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 ------- 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. ------- |