Return to Use Initiative
2004 Demonstration Project
Butterworth Landfill:
Grand Rapids, Ml
THE SITE: Located near the center of Grand Rapids, Michigan, the
Butterworth Landfill Superfund site occupies 120 acres along the Grand
River. Beginning in 1950, the landfill operated first as an open dump
and later as a sanitary landfill, leading to the contamination of both
ground water and soils. Approximately 1,300 people live within a mile
of the site.
THE OPPORTUNITY: In 2002, the City of Grand Rapids began to discuss
possible future uses of the Butterworth Landfill site. The City of Grand
Rapids approached EPA to inquire about what must be done to extend
an existing bike trail onto the southern portion of the site. At EPA's
request, the City performed a risk assessment to evaluate risks at the
site post remedy implementation. EPA also approached the City with
an offer to participate in the Return to Use Initiative, a collaborative
local and Agency effort to move cleaned-up Superfund sites into reuse.
Together, EPA and the City of Grand Rapids determined that there
were minimal barriers that would hinder the recreational reuse of the
Butterworth Landfill.
THE BARRIER: Once construction ofthe 2001 site remedywascompleted,
the fenced 120 acres remained unused by the nearby residents. Before
reuse could move forward EPA needed assurance that any future users
would not negatively impact the remedyand thatthe remedy would be
protective for future recreational use.
THE SOLUTION: The City completed a risk assessment in July 2003
and submitted it to EPA for approval. With EPA's approval, City of
Grand Rapids officials plan to open the site to allow pedestrian and
bicycle use sometime in 2006. The City of Grand Rapids Master Plan
includes a bike route that will cross a major portion of the Butterworth
Landfill.On November 12,2004, EPA made a national announcement to
commemorate the Return to Use Initiative and community involvement
at the Butterworth Landfill. At the announcement, Superfund Director
Michael B.Cook and Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell endorsed
the Initiative and the activities at Butterworth Landfill and rode bicycles
on the landfill's former utility road, now destined to become a biking
and walking trail.
Barriers: Perimeter fence restrict-
ing access; uncertain assessment
of site risks; uncertainty about
what future uses were appropri-
ate on what areas ofthe site
Solution: Evaluating and imple-
menting potential future uses;
install gates in perimeter fence;
qualitative risk assessment ap-
proved by EPA; enhanced stake-
holder and community involve-
ment process
Before: Cleaned-up landfill, ready
for reuse; 120 acres of vacant,
riverfront land surrounded by a
fence
After: Municipal park with newly
constructed bike trail
Superfund Redevelopment Initiative
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THE PARK: EPA Region 5 is working with the City as
it performs an enhanced stakeholder process at the
Butterworth Landfill. EPA's participation in the process
will ensure that the reuse activities do not interfere with
the remedy or damage the landfill's vegetative cap. Public
meetings were held in 2005 to help develop conceptual
designs for the site and gather feedback. Several
recreational groups have expressed interest in using the
site for recreational purposes, including members from the
Academy of Model Aeronautics, as well as members from
national skateboarding and BMX bike groups.Department
of Parks and Recreation officials expect that the
Butterworth Landfill recreation area will complement the
nearby Millennium Park. EPA and the City of Grand Rapids
are currently reviewing and evaluating the proposed uses
in terms of site suitability as well as potential recreational
phasing opportunities.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Tom Bloom,
Region 5 Superfund Redevelopment Coordinator, at
312.886.1967 or bloom.thomas@epa.gov or Dion Novak,
remedial project manager for the site at 312.886.4737 or
novak.dion@epa.gov.
Top to Bottom: Superfund Director Michael B. Cook (far left) announces the Return to Use Initiative at the Butterworth Landfill in
November 2004, joined by George Heartwell (second from left), Mayor of Grand Rapids, and Jay Steffen (far right), Director of Parks and
Recreation in the City of Grand Rapids; paved path to be used by bicyclists and pedestrians; view of the Grand River from the site.
Superfund Redevelopment Initiative
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updated December 2005

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