State Land Bank commits to support blight elimination and redevelopment in Benton Harbor

Approximately 10 acre site will bring new jobs, tax dollars to community as part of Ox Creek Corridor revitalization

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan State Land Bank Authority (SLBA) announced today it is committing up to $2.6 million in Blight Elimination Program funding to support the demolition and cleanup of a long-abandoned, environmentally contaminated site in Benton Harbor, transforming the property into a catalyst for future redevelopment and economic opportunity.

The parcel is approximately 10 acres and accessible by North Shore Drive to the west and Klock Street to the north. The property is located on the north side of the City of Benton Harbor and is wedged between Harbor Shores development north and the City of Benton Harbor’s Art District to the south/southwest and Ox Creek.

The work marks a milestone in the community-driven Ox Creek Corridor Restoration and Revitalization project in and around the Southwest Michigan city.

Benton Harbor City Manager Alex Little launched the Ox Creek project in 2021 under the direction of the City Commission and with support from the University of Michigan (UM); the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE); the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission (SWMPC); and others.  

The City Commission prioritized the Ox Creek corridor for community revitalization and outlined goals and objectives for the project and area residents. Partners now include the City of Benton Harbor, Benton Charter Township, the SWMPC, the Berrien County Drain Commission, Abonmarche Consultants, EGLE, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and UM.

Prior to its closing in 2008, Modern Plastics used to manufacture plastic components for the automotive industry and other companies and included office space, manufacturing operations, warehousing space and storage of raw materials.  Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination on the property was considered a significant environmental concern. The property was under the control of the Berrien County Treasurer following a decade of litigation resulting in foreclosure before being acquired by Harbor Shores in a tax sale.

“By committing these funds to redevelopment, the State Land Bank is proud to support Benton Harbor’s vision for a cleaner, safer, and more prosperous future,” said Joseph Rivet, SLBA Executive Director. “Blight Elimination investments are about more than demolition — they’re about regional revitalization and creating space for new economic growth. Working hand in hand with EGLE and local partners, we’re ensuring this site can become a community asset once again.”

A 2009 inspection by staff from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Michigan’s then-Department of Environmental Quality found leaking PCB-labeled transformers, stained floors from oily substances, and asbestos-containing materials throughout the building. Based on the inspection, the EPA conducted an immediate removal action to address the PCB-related hazards at the site.

"This project marks another step forward in improving environmental safety and protecting public health for communities across the state,” said Phil Roos, Director of EGLE. “We are proud to collaborate with the State Land Bank, local government and nonprofit partners to not only mitigate decades of contamination but also restore this space for future job creation and public benefit.”

 EGLE continues to provide environmental oversight of Ox Creek’s revitalization and will work the City and property owner to evaluate cleanup options for the property once the blighted structure is safely removed.  The city and a nonprofit redevelopment organization will help guide the future use of the property, with a goal of transforming it into a job-creating, tax-generating site that welcomes residents and visitors alike.

The project reflects Michigan’s broader commitment to cross-agency collaboration, environmental justice, economic and community growth and equitable redevelopment. Learn more about the State Land Bank Authority at Michigan.gov/LandBank.

The multi-year Ox Creek revitalization effort aims to improve water quality, restore habitat, eliminate blight, and foster growth in the corridor stretching from I-94 to the Paw Paw River near Harbor Shores golf course. It includes Benton Harbor’s Arts District and its largest park, Hall Park.

The vision includes bike paths, lighted walkways, pedestrian bridges, outdoor learning spaces, commercial development, and housing opportunities. A creekside trail will link the city’s downtown with the township’s commercial and retail area.

“Water is at the heart of where and how we live as a community and interact with nature,” said Dane Rasmussen, Benton Harbor’s waterfront restoration and revitalization project manager and community engagement/outreach specialist. "Developing an inviting pedestrian corridor along this waterway through the center of the city and into Benton Charter Township will create new opportunities for enrichment.”