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Brownfields 2008
Grant Fact Sheet
Michigan City, IN
EPA Brownfields Program
EPA's Brownfields Program empowers states, commu-
nities, and other stakeholders 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 this 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. Additionally, funding support is
provided to state and tribal response programs through
a separate mechanism.
Community Description
The City of Michigan City was selected to receive two
brownfields cleanup grants. Located in northwest
Indiana, Michigan City (population 32,900) has been
losing residents since 1990. Approximately 13.3
percent of its residents live below the poverty level,
and 7.3 percent of the labor force is unemployed. The
Norfolk & Western Railroad property and the former
Erincraft Facility are in a blighted and former industrial
area within the Trail Creek Waterfront Redevelopment
Area. When the sites are cleaned up, the city plans to
incorporate them in the area redevelopment plans that
include creating public spaces, expanding a municipal
marina, and developing a mixed-use commercial and
entertainment center. Redevelopment of this area is
expected to add greenspace, increase tourism, and
create jobs for city residents. Cleanup of the sites also
Cleanup Grants
$400,000 for hazardous substances
EPA has selected the City of Michigan City for
two brownfields cleanup grants. Hazardous
substances grant funds will be used to clean up the
former Norfolk & Western Railroad property
located west of E Street and south of Trail Creek.
The half-acre site is an abandoned rail spur. Grant
funds also will be used to clean up the former
Erincraft Facility at 742 East 8th Street. The one-
acre site was formerly a boat maintenance facility
and manufacturing site. Both sites are contami-
nated with chlorinated solvents, metals, and volatile
organic compounds. Grant funds will be used for
cleanup planning, soil and groundwater sampling,
and health and safety monitoring. Grant funds also
will be used to conduct community involvement
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 Michigan City, IN
219-873-1419
The information presented in this fact sheet comes
from the grant proposal; EPA cannot attest to the
accuracy of this information. The cooperative
agreement for the grant has not yet been negoti-
ated. Therefore, activities described in this fact
sheet are subject to change.
is expected to enhance the quality of groundwater,
which discharges into Trail Creek and eventually into
Lake Michigan.
Solid Waste and
Emergency Response
(5105T)
EPA560-F-08-102
April 2008
www.epa.gov/brownfields
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