Detroit Project Overview: The City of Detroit and the DEQ determined that the USTfield Pilot grant would best be used in performing assessments and limited remediation at a number of sites that have the most potential for redevelopment.  Properties selected had either known or suspected releases from leaking underground storage tanks, as shown by historical records and from field experience of DEQ inspectors and staff.   

7337 Harper: A former gasoline service station located in a once thriving commercial district, bordered to the north by an established residential neighborhood. The site has been cleared and title held by the City.
17105 Woodward:  A former gasoline service station at the corner of Woodward and E McNichols. It is currently a vacant lot, and abuts a commercial building and residential apartments. One tank was present at the site, which was removed by DEQ contractors under the CMI program.
9705 Dexter:  A former gasoline service station located in a mixed residential and commercial area. The building was removed by the City of Detroit, and several tanks and contaminated soil were removed by DEQ contractors under the CMI program.
1103 East State Fair: A former dry cleaning establishment, Allen's Cleaners, had been abandoned for over 10 years. The site was overgrown with vegetation and illegal dumping had occurred in the past. There were two USTs present on the site which the DEQ had removed under the CMI program.

Site Specific Activities and Status as of February 2007

7337 Harper: The DEQ completed all funded activities at this site in 2005, including tank removal performed under the Clean Michigan Initiative (CMI) and demolition performed by the city. The USTfields grant funded additional soil samples and groundwater samples and a final assessment report.  Gannett Fleming, the contractor for all four sites, completed its assessment of the property and has determined that contaminants exist in the Harper Avenue right of way. This precludes the property from reaching a LUST closure, but it is available for redevelopment.

17105 Woodward: The one UST, piping and contaminated soil was removed in August 2002 by DEQ contractors under the CMI program. The USTfields grant funded additional soil borings and samples and a closure report.  On-site work began in the Summer of 2003. The consultant determined that removal of additional soil was not necessary and the property is able to be used for commercial purposes.  The closure report has been approved and a deed restriction limiting use to commercial purposes has been recorded.  The Planning and Development Department has sold the property to a private developer, however the site is still vacant.

9705 Dexter: The USTs and foundation were removed August 2002. The USTfields grant funded Phase I and II EAs, soil borings / samples and a final assessment report.  Some contaminated soil is present in the Dexter Avenue and Chicago Street rights of way, however the property itself is able to be used for commercial purposes. The project completion report is available from the DEQ Southeast Michigan District office.

1103 East State Fair: Demolition of the building and tank removal occurred in August 2003 under the CMI program.  The USTfields grant funded a limited Phase II, including a ground penetrating radar survey and soil samples at this site.  The grant was originally meant to fund the removal of the USTs and perform soil cleanup.  However the tank removal and soil from the excavations was performed under the CMI program prior to the demolition.  Subsequent testing in September and October of 2003 revealed elevated levels of TCE in the soil in back of the building.  Additional state funds were used to remove the hazardous soils and allow for redevelopment of the property, which is currently vacant.

Kalamazoo Project Overview:  Two sites were selected for investigation and cleanup on the northeast side of Kalamazoo, a former bulk oil plant, and a former road oiling business.