, more than $5.5 million is still owed on the property. . .
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Post by thenewguy »

that really sucks.  Lots of good lookin space, i wish they would have been aggressive and gotten some tenants in there before they went into the outdoor malls.
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Re: The Plaza at Mid-America Center

Post by Omaha_Gabe »

Firm seeks approval to develop plaza next to Mid-America Center
The firm is seeking $2.1 million in tax increment financing from the city, part of its total estimated cost of $11,400,000 in restructuring the two buildings and seeking tenants.
The developing firm plans to create new entrances elsewhere on the two buildings so that all business, current and future, face the parking lots, he said.
http://www.nonpareilonline.com/news/loc ... 47b2c.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Re: The Plaza at Mid-America Center

Post by skinzfan23 »

I can't believe how long the buildings have sat mostly vacant. Obviously a lot of that has to do with the Mid America Center not having a tenant. It would be great to see these get filled in with some shops and restaurants.

I couldn't find the original rendering, but The Plaza was supposed to have a total of four buildings, with the southernmost two having an opposite layout of the current buildings.
Here is the rendering I could find:
Image
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Re: The Plaza at Mid-America Center

Post by Omaha_Gabe »

City Council tables MAC Plaza decision

http://www.nonpareilonline.com/news/loc ... f887a.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


A memo of understanding from Council Bluffs officials, requested by the developing firm of Mid-America Partners, was pulled off the City Council agenda following an in-house meeting of city officials Friday, said City Attorney Richard Wade.

“We’re a little apart on numbers,” he said.
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Re: The Plaza at Mid-America Center

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Foundation seeks new use for MAC plaza
A new effort has started to bring life to a long under-utilized area near the Council Bluffs Mid-America Center.

The Iowa West Foundation has purchased what is sometimes called the “spine” or the buildings in the center’s plaza, IWF President and CEO Pete Tulipana said Wednesday.

The purchase totaled $1.9 million. The intent is to seek entertainment-oriented businesses there, Tulipana said.

“We’ve got a great theater down there, a casino, good restaurants,” he said. “We just need to continue that development.” . . .
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