Development

District catalyst and award winning historic renovation of residential and commercial space.

The two-story brick structure was built in 1917 to house the Hughes-Irons Motor Company, an auto sales and service center. The building was in disrepair at the time of renovations. The second floor served as an auto repair garage for 54 years and is now 17 apartments. The main floor was refurbished into commercial space which houses the Council Bluffs Chamber of Commerce, Jefferson’s Lounge and Lincoln’s Pub among many other smaller commercial tenants.

The 712 Initiative purchased the building in 2006 and was ultimately the developer of the property utilizing many sources of financing including but not limited to: Iowa West Foundation, Southwest Iowa Foundation, Federal and State Historic Tax Credits, New Market Tax Credits, tax increment financing, and traditional private financing. Today the building is part of the 100 West Broadway Historic District in downtown Council Bluffs. Original architectural elements like wood and ceramic floors, garage doors, leaded glass transom panels, and the historic building façade were cleaned and restored.

Commercial – 13,000 sq.ft. on street level including Lincoln’s Pub, Jefferson’s Lounge, Council Bluffs Chamber of Commerce, and Advance Southwest Iowa

Residential – 17 apartments: 11 1-bedroom and 6 2-bedroom units

Parking – 7,540 sq.ft. of interior, street level space was converted into 19 parking spaces for the residential users of the building

Developer: The 712 Initiative

Architect: Alley Poyner Macchietto

Sources of Financing: Iowa West Foundation, Downtown Revitalization Fund, Southwest Iowa Foundation, New Markets Tax Credits, Rehabilitation Tax Credits, tax increment financing, forgivable storefront loan, deferred developer fee, traditional bank financing

3 story mixed use new construction containing 26 apartments, 10 row homes, a parking structure, and first floor commercial space.

The property was purchased and cleared by the 712 Initiative after the community determined that the existing building was beyond repair. The site was highly contaminated with numerous leaking underground storage tanks which were disposed of and land remediated prior to developer recruitment. The completed project helped to continue the urban wall, matching that of the north side of the Historic 100 Block while adding much needed residential density to add to the district vitality and increased activity.

Residential: 19 income restricted units, 17 market rate unit

Commercial: 9,300 sq.ft. including Smith Peterson Law Office & Verizon

712 Role: Site assembly, demolition, environmental remediation, gap financing

Developer & General Contractor: J Development

Sources of Funds: City HOME, tax increment financing, 712 Downtown Revitalization Fund, deferred developer fee, traditional bank financing

Historic renovation of creative live/work space with 36 affordable housing units for artists.

Two 4-story warehouses were built in 1891 and 1896 for International Harvester, a manufacturer and distributor of farm implements, have been used for dry storage the past fifty years. In 2003, the 712 Initiative purchased the property from ConAgra with intent to market to a developer for a residential use.  In 2006, seeking to revitalize downtown Council Bluffs, Artspace was invited to explore the feasibility of transforming a former International Harvester Warehouse into an affordable live/work project for artists. The Harvester is a four-story building with approximately 47,000 square feet in the main structure and an additional 24,000 square feet in a spacious one-story addition that dates from 1928.

This sturdy brick structure has found new life as the Harvester Artspace Lofts, a 36-unit project that also provides 5,320 square feet of space for arts-friendly commercial use, including a thriving coffee shop and meeting space, and an award- winning florist. Since its completion in 2010, the Harvester has become a welcome addition to the area’s arts scene. Among its residents are a number of artists who have moved from Omaha to take advantage of the Harvester’s affordable rents. The Harvester is part of a burgeoning renaissance of downtown Council Bluffs that has seen the addition of several creative businesses and restaurants in recent years.

Residential: 36 affordable housing units for artists

Commercial: 5,320 sq.ft. including Oracle Art Supply, Loess Hills Floral, Guitar Lessons

712 Role: Acquisition, gap financing

Sources of Financing: 712 Downtown Revitalization Fund, Low Income Housing Tax Credits, Tax Increment Financing

Comprehensive exterior and interior renovation of historic hotel structure into retail and office space.

Originally a hotel with 75 rooms, this property is two buildings that were joined together. The south portion was built in 1880 with the north built in 1884. As owners changed, so did the building’s use. By 1953, the first floor was operated as Sam’s Supermarket through the late 1970s. By this time the upper floors were condemned and no longer used.

The property owners, Deb & Pete Petersen, took on a complete renovation of the property. The second and third stories were unoccupied and unfinished spaces. The renovation included all new windows, including new windows & doors, tuckpointing, paint, cornice repair, sprinkler system, HVAC and elevator.

