Manistee County Brownfield Assessment Project
Manistee County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Otwell Mawby, P.C.
The Manistee County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority has received two federal grants to stimulate redevelopment and economic growth in our community. The grants provide resources to answer environmental unknowns and position property for redevelopment.
Manistee County has a strong rich history as a Great Lakes port and industrial manufacturing center. Because of economic and competitive changes, our manufacturing base has diminished, leaving behind abandoned industrial buildings and other sites with known or suspected contamination. These sites represent development challenges because of the financial resources prospective purchasers must commit to determining the environmental status of the property.
Recognizing the need to stimulate redevelopment of these sites, Manistee County applied for and received two federal grants totaling $396,400 to conduct environmental assessments and secure incentives to facilitate redevelopment.
Goals - The goals of the Brownfield Assessment Project are to:
- Remove barriers and position potentially contaminated property for redevelopment;
- Reduce threats to human health and the environment;
- Create jobs and encourage additional spin-off development
- Redevelop downtowns and preserve open space; and
- Create public spaces
Activities - Federal grant funds will be used to:
- Inventory: Identify and compile information on possible properties with potential contamination, or “brownfields”,
- Environmental Site Assessments: Research and investigate whether contamination exists and recommend appropriate actions for redevelopment; and
- Outreach: Inform communities, stakeholders and developers of brownfield redevelopment opportunities in Manistee County.
Community Forums
Two public forums were held in the early stages of the project to get input on what the community believes are important opportunities for redevelopment. The first session was May 15, 2007 at the Manistee Township Hall and the second session was May 22, 2007 at the Brethren School. From those meetings, over 100 sites were identified as potential properties for participation in the project.