LOCATION: The Kessler Property is located along a major traffic artery in an industrial/commercial area of southwest Grand Rapids.

SITE HISTORY: Grand Rapids Textile Machinery Company operated a machine shop on the Kessler Property Site from 1917 to 1979. Kessler, Inc. utilized the site for dying fabrics from 1984 until 1988 when the company ceased operations. The property, vacant since 1988, tax reverted and was acquired by the City of Grand Rapids via a municipal transfer.

A Phase I Site Assessment conducted in June, 1999 by Grand Rapids documented the presence of 91 containers/drums containing dyes and other potentially hazardous materials and an underground storage tank. Stained floors and soils were also observed.

The drums and containers were removed in September, 1999. An investigation was conducted from March 2000 to August 2000 to assess soil and groundwater conditions and to assess the structure of the building in order to prepare bid specifications for building demolition and to address environmental concerns.

CLEANUP ACTIONS: Over $243,000 of CMI funds were used to conduct a limited site investigation, demolish the buildings and address any remaining environmental concerns.

REDEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL: The City of Grand Rapids currently owns the property, and is advertising it for sale for $90,000. It is in an excellent location for redevelopment.

Current Assessed Value: $0

Zoning: Commercial     Master Plan Use: Mixed use or commercial

Local Incentives: Possible brownfield redevelopment incentives.

Local Contact Information: Eric Soucey at (616) 456-3197, Grand Rapids Economic Development Department for purchasing commercial or residential properties. Check their website at: http://www.grand-rapids.mi.us/index.pl?page_id=544

For brownfield redevelopment information, Rick Chapla at the Right Place, Inc. (616) 771-0328.

LOCATION: The Container Waste Site is located on a major traffic artery, along the eastern edge of an industrial/commercial area in southeastern Grand Rapids. The area east of the site is residential.

SITE HISTORY: The Container Waste Site is seven parcels that range in size from .07 to .52 acres. In the late 1800's and early 1900's, the site consisted primarily of residential dwellings. Since the early 1900's, use of the site has been primarily commercial. The types of businesses that have operated on the site include used car sales, auto parts sales and machinery sales. The last business operating on the site was Container Waste, Inc., a residential and commercial refuse service. There were three buildings on the site. Two were vacant and the third was owned and used by Container Waste, Inc.

The 1998 Phase I Site Assessments, conducted for the City of Grand Rapids, indicated the presence of stained soils, various wastes including waste oil, diesel fuel, hydraulic oil, paints, batteries and a large amount of trash. A Phase II Site Assessment of the parcels utilized by Container Waste was conducted in July 2000.

CLEANUP ACTIONS: A total of $254,131 of CMI funds were used to conduct a limited site investigation, demolish the buildings, and address any remaining environmental concerns.

REDEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL: The Site is located in a Renaissance (tax free) Zone created by Grand Rapids to encourage Brownfield Redevelopment. The City acquired the Site because it is adjacent to another large city owned parcel, which was also available for redevelopment. One lot is currently vacant, and is adjacent to a new Tillman Industries manufacturing building, on Division.

Current Assessed Value: $192,000

Zoning: Industrial     Master Plan Use: Industrial

Local Incentives: Brownfield Authority incentives

Local Contact Information:  Eric Soucey at (616) 456-3197, Grand Rapids Economic Development Department for purchasing commercial or residential properties. 

For brownfield redevelopment information, Rick Chapla at the Right Place, Inc. (616) 771-0328.

LOCATION: The Gray's Maintenance Site is located on a major traffic artery, along the eastern edge of an industrial/commercial area in southeastern Grand Rapids. The area east of the site is residential.

SITE HISTORY: The Gray's Maintenance Site consisted of twelve contiguous parcels ranging in size from .05 to .45 acres, with a combined size of approximately 1.5 acres. In the late 1800's and early 1900's, the site consisted of residential dwellings. Since the early 1900's, use of the site changed from residential to commercial. The types of businesses that have operated on the site include a commercial laundry, used car sales, a tire service, a tin shop, a welding shop, a grocery store and radio repair shop. The most recent business operating on the site was Gray's Maintenance, which provided rubbish removal, lawn care and snow plowing services. Gray's utilized one of the four buildings on the site for its office and maintenance garage. The remaining buildings were vacant and in serious disrepair.

In 1998, Phase I and II Site Assessments were conducted by the City of Grand Rapids, on the 6 parcels owned by Gray's Maintenance. The Phase I report indicated the presence of an above ground waste oil tank in the maintenance garage and various items including appliances, lead batteries, drums containing liquids and solids, engines and transmissions outside of the building. Soil samples collected during the Phase II assessments indicated the presence of Arsenic, Benzo (a) Anthracene, Benzo (a) Pyrene and Indeno(1,2,3-CD) Pyrene were detected at concentrations exceeding Residential Direct contact hazard Criteria and Lead, Phenanthrene and 1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene were detected at concentrations exceeding the Drinking Water Protection Criteria. Groundwater was not sampled during the Phase II investigation.

CLEANUP ACTIONS: A total of $182,264 of CMI funds were used to conduct a limited site investigation, demolish the buildings and address any remaining environmental concerns.

REDEVELOPMENT STATUS: The Site is located in a Renaissance (tax free) Zone created by the City of Grand Rapids to encourage Brownfield Redevelopment.  The City acquired the Site because it was near other city owned parcels, which have been sold to Tillman Industries. The property has subsequently been redeveloped into the T2 Plaza including a Family Dollar store.
Current Assessed Value: $541,900

Zoning: Commercial/Retail    Master Plan Use: Commercial

Local Incentives: Brownfield Authority incentives