LEI assisted the Village of Ravenna (Village) with the creation of a Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (BRA) in early 2013. Creation of the BRA enabled the Village to pursue Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) Brownfield Redevelopment Grant and Loan funding to assist with the conversion of a contaminated former automotive dealership to a commercial retail store. LEI assisted the Village with obtaining $149,250 in MDEQ Brownfield Redevelopment Grant and Loan funds for completion of Baseline Environmental Assessment activities; asbestos, lead-paint, and ballast surveys; contaminated soil removal; a Due Care Plan; and wetland cleanup of tires and automotive parts.
In addition, LEI prepared a Brownfield Plan and Act 381 Work Plan to facilitate tax capture of new local and state tax increments generated from the redevelopment project for a short period of time. The tax capture will be utilized to pay back the MDEQ Loan funds, reimburse the developer for approved eligible environmental costs previously incurred, and create a local site remediation revolving fund.
Blight Elimination Grant funding through the Michigan Land Bank was also obtained by the Village and was utilized to offset demolition costs relative to the redevelopment.
The redevelopment project commenced in April 2013 and is expected to be completed by early July 2013.