WASHTENAW COUNTY BROWNFIELD PROGRAM 2021-2022 BIENNIAL REPORT, SHOWS SIGNIFICANT ASSISTANCE WITH BROWNFIELDS TO COMMUNITY PARTNERS
WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI., July 31st, 2023 – Washtenaw County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (WCBRA) has released its 2021-2022 program report revealing a growing program and the Authority providing broad assistance in helping cities and Townships investigate, remediate and redevelop challenging brownfield sites. The report includes information about completed and ongoing projects supported by the WCBRA, grants awarded and received, and financial data from 2021 and 2022.
The WCBRA, which is housed in the Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development (OCED), was established in 1999 to assist local government to redevelop brownfield sites. The program leveraged $102 million in private investment over the two-year period from five active construction projects supported by brownfield incentives, completed three projects, and approved Brownfield Plans for six new upcoming redevelopment projects.
Major accomplishments include the following:
- Awarded a $1 million grant/loan from the Local Brownfield Revolving Fund (LBRF) to support Dorsey Estates, at 220 N. Park, in the City of Ypsilanti. This development will provide 46 affordable and attainable attached and detached homes. The LBRF fund is maintained from deposits from all active brownfield projects.
- Supported the City of Ann Arbor with a $53,000 LBRF grant for environmental investigation at the 415 W. Washington site, for which the City is seeking a development partner.
- Supported the City of Chelsea and a non-profit entity with a $65,000 LBRF Grant to complete environmental due diligence on a former downtown manufacturing site, Federal Screw Works, with the goal of establishing a city park.
- Secured almost $200,000 in EPA assessment grants for Washtenaw County sites through the Downriver Community Conference
- Secured $1.25 million in clean up funding from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) for two sites.
- Completion of a four-year $1 million EGLE grant for the Beekman on Broadway site, which installed a Permeable Reactive Barrier wall in the ground to intercept and clean up ground water contaminated with dry-cleaning solvent. The mitigation measure proved very successful in reducing concentration of the contaminant by 99%.
“Our program is very active, and we continue to play a critical role in redevelopment challenging brownfield sites around the County,” said Allison Krueger, the Brownfield Authority Chair. “We are particularly proud to be able to support new affordable housing through the use of our LBRF fund,” said Krueger.
Major accomplishments align with OCED and WCBRA’s goal of investing in the community, revitalizing neighborhoods, encouraging smart growth instead of sprawl, supporting the creation of affordable housing, and mitigating threats to public health and the environment. Since 1999, the program has leveraged $750 million in private investment with almost 30 projects.
View the Two-Year Brownfield Report here.
To learn more about the County Brownfield program visit: https://www.washtenaw.org/brownfields.
For questions, please contact Nathan Voght by email at [email protected] or by phone at (734) 660-1061.