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Council Bluffs cites EPA brownfields grants to advance cleanup at former Reliance Battery site
Summary
City-contracted consultant John Reese updated the council on two EPA Brownfields grants: a $300,000 assessment grant (extension approved; 10 Phase I assessments completed) and a $500,000 cleanup grant (20% city match). SHPO approval and DNR program acceptance are complete and staff expect to bid cleanup work in winter or spring.
City-contracted environmental consultant John Reese told the council the city is making measurable progress on two EPA Brownfields grants that target contaminated properties, including the former Reliance Battery factory.
Reese said the Phase I/II work under the $300,000 assessment grant has largely met the grant’s goals: 10 Phase I assessments were completed covering 12 parcels (the goal was 15) and three Phase II assessments (subsurface sampling for soil, groundwater and soil vapor) were completed covering five parcels (goal was five). He said ESE has used roughly 88–89% of contracted funds and the overall grant remains on track following approved time extensions.
On the cleanup side, Reese said the $500,000 cleanup grant (with a 20% city cost share, $100,000) focuses mainly on removing lead-contaminated soil at the former Reliance Battery site to residential standards. He said the Iowa State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) approved the project path in 2024 and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Land Recycling Program has accepted the site into its program — both are requirements for the grant. Reese said the team has completed a site assessment report, sampling and cleanup plans, risk evaluations and response-action documents and is finalizing technical specifications to go to bid this winter or spring.
Reese also summarized earlier accomplishments under the assessment grant: supplemental Phase II work, asbestos inspections, and cleanup work planning for two sites (Reliance Battery and a former shooting-range property). He told the council cleanup will require significant contractor work (soil removal, trucking and disposal) and that much of the contracted cleanup dollars will be used for those costs.
Why it matters: The Reliance Battery site has legacy lead contamination; the combined assessment and cleanup grants — along with the city’s 20% committed match for the cleanup grant — aim to make the property safe for residential reuse and to remove a barrier to redevelopment.
Next steps: Staff will finalize technical specifications and pursue bids for remediation work (winter/spring); council will continue to be briefed on procurement, costs and schedule.
