LOCATION: This 40-acre site is the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) interchange at Klock Road and M-63, in Benton Harbor and St. Joseph. It is bordered to the North by Jean Klock Park and wetlands, to the South and West by the Edgewater Development Area and wetlands, and to the East by wetlands.

SITE HISTORY: The elevated, limited access interchange and overpasses were constructed in the late 1950's. The elevated thoroughfare costs too much to maintain and inhibits development in the area. Reconstruction of the interchange will create 36 acres of prime real estate on the border between Benton Harbor and St. Joseph.

CLEANUP ACTION: $30,850 of state monies were used for a Remedial Investigation (RI) to determine the extent of soil and groundwater contamination at the property. The investigation will facilitate reconstruction of the interchange in conjunction with broader redevelopment projects in the area. The RI was completed in May 2001.

REDEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL: This MDOT owned property is adjacent to the Edgewater Renaissance Zone and is the major northern entrance into Benton Harbor, St. Joseph and the Edgewater Development site. Potential developers have expressed interest in the property; Benton Harbor will promote commercial development while St. Joseph will promote residential and commercial development.
Current Assessed Value: Unknown
Zoning: Office, retail, residential  Master Plan Use: Mixed use
Local Incentives: Possible redevelopment incentives offered by the city or county Brownfield Authority.

Local Contact Information: Nichol Brown, City of Benton Harbor Economic Development Director, 269-925-0700.

LOCATION: This 10-acre site is located at 1105 N. Front St., Niles.  The site is bordered to the North by residential property, to the South by commercial property (Berman CMI site), to the East by residential property and to the West by the St. Joseph River and residential property.

SITE HISTORY: This site operated as an industrial facility for more than 60 years. Kawneer manufactured metal siding for homes. A 76,054 square foot brick and steel building on the site currently has been determined to be hazardous.

CLEANUP ACTIONS: Almost $1,083,300 in state monies were used to: perform an environmental assessment of the buildings; prepare bid specifications for building demolition and environmental cleanup; demolish the hazardous buildings, conduct a Remedial Investigation (RI) to investigate the extent of soil and groundwater contamination on the property. The RI has been completed; the bid specifications have been completed; demolition of the building was completed in the fall of 2001.

REDEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL: This city-owned site is located along the St. Joseph River, adjacent to the South Berrien County Court House and is the proposed location of a state funded pilot project to build the first multi-jurisdictional law enforcement center in Michigan. It will house the State Police, the City of Niles Police Department, Berrien County Sheriff Department, and Niles Township Police Department.
Current Assessed Value: Unknown
Zoning: Downtown development  Master Plan Use: Mixed use
Local Incentives: Unknown
Local Contact Information: Juan Ganum, Community Development Director, 269-683-4700, or see the city's website at www.ci.niles.mi.us

LOCATION: This 3-acre site is located at the corner of 12th Street and Wall Street in Benton Harbor. Site is surrounded by commercial property on the North, South, East, and West.

SITE HISTORY: This site was historically used as a bulk petroleum storage facility with above ground storage tanks (AST) since at least 1950. The City of Benton Harbor acquired the property through the state tax reversion process in 1995. One AST, concrete berms, AST cradle supports, loading area, a 3,000 sq. ft. building and 20 drums of waste were abandoned on site. One building on site will remain and be used as an office for the Benton Harbor Utilities Department.

CLEANUP ACTIONS: A total of $163,095 of state funds were used to: perform an environmental assessment of the buildings; prepare bid specifications for building demolition and environmental cleanup; demolish hazardous buildings and AST remnants and conduct a Remedial Investigation (RI) to investigate the extent of soil and groundwater contamination on the property. The demolition of the building was completed August 2000; the RI completed April 2001.

REDEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL: This city-owned site is located in downtown Benton Harbor. A national cellular telephone company has indicated interest in locating a cellular telephone tower at this site.
Current Assessed Value: Unknown
Zoning: Downtown development  Master Plan Use: Mixed use
Local Incentives: Unknown
Local Contact Information: Nichol Brown, City of Benton Harbor Economic Development Director, 269-925-0700