Brix Development Group · Council Bluffs, Iowa

TheRidge

A year-round social park and community gathering destination — outdoor stage, social yard, fire pits, food trucks, and live programming along the Missouri River corridor.

3.5ac
Site Footprint
5
Distinct Zones
40+
Events / Year
2,500
Max Capacity
Scroll
The Vision

Freedom to Flourish

Council Bluffs has a quality-of-life destination that doesn't exist yet. The Ridge changes that — a sophisticated outdoor gathering space tucked between a modern office campus and the Missouri River corridor, with direct sightlines to the Omaha skyline and highway visibility that puts it on the map from day one.

"A place that makes people proud to say they're from Council Bluffs."

Modeled after the most successful social park concepts in the Midwest, The Ridge layers permanent infrastructure — stage, bar, fire pits — over a premium lawn to create a venue that works every night of the week and every season of the year.

Location
Adjacent to glass office tower & parking garage
Near Avenue A · Council Bluffs, IA
Omaha skyline views · I-80/I-29 visibility
Project Type
Community Social Park · Adaptive Activation
Mixed-Use Entertainment · Public Gathering
Year-Round Programming Venue
Status
Concept Development · 2026
Seeking Institutional Partnership
Brix Development Group
Site Blueprint

Zone Layout

// The Ridge Social Park — Site Plan · Council Bluffs, Iowa
AVENUE A OFFICE TOWER PARKING GARAGE SOCIAL YARD BAR · LOUNGE 1 STAGE LIVE MUSIC 2 FOOD TRUCK YARD 3–4 BAYS · POWER HOOKUPS 3 FIRE PIT GATHERING LAWN 4 PARK GRACE BAR · RETAIL 5 N ↗ OMAHA SKYLINE ≈ 300 FT
The Five Zones

Designed to Activate

01
The Ridge Social Yard
Converted 40-ft shipping container bar with pass-through windows facing the lawn. Interior seating, exterior patio, radiant heaters for year-round use. The heart of evening operations.
~2,400 sq ft · 80 seat cap · Bar operator lease
02
The Ridge Stage
Covered permanent outdoor stage with integrated professional PA and lighting. Hosts concerts, comedy, civic events, film screenings, and graduation ceremonies facing a 2,000-person lawn audience.
~2,000 sq ft · Full PA + lighting · 2,000+ audience
03
Food Truck Yard
Paved bays for 3–4 rotating food trucks with permanent power and water hookups. Overhead string lights and shared seating anchor the Avenue A street presence and drive daily traffic.
3–4 bays · Power + water hookups · Daily rotation
04
Gathering Lawn & Fire Pits
Premium sod with three gas-fed fire pit stations, movable seating, cornhole, and bistro lights at 10-ft height. Converts to an igloo village in winter — heated geodesic dining domes across the lawn.
~30,000 sq ft · 3 fire pits · 400+ moveable seats
05
Park Grace Bar & Retail
Secondary container unit on the east side near garage access — serves as overflow bar, event merchandise, or local retail pop-up. Can activate independently for smaller gatherings without opening the full venue.
~600 sq ft · Modular · Flexible programming
2,500
Max Capacity
365
Days Activated
Year-Round Programming

Four Seasons, One Destination

The Ridge is engineered for all-season activation — not a summer-only venue. Each season has a distinct character and revenue profile that keeps the space alive and the community coming back.

Spring
Grand opening weekend, farmers market launch, Mother's Day events, Juneteenth celebration, and Friday Night Live concert series kick off. Outdoor movie nights begin as evenings warm.
May — June
Summer
Peak season. 4th of July fireworks watch party, Food & Beer Festival, cornhole tournaments, weekly food truck activations, and ticketed headliner concerts on the main stage.
July — August
Fall
Labor Day festival, Oktoberfest beer garden, haunted Halloween events, craft & art markets, Veterans Day concert, and the Holiday Market + tree lighting ceremony to close the season.
September — November
Winter
The signature transformation: heated igloo dome village across the lawn. Holiday concerts, Christmas market, New Year's Eve countdown with fireworks. Fire pits and the Social Yard stay open.
December — February
2026 Event Schedule

