The City of Waterloo executed a contract with HR Green, Inc. to help position the former Chamberlain Manufacturing site for future redevelopment opportunities. The City is currently in discussions with its former operator and officials from Iowa Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to identify a final remediation strategy in concert with an EPA Unilateral Administrative… Read more »
epa brownfields
City selected as an EPA “Success Story”
EPA has highlighted the City of Waterloo’s redevelopment efforts on its brownfields “Success Stories” webpage. The referenced site is designed showcase grantees across the country that are “transforming brownfields into thriving new centers of commerce and industry; creating jobs through cleanup and reuse; formatting innovative partnerships among federal, state, and local governments and private-sector stakeholders such as developers and lenders; training… Read more »
City wins $400,000 Brownfields Grants
EPA awarded the City of Waterloo a $200,000 Hazardous Substances Assessment Grant and a $200,000 Petroleum Assessment Grant to investigate sites with actual or perceived contamination. The City has secured 14 EPA Brownfields grants totaling $2.65 million since 2000. Underutilized properties plague the community in high concentrations along the Broadway Street Corridor and within the Urban Core. Many former… Read more »
Work Progresses on Former Grand Hotel
Construction of a new 4-story condo building on the former Grand Hotel site continues. The project will feature 68 apartments (28 one-bedroom and 40 two-bedroom units) with granite/quartz counter tops, Nest thermostats, high-efficiency appliances, and balconies. Additional amenities include underground parking and a community workout room. The developer expects an opening date of 2016. The City acquired the blighted property along a key downtown… Read more »
Project Proposed for former Flea Market
City Council approved a development agreement with private investors to construct a four-story mixed-use building at the site of the former flea market on September 8, 2015. The $2.5 million structure will include 30 rental units on the upper three floors with parking and a commercial space on the ground level. The City of Waterloo purchased the… Read more »
Bakery Development Agreement Approved
The City Council unanimously approved a development agreement with SingleSpeed Brewing Company of Cedar Falls to rehabilitate the former Wonder Bread bakery building on September 8, 2015. The City will provide $160,000 to demolish the northwest portion of the building formerly used as a truck bay and rebate 70% of property taxes for 15 years. … Read more »
KWWL Renovation Moves Forward
The City of Waterloo demolished the former American Legion building located at 619 Franklin Street in mid-August. You can see a video of the activities here. The City investigated the site under its EPA Brownfields Petroleum Assessment Grant prior to acquisition. Phase II ESA results cleared the path for its redevelopment. The City is selling the property to… Read more »
SportsPlex Helps City Garner Award
The Iowa League of Cities recognized the City of Waterloo as a “All-Star Community” for the Cedar Valley SportsPlex project. A panel of former city officials judged communities based on urban renewal, development, preservation, collaborative efforts, or quality of life improvements. Previous uses in the general vicinity of the facility included bulk oil storage, railroad operations, automotive service and… Read more »
City Acquires Vacant Bakery
City Council approved acquisition of the former Wonder Bread located at 325 Commercial Street in December 2014. This action ensures any future redevelopment will be compatible with the City’s downtown vision. Officials are currently working with several key stakeholders, including the historic preservation committee and Main Street Waterloo, to identify a potential re-use for the… Read more »
TechWorks Project Receives Boost
Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) board members approved an application to create a Reinvestment District in Waterloo on February 3, 2015. The referenced program is designed to “assist communities in developing transformative projects that will improve the quality of life, create and enhance unique opportunities, and substantially benefit the community, region and state.” The announcement ensures… Read more »