The City of Moberly secured a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) from the Missouri Department of Economic Development to fund the demolition of the grain towers at the eastern edge of downtown.

The project has been an on-going priority of the City’s focus on community revitalization. The towers were built in the 1950s and decommissioned around 1980. While numerous redevelopment concepts were proposed in the years following the closure, none came to fruition. Over the years, the condition of the towers continued to deteriorate, increasing risk to public safety. Through a collaboration with the property owner, the City acquired the site as a donation. Community Relations Manager Scott McGarvey says the city was able to secure $321,000 in CDBG funding for the demolition.

 

The City will contribute a local match of $101,375, bringing the total project budget to approximately $422,375. The Moberly City Council voted to accept the grant agreement during its January 5th meeting.

With funding secured, the City will begin the process of selecting qualified demolition contractors and completing required environmental reviews. Demolition activities will include asbestos inspection and removal, engineering oversight, and site clearance. The grant also covers administrative costs and ensures compliance with federal requirements. Demolition work is expected to commence later this year, with completion targeted well before the grant’s performance period ends in December 2028.

The grant is part of more than $16 million announced this week that the Missouri Department of Economic Development awarded to 43 projects statewide through the CDBG Program’s Fiscal Year 2025 Competitive Cycle.