Retail and office space is available.

Sources of Funds: 712 Downtown Fund Low Interest Loan, Rehabilitation Tax Credits, Deferred Developer Fee

Historic renovation of commercial space for Council Bluffs Saving Bank, now Availa Bank headquarters.

The building was originally constructed as the office and printing operation for The Daily Nonpareil newspaper. In 1963, the Nonpareil embarked on a major addition to the south that connected directly to the south façade of the 1926 structure. The entire west façade of the new structure and 1926 structure was covered over with large, windowless precise concrete panels.

In 2003 the Nonpareil moved to a new location. The 712 Initiative acquired the property in 2004 and the property remained vacant and secured until the right development concept developed. In 2005, Council Bluffs Saving Bank, now Availa, expressed interest in making the old Nonpareil Building as their main branch. The 712 in partnership with the City of Council Bluffs and National Development Council secured multiple sources of financing to make the project work including but not limited to: New Markets Tax Credits, City Section 108 loan, historic tax credits and tax increment financing.

The building’s face was restored to the original 1926 brick, the previous facade dismantled/removed, and the south end, added in 1963, was demolished. A smaller urban wall was then created to preserve a physical presence where the bank’s drive-thru and parking are located.

Developer: J Development

Architect: Schemmer & Associates

The 712 Initiative’s Role: Site assembly, tenant and developer recruitment, gap financing

Sources of Financing: New Markets Tax Credits, Rehabilitation Tax Credits, Section 108 loan, tax increment financing, 712 acquisition loan, deferred developer fee, 712 forgivable storefront loan

Historic renovation of the Old Kirn Gym into 20 market rate loft style apartments.

Built in 1926, the gym was originally called Abraham Lincoln for the high school that once sat across the street. After a fire at the high school and relocation, it was renamed Kirn Gym. By 1976, the gym was being used for various school events but was used less and less. The Council Bluffs Community School district contacted the 712 asking for disposal assistance. J Development was recruited and received a discounted acquisition price for the property in order to redevelop.  It now remains as an architectural active jewel in the Gibraltar neighborhood.

Residential: 20 units

712 Role: Developer recruitment, gap financing

Architect: Alley Poyner Macchietto

Sources of Financing: Council Bluffs Community Schools (discounted acquisition), 712 Downtown Revitalization Fund, traditional bank financing

Restoration of historic downtown mixed use structure into 30 residential units.

With the assistance of the 712 Initiative (Pottawattamie County Development Corporation), the Bennett Building, formerly known as the Ervin Building, was redeveloped using Low-Income Housing and Historic Tax Credits into affordable senior housing.  The Bennett Building is located on the corner of 4^th and Broadway Streets.  Constructed in 1923, the seven-story building deteriorated through lack of maintenance over the years, but the historic façade was sustained.  Working in partnership with NuStyle Development Corporation, the building was acquired, the exterior of the building was renovated, and the interior was redeveloped into 30 affordable apartment units.

The building was restored to resemble its original appearance, and each apartment was developed to include high efficiency furnaces and air conditioning, microwave ovens, dishwashers, and laundry facilities.  The Bennett Building provides affordable housing for fixed income elderly persons.  The building holds thirty units, benefiting approximately 60-fixed income elderly persons.  This project was identified as a high priority for rehabilitation in the CB-21 Plan, the strategic development blueprint for Council Bluffs.  Total project cost was $3 million with an $287,517 grant from the 712/Iowa West Foundation to kickoff the project.

Sources of Funds: 712 (PCDC)/Iowa West Foundation acquisition grant, Rehabilitation Tax Credits, Low Income Housing Tax Credits, City of Council Bluffs Tax Increment Financing

Developer: NuStyle Development

Urban revitalization of South Main salvage yard into 80 unit independent senior housing facility.

The 712 Initiative purchased, cleared and remediated contamination of an old gas station and salvage yard on the 800 block of South Main in 2003 with hopes of constructing a senior housing facility to complement the new senior center a block north. This proposed use was outlined in the City’s Downtown Master Plan and Urban Renewal Plan. The proposed housing project was $12 million, of which $4.6 million was financed by State of Iowa low income housing tax credits.

This project not only revived the immediate site but the district as a whole, allowing interest and investment in 805 S. Main, 823 S. Main new mixed use development and the Harvester warehouse revival into the Harvester Artist Lofts and the Pottawattamie Arts Cultural Entertainment (PACE) Hoff Arts Center.

Sources of Funds: 712 Acquisition Loan, Low Income Housing Tax Credits, Tax Increment Financing, Iowa West Foundation site assembly & demolition grant

Funding for the acquisition, renovation or preservation of historic or priority buildings in downtown Council Bluffs.

