Dead Malls Season 5 Episode 17 - Omni Center

As an office worker in downtown Council Bluffs, you may stumble upon a small office park. And while walking through that office park you may think to yourself.. “Why, doesn’t this feel like a mall?”. Why does it feel like a mall, why does it have fountains and conversation pits? Well that’s because it WAS a mall, for years this was the only mall around. And a grand one at that. Once housing 2 anchors and 50 stores under its garden courts. It was all killed, but by what? And how was this mall once thought to be the mall of the future? Take a walk with me, as we explore and tell the tale of Midlands Mall, or the Omni Center. And see how it’s doing as of June, 2023.

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[ReallifeBambiDeerattheFarm]

Thanks for the shout out! Its like you said, its ironic that The Mall of the Bluffs is demolished but this older mall still stands and in use. Strange how that works out in the end. Thank you for the peek inside!

[seabee]

I liked the bridge sculpture at the beginning. The statues in the mall were cool too. That sucks the other mall caused this one to die. The conversation areas are my favorite too. Thanks for another great video.

[chrissasandlin]

Love the design of the mall in the pics & those statues are like condensed memories of what was.

[Bulldogarf]

It was a cool and unique place. I moved to Council Bluffs in 1986 and witnessed the shift of businesses leaving Midlands and going out to Mall of the Bluffs. Midlands was/is a far more interesting and substantial structure, which probably is part of its suitability for reuse vs demolition. It’s a shame that the Omni switch removed so much of the character of what the building previously had.

[TrueDeadMallLegend]

Washington Square Mall, Evansville IN Next??, While watching this video and seeing the 70s decor, I could imagine Fleetwood Mac and Kenny Loggins (Which are my favorite 1970s artists), and GM cars rolling through the parking lots, playing over the speakers of this mall in the early days, Great Video!!

[dansimon]

That is an interesting looking mall at least it's still being used even for like a business Park That's a good concept. I kind of like the seventies esthetic

[maciearonson]

I’m guessing Washington Square mall next! Great video

[jsperb]

Since you're not too far, you should really do a Kansas trip. Topeka, Wichita, Hutchison, all have cool dead malls that haven't really been filmed well yet. I was just in Topeka and that one almost gave me Stratford Square vibes.

[johnnystall]

Thank you ever so much. Your content is informative and interesting.

[wolfy]

My stomach drops anytime I hear of large portions of a historic downtown being destroyed in favor of a redevelopment project

[charlestonpinballarcade]

Thanks for the vid! I think Brick Immortar used to film this mall, but he has moved on to other things.

[realtaxtalk]

love the video and hoping the the Washington Square mall is next I am curious to see what it looks like

[rockersrobloxandmore]

Honestly, I think that this mall is very unique

[BradenKennelly]

I'm excited to hear that you are visiting Indiana. Marquette Mall was my local mall that has been sitting abandoned for almost 10 years at this point, the last store there was Carsons but that closed back in 2018.

[jsperb]

I know I mentioned this on the last video, but I was turned away by security from even stepping foot on Omni property. At least on the weekends, I wouldn't encourage people to go there. Weekdays might be a different story.

[SiouxCityWeather]

Now that the other mall has been demolished maybe they could attract some businesses in to the Omni Center and make it a mix of business and retail. Btw, I think it looked nicer with the wood paneling.

[Mikel]

In the last comment of the last video, I forgot to mention if we do win the lottery my prediction, the construction will take 3-5 years or maybe more but I will keep you updated!

[kellyleonardi]

The perfect mix of liminal hell and 70’s architecture 🤍

[kitw]

What a cool mall it use to be! I totally would of wanted to go there as a kid! Yay my home state is next!!!!

[mollyheffernen]

Interesting. Council Bluffs had good shopping at one point. I knew Mall of the Bluffs was demolished a few years ago. Brandeis reminded me of Younkers, however, I'm sure there were differences. Did Council Bluffs ever get a Younkers at either center? Younkers started in Iowa so I am curious now.