I have lived in Council Bluffs since 1999 there was only one major mall, just off I-80. Mall of the Bluffs was closed down a couple years back, and demolished in the last year to be replaced by a much Larger Menards, I have not been out that way for a few months and don't know if the Menards and Post office are going to be the only things there . The are once again revitalizing the Main Street area to bring business back to the "center" of town. Midlands mall is now called the Omni Center and houses many offices that are focused on social services and health care.

That was interesting. I was born in 1959, I spent my grade school years moving back and forth from Omaha to Council Bluffs. I remember the names, Ranks, Benos, Peoples, Strand Theater, Playland Park and a few others, but I dont remember much about them. I spent my teens and 20s entirely in Omaha. My husband and I moved to Council Bluffs about 1990, just when the Midlands that I had never even known about was having final clearance sales, everything was pretty much stripped and most of the stores already closed. It was almost like moving to a new town because I didnt remember much about Council. Well no wonder with so much change. I am still here and never plan to move back to Omaha.

I love to hear about CB! Even though it’s impossible, would enjoy videos every week. My heart will always belong there.

@councilbluffsrevealed4429

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed the video, and thank you for taking the time to comment! Feedback like yours lets us know that this type of programming is finding a niche and is worth the time and resources put into it. Thanks again!

The problem with the CB city govt is that they're good with new ideas but terrible with maintaining them over the long run. Remember "Project Camelot" in the 80's where they put out concrete planters all over downtown? After the first year, the planters that had pretty flowers were left to fend for themselves and became eyesores full of weeds & trash. Same thing about "Christmas Town USA" in 1987. A good idea in it's first year but after that, it was left to rot. The malls were also good in their first year, but soon after that, they went downhill.

@johnepperson8867

2 жыл бұрын

December of 2021, I came back to C.B. to visit family. I walked around the inside of Midlands Mall, it brought back so many GREAT memories of the 70's.

@erlandson3141

Жыл бұрын

Exactly. Vacant houses of no historical import that looked like meth labs when I moved away in '79 looked exactly the same 40 years later. I'm fond of Council Bluffs and l had a good childhood there, but Jesus, where are the GIANT-made swingsets and slides and monkey bars? All that casino and convention money couldn't pay the insurance premium? I suppose the city isn't responsible for upkeep of Fairview Cemetery, but its "roads" are lamentable. Probably everyone here has heard the old saw about Gen. Dodge, who was headed out of town in 1916, and said to his minions in banking/publishing/real estate, "Now, goddamn it, don't do anything until I get back." He died on that trip, and they did as they were told.

@erlandson3141

Жыл бұрын

Speaking of concrete planters, how in the world did anyone think it a good idea to a put a 200-cubic-foot chunk of cement at the east end of the viaduct in the center of the road? In a muscle-car era! Three of my Bellevue classmates ran into it and were killed our senior year.

that areal photo at 10:22 is flopped. you can tell, as Oakland Avenue and running up the wrong side of the AT&T building. someone must have scanned that slide backwards!

@councilbluffsrevealed4429

Жыл бұрын

Nice Catch! Thanks! Many of these were scanned from slides, so it’s easy to do. Now that I look closer I see the sign on Beno’s is backwards, but hadn’t noticed that until you pointed this out. We’ll get that corrected in the archives so if this slide is used down the road for anything it will be correct. Thanks for taking the time to bring it to our attention.

This is a pretty good video. I grew up in Council Bluffs, living there from 1986 - 2001. Mall of the Bluffs Opened right as my family had moved to town. Is there any chance of finding more photos? I kind of feel that mall has a special place in my heart and it getting torn down in the previous year kind of wounded me. I would like to see the full Mall Directory if you have it. Thanks!

I was one of the kids who cut the ribbon. Wish I could have a picture of that.

❤️

I put all the tree's in midlands mall before they opened

@councilbluffsrevealed4429

Жыл бұрын

Cool! Must have been a big job, but those trees really gave the place personality.

@davidross4524

Жыл бұрын

@Council Bluffs Revealed yes it took us about two weeks me and a buddy knock it out. Could not do that now lol

Keep working on Council Bluffs but it’s still never getting any better. It seems like.

Sad video

At mall of the bluffs

I'm surprised anyone likes the Mall or defends it. It's a big, dumb cinder block that looks like a Stasi field office.

@oldschoolbedwetter1695

5 ай бұрын

"Stasi field office" 😆 Love it! The Brutalist style really does have an eastern European feel.

@jimwiskus8862

4 ай бұрын

It looked unfinished. Walking through it was like walking through a dry sewer. No stink, just no character. That was all destroyed along with the 100+ buildings. CB could have had their own Old Market. I know talk is cheap, but if I had endless funds, I raze the old mall and rebuild as much of downtown CB from any existing plans to using every photo I could get my hands on. Brick streets, vintage street lights and traffic signals. It will never, but u can always dream.