Brownfields 2005
Grant Fact Sheet
Ecorse, Ml
EPA Brownfields Program
EPA's Brownfields Program empowers states, commu-
nities, and other stakeholders in economic development
to work together to prevent, assess, safely clean up,
and sustainably reuse brownfields. Abrownfield site is
real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse
of which may be complicated by the presence or
potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant,
or contaminant. On January 11, 2002, President George
W. Bush signed into law the Small Business Liability
Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act. Under the
Brownfields Law, EPA provides financial assistance to
eligible applicants through four competitive grant
programs: assessment grants, revolving loan fund
grants, cleanup grants, and job training grants. Addi-
tionally, funding support is provided to state and tribal
response programs through a separate mechanism.
Community Description
The City of Ecorse was selected to receive two
brownfields assessment grants and a cleanup grant.
Ecorse (population 11,229) is a residential and indus-
trial community located along the Detroit River, just
outside Detroit. The area grew because of its ideal
location for shipping along the river and the develop-
ment of significant rail and road infrastructure. It
became a regional industrial center with steel mills and
other manufacturing businesses. Like most other
inner-ring communities within the metropolitan Detroit
area, Ecorse has experienced population decline and
job losses over the past 30 years. About 54 percent of
Ecorse residents are minorities, and approximately 23
percent of residents live in poverty. The city is littered
Assessment Grants (2005)!
*«
$200,000 for hazardous substances
$200,000 for petroleum
EPA has selected the City of Ecorse for two
brownfields assessment grants. Grant funds will be
used to support site selection and inventory efforts,
and conduct eight to ten Phase I site assessments,
three to five Phase II site assessments, and three
to five baseline environmental assessments for both
hazardous substances and petroleum sites. Funds
also will be used for cleanup planning and commu-
nity outreach activities. *>»"<,
Cleanup Grant
$200,000 for hazardous substances
EPA has selected the City of Ecorse for a
brownfields cleanup grant. Grant funds will be
used to clean up the former Great Lakes Steel
Mill at 600 Mill Street, which is contaminated with
heavy metals, cyanide, pesticides, and possibly
PCBs and asbestos. The 58-acre site was used as
arolling steel mill beginning in 1923, but has been
vacant since it closed around 1970. Funds also
will be used for community outreach activities.
Contacts
For further information, including specific grant
contacts, additional grant information, brownfields
news and events, and publications and links, visit
the EPA Brownfields web site at: www.epa.gov/
brownfields.
EPA Region 5 Brownfields Team
312-886-7576
http://www.epa.gov/R5Brownfields/
Grant Recipient: City of Ecorse, MI
313-386-2410
The cooperative agreement for this grant has not
yet been negotiated; therefore, activities described
in this fact sheet are subject to change.
Solid Waste and
Emergency Response
(5105T)
EPA 560-F-05-093
May 2005
www.epa.gov/brownfields
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with hundreds of abandoned and vacant properties,
many of which pose contamination threats. Over 250
potential brownfield sites have been identified within
the city and along the riverfront. Reuse of brownfields
will provide jobs, goods, and services to the region, and
help increase the community's access to, and pride in,
its waterfront. Brownfields redevelopment will also
stabilize contamination in or near waterways, restore
natural functions to wetlands and watersheds, and
present opportunities for waterfront revitalization.
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