[font=Times New Roman][size=3]It could take millions of dollars to clean up and redevelop the former Chamberlain Manufacturing Corp. site.

Council members voted 6-0 Monday to accept the crumbling buildings and potentially contaminated land, once the home of the former defense contractor that shut down in 1994. Current owner, Atlas Warehouse, donated the Chamberlain site at no cost and ensured the property tax payments were up to date.

Community Planning and Development Director Don Temeyer said the city will begin conducting an asbestos survey at the site to help firm up demolition costs while exploring other buildings in the complex to see whether some can be reused.

"The key to the redevelopment of the site will be how we work with the EPA," Temeyer said.

The city already has received federal grants to conduct environmental tests on the site for underground contaminants. Preliminary results show it's likely some hazardous material remediation will be required. Council members approved another $30,000 contract Monday with Howard R. Green Co., of Cedar Rapids, to continue the assessment.

Temeyer said it's unlikely the EPA will hold the city responsible for the cleanup costs involved, although attempts to recover costs from previous owners from the site's active manufacturing days could occur.

The city expects to seek federal grants to demolish blighted structures at Chamberlain, similar to successful efforts at the former Rath Packing Co. complex and, more recently, the former Construction Machinery Co. site on Glenwood Street.[/size][/font]