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EGLE grant helps revitalize former gas station in Grand Rapids

A Brownfield Redevelopment Grant from the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) will help the city of Grand Rapids Economic Development Corporation and Metric Structures, Inc. redevelop a contaminated site at 1603 Diamond Avenue NE and 1600 Country Club Drive NE.

Brownfield site to be revitalized in Grand Rapids.

The historic gas station use of 1603 Diamond Avenue NE resulted in petroleum contamination in soil and groundwater. The brownfield grant will help protect residents from contamination and revitalize the former gas station.

From the early 1960s through the 1990s, a gas station was present on the property. During the late 1990s, when fueling operations stopped, the associated underground storage tanks (USTs) were removed, and a gasoline release was reported. In 2018, as part of an EGLE led state-funded effort to remove the petroleum contaminated soil, approximately 2,655 tons of contaminated soil was removed. At the time of the excavation, the owner did not want the building to be demolished so the excavation was limited.  Verification samples collected after the excavation showed that contamination remained in soil and groundwater. Since then, new ownership has taken over the property and they are ready to demolish the existing building to make way for a new vibrant residential development.

The $430,000 brownfield redevelopment grant will be used for building demolition, additional investigation, removal and proper disposal of petroleum contaminated soil, and installation of ventilation systems beneath the future buildings to prevent potential exposure from any residual contamination.

Expected outcomes

  • 1 part-time job created
  • $8 million capital invested
  • ~$5,840,000 State Equalized Value (SEV) Increase