Council Bluffs is seeking community input on potential expansion of transit services and infrastructure. This week, an open house was held to present potential Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and streetcar routes through Council Bluffs. Both would be extensions of either Omaha’s existing BRT route or future streetcar route. The presentation and public comment period are part of the city’s Planning and Environmental Linkages (“PEL”) Study. This type of study is used to support and examine potential transportation investments that would qualify for federal funding. Four alternatives are being considered. Three of the four utilize BRT but are routed through three different corridors: West Broadway, 2nd Avenue and 1st Avenue. The lone streetcar option would be routed along the 1st Avenue corridor and require a new multimodal bridge over the Missouri River to connect to the Omaha Streetcar system. The routes are being presented to the public as ways to enhance accessibility, improve mobility and...

Several south-side construction and development projects are making progress as part of a multi-organization redevelopment effort. Together the three projects comprise the South Omaha Multipronged Economic Development Project, managed by Midwest Businesses and Projects with support from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. The projects are all recipients of North & South Omaha Recovery Grants, which were designed to support public and private entities to respond to the negative impact of COVID-19 and to build resilient and innovative communities in North and South Omaha. Each project is being developed with private partner companies. Here’s a progress update: South Omaha Global Market – Phase I GPA Properties LLC is developing Phase I at 5125 South 24th Street. The project will create a mixed-use space for food, culture and entrepreneurship, incubate approximately 10 small businesses and generate about 150 construction jobs and 58 permanent jobs. Completion is...