Blackfoot
New Member
There has been rumor of Bass Pro Shops locating in Council Bluffs for some time now, but just recently it was confirmed. I have mixed feelings about the whole ordeal - It's great news for consumers, but bad news for the local pro shops...
6/23/04
Under a clear blue sky, city officials made an announcement that has been a long time in the making: Bass Pro Shops is officially coming to Council Bluffs.
"This is something that we in the community have looked forward to for quite some time," Mayor Tom Hanafan said.
"Having Bass Pro Shops will solidify this area and draw tourism to town," he added.
Jim Hagale, Bass Pro Shops president, said that his company is excited to be serving the western Iowa and eastern Nebraska area.
"We are excited about this opportunity in a terrific region with excellent outdoor activities," Hagale said."This building will be dedicated to families and visitors to this area. We are going to build a unique, special store that Council Bluffs will be proud to call their own," he said.
The 120,000- to 140,000-square-foot facility will be built south of the The Plaza shopping center behind the Mid-America Center.
Hagale said that the project will move forward rapidly. He expects to break ground 30 thirty days, with an projected opening date in the summer of 2005.
He also said that no two Bass Pro Shops are designed the same.
"We will have a design team explore the area's architecture, conservation and outdoor history. With that knowledge in hand, we will collect artifacts and explore the different species of wildlife available, and then begin to design the building," Hagale said.
Hagale said that Bass Pro Shops is respectful of their competitors.
"We think that Cabela's and the other stores do a good job. We respect all of our competition. We are really focused on managing our own brands and letting the market decide," Hagale said.
Pottawattamie County Supervisor Melvyn Houser said that the facility will generate tax revenues that benefit the entire county.
"Tourism across the county will benefit from the traffic generated by the Bass Pro Shop," Houser said.
City Councilman Chad Primmer agreed that it was a great day for Council Bluffs.
"Bass Pro Shops will provide a significant boost for the entire Mid-America complex. This is the type of project that the average tax payer will definitely benefit from," Primmer said.
The future development of the area was hinged upon the arrival of Bass Pro Shops.
Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce President Bob Mundt said that the future looks bright for the area.
"There will be future development in the area. We are hopeful that there will be several more announcements coming over the next couple of months," Mundt said.
Among those priorities is the construction of another hotel near the Mid-America Center.
©Daily Nonpareil 2004
6/23/04
Under a clear blue sky, city officials made an announcement that has been a long time in the making: Bass Pro Shops is officially coming to Council Bluffs.
"This is something that we in the community have looked forward to for quite some time," Mayor Tom Hanafan said.
"Having Bass Pro Shops will solidify this area and draw tourism to town," he added.
Jim Hagale, Bass Pro Shops president, said that his company is excited to be serving the western Iowa and eastern Nebraska area.
"We are excited about this opportunity in a terrific region with excellent outdoor activities," Hagale said."This building will be dedicated to families and visitors to this area. We are going to build a unique, special store that Council Bluffs will be proud to call their own," he said.
The 120,000- to 140,000-square-foot facility will be built south of the The Plaza shopping center behind the Mid-America Center.
Hagale said that the project will move forward rapidly. He expects to break ground 30 thirty days, with an projected opening date in the summer of 2005.
He also said that no two Bass Pro Shops are designed the same.
"We will have a design team explore the area's architecture, conservation and outdoor history. With that knowledge in hand, we will collect artifacts and explore the different species of wildlife available, and then begin to design the building," Hagale said.
Hagale said that Bass Pro Shops is respectful of their competitors.
"We think that Cabela's and the other stores do a good job. We respect all of our competition. We are really focused on managing our own brands and letting the market decide," Hagale said.
Pottawattamie County Supervisor Melvyn Houser said that the facility will generate tax revenues that benefit the entire county.
"Tourism across the county will benefit from the traffic generated by the Bass Pro Shop," Houser said.
City Councilman Chad Primmer agreed that it was a great day for Council Bluffs.
"Bass Pro Shops will provide a significant boost for the entire Mid-America complex. This is the type of project that the average tax payer will definitely benefit from," Primmer said.
The future development of the area was hinged upon the arrival of Bass Pro Shops.
Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce President Bob Mundt said that the future looks bright for the area.
"There will be future development in the area. We are hopeful that there will be several more announcements coming over the next couple of months," Mundt said.
Among those priorities is the construction of another hotel near the Mid-America Center.
©Daily Nonpareil 2004