Located in Council Bluffs, Iowa, River’s Edge connects to Omaha’s riverfront park system via a pedestrian bridge. The project opened to the public around the Fourth of July 2026.
HDR Inc. served as architect and engineer for the project. Rebellion Fabrication fabricated and installed the tower’s primary structural steel, stairs, handrails, guardrails, and accessibility-related elements. The tower comprises two connected vertical structures; its central climbing-wall element and adjacent zip-line attraction were provided by separate specialty contractors.
The project’s material palette was developed around the visual character of weathering (Corten) steel. Availability constraints and code requirements, however, required a combination of materials and finishes. Structural weathering steel was used where appropriate, including a cantilevering observation deck extending over the river. Other elements use galvanized steel painted to resemble weathered steel, along with high-performance coating systems.
Ross Gredys of Rebellion Fabrication explains, “On the treetop [walk] is this giant observation deck that sticks out over the river. That was 100 percent structural weathering steel.”…