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*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*
Oct. 10, 2022
Heath Bobick, EGLE Brownfield Coordinator, [email protected], 517-281-6457
Jill A. Greenberg, EGLE spokesperson, [email protected], 517-897-4965

*$820,000 in EGLE brownfield funding to help redevelop contaminated sites in Mid-Michigan*

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has awarded $820,000 in brownfield grants for redevelopment of contaminated properties in Mid-Michigan. Overall, in 2022 EGLE will provide $20.7 million in brownfield funding to 67 projects statewide.

The plans include a new credit union in Sebewaing, a restaurant and brewery with loft-style apartments in Bay City, and a new pharmacy in West Branch.

More than half of EGLE’s budget each year flows into Michigan communities through grants, loans and other spending that supports local projects, protects public health and the environment, ultimately creating economic growth and jobs for Michigan workers. When brownfields – vacant or abandoned properties with known or suspected contamination – are redeveloped, property values increase both on the revitalized site awards and on other nearby properties.

EGLE’s Remediation and Redevelopment Division provides financial and technical assistance including grants, loans, tax increment financing and free site assessments to facilitate the redevelopment of brownfield properties.

*561 S. Beck St. in Village of Sebewaing* 

With assistance from a $395,000 EGLE brownfield grant, Frankenmuth Credit Union will build a new branch office in the Village of Sebewaing at 561 S. Beck St. and the two adjoining properties. The $3.8 million redevelopment project will create seven new jobs after the site’s environmental contamination is remediated this year.  

"The EGLE brownfield grant award is a significant step forward in redeveloping a contaminated site in the Village of Sebewaing,” said Carl Osentoski, executive director of the Huron County Brownfield Authority & Huron Economic Development Corporation. “In addition, the private investment from Frankenmuth Credit Union will add a significant new tax base as well as adding new jobs to the community. By taking a contaminated brownfield property and carefully remediating the site, Frankenmuth Credit Union will address community redevelopment in a sustainable way." 

The Beck Street property located at the M-25 intersection in the Village of Sebewaing, has remained vacant since approximately the 2010s, and previously operated as a filling station from the 1950s to the 2010s. Soil contamination associated with the property’s former use as a filling station is present and will be addressed to enable the reuse of the site.    

EGLE awarded the grant to the Huron County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority to perform environmental assessment activities, remove contaminated soil, and install a vapor mitigation system beneath the future building to prevent potential exposure to any residual contamination.  

*1108 N. Water St. in Bay City*

The Bay City Brownfield Redevelopment Authority plans to use a $275,000 EGLE brownfield grant to help remediate and redevelop a former gasoline filling and service station. Two vacant buildings located at 1108 N. Water St. within the historic downtown of Bay City will be renovated into a restaurant and brewery with three loft style apartments on the second floor. 

“The city is very excited to see this project come to fruition. This project will bring even more vibrancy to our downtown and help to continue the positive energy we are seeing in Bay City. The developer has so much passion for our area and wants to be a local and regional partner and we are thrilled to continue to be partners to be sure this project is successful,” said Sara Dimitroff, Bay City Economic Development project manager. 

The North Water Street property has been vacant since approximately 2016, and previously operated as a gasoline filling and service station from the 1920s to the 1960s. The EGLE grant will fund environmental and demolition activities to support reuse of the property.    

The EGLE grant will pay for environmental activities that are necessary to safely reuse the site. This includes additional assessment of on-site conditions, removal of contaminated soil, the management and disposal of impacted groundwater if encountered, and the design and installation of a vapor mitigation system, if needed.  

The approximately $4.7 million dollar capital investment into the North Peak project is estimated to create 30 full-time jobs and 50-part time jobs. 

In addition to incentives provided by EGLE, the redevelopment also is receiving support from the city of Bay City and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. 

*508 E. Houghton Ave. in West Branch*

The city of West Branch plans to use a $150,000 brownfield redevelopment grant from EGLE to address environmental contamination at a former gas station located at 508 E. Houghton Ave. The existing structure will be repurposed to create a new pharmacy within walking distance of downtown.

“The city of West Branch is excited to partner with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy on a Brownfield Redevelopment Program grant. The grant will allow for the redevelopment of a long time vacant and abandoned property which will help foster economic development within the city. The collaboration will help our Brownfield Redevelopment Authority accomplish its goal of making our community safer, more beautiful and more economically viable,” said John Dantzer, West Branch city manager. 

The site has remained vacant since approximately 2004, and previously operated as Little Reds filling station and convenience store from the 1970s to 2004. Contamination remaining at the property is the result of historic underground storage tank leaks associated with the former gas station.     

The EGLE brownfield grant will pay for environmental costs to help facilitate redevelopment and ensure the property is safe for reuse. It will be used to perform environmental assessment, remove contaminated soil and install a vapor mitigation system beneath the existing building to prevent potential exposure to any residual contamination.  

West Branch Pharmacy LLC will renovate the former filling station and convenience store, resulting in a pharmacy that will feature individualized and personalized care for elderly and low-income residents, and increased access to immunizations. The $290,000 development will create two full-time and four part-time jobs. Redevelopment activities are expected to be completed in spring 2023.

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*EGLE COVID-19 RESPONSE:* For details on EGLE's work during the pandemic, visit this webpage [ [link removed] ]. Follow state guidelines at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus [ [link removed] ].

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