The City of Waterloo acquired and demolished numerous blighted properties to allow for the construction of the Riverloop Exposition Plaza. Former uses included an auto parts store and a lawn maintenance facility. The City discovered several leaking underground storage tanks as part of the removal activities.
Project Funding Sources
$1,000,000
Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED)
Community Attractions & Tourism (CAT) Grant
$2,400,000
Waterloo Development Corporation (WDC)
$700,000
City of Waterloo
$500,000
Black Hawk County Gaming Association (BHCGA)
Project Timeline
05.2016 | ARTICLE
Dekhockey coming to the Riverloop Expo.
06.2017 | ARTICLE
Dekhockey rapidly growing in popularity.
12.2017 | ARTICLE
City to seek proposals for public market facility.
05.2018 | ARTICLE
Kombucha brewery coming to the public market.
09.2019 | ARTICLE
New brewery opens downtown Waterloo.
Project Success Story
Riverloop Exposition Plaza serves as an anchor for the Riverfront Renaissance project in downtown Waterloo. The unique facility is a two-block outdoor exposition center utilized by My Waterloo Days events, car shows, tractor shows, and weekly farmers markets. Decorative pavers, landscaping, fencing, and lights provide the site with a high level of architectural detail. The public market building was renovated into a kombucha bistro and brewery- the largest in Iowa. The Waterloo City Council selected the project over two other proposals in May 2018. The facility had sat empty for nearly two years following the closure of the food cooperative.