DES MOINES – The DNR Derelict Building Grant Program will award grants to 12 small, rural Iowa communities to help deconstruct or renovate abandoned structures, remove asbestos and limit construction and demolition materials going to the landfill.
The DNR Derelict Building Grant Program was instituted by statute to help rural communities with populations of 5,000 or less. DBGP funding is awarded annually on a competitive basis with cash matches required. Applications for the next funding round will be due on February 28, 2019.
Since the first round of funding in 2011, the program has diverted more than 48,000 tons of construction and demolition materials from state landfills, removed more than 1,000 tons of asbestos-containing materials and saved participating communities more than $1.6 million in landfill disposal costs. Several towns have added additional commercial business, expanded fire and emergency management resources, and improved public health and budgetary concerns by removing or renovating old abandoned buildings.
The following projects will receive a grand total of $399,989 as reimbursement grants:
City of Albion — $60,000 to remove asbestos and complete deconstruction activities on an abandoned school building.
City of Brooklyn — $50,000 to remove asbestos and renovate the opera house. Site will be reconditioned for showing films, staging live action theater, art exhibits and hosting other special events and community meetings.
City of Clarksville — $11,820 to complete deconstruction activities on an abandoned commercial building. After the building is removed a new public works garage will be built.
City of Earlville — $28,360 to remove asbestos and deconstruct an abandoned commercial building. Site will be prepared for a new Regional Transit Authority hub to be added to service surrounding communities.
City of Ida Grove — $8,750 to complete renovation activities at the King Theater building. City is planning on opening the completely renovated and refurbished theater in November.
City of Middletown — $50,000 to complete deconstruction activities on the old school building. Site will be sold to a developer who plans to subdivide the property and build up to 10 single-family homes.
City of Ruthven — $5,200 to complete deconstruction activities on an abandoned restaurant. Site will be developed by building a new fire station.
City of Ryan — $42,132.50 to remove asbestos and complete deconstruction activities on an abandoned meat locker. Site will be converted into a pocket park that will serve as the entrance into the downtown district.
City of Sutherland — $43,250 to deconstruct an abandoned commercial building. The city plans to build a new health clinic to serve the residents and the surrounding communities.
City of Toledo— $49,900 to complete deconstruction activities on an abandoned building. The city plans to extend the neighboring Wieting Theater building into the vacated space to serve as an artistic hub and special events space.
Davis County— $17,432 to abate asbestos and deconstruct an abandoned commercial building in Bloomfield. The County plans to convert site into a parking lot for neighboring businesses.
Jones County— $8,144.50 to abate asbestos and deconstruct an abandoned commercial building in Wyoming. The County plans to transform the site into a pocket park.
For more information about the grant program, application forms and resources, visit: www.iowadnr.gov/Environment/LandStewardship/WasteManagement/DerelictBuildingProgram.aspx.