On FIRST Podcast

Tune in to "On FIRST" to hear what’s happening along 1st Avenue in Council Bluffs, Iowa. City of Council Bluffs Communications Officer, Ashley Kruse and Chief of Staff, Brandon Garrett explore the transformative project and share everything from the specific details to the big picture vision.

Season 1 begins with the history of 1st Avenue (a former rail line). Throughout the episodes, we zoom in on the project, talk with experts, hear from stakeholders, and divulge plans for trails, transit, and redevelopment. 

Tune in to each episode to find out who’s “On FIRST” with Ashley and Brandon.

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On FIRST Episodes:

  1. On First with Elizabeth Hunter and Vincent Martorello

    In this episode, Brandon and Ashley talk with Elizabeth Hunter from Snyder & Associates and Vincent Martorello from the Parks and Recreation Department about the FIRST AVE trail design and construction process. 

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  2. On First at The Laurels Awards

    On November 10, 2022, FIRST AVE received a Laurels Award from Omaha By Design for Access and Mobility. We recorded some sound bites from the ceremony including our co-host and Chief of Staff, Brandon Garrett's acceptance speech. Enjoy! 

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  3. On First with Deb Lewis

    In this episode, Brandon and Ashley talk with Deb Lewis, Trails & Guest Services Specialist with the City of Cedar Falls Tourism and Visitors Bureau. 

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  4. On First with Chris Gibbons

    Brandon and Ashley talk with Chris Gibbons about the West Broadway Corridor Plan and First Ave.

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  5. On First with Scott Dobbe

    Brandon and Ashley talk with Scott Dobbe, Executive Director of Omaha by Design, about people-centered design and the future of First Ave. 

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  6. On First in Indiana

    In this episode, Brandon travels to Indianapolis and Carmel, Indiana with Metropolitan Area Planning Agency (MAPA) and about 30ish Omaha-area experts. While experiencing the local transportation infrastructure, Brandon talked with several of our...

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  7. On First with Stephen Osberg

    In this episode, Brandon and Ashley talk with Stephen Osberg, Director of Transportation & Urban Development at the Greater Omaha Chamber. 

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  8. On First with Mayor Matt Walsh

    Brandon and Ashley talk with Council Bluffs Mayor Matt Walsh about Omaha's recent streetcar announcement and how Council Bluffs plans to connect.

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  9. Season 2 Begins!

    For the first episode of On First Season 2, Ashley and Brandon recap Season 1 and provide a preview of what's to come in Season 2.

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  10. On First with Mike Helgerson

    In this episode of On First, Brandon and Ashley talk with Mike Helgerson, Executive Director of Metropolitan Area Planning Agency (MAPA) about First Ave. 

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  11. On First with Dr Warner

    In this episode, Brandon and Ashley talk with local historian, Dr Richard Warner, about the good ole days along Lincoln Highway and West Broadway. 

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  12. On First with Mike Wolf

    In this episode of On First, Brandon and Ashley talk with Council Bluffs City Council Member, Mike Wolf about First Ave

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  13. On First with Kevin Belanger

    In this episode of On First, Brandon and Ashley talk with Kevin Belanger from Rails to Trails. Did you know the First Ave trail will be part of the Great American Rail Trail?

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  14. On First with Haley Weber

    Haley Weber is a Planner for the City of Council Bluffs Community Development Department. In this episode, Brandon and Ashley talk with Haley about the First Ave project. 

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  15. Mini Episode: Groundbreaking Ceremony

    This mini-episode takes place at the First Avenue Groundbreaking ceremony and features remarks from Brandon Garrett, Mayor Matt Walsh, and President and CEO of the Iowa West Foundation, Brenda Mainwaring. 

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  16. On First with Dr. Freudenburg

    Brandon and Ashley take a trip to Thomas Jefferson High School to talk with Principal, Dr. Dania Freudenburg about First Ave.

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  17. On First with Brenda Mainwaring

    Brenda Mainwaring, President, and CEO of Iowa West Foundation talks with Brandon and Ashley about First Ave and some history behind the railroad. 

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  18. On First with Adam Wood

    Adam Wood, a Senior Planner at Toole Design, talks with Brandon and Ashley about the Transit Alternative Analysis for First Ave. 

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  19. On First with Chad Hannan

    City Council Member Chad Hannan joins us to talk about First Ave.

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  20. On First with Vincent Martorello

    Vincent Martorello, Parks and Recreation Director, talks with us about the trail and what First Ave means to the CB Parks Department. 

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  21. On First with Drew Kamp

    Drew Kamp, President and CEO of the Council Bluffs Chamber of Commerce talks with us about what First Ave means to the future of Council Bluffs. 

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  22. On First with Mike Geier and Doug Bisson

    Mike Geier from Snyder and Associates and Doug Bisson from HDR talk with us about the trail design process for First Avenue. 

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  23. On First with Pete Tulipana

    Ashley and Brandon sat down with Pete Tulipana, President and CEO of the Iowa West Foundation, before his retirement. Pete describes his vision of FIRST AVE and talks about his involvement thus far. 

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  24. On First with Mayor Matt Walsh

    City of Council Bluffs Communications Officer, Ashley Kruse, and Community Development Director, Brandon Garrett, talk with Mayor Matt Walsh about the First Ave project. 

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  25. What is FIRST AVE

    City of Council Bluffs Community Development Director explains the FIRST AVE project.

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