June 27, 2006 - More private money has been pledged to the Missouri River pedestrian bridge that will link The Iowa West Foundation announced Monday that it will give the project $1 million.

That money will be awarded to the nonprofit group Back To The River, Inc. The group is working with Omaha and Council Bluffs leaders on raising about $5 million to close a funding gap. The entire project is expected to cost $22 million, with most of the money coming from federal funds.

The Peter Kiewit Foundation pledged $1 million to the project last week.

The bridge will span 3,000 feet over the river. Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey chose a 200-foot-tall, twin-spire design for the bridge last month. The bridge will link trails on both sides.

Fahey is scheduled to bring the bridge before the Omaha City Council on July 18 for final approval. Omaha is taking the lead in building the bridge.

Fahey's chief of staff, Paul Landow, said the fundraising effort is close to its goal. He said an exact fundraising figure was not available because leaders are waiting to hear about other potential grants or donations.

Landow said fundraisers had been hopeful of such an Iowa West grant, which Back to the River Inc. had applied to receive.

Iowa West officials said the bridge will be an important symbol for the area and will be a tourist attraction.

"I believe that the pedestrian bridge signifies the energy of the metropolitan region," said Lynn Grobe, president of the Iowa West Foundation board.

The Iowa West Foundation is supported by money from the Bluffs casinos and investment income. Iowa West also will give Back to the River Inc. $500,000 for a walkway from the bridge to a planned Bluffs nature area if the group can raise most of the $1.3 million cost.
 

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