GRAND RAPIDS DISTRICT
Joe's Tire / Van Drie's Furniture Store, Big Rapids, MI
The old Joe's Tire Service/Ridderman Oil was a gasoline service station and tire service establishment. Three underground storage tanks (USTs) were removed in 1992 after free product was found to be entering Mitchell Creek in 1989. Cleanup and Redevelopment Funds (CRF) have been used since 1999 to remove three remaining USTs, abate acute risks of inhalation and surface water impacts, monitor groundwater, and remove free product at the site. The State of Michigan has spent approximately $215,000 at this site and is continuing corrective actions off-site. The new Van Drie's Furniture Store, built in 2000, employs 25 people. The owner invested over $500,000 in site improvements and a new showroom after performing a Baseline Environmental Assessment (BEA). The old building was demolished and a new parking lot was extended over the area of contamination to prevent exacerbation and exposure. Van Drie's is located at 318 N. State Street, Big Rapids, MI.

Geller's Auto Service, Montcalm Co.  

Geller's was used as a gasoline sales and automotive service station since 1923. Three USTs were removed from the property in April of 1992. During the removal activities, a confirmed release was discovered and reported to the STD.  An investigation of the extent of the contamination was conducted by installing 30 monitoring wells and twelve soil borings. Free product was detected in one of the monitoring wells.

This site was a state funded cleanup project. The scope of work included a complete investigation of the extent of free product and soil and groundwater contamination. Once the extent of contamination was determined, remediation activities, including free product recovery and disposal, was conducted. State funded activities ceased in December of 2003.

A BEA stating that no hazardous materials would be stored on site was submitted to the STD for determination in June of 1998. The BEA was submitted on behalf of the Governmental Employees Credit Union of Ionia. The BEA and Due Care plan was affirmed in November of 1998. The former building was demolished and the new credit union building has been constructed, vastly improving the streetscape in the downtown.  

Blackrick Service, Crystal, MI
This former service station, located at 705 Main Street in Crystal had four underground storage tanks which were non-compliant and required removal. The tanks included one 1000 gallon, one 2000 gallon, one 4000 gallon and one 6000 gallon. The DEQ funded this project under the 1999 Clean Michigan Initiative. The facility was operated as a gas station since 1938 and stayed in the same family until it was sold in 1996. Subsequent to the removal of the tanks by state contractors, an off-site release was identified and additional funding to determine the extent and remediate groundwater was approved. Over $250,000 has been authorized for cleaning up this property. The property tax reverted to the county and was foreclosed upon. The property was sold at public auction in July 2002, and a BEA submitted by the new owner.

SXT/Ron's II, Kent County

The property was formerly used as a gasoline, convenience store, bait shop and sporting goods store.  As part of the gasoline station, the property contained five USTs with their associated piping and dispenser island. The five USTs were registered as two 3,000-gallon gasoline, one 2,000-gallon gasoline, one 520-gallon kerosene, and one 560-gallon gasoline USTs. The five USTs were removed from the property in October 1998. During the UST removal activities, five soil samples were collected and analyzed from the southern excavation and dispenser island location. The area of highest soil contaminant concentration was located at the north dispenser island soil sample. A confirmed release was reported on October 7, 1998.

This site is currently a state funded cleanup project. Over $200,000 has been authorized to conduct response activities which include complete investigation of the extent of soil and groundwater contamination. Free product and soil removal activities have already been carried out by the DEQs contractors. Their assessment of the site is under review by the project manager.

Redevelopment of the property was accomplished after foreclosure by the bank. Both the bank and new owners submitted BEAs in January and in December of 1999. The building has been remodeled into a retail store, which is now operated by Aqua Flow Water Systems, which submitted a BEA in April 2003.  Through the use of the BEA redevelopment tool, the new owners have protected their liability from the contamination associated with the former gasoline station.

CADILLAC DISTRICT

Rite Aid, Cadillac, MI

This was the location of a Marathon service station until 1989. Five USTs that were installed in 1962, were removed in 1989 when the business shut down. A release was reported upon removal of the tanks and remediation began shortly after this.  Corrective actions, including recovery of free product, soil treatment and groundwater treatment continued until 1998. The site was purchased by a new owner and leased to Rite Aid Corporation in 1998. A BEA was performed for the site and a new building and parking lot were constructed. The store is one of the busiest in the area and has had a positive impact on the surrounding businesses. 

