Council Bluffs Mayor Matt Walsh is pleased with how things are progressing near the base of the bridge.
“This is our front door for many people, so it will visibly change many people's perceptions of Council Bluffs when they come from the west,” said Mayor Walsh.
Construction has started at River’s Edge Park for a new community building and a water feature.
“It will start with a water wall and work its way down to a spray park,” said Mayor Walsh.
Mayor Walsh says the current projects are just small pieces to a larger $150 million master plan to be completed over the next decade.
“There will be several hundred apartments, some town homes, office buildings,” said Mayor Walsh.
But on the Nebraska side the plans aren’t solidified, so the possibilities of what’s to come are endless.
“I think a restaurant would be great, there are so many pretty views down here,” said one Omaha resident.
“I think it'd be fun to implement a slushie place or an ice cream place to get something and then walk on the bridge,” said Brighid Welchans.
“If you're going to bring a lot more down here it might spoil what it is, kind of being a nice outdoorsy type of feeling area,” said another resident.
Both Omaha and Council Bluffs have been talking with the non-profit Heritage Services about ways to draw more people and development to both sides of the riverfront.
The non-profit has even created a website called reimaginetheriverfront.com asking for input.
“I think it just needs more areas where a consumer could hang out,” said Maria Sakowski.
“Some gardens would be nice too,” added an out of town visitor.
Mayor Walsh says this project isn’t about who can make their side of the river better, it’s about brainstorming together.
“We need to work together to enhance the entire community,” said Mayor Walsh.
If you would like to give your input on the riverfront plans head to http://reimaginetheriverfront.com/
