Rivers Edge in Council Bluffs.

City of Council Bluffs rendering of development at the Rivers Edge.

Council Bluffs won a state grant of $1.9 million Tuesday from the Iowa Transportation Commission.

The DOT’s Craig Markley says the grant will help improve the roadway access to the River’s Edge development area on the northwest side of town.

“That’s the former Playland Park Speedway and Amusement Park. It closed down a number of years back and it has been going through a redevelopment phase,” Markley explains. “This is where the serpentine bridge connects with the city of Omaha, and Council Bluffs has been very successful in developing part of that area right up against the water.” Markley says the city holds a lot of events in the area, such as concerts.

He says the grant will provide access to allow more development nearby. “This area a little further off the water is proposed to be developed with a couple hundred thousand square feet of office park. And they have been successful in courting one business, Warren Distribution is proposing to relocate their corporate office there — 85 jobs, very good wages and capital investment,” Markley says.

The project is anticipated to be completed by November 2016.