Colonial Plaza Apartments in Council Bluffs, IA

Pros

• The apartments are clean and well-maintained, with pest and maintenance visits conducted quarterly.
• The management team, including Cherry, is consistently responsive, helpful, and understanding.
• Since the new management took over, service has greatly improved and maintenance issues are addressed promptly.
• The maintenance staff are reliable and complete work orders quickly, often the same day.
• The office staff are friendly, attentive, and eager to make tenants feel welcome.
• Tenants feel welcomed and supported by staff who listen to concerns and respond promptly.
• The property offers a pleasant living environment with clean grounds and a pool.
• Many residents would highly recommend Jasper Place as a place to live.
• Staff are noted for going above and beyond to assist tenants, including after hours.

Cons

• They note the towing policy is harsh, towing any car not displaying a permit.
• They claim belongings were stolen during remodeling and proper documentation was not provided.
• They allege maintenance and office staff are unresponsive and unprofessional.
• They report frequent flooding, mold, and pest infestations, with repairs slow and carpets not replaced.
• They describe dirty hallways, trash accumulation, and overall poor maintenance.
• They say visitor parking is poorly labeled and vehicles are towed; there is no accessible handicap parking.
• They remark that rent has increased and management has changed, contributing to unreliable service.
• They mention remodeling being cheap and incomplete, with trash left in common areas.

Review

Colonial Plaza Apartments in Council Bluffs is best suited for value-focused renters who want clean, approachable apartments and a service-oriented management team that has proven capable of delivering quick maintenance when the right staff are in place. The current operating climate rewards tenants who engage with a responsive point of contact, because recent reviews repeatedly highlight rapid repairs, friendly office staff, and noticeably cleaned grounds. When management is accessible and proactive, residents describe a surprisingly workable everyday experience, with maintenance crews that address issues promptly and a sense that the property has turned a corner thanks to the new leadership and renewed emphasis on tenant care.

Those who may want to consider alternatives are renters who demand ironclad consistency across every line item of living, especially dependable safety, predictable parking, and crystal-clear communications. A broad thread in the reviews centers on inconsistent management and sporadic maintenance responsiveness, sometimes stretching into weeks. Parking and towing policies come up as frequent points of contention, with visitor parking often misread and towing enforced aggressively. For households with health sensitivities, mold or infestation histories, or expectations of problem-free flood prevention, the risk of recurring issues without a flawless, transparent track record suggests evaluating closer competitors first.

The upside is tangible: a contemporary shift in management has produced notable improvements in service culture. Multiple residents recount maintenance that arrives the same day or within hours, friendly and attentive staff, and a generally cleaner, better-maintained environment since the leadership transition. When specific team members, such as several well-regarded office staff and a dependable maintenance crew, are consistently available, the experience shifts from “okay” to “manageable,” turning Colonial Plaza into a practical option for those prioritizing responsiveness and a coworker-like approach to tenancy problems.

Significant caveats remain, however. Longstanding concerns about inconsistent scheduling, missed appointments, and slow or incomplete repairs persist in many reviews. Flooding and plumbing problems recur, with accounts of damaged carpets and lingering water intrusion. In extreme cases, tenants allege that belongings were harmed or entered without proper notice, casting a shadow over security and trust. Parking remains a pain point for many guests and residents alike, with confusing layouts and frequent towing debates. Hallways can get dirty, and maintenance turnover signals ongoing instability that prospective residents should weigh carefully against the reported improvements.

The strongest counterweight to these risks is the hands-on, customer-focused attitude that has emerged under current leadership. When residents receive direct, responsive attention, whether through same-day repairs, proactive check-ins, or after-hours communication, the day-to-day is far more tolerable. The recurring testimonials praising specific staff members for going above and beyond create a credible expectation that a stable tenant-welcome culture still exists at Colonial Plaza. For renters who can secure a dependable point of contact and who tolerate occasional operational hiccups in exchange for improved upkeep and affordability, the property can deliver real value.

For families evaluating Colonial Plaza, the prudent move is to test drive the community with a strategic checklist: confirm the current management team structure and response times, review the latest flood and pest-control history, and verify the present visitor parking and towing rules. Scrutinize a recent work order history to gauge consistency, and tour the hallways and common areas with an eye for cleanliness and potential maintenance concerns. Ask for localized references from residents who recently renewed or moved in to gauge the consistency of service. If the answer is favorable and a reliable contact is available, Colonial Plaza represents a practical, affordable option; if not, it is wise to explore alternatives with a more predictable, fully transparent operations track record.

Hospitals

• Mercy Hospital - CHI Health (0.7 miles)
• Bluffs Family Health Care (3.9 miles)
• University of NE Medical Center (7.8 miles)
• Va Medical Center (7.9 miles)
• Nebraska Medical Center (7.9 miles)

Physicians

• Bluffs Psychiatric Associates PC (0.8 miles)
• CHI Health Clinic Family Medicine/Pediatrics/Priority Care (W Broadway) (3.6 miles)
• Creighton Medical Association - Old Market (5.7 miles)
• Childrens Physicians (6.2 miles)
• III Bennie Upchurch R MD (6.6 miles)
• Downtown Pediatric Clinic (6.7 miles)
• H.E.L.P. Foundation of Omaha (6.9 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.5 miles)
• CHI Health Pharmacy (Valley View) (2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.2 miles)
• Walgreens (3 miles)
• Omaha International Food Mart (6.3 miles)
• Walgreens (6.7 miles)

Restaurants

• Village Inn (2.4 miles)
• McDonald's (3.3 miles)
• La Mesa Mexican Restaurant (3.4 miles)
• Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers (3.6 miles)
• Panda Express (3.7 miles)
• Arby's (3.8 miles)
• Sapp Bros (3.8 miles)

Transportation

• Council Bluffs Municipal Airport (CBF) (3.6 miles)
• Omaha Eppley Airfield (OMA) (3.9 miles)
• Union Pacific Railroad (5.7 miles)

Parks

• Lake Manawa State Park (5.2 miles)
• Slides (5.4 miles)
• Gene Leahy Mall (5.5 miles)
• Turner Park (6.9 miles)
• Hanscom Park (7.2 miles)
• Brown Park (7.6 miles)
• Standing Bear Lake (8.6 miles)

Cafes

• Rally Coffee Co. (5.5 miles)
• Archetype Coffee (5.8 miles)
• Archetype Coffee (7.6 miles)