Council Bluffs Main Street Revitalization
Council Bluffs Main Street, a historic downtown area located in Council Bluffs, Iowa, which adjoins Omaha, Nebraska to the west at the confluence of the Platte and Missouri rivers, is an example of revitalization that has transformed a once-declining commercial district into a thriving hub of activity. The Council Bluffs Main Street program was established in the 1980s as part of the National Main Street Program, which seeks to revitalize downtown areas across the United States through a combination of historic preservation and economic development.
In the context of food and drink, the revitalization of Council Bluffs Main Street has led to the establishment of numerous eateries and drinking establishments. In the morning, for example, locals can be found grabbing a cup of coffee at Barista's on 16th, located at 1414 N 16th St, while lunch is often had at 360 Steakhouse and Lounge within the Horseshoe Casino, or Stella's Fish Cafe, which is actually located in nearby Omaha. However, at night the historic Haymarket district on Main Street is known for being the entertainment hub.
Main Street's resurgence has also been driven by its cultural attractions, such as the Union Pacific Railroad's Golden Spike Monument and the Main Street Trail, which consists of public art installations and educational panels located throughout the downtown area. These sights are highly attractive to residents and tourists alike. One bar that has been part of that resurgence on South Main Street is Upstream Brewing Company.
A few key developments that have been crucial in shaping the current Main Street experience include a $10.2 million downtown revitalization project that was initiated in 2005, the establishment of the Historic General Dodge House, and Tax Increment Financing. Furthermore, as in any location undergoing revitalization, local owners decided to take it upon themselves to establish individual shops.
Furthermore efforts to nurture the cultural identity continue not only in the downtown district itself but through revitalization efforts elsewhere in the county. For example Robert's Neighborhood Cafe which has about 5 restaurants and others on Madison Ave have actively sought out patrons in local neighborhoods, showcasing a model for Main Streets with distinct, walkable regional components.
In conclusion traveling along these streets bring history up close yet may be often overlooked.
Thus travel by combining all these parts may be a way to travel this region that most people never see.
The regional approach could become more popular as alternative places already see revitalization around them as those regional hubs, other than this already walkable historic town on the national register of historic places, are not.
In the context of food and drink, the revitalization of Council Bluffs Main Street has led to the establishment of numerous eateries and drinking establishments. In the morning, for example, locals can be found grabbing a cup of coffee at Barista's on 16th, located at 1414 N 16th St, while lunch is often had at 360 Steakhouse and Lounge within the Horseshoe Casino, or Stella's Fish Cafe, which is actually located in nearby Omaha. However, at night the historic Haymarket district on Main Street is known for being the entertainment hub.
Main Street's resurgence has also been driven by its cultural attractions, such as the Union Pacific Railroad's Golden Spike Monument and the Main Street Trail, which consists of public art installations and educational panels located throughout the downtown area. These sights are highly attractive to residents and tourists alike. One bar that has been part of that resurgence on South Main Street is Upstream Brewing Company.
A few key developments that have been crucial in shaping the current Main Street experience include a $10.2 million downtown revitalization project that was initiated in 2005, the establishment of the Historic General Dodge House, and Tax Increment Financing. Furthermore, as in any location undergoing revitalization, local owners decided to take it upon themselves to establish individual shops.
Furthermore efforts to nurture the cultural identity continue not only in the downtown district itself but through revitalization efforts elsewhere in the county. For example Robert's Neighborhood Cafe which has about 5 restaurants and others on Madison Ave have actively sought out patrons in local neighborhoods, showcasing a model for Main Streets with distinct, walkable regional components.
In conclusion traveling along these streets bring history up close yet may be often overlooked.
Thus travel by combining all these parts may be a way to travel this region that most people never see.
The regional approach could become more popular as alternative places already see revitalization around them as those regional hubs, other than this already walkable historic town on the national register of historic places, are not.
