Brownfields 2009 Cleanup Grant Fact Sheet
EPA Brownfields Program
EPA's Brownfields Program empowers states.
communities, and other stakeholders to work together to
prevent, assess, safely clean up, and sustainably reuse
brownfields. A brownfield 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. In 2002,
the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields
Revitalization Act was passed to help states and
communities around the country cleanup and revitalize
brownfields sites. 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 Ypsilanti was selected to receive three
brownfields cleanup grants. Located 30 miles west of
Detroit, Ypsilanti (population 21,764) was founded in
1825. During the 19th and 20th centuries, it was the
largest industrial center in southeast Michigan outside the
Detroit metropolitan area. Large manufacturing plants
were built in and near the city, but today, only one
remains active. Abandoned plants have created more than
150 acres of large brownfields. Past manufacturing and
industrial operations were chemical-intensive, involving
metal formation, welding, and finishing. Migration of
contaminants into the Huron River and the threat of
contaminated groundwater are major concerns for the
river and downstream residents. The city's population has
declined 5.4 percent since 2000, almost 17 percent of
families live in poverty, and 39 percent of residents are
minorities. When the target sites are cleaned up, they are
expected to be a critical factor in moving forward with the
Water Street Project, a 38-acre site on the Huron River.
Redevelopment plans for the project include housing,
retail use, and office space. This redevelopment is
expected to increase economic activity in the downtown
district, create jobs, and generate additional tax revenues.
Cleanup Grants
$600,000 for hazardous substances
EPA has selected the City of Ypsilanti for three
brownfields cleanup grants. Hazardous substances
grant funds will be used to clean up the Water
Street Redevelopment Project Areas of Concern
#1, #2, and #5. The properties are located at 20
East Michigan Avenue; 34, 38, and 40 East
Michigan Avenue and 14 South River Street; and
103 South River Street, respectively. The sites
have a long history of industrial and commercial
uses, including truck and automotive parts
manufacturing, automobile repair, and newspaper
printing. Soils and groundwater are contaminated
with a variety of hazardous substances, including
trichloroethene, arsenic, PCBs, and mercury.
Grant funds from all three grants also will be used
to conduct community engagement 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
(http://www.epa.gov/brownfields).
EPA Region 5 Brownfields Team
(312)886-7576
EPA Region 5 Brownfields Web site
(http://www.epa.gov/R5Brownfiel ds)
Grant Recipient: City of Ypsilanti,MI
(734)483-1810
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
negotiated. Therefore, activities described in this
fact sheet are subject to change.
United States
Environmental
Protection Agency
Washington, DC 20450
Solid Waste
and Emergency
Response (5105T)
EPA 560-F-09-235
May 2009
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