WATERLOO — The Board of Supervisors and the city of Waterloo are exploring options to address Black Hawk County’s need to update the Road Department’s main maintenance facility.
A resolution to move forward with a memorandum of understanding with the city was approved Tuesday by the supervisors. The City Council approved the memorandum at it's meeting on Monday.
The MOU establishes a development agreement that allows the city and county to work together to evaluate land opportunities that meet the long-term needs of both governments, including the possible relocation of the Longfellow Roads Facility from its current location at 1329 Longfellow Avenue.
The resolution follows several years of county conversations regarding the need to replace or significantly improve the existing facility. Built in 1959, officials say the nearly 70-year-old building no longer meets the operational needs of the Black Hawk County Roads Department. While improvements have been made over the years, significant renovations are still necessary.
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Multiple properties in the Waterloo Air and Rail Park are being considered for a land swap due to their proximity to the county’s rural road network. Some sites already have existing road and sewer infrastructure, which reduces development costs. The industrial park is adjacent to the Waterloo Regional Airport near U.S. Highway 218.
Noel Anderson, Waterloo's community planning and development director, told supervisors the relocation also presents an opportunity for potential single-family housing development near the existing Cloverdale Park.
"With the exchange of property, the city of Waterloo whold then look at the Longfellow site for residential infill development, " he said. "We don't have a lot of new subdivisions on the north side, specificallly, of the community. We'd like to get moree single family home options on the north side."
"This is a great example of what can happen when local governments work together to find solutions that benefit the entire community," Supervisor Linda Laylin, the board chairperson, said in a news release. "The City of Waterloo came to us with options, and we are committed to working together to determine what makes the most sense for both the City and the County."
Funding for a new roads facility will come from the Local Option Sales Tax, which also funds roads and bridges. According to officials, a new facility would improve the department's ability to maintain and service its fleet and equipment while providing a more functional workplace for employees.
The proposed plan would bring together employees currently located at the courthouse with the employees at the existing Longfellow Facility. The county would continue to operate its five smaller maintenance shops located throughout the county.
"This partnership allows us to think beyond simply replacing an aging building," County Engineer Cathy Nicholas said in the news release. "We can look at the long-term needs of our Roads Department, our employees and the residents we serve, while also working with the City of Waterloo on the future of the Longfellow Avenue property. We're proud of the collaborative approach we're taking."
The next steps include finalizing the MOU and continuing discussions between the city and county to evaluate potential sites. The county is also preparing to seek architectural services for a proposed public works facility. Once the site and development plan are finalized, the project would proceed through the appropriate design, bidding, and construction processes.
