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 »
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Former Bulk Oil Facility Comes Down
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.
Historic Building Comes Back to Life
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 to Demolish 120 Center Street
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 »
Friedl Bakery Awarded Tax Credits
Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) has awarded the former Friedl Bakery project $839,741 in historic preservation tax credits. The program provides a state income tax credit for rehabilitation of historic buildings. It is designed to promote the retention of unique, character defining buildings and building features that contribute to a community and neighborhood. Rehabilitation must… Read more »
EPA Awards $300,000 to City
U.S. EPA awarded the City of Waterloo an FY 2020 Hazardous Substances and Petroleum Assessment Grant to investigate sites with actual or perceived contamination. 151 communities across the United States received 155 grants totaling $65.6 million in funding. The City was one of eight recipients in EPA Region 7 that includes Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska…. Read more »
Incentives for 6Comm
City Council approved additional incentives for the construction of a new 5-story building located at 801-805 Commercial Street on the former flea market site. The development agreement provides 20 years of 75% tax abatement on the former brownfield property. The 5-story structure will include both residential and commercial components and is expected to open in… Read more »
Revitalization Through EPA Grants
The City closes out its FY16 EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant today. It marks the end of another successful brownfield initiative for the community. The Assessment Grants remain a crucial linchpin in the City’s ability to return blighted properties back to productive reuses. Investigations conducted with the funds cleared 17.07 acres which leveraged nearly $8.7 million… Read more »
Brownfields Transformations
EPA has awarded the City of Waterloo $2.65 million in brownfields grants since 2000. These funds have helped inventory, prioritize, assess, and cleanup numerous blighted properties across the community. Here are a few of our favorite “before and after” photographs. Cedar Valley SportsPlex City of Waterloo Public Works Building Grand Crossing 1 and 2 SingleSpeed… Read more »
City Acquires Riverfront Sites
EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant funds assisted the City of Waterloo in acquiring three blighted parcels along its riverfront. A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) allowed the City to complete its All Appropriate Inquiry (AAI) due diligence prior to taking title. Adopted long-range planning documents depict future multi-family residential development for the area. Visit our… Read more »