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Friday, May 28, 2010
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The 100 block of Broadway has gone through major rennovations and updates recently to make it look and feel more like an Old Market type setting.
Business owners suggest ways to improve Bluffs MIKE BROWNLEE Staff Writer mike.brownlee@nonpareilonline.com (712) 325-5732
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he group’s experience ranges from more than thirty years to less than two and everywhere in between. Business owners on the 100 block of Broadway are in the middle of a downtown renaissance, as renovations by the city refurbish and redefine the area. More sidewalk space, outdoor seating at bars, where alcohol can now be served, along with a facelift for the strip are all part of a streetscape campaign. But what else can be done? The Daily Nonpareil asked business owners on the 100 block, “What does downtown Council Bluffs need?” “I think what we need are more different kinds of retail shops to make it more attractive,” said Don Way, owner of Lazy Mule Leather at 115 W. Broadway. “What (the city’s) shooting for is an Old Market effect, but when you go to the Old Market there’s shops in between those bars and restaurants. We’re lacking that down here.” Glory Days bar is the latest brand-new establishment downtown, opening in March of 2009. Owner Brandon Juon agreed with Way. “The more retail the better,” Juon said. “I’d also like to see a chain restaurant down here.” The major problem business owners see downtown: parking. “We definitely need more parking. There’s limited parking out front and it’s going to be an even bigger problem (after the renovations),” Way said. “A nice two- or three-story parking garage in the empty lot would be wonderful.” “What do we need? Mostly parking. We have a real problem with bar parking at night,” said Sean Lidgett, owner of Lidgett Music and a 22-year veteran of the 100 block. “Cars will be three-deep at night in our lot. People who live upstairs can’t park. There are cars banging into other cars…” More than one business owner, including Way and Steve Batten, owner of
TrueWheel bike shop, said as much as they love bar food, a different kind of restaurant is needed downtown. “I think we need a fine dining eatery,” said Batten. “I don’t think we really have any of that. We have good food; we could have great food.” Batten, who has owned TrueWheel since 2006 and worked at the shop off and on since “I was 14 years old,” said he’d like to see more action on the south side of Broadway. “It would be nice to see some housing go up across the street (on the south side),” Batten said. “It needs to be cleaned up a little more, especially in the back end,” said Keith Skinner of Bluffs Sewing and Vacuum. “People need to work on the backs of their buildings, and we need to have underground utilities put in back.” Skinner is the dean of downtown owners. He bought his shop in 1977 and eventually purchased the two buildings next to it and a rental property in back. Skinner said he hopes the city and chamber of commerce continue to promote the area, including agreeing with Way that the city should take a page from the Omaha playbook. “I don’t think we can say it’s nothing but a bar block with a bunch of drunks anymore,” Skinner said. “We have to keep it up with sort of an Old Market image. The city has to work with all the tenants to do that.” The owners agreed that the refurbishing project would be a boon for business when complete. “I think it’s tremendous,” Batten said. “There’s just a lot more people using the walk space, people enjoying the new renovations.” Lidgett said he’s already seen a difference. “Our first quarter was great. And it seems like people have a better attitude when they walk in,” he said. “I appreciate the work.” Said Juon: “I think it’s been great for Council Bluffs. It keeps people home; people are now more willing to stay in Council Bluffs and support local businesses. It’s a nice area for all ages. On a typical weekend people from 21 to 70 years old are in my bar. And each bar offers something different.”