August 30, 2006

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and Department of Environmental Quality Director Steven E. Chester today announced that funds have been awarded to a brownfield redevelopment project in the city of Walker, Kent County. The funding includes a $1,000,000 Brownfield Redevelopment Loan to address environmental and health concerns and facilitate the reuse of a 750,000 square foot industrial building located in the GrandWalk area and holds the potential to create 600 full-time jobs.

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.

"This project is an example of the type of innovative redevelopment of our cities that is critical to Michigan's environmental and economic progress, and is a key component of my economic plan," Governor Granholm said. "We will continue to give Michigan's cities the tools they need to make their communities places where people are eager to work, live, and raise families."

The Alpinist Endeavors, LLC Redevelopment Project is located on 41.5 acres in the northeast part of the city, in one of the oldest industrial areas. The 750,000-square foot building was previously used in the manufacturing of automobiles and aircraft during World War II. The funding announced today will be used to conduct remediation and due care activities on the property and to remove a creosote-treated wood floor from the interior of the old facility to facilitate redevelopment.

Private investment of $19,000,000 is anticipated for acquisition of the property, new machinery and equipment, rehabilitation of the building, and new construction. The building will be subdivided into smaller individual units and then leased or sold to prospective companies for commercial and industrial use.

“The DEQ is continuing to assist communities transform abandoned industrial properties into clean, vibrant new developments,” said Director Chester. “This project is a great step forward for the environment and the economy of Walker.”

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 $127 million for 301 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 August 30, 2006 by Linda Crawford for Pat Watson