Derelict Building Grant Program
Funding to assist communities and counties in addressing derelict buildings through deconstruction, renovation/mothballing, and/or conducting environmental studies. This grant also helps improve the attractiveness and appearance of their jurisdictions.
Eligible Project Criteria
Eligible derelict buildings include any commercial or public building that a local government has ownership of or intent to own. Applicants may ask for funding to cover asbestos containing materials (ACM) inspections of buildings not owned by the city at the time of application submittal. For the purpose of this program, a derelict building is defined as:
A derelict building has been abandoned by the owner, or the owner is recalcitrant, or the owner is not financially viable to bring the building into compliance with state and local building codes.
A building that is dilapidated, neglected, has become a nuisance, fallen into a state of disrepair or deterioration, or falling into ruins.
If a building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places or maintains a State of Iowa Historical listing, it is not eligible for this program.
Reimbursable services covered by this grant include:
Reimbursement for certified asbestos inspection: certified asbestos inspectors will investigate derelict structures to determine the presence, prevalence, and condition of asbestos.
Reimbursement for removal and disposal of ACM by certified asbestos removal contractors.
Reimbursement for a structural engineering analysis performed by an experienced structural engineer or architectural historian to determine the ability to renovate a building.
Phase I environmental assessment, which includes a review of known environmental records and land use information about the site and vicinity.
Phase II environmental assessment, which includes actual soil, groundwater, and structural materials sampling, to determine if contamination exists (the need of this assessment is driven by the results of the phase I assessment).
Building deconstruction, with the purpose of maximizing recycling and reuse of materials to minimize landfill disposal (goal of 30 percent landfill diversion by weight).
Building renovation/mothballing using waste minimization, reuse, and recycling practices, including the use of salvaged or recycled content material during the renovation:
– Reimbursement of costs related to the removing of materials for reuse, either at the site of offsite, or for recycling.
– Reimbursement for the purchase and installation of reused or recycled materials that will be incorporated into the project
Additional Requirements and Information
Projects must have a landfill diversion component through the recycling and reuse of materials
Funding is provided on a reimbursement basis.
State of Iowa approved contractors must be used for handling ACM and hazardous materials.
Grant funding assistance breakdown by reimbursable service:
| ASSISTANCE TYPE | REINBURSEMENT | MAX. COST | ADDITIONAL INFO |
| Certified ACM inspections | 100 percent | – | – |
| Removal and disposal of ACM | 100 percent | $10,000 | 50 percent cost share required for costs exceeding $10,000 |
| Structural engineering analysis | 100 percent | $1,500 | Applicant is responsible for all costs over $1,500 |
| Phase I environmental assessment | 100 percent | $3,000 | Applicant is responsible for all costs over $3,000 |
| Phase II environmental assessment | 50 percent | $2,500 | Applicant is responsible for all costs over $5,000 |
| Building renovation | 50 percent | $50,000 | Applicant is responsible for all costs over $100,000 |
| Building deconstruction | 50 percent | $50,000 | Applicant is responsible for all costs over $100,000 |
Source
Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
Eligible Applicants
Eligible Applicants
-Building cannot reside on the National Historic Register or State of Iowa Historical listing.
-Only a City government with a population of less than 5,000 may be an applicant and they must own or be in the process of owning the building.
-Applicants may partner with non-profits on projects, but building must be owned by applicant.
-The building must be a former commercial or public building that’s been abandoned for at least six months.
Application Deadline
February 23, 2024
Award Announcement
April
Contact Person
Reid Bermel, Environmental Specialist Senior
Land Quality Bureau – FABA Section
Department of Natural Resources
502 E 9th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319
Phone: (515) 725-8318