40+ Events, One Venue

01May
Grand Opening Weekend — Free Concert & Ribbon Cutting
Music Free
08May
Mother's Day Brunch in the Yard — Local Vendors
Food Family
15May
Friday Night Live — Local Band Showcase
Music
23May
Pottawattamie County Farmers Market Launch
Market
30May
Memorial Day Community Cookout — Free Admission
Family Seasonal
05Jun
Friday Night Live — Regional Headliner (Ticketed)
Music
13Jun
Juneteenth Celebration — Music, Food & Culture
Community Music
26Jun
Outdoor Movie Night — Summer Classics Series #1
Family
03Jul
4th of July Eve Concert + Fireworks Watch Party
Seasonal Music
10Jul
Friday Night Live — Country Night (Ticketed)
Music
17Jul
Council Bluffs Food & Beer Festival
Food Music
24Jul
Outdoor Movie Night — Series #2
Family
31Jul
Cornhole Tournament + Tailgate Party
Sport
07Aug
Back to School Block Party — Free Family Event
Family
14Aug
Friday Night Live — R&B Night (Ticketed)
Music
28Aug
End of Summer Blowout — DJ + Food Trucks
Music Food
04Sep
Labor Day Weekend Festival — 2-Day Event
Seasonal Music
12Sep
Friday Night Live — Tribute Band Night (Ticketed)
Music
19Sep
Harvest Market + Pumpkin Patch Opening
Market Seasonal
26Sep
Chili Cook-Off Competition + Live Music
Food Music
03Oct
Oktoberfest at The Ridge — Beer Garden + Polka Band
Seasonal Music
10Oct
Haunted Ridge — Halloween Family Event
Family Seasonal
17Oct
Costume Contest + DJ Dance Night
Music Seasonal
24Oct
Horror Movie Night Under the Stars
Family
07Nov
Fall Craft & Art Market — Local Makers
Market
14Nov
Veterans Day Tribute Concert — Free Event
Community Music
21Nov
Friendsgiving Feast — Food Trucks + Fire Pits
Food Seasonal
28Nov
Holiday Market + Tree Lighting Ceremony
Seasonal Market
04Dec
Winter Igloo Village Opens — Heated Dining Domes
Seasonal
12Dec
Holiday Concert Series — Choirs & Jazz
Music Family
19Dec
Christmas Market — 30+ Vendor Stalls
Market Seasonal
31Dec
New Year's Eve at The Ridge — Countdown + Fireworks
Seasonal Music
Project Economics

Development Cost Estimate

Preliminary cost estimate based on comparable Midwest social park, amphitheater, and adaptive reuse projects. All figures are planning-level estimates. A formal feasibility study and licensed engineering review is required prior to groundbreaking.

Phase 1 — Site & Infrastructure
Grading, drainage & erosion control
$80–$120K
Premium sod installation (~30,000 sq ft)
$90–$130K
Automated irrigation system
$40–$60K
Utility connections (electric, water, sewer)
$60–$100K
Paved pathways + food truck bays
$80–$110K
Perimeter fencing + access gates
$35–$55K
Landscaping — trees, native plants, beds
$50–$80K
Phase 1 Total
$435–$655K
Phase 2 — Structures & Installations
Social Yard bar container (40-ft custom)
$180–$260K
Park Grace secondary bar container (20-ft)
$60–$100K
Outdoor performance stage (covered)
$200–$350K
Professional PA + lighting rig
$120–$200K
String light system (full venue)
$40–$65K
Gas-fed fire pits (3 units)
$45–$70K
Public restroom facility (ADA)
$120–$180K
Outdoor furniture (400+ seat capacity)
$60–$90K
Signage + monument sign
$40–$70K
Phase 2 Total
$865–$1,385K
Phase 3 — Technology & Safety
Security camera system (16+ cameras)
$25–$40K
Site LED lighting (poles + pathways)
$45–$70K
Public Wi-Fi mesh network
$20–$35K
Ticketing kiosks + POS
$15–$25K
Winter igloo dome set (10 units)
$60–$100K
Generator backup power
$20–$35K
Phase 3 Total
$185–$305K
Soft Costs
Architecture + engineering fees
$80–$130K
Permits, inspections, liquor licensing
$20–$40K
Feasibility + community engagement
$25–$45K
Project management oversight
$40–$70K
Contingency reserve (15%)
$245–$390K
Soft Costs Total
$410–$675K
Total Project Investment
$1.975M — $3.15M
Revenue Projection

Path to Self-Sufficiency

At full activation (Year 2+), The Ridge projects $350K–$605K in annual revenue across six distinct streams — approaching operational self-sufficiency by Year 3, excluding the economic multiplier effect on the surrounding district.

Ticketed Events
$150–$250K
20 ticketed events/year, avg $15–$35 per ticket, 300–800 attendees per event
Bar Lease Revenue
$60–$100K
Social Yard leased to operator at flat rate + percentage of gross bar sales
Food Truck Permits
$30–$50K
$200–$400/day per truck, 3–4 trucks operating ~100 days per year
Private Event Rentals
$50–$90K
Corporate events, weddings, graduations at $2,500–$8,000 per booking
Naming Rights & Sponsorship
$40–$80K
Stage naming rights, event title sponsors, banner and signage placements
Market Vendor Fees
$20–$35K
$75–$150 per booth, 20–40 vendors per market, 10 market days per year
Projected Annual Revenue
$350K – $605K
Operational self-sufficiency projected by Year 3. Economic multiplier effect estimated at 3–5× direct revenue for comparable Midwest social park projects.

Partnership Inquiries Welcome

Let's Build
Something Lasting

Brix Development Group · Council Bluffs, Iowa

Get In Touch