Dutch Hutch, McBain, MI

The Dutch Hutch was used as a donut and coffee shop for many years, prior to that it was a small gasoline service station, on the north side of downtown. In 1997, five leaking underground storage tanks were removed from the site, and a large release of petroleum, including free product was reported. A sixth tank was discovered and its piping was leaking. The piping from this tank and the pump island were removed. The remaining tank was removed later as a potential source of contamination. The City of McBain's municipal wells were within the pathway of the plume from the LUST, one of which had already been impacted with MTBE. McBain is located in a geologic region of sands up to 21 feet in depth, with groundwater at approximately 16 feet below ground surface.

The former owners of the property had stopped using the USTs prior to 1996, but did not properly close them. The DEQ district project manager nominated the site for Cleanup and Redevelopment funding in 1999 to perform additional on and off-site investigation, free product removal and treatment system installation and maintenance. Demolition of the building was included under the 1999 CMI program.

The building was demolished in the summer of 2001 and the treatment system installed in the fall of 2001. It is currently pumping and treating groundwater in order to protect the city's municipal wells. Over 1 million gallons of groundwater have been treated so far, and over 1900 gallons of free product has been recovered.The city has taken ownership of the site and has successfully applied for a downtown redevelopment grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to improve parking and support the downtown business district. The DEQ has spent approximately $200,000 on the cleanup.

Finch's Amoco, Grand Traverse County

The property was utilized as an auto repair facility as early as 1929 and was last operated as a gasoline service station in 1996. A release was confirmed in 1991 from a failed tank tightness test. Free product was found in as many as seven monitoring wells over the years. Free product recovery and remedial investigations were funded by MUSTFA until 1995. The Leaking Underground Storage Tank systems were removed in March 1997. A Baseline Environmental Assessment was submitted in April of 1997. Redevelopment of the property commenced after the BEA was completed. Currently the property is being leased by Republic Bank. The contamination at the property is being remediated with State funding from the Cleanup and Redevelopment Fund.

Michigan National Bank, Grand Traverse County

The property began use as a petroleum retail facility in 1959. Seven of the eight underground storage tank (UST) systems were removed in 1981. The station was then converted into a drive-in branch of Michigan National Bank this same year. The bank retained one UST for fueling bank vehicles. Approximately 800 gallons of unleaded gasoline was lost in March 1981. Free product recovery began immediately and roughly 1,134 gallons of free product and water were recovered. In 1985 groundwater contamination was discovered at the northeast corner of the site. A remedial investigation was conducted. Limited remedial actions, in the form of air sparging and soil vapor extraction, occurred in 1994. A Baseline Environmental Assessment was submitted in July 1997. The building was raised. The property was redeveloped into an office building.

Bridgestone/Firestone, Grand Traverse County

The property was utilized as a gasoline station in 1929. In early 1936 the Firestone Auto Supply and Service Store, with gasoline sales opened and continued operation until 1967. In December 1995, the underground storage tank (UST) systems were removed. Soil and groundwater contamination was found around the waste oil tank during a Phase II Environmental Assessment. A Baseline Environmental Assessment was submitted in February 1996. Currently Brownfield Redevelopment Funds are being used to redevelop the property.

Krouse Tire, Grand Traverse County

The property was initially utilized as a gasoline service station from 1952 until 1978. Three underground storage tank (UST) systems were removed in 1987 prior to Federal rules, which required site assessment sampling below the tanks. Soil and groundwater contamination was discovered during a Phase II Environmental Assessment. A Baseline Environmental Assessment was submitted to the Department of Environmental Quality on February 20, 1998. The service station was razed and a four-story office building was constructed on the property in 1999. Approximately 30 cubic feet of contaminated soil was removed during construction activities.

MARQUETTE DISTRICT

Pair-a-dice-Inn, (Jerry & Pat's Party Store) Christmas, MI

This property was a general store located in Christmas, MI, located less than 150 feet from Furnace Creek which flows into Lake Superior.  The store also sold gasoline until 1994 when one 2000 gallon and one 1000 gallon UST were removed. At that time, a release was reported and the contractors removed 100 cubic yards of soil. However, it was estimated through analysis of data from monitoring wells and soil borings that an additional 800+ cubic yards of contaminated soils were left at the site. Groundwater impact is very likely, and a plume of primarily MTBE and BTEX has migrated off site with the potential to impact at least one private well at the restaurant/bar across the street and the creek.

