The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently approved a technical services application to further investigate the former Rath Meat Packing Plant located along Sycamore Street in downtown Waterloo. The 5.5-acre property contains an 8-story building totaling over 700,000 square feet of space currently used for cold storage. EPA’s Targeted Brownfields Assistance (TBA) program will fund… Read more »
The City initiated its “Transformation Tuesdays” social media campaign on February 15, 2022. The weekly posts highlight various brownfields success stories on both Facebook and LinkedIn. They can be viewed at the following links: https://www.linkedin.com/company/city-of-waterloo-iowa/ https://www.facebook.com/WaterlooIACityHall
Rite Environmental, Inc. has completed its renovation of the former Marquart facility located at 110 Dunham Place. The sprawling complex totals over 14 acres across several city blocks near the Cedar River. The long-time concrete products manufacturer stopped production in the mid-2010s when its owner consolidated operations elsewhere in the community. Although the site included… Read more »
Art Bloc has officially opened. The 7-story structure features a lobby and parking along Cedar Street, offices and commercial retail uses on the amphitheater level, and 70 market-rate residential units on the upper floors. The project is located on the former Waterloo Gasoline Engine Company site and near the former Waterloo Gas and Electric Light… Read more »
The City of Waterloo entered into an acquisition contract with the owner of a 1.3-acre wooded lot located at the southern end of Fairfield Street. The undeveloped land, when combined with an adjoining parcel owned by the City, will allow for the development of a 5-lot residential subdivision. EPA Brownfields Program funds facilitated the transaction… Read more »
Interested citizens can now download a copy of the City’s brownfields brochure. The informative tool defines a brownfields site and offers several examples of potential brownfield sites; summarizes the EPA Brownfields Program; describes the Phase I and Phase II ESA process; highlights benefits of participating in the EPA Brownfields Program; offers redevelopment success stories; answers frequently asked questions;… Read more »
The City’s brownfield selection committee has chosen HR Green, Inc. to implement its EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant. These funds help the community inventory, characterize, assess, and conduct cleanup planning on underutilized sites throughout Waterloo. A special emphasis is being placed on properties located within the Broadway Street Corridor and the urban core. Officials anticipate being able to complete approximately… Read more »
Demolition activities at 120 Center Street started on November 9, 2020. The City plans to further investigate the former bulk oil plant and welding supply shop under its EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant prior to redevelopment.
Renovation on the upper two floors of the historic former Freidl bakery building is complete. The mixed-use project converted the space into 12 unique condominiums with with stunning views of downtown. Work continues on finishing the first floor commercial areas for future tenants. The building, located at 302 Commercial Street, is within an emerging entertainment… Read more »
City officials will vote on two separate contracts related to the blighted property at their meeting on September 8, 2020. The City plans to remove asbestos prior to the demolition of remaining structures to help facilitate its redevelopment. IDNR provided a 50 percent cost share ($6,290) for the abatement activities. Federal funds from an EPA… Read more »