March 9, 2006

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm joined Department of Environmental Quality Director Steven E. Chester today to announce that funds have been awarded to a brownfield redevelopment project in the city of Grand Haven in Ottawa County. The funding includes a $1,000,000 Brownfield Redevelopment Grant and a $1,000,000 Brownfield Redevelopment Loan to address environmental concerns and facilitate development at a former industrial site in Grand Haven.

“Returning abandoned and contaminated properties to a productive use is critical to Michigan’s environmental and economic progress and is a central theme in my Jobs Today program,” Governor Granholm said. “We want to provide Michigan’s cities with as many tools as possible to make their communities places where people are eager to work, live, and raise families.”

The Grand Landing Project, located along the Grand River in Grand Haven, will return a contaminated, and an abandoned, industrial facility to productive use. The 21 acre site has been used through its history for manufacturing, as a tannery, for furniture making, as a municipal wastewater treatment plant, for metal plating, as petroleum storage and for distribution, auto repair, and brine storage. The funding announced today will be used to prevent human exposure to contaminants.

Following this work, private investment of $55,000,000 is anticipated for acquisition of the property and construction of 175 condominiums, a conference center, and retail and office space. This work is expected to create 600 full-time jobs.

“Restoring brownfield sites to their full potential is key to Michigan’s environmental, economic, and land use strategies,” said Director Chester. “This project is a great step forward for Grand Haven, and demonstrates our commitment to providing for a healthy environment and a healthy economy throughout Michigan.”

The city of Grand Haven will extend the riverfront walkway to complement the development and connect it to other locations in the city. Green building practices will be used by the developer, Grand Landing LLC, whenever feasible to control storm water and preserve wetlands on both sides of the river.

The funding announced today was awarded as a part of Governor Jennifer M. Granholm’s Jobs Today/Jobs Tomorrow Initiative that will put thousands of Michigan residents to work through construction and development projects.

The Brownfield Redevelopment Grant and Loan Program provides funding to local units of government for environmental response activities on brownfield properties where redevelopment is likely or proposed. Brownfield properties are vacant or abandoned properties with known or suspected environmental contamination. The Brownfield Redevelopment Grant and Loan Program was initiated in 1988 and has provided $120.7 million for 296 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 9, 2006 by Pat Watson