A new owner purchased the property and performed a BEA and Due Care activities in December 1999 at the site. During the winter and spring of 2001, the owners completed building a new hotel and convenience store/gas station on the site, investing over $1 million and creating about 20 new jobs.  In the process of constructing the hotel, most of  the remaining contaminated soil was removed. The Storage Tank Division nominated the site for the 1999 CMI program for site investigation and plume delineation and groundwater and soil cleanup. Monitoring will continue on downgradient wells until 2010. Over $154,000 has been spent by the state on this project which was completed in 2003.  

LANSING DISTRICT

Former Amoco, Delta Township, MI

Waverly-Saginaw Former Amoco. This Amoco station was located at one of the busiest corners in Lansing. It closed in 1995 and was later demolished. In 2001, the site was purchased by Walgreens and a BEA was performed. The new store has greatly improved the streetscape at this corner.

Former Central Distributors, Flushing, MI

This former service station operated for decades along the east side of the Flint River, on Main Street. The building had fallen into disrepair and a basement with two large USTs had been exposed to the elements. There were eight USTs in total, several of which had impacted the soil and surface water over the years. The owner of Central Distributors was reluctant to remove the tanks or clean up the contamination, so the project was nominated for state funding. The STD performed tank removals in late 2001 and the city subsequently purchased the property and demolished the building. The site is now used as a public access to the riverwalk and canoes can be rented from a new livery.

Former Pete's Sunoco- Burton, MI

The Pink Palace or former Pete's Sunoco gas station, had five USTs, ranging from 1000 to 9000 gallons in size all of unknown age. The tanks were last used in 1983 but it is not known when the tanks were actually removed, or when a release had occurred as none had ever been reported. In early 2001, a release, possibly from this site or another facility on the south side of Lapeer Road, began impacting a residence. State emergency funds were immediately used to install an air exchange system/ groundwater pump in the basement. The state is subsequently seeking cost reimbursement from the liable party. A new owner performed a BEA on the property, which is the main office for a phone systems installation company, Allen Audio & Communications, Inc.

Former Car Wash, Gas Station- Flint, MI

A former self car wash at the northeast corner of Davison Road and Dort Highway was purchased in 2000 and was demolished. The new owners performed a BEA and began to redevelop the site. Twelve USTs were removed from the ground, some of which were buried underneath the sidewalks, as the original gas station had been located in the original right of way of the two lane road, which later expanded to four lanes. The redevelopment of the property by both Kentucky Fried Chicken and Rite Aid has greatly improved the corner, supplying a needed drug store and fast food restaurant for the surrounding neighborhoods and manufacturing plants. Over $1 million in private investment went into the site.

City of Davison, MI

Just east of Flint, the City of Davison has been at the forefront of USTfields redevelopment in the state. On one corner alone, two former gas stations have been demolished and new businesses have built stores. The first is on the northwest corner of State Street and Flint Road, which was a Davison Gas & Oil Company gas station. The station was sold and a BEA was performed in 1999. A confirmed release was reported in April of 1999 and the tanks were removed from the ground in May. The purchaser built a new Wendy's restaurant. On the southwest corner, a former Total station had closed in the winter of 2000.   There had been a release reported in 1993 during removal of eight 32-year old steel USTs. The release was closed in 1997 with deed restrictions. Three tanks were removed in 2001 and the building was demolished. A new CVS drug store was built on the lot just to the west on Flint Road, and the parking lot covers the area of the old gas station. The eastern two corner lots (a former Action Auto/car dealership and oil change garage) are next in line for redevelopment, both sites have had USTs, which are now removed. Two former bulk gasoline storage areas south of the downtown are targeted for redevelopment.

