DES MOINES – The DNR Derelict Building Grant Program will award grants to 13 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 Feb. 20, 2020.
The following projects will receive a total of $396,864 as reimbursement grants:
City of Afton — $31,403 to abate asbestos and deconstruct commercial building. City plans for a new community social center that will feature Wi-Fi for locals to use for gaming and access to the internet.
City of Aurelia — $18,000 to abate asbestos and complete deconstruction activities on the old creamery. City plans to construct a new fire and emergency management station.
City of Eagle Grove — $21,500 to inspect and abate asbestos and deconstruct the old water plant building. City plans to use the space as a small business incubator and co-working space.
City of Elma — $71,375 to inspect and abate asbestos and deconstruct the abandoned school building. The city plans to redevelop site to feature community center, library, city clerk’s office, non-profit daycare and regional health services clinic.
City of Farragut — $12,100 to inspect and abate asbestos and complete a structural engineering analysis in an abandoned grocery store to determine the future use of the building.
City of Galt — $8,967 to abate asbestos and deconstruct the old post office. Future park/recreational area to feature an open shelter with picnic tables and upgraded playground.
City of Hampton — $20,000 to market the site for commercial development, but temporarily the site will add business parking and a designed green plaza featuring a vintage light to match the existing downtown lighting arrangement. Previously reported: $20,000 to deconstruct an abandoned commercial building. City plans to construct a new fire station.
City of Hopkinton — $40,000 to abate asbestos and deconstruct the old Masonic Lodge. City will create a new pocket park with seating, artwork and historical kiosks.
City of Lytton— $11,250 to deconstruct an old grocery store and butcher shop. The city plans to construct a new building that offers shared space for healthcare, legal and other needed services for the community.
City of Mingo— $61,400 to abate asbestos and renovate an old bank building. City plans to use the site for a new grocery store, restaurant, coffee shop or bakery that will attract bicyclists from the nearby Chichaqua Valley Bike & Recreational Trail.
City of Traer— $20,000 to abate asbestos from the old coal power plant. City will remove building in the future.
City of Wapello — $28,059 to inspect for and abate asbestos and renovate an abandoned church. City plans to transform site into a restaurant or retail business in a highly walkable block of the downtown.
City of West Branch — $50,960 to abate asbestos and deconstruct an abandoned commercial building. City will remove building and transform the site into a mixed-use development that would contain restaurants, retail and residential.
For more information about the grant program, application forms and resources, visit: www.iowadnr.gov/Environment/LandStewardship/WasteManagement/DerelictBuildingProgram.aspx.