The Detroit Brownfield Redevelopment Authority was awarded a $1 million grant from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). The grant will help revitalize and safely reuse 200 acres on Detroit’s east side.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles will expand its Mack Engine Plant and Jefferson North Assembly Plant to increase production of Jeeps. The $1.2 billion redevelopment will create 5,000 new jobs.
Dozens of properties in the 200 acre development area were contaminated by businesses like machine shops, a scrap yard and a foundry. The brownfield grant will be used for environmental investigations; to remove contaminated soil, underground storage tanks and asbestos; and to install barriers and a ventilation system to prevent exposure to harmful vapors in the soil. The EGLE grant may pay for demolition of vacant buildings so contamination beneath them can be addressed. The grant will be increased to $2 million if the brownfield authority meets project benchmarks.
EGLE partners with communities to revitalize contaminated property. EGLE grants and loans pay for investigation and cleanup on properties with known or suspected environmental contamination.
Published in the July 2019 Edition