Marshalltown council approves $500,000 EPA Brownfields application and sale of downtown property

The Marshalltown City Council approved a resolution to submit a $500,000 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Brownfields assessment grant application and separately approved a purchase agreement to convey city-owned property at 20 East Main Street to Philip and Elizabeth Curtis for $10,000.

Deb Milizer, Housing and Community Development Director, told the council the Brownfields grant would fund site inventory, prioritization and Phase I/II assessments (including asbestos and lead paint work), planning and community engagement focused on the Lin Creek District, downtown, and the Highway 14 corridor. "The program has no match requirement and existing departmental budgets cover staff time," Milizer said, noting Marshalltown has previously used EPA brownfield funding for local assessments and planning.

On the property sale, Milizer described terms transferring title by quitclaim deed with redevelopment obligations placed on the buyers: commencement of construction within six months of recording, first-floor completion within 24 months and second-floor completion within 60 months; buyers must submit a phased development plan within 90 days and provide semiannual progress reports. The agreement requires a licensed structural-engineer evaluation of an existing mezzanine and gives the city a right of reversion if obligations are not met.

Both measures passed on roll-call votes. The Brownfields resolution passed with unanimous support; the sale of 20 East Main Street was approved after a brief public hearing and no public comments.

Next steps: staff will submit the EPA grant application and proceed with closing steps for the property transfer with the stated deadlines and reversion provisions.