A business that recently closed in Jefferson is looking to possibly get some needed maintenance done soon.

The Jefferson City Council approved in January an application to utilize funding with the State of Iowa Brownfield Program on the former Junkyard Cafe that closed late last year and is now owned by Home State Bank. City Administrator Scott Peterson describes how the funding would be used.

“These studies would be an environmental study of the property and then also a study about asbestos, and works towards whatever the asbestos containing materials might be in that property. So the City could apply to the Brownfield’s Program and be able to assist us with funding on these two types of studies.”      

Peterson notes that a governmental entity is required to be the applicant for this type of funding, which would be covered for the studies. However, he says they are still acquiring cost estimates from different contractors to do the studies. Peterson notes only if the City decides to move forward with asbestos abatement, would the City need to be the owner of the building.