The Rhinelander city council has accepted a grant that will continue the process to demolish and clean up the former Lindey Cleaners property in downtown Rhinelander.
On June 30, the city was notified by Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation they were awarded a Site Assessment Grant of just under $110,000.
Council member Mark Pelletier says the state said to get the grant, the city had to put up more matching money...
"...at the last minute, in allowing us to get this grant and clean this entire area up, (the state) has determined we have to put up an additional $20,000....."
The city had invested $3,000. The council voted to take the money from a Tax Incremental Financing fund to meet the state request.
The city has determined through work already completed that there are hazardous chemicals and other contaminants in the former dry cleaning business on Stevens Street. That includes several underground storage tanks the contained either solvent or fuel oil.
The city wants to demolish the building to make a parking lot, but they also need to raze the building to accurately determine what materials are below ground.