The Storefront Grants Program, part of the Community Revitalization Fund, encouraged eligible properties to undertake comprehensive exterior repairs and improvements to historic commercial properties. The program provided grants or equity-like loans structured to accommodate other redevelopment financing tools. Many properties were able to improve their storefront with these funds which changed the face of the 100 Block and Haymarket districts.

The projects resulted in improved structural and visual quality of these properties and provided additional commercial, retail, and residential opportunities. Program has also motivated other property owners in the district to make improvements.

Property acquisition and demolition of several structures to create West Broadway entry feature.

The 36^th Street and West Broadway community entrance was the first step of a comprehensive corridor improvement plan that includes landscaping and image enhancement. The project consisted of the acquisition and demolition of several structures in the west entryway of the West Broadway Corridor. The site has been vacant and in a dilapidated state since the early 1990’s.

The properties acquired were the Schrier Car Lot, the former Holiday Gas station, and the Fat Jaks nightclub.  After the 712 Initiative acquired and demolished all of the structures on the site the Iowa West Foundation constructed the West Broadway entry feature.  Total project cost $2.1 million.

Partners: The Iowa West Foundation, the City of Council Bluffs & The 712 Initiative (Pottawattamie County Development Corporation)

The 712 Initiative role: Site assembly & demolition of blighted properties.

Acquired/demolished 11 structures and relocated 4-blocks of rail line, at a cost of $2.9 million to prepare a site for plant expansion.

The first redevelopment project in the South Main Urban Renewal area was conducted to allow ConAgra room to expand their plant and to allow for additional employee parking.  The project consisted of the 712 Initiative (Pottawattamie County Development Corporation) purchasing and demolishing 11 structures.  The railroad line from 12^th Street to 16^th Avenue was also removed and relocated.  ConAgra has since completed multiple expansions.  The total project cost $2.9 million. The expansion increased the plant valuation from $6.9 million to $20.3 million, a 190% increase. This was also the 1st redevelopment project in the South Main Urban Renewal area.

Relocation of existing business to retain 150 jobs and redevelopment of old site.

Omaha Standard had outgrown their location and needed a new site in order to keep up with industry standards. Retaining the jobs within Council Bluffs was a priority and a site on S. 11^th Street was found. In September 2004, the 712 Initiative secured a purchase option with Omaha Standard for their West Broadway property, after they announced the consolidation of their three manufacturing facilities. In 2005, the 712 and the City of Council Bluffs agreed to expand the redevelopment project to include four additional properties immediately to the west of Omaha Standard. These properties were highly contaminated and were remediated through the State of Iowa’s underground storage tank fund.  Monitoring of these sites is still ongoing. There were also incredibly blighted properties adjacent to the contaminated parcels that were unsafe for the Thomas Jefferson High School student population. The acquisition of these sites opened up two entire city blocks or 7.2 acres for redevelopment, which now includes a Hy-Vee, Hy-Vee Gas, and First National Bank, all new commercial space on the West Broadway corridor. This placed a grocery store in an under-served neighborhood. The construction of the new facility was also the first New Markets Tax Credit projects in the country which was facilitated by the National Development Council.

Sources of Funds: City of Council Bluffs Tax Increment Financing, 712 Loan, Private consortium of lenders with line of credit for acquisition and demolition, State of Iowa IDNR Underground Storage Tank fund.

Site assembly and demolition of slum and blighted properties to make way for Charles E. Lakin Health & Human Services campus.

Through the foresight of community leaders, the city of Council Bluffs, the Iowa West Foundation and generous donors, five highly respected nonprofit human services agencies decided to come together and co-locate on one campus in Council Bluffs, IA. and jointly serve the area’s most vulnerable residents. The agencies included American Red Cross, Boys and Girls Club, Heartland Family Service, MICAH House and The Salvation Army. The Chalet Motor Lodge was a highly dilapidated site that community leaders found ideal to revitalize and provide urban renewal to a vulnerable area of the community. The 712 Initiative kicked off the project with site assembly and demolition of the lodge, the largest land area for the development along with neighboring smaller parcels including a salvage yard.

The Charles E. Lakin Human Services Campus is an innovative and cost-efficient complex where all children, families and individuals in need can find assistance, resources and training to better enable them to become productive and contributing residents.

Lead Developers: Iowa West Foundation and Charles E. Lakin Foundation, Inc.

5 Agencies: The American Red Cross, Boys & Girls Club, Heartland Family Service, MICAH House, and The Salvation Army