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| EPA Grant Funding Makes Significant Impact on City’s Revitalization |
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 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency offers Brownfield Assessment grants that help developers and community-based non-profits conduct environmental due diligence investigations, a vital part of real estate transactions in Michigan.
The DWCPA was awarded its second consecutive U.S. EPA Brownfield Assessment grant in 2006 totaling $800,000. This collaborative partnership with the City of Detroit and Wayne County has leveraged approximately $384 million in investment, close to 455 jobs, and $4.8 million in new tax revenues to the City of Detroit. Projects include the Atwater Lofts, GM/Hines Parcel C, Southwest Solutions 285 Piquette Project, and a collection of projects for Mexicantown and Corktown CDCs.
For more information on the EPA's Brownfield Assessment program, click here.
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 By far, one of the most glamorous projects funded through the U.S. EPA Assessment Grant has been Belmar Development's @water Lofts project, a $300 million, 480-unit residential/ mixed-use project along the City of Detroit's East Riverfront. This project received assistance primarily for site investigation, but also for the creation of its Brownfield Plan submitted to the City of Detroit. This work helped lay the foundation for a larger Neighborhood Enterprise Zone (NEZ), now spread out through much of the East Riverfront District.
“We consider the Port Authority’s presence invaluable, the grant money was a huge asset to us as we needed to review any environmental issues prior to this project moving forward,” said @water Developer Dwight Belyue. “We were fortunate to have this assistance available to us—it is a great example of partnership in this town.”
The @water Lofts project began taking deposits for its first units to be sold. For more information on this project, please visit www.atwaterlofts.com or call 313-833-3600.
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 The Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority was recently honored with the prestigious Robert Lewis Port  Pacesetter Award which is given annually to Great Lakes ports that exceed their prior year’s international cargo tonnage.
International cargo tonnage through the Port of Detroit during the 2006 Great Lakes shipping season grew 60 percent over its 2005 volume, from 375,000 metric tons to 600,000 metric tons. The tonnage was largely comprised of steel slabs and general cargo from foreign countries.
The award was presented to the Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority and Nicholson Terminal & Dock Co during National Transportation Week observances in Detroit by St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corp. Administrator Collister Johnson Jr.
2006 marked the first full year of operations at the newly revitalized Port of
Detroit located at the foot of Clark Street in southwest Detroit. This 35-acre facility is the City of Detroit’s only remaining general cargo terminal, mainly used to import foreign steel cargoes that supplement automotive manufacturing centers throughout regional Detroit. More than 70 vessels, from over one half dozen countries utilized the Port of Detroit.
According to the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, business from the Port generates approximately $175 million in economic impact to the surrounding community in the form of jobs, personal income and revenues. The DWCPA continues to market this facility throughout the world with the help of the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, U.S. DOT, and through its unique partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce at the DWCPA’s downtown Detroit headquarters.
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Message from the
Executive Director
Welcome to our first edition of Currents, a new monthly e-newsletter designed to keep you informed on various projects and partnerships involving the Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority.
The City of Detroit has made considerable progress redeveloping numerous sections of downtown Detroit. Thanks to the valuable leadership of Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, and in particular his Department of Environmental Affairs led by Dr. Vincent Nathan, many brownfields within the City of Detroit are undergoing positive change thanks in part to federal funding we have received over the past three years.
Thanks to great community partners like Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision, and the leadership of our governing units, including the City of Detroit and Wayne County’s Economic Development Department, I’m proud to report that over the past three years, and two consecutive rounds of funding, the Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority has been able to assist in over $384 million in private investment projects, which in turn will create 455 temporary and permanent jobs.
The Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority is proud to assist and report back on the progress made through this unique regional partnership. Many of these projects, which range from creative, community-based human service projects, to glamorous market-rate condominium projects on the East Riverfront, truly reflect the incredible wave of diverse and sustained growth the City of Detroit has generated over the past few years
Best wishes,
Curtis A. Hertel, Sr. |
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