KALAMAZOO DISTRICT
Former Baker Oil-West Dickman Road, Springfield, MI 

The former Baker Oil on West Dickman, just west of Battle Creek's Magnificent Motor Mile, was a former bulk fuel plant that was abandoned when the company went out of business. It had been contaminated by at least two known releases of fuels from leaking underground storage tanks. The DEQ funded an investigation and cleanup of the site from CMI funds starting in 1999. Currently, Delisle Associates is the QC performing free product recovery and site investigation both on and offsite.  In 2002 and 2003, the RRD Kalamazoo District project manager and Funding and Support Unit staff worked with the City of Springfield to maintain access at the site in order to continue investigation and cleanup, prior to the city acquiring the site through a public use deed from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). In late 2003, the city gained the title to the property and agressively marketed it for redevelopment.   State Senator Mark Schauer (D-Battle Creek) announced the city was awarded a $700,000 Brownfield Redevelopment Grant and a $300,000 Brownfield Redevelopment Loan. The money will be used to clear up environmental contamination and eventually build commercial and retail space and a car wash. "This project will create jobs and will protect our groundwater in the Dickman Road area," Schauer said.

Downtown Tomorrow, Kalamazoo, MI

A gas station located on the corner of Michigan Avenue and Main Streets was closed in the mid 1960s and remained vacant for nearly four decades. The city ended up with the facility through tax reversion and removed the tank in 1998, at that time also reporting a release. The site had been funded through the Clean Michigan Initiative for tank removal and investigation of the release. The investigation was performed and It was determined that the release would have no detrimental impacts for the proposed use of the property. A local non-profit, Downtown Tomorrow paid for a BEA and built a unique and attractive fountain and sign as an entry into downtown Kalamazoo.  

Albion former KFC/Gas Station, Albion, MI

This former gas station had been converted to a drive-in restaurant in the late 1940s. It operated as one restaurant or another for the next 50 years, most recently as a Kentucky Fried Chicken. This restaurant went out of business in the late 1990s and was left vacant. In 2001 the site was purchased and the new owner began to redevelop the property, update the building, and repave the parking lot. Upon tearing up the old pavement, two 20,000 gallon USTs were discovered. The owner immediately contacted the DEQ, registered the tanks, and had them removed and cleaned. A BEA was completed for the site, and is now a barber shop.

Former Gas Station- Kalamazoo, MI

This former gas station, located at 1114 Douglas Avenue was purchased by Meijer Corp. which demolished the existing structure and extended their parking lot over the former station. They performed a BEA for the site and invested several million dollars in their new property.

SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN DISTRICT

The former gas station at 15502 Beech Daly had seven underground storage tanks removed by the DEQ in 2002 using Clean Michigan Initiative funds amounting to over $371,000.  On March 13, 2007, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced the proposed redevelopment of this site.  Medical Building LLC will utilize a brownfield Single Business Tax credit valued at $167,420 and state and local tax capture valued at $167,000 to demolish existing structures at 15502-15534 Beech Daly Road and build a new 12,000-square-foot facility to house pulmonary, physical therapy and family practice offices affiliated with nearby Botsford Hospital. The township will contribute approximately $1.9 million to the project which includes land purchase, road construction and façade and streetscape improvements. As many as 30 professional and support jobs will be created on total project investment of $3.1 million. The project was also supported by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority.

River Rouge Animal Shelter- River Rouge, MI

River Rouge Animal shelter located at 11242 West Jefferson, across the street from an elementary school was not only an eyesore, but also a hazard to the children who had to pass by it every day. This former gas station was converted to an animal shelter in the early 1990s. The underground tanks were not removed by the previous owner and the property eventually tax reverted to the state of Michigan. The city of River Rouge took title to the property and worked with the DEQ to have the tanks removed using Cleanup and Redevelopment funds. In October of 2001, contractors removed 3 USTs and closed two small tanks in place, as their removal would have affected the building foundation. The state spent nearly $112,000 on this site. The city is leasing the building to an auto repair shop.

JACKSON DISTRICT

Former A-1 Auto Parts Store- Morenci, MI

The A-1 Auto Parts Store operated as a gas station from the 1960s until the early 1980s. The tanks were never removed and the property changed hands a few times until it tax reverted in 1999. In 1999 it was nominated by Jackson District staff to remove the underground storage tanks and clean up any contaminated soil. This work occurred in the summer of 2002. The DEQ worked with the city to identify the remaining environmental concerns at the property so that due care actions would protect surrounding residents and future users of the building. Lenawee County transferred the property to the City of Morenci in 2003. The city plans on rehabilitating the building and redeveloping the property.