March 2, 2006

The Department of Environmental Quality today announced that an $85,000 Brownfield Redevelopment Loan has been awarded to the city of Owosso to facilitate the return of a contaminated and abandoned manufacturing and retail facility to productive use.

“Returning contaminated land to productive use is key to Michigan’s environmental, economic, and land use strategies,” said DEQ Director Steven E. Chester. “The DEQ is committed to working with communities to restore these properties to their full potential.”

The 2.3-acre Robbins Loft Project site is a former furniture manufacturer and retailer that has undergone a preliminary environmental evaluation. The funding announced today will be used to more thoroughly investigate suspected sources of contamination and to perform the necessary activities required to enable reuse of the property.

Following this work, an investment of at least $2,000,000 in private funds is anticipated to rehabilitate of the two primary structures and selective demolition of the remaining obsolete structures. This investment will result in creating a mixed-use development that will include both commercial and residential components. The proposed development is expected to create 30 full-time jobs.

The Brownfield Redevelopment Grant and Loan Program was initiated in 1988 and has provided over $120.8 million for 297 projects statewide.

Editor’s note: DEQ news releases are available on the department’s Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

“Protecting Michigan’s Environment, Ensuring Michigan’s Future”

Revised March 2, 2006 by Linda Crawford for Pat Watson