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| Detroit to host 2008 National Brownfields Conference |
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Detroit has been selected to host the 2008 National Brownfields Conference May 5-8, 2008. The conference is expected to bring more than 6,000 attendees, including local, state and government leaders; federal and state contractors; economic development officials; community development organizations; real estate developers and investors.
Considered to be the premier event of its kind, the Brownfields Conference will share many of the best examples of cleaning up and redeveloping abandoned, underutilized and potentially contaminated properties in the nation.
With more than 113 successful Brownfield redevelopment projects implemented over the past five years, Detroit is considered by many to have one of the most comprehensive Brownfield Redevelopment programs in the country. Since 2005, the Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority has been awarded $800,000 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Brownfield Assessment Program. By partnering with Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision, the City of Detroit Department of Environmental Affairs and the Wayne County Business Development Division to leverage these federal dollars, dozens of Brownfield Redevelopment projects have had a positive impact on Detroit in the form of jobs, new taxes generated and/or recreational enhancement. Many of these success stories will be highlighted at the 2008 National Brownfields Conference.
For more information, log on to http://www.brownfields2008.org/en/index.aspx |
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Each month in Currents, we look to showcase great examples of projects that have benefited from the U.S. EPA Assessment Grant monies available to assist developers with initial environmental assessments. This month we highlight The Elevator Building as an excellent example of Brownfield redevelopment in the City of Detroit.
The 100-year old warehouse, located on Franklin Street between St. Aubin and Orleans, is on its way to becoming 27 loft condominiums just steps away from Tri-Centennial State Park on the revitalized East Riverfront.
The Elevator Building has a rich history as a national manufacturing facility. Its location in a former industrial area could have deterred some developers, but according to Doug Browne of the Detroitist Group, “With the help of partners like the Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority we were able to move ahead promptly and eliminate the waiting game to get this project off the ground. We believe the grant money made available to us is a great example of public funds helping to achieve what we all want—a revitalized, refreshed Detroit.”
The lofts will range in size from 600-1,200 square feet and are expected to range in price from $141,000-$269,000, with a couple larger penthouses added in. For more information on The Elevator Building go to www. elevatorbuilding.com or call 313-580-2200.
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| Good Vibrations from Kinetic Hydropower Project |
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 Armed with an initial grant from the DTE Energy Foundation, the DWCPA, the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy and NextEnergy have teamed up with Vortex Hydro Energy LLC, a Michigan-Based company with ties to the University of Michigan’s, School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. Together these collaborative Riverfront partners hope to introduce an alternative-energy resource to the Port Authority’s Public Dock and Terminal facility due to open in 2008.
The new technology called Vortex Induced Vibrations Aquatic Clean Energy (VIVACE) uses vortex induced vibrations (VIV) to capture energy from flowing water currents. This technology differs from other attempts to capture water-currents, which predominately use underwater turbines, by using VIV – a far more environmentally-friendly way to capture hydrokinetic energy.
According to Curtis Hertel, DWCPA Executive Director, "We are committed to demonstrating this technology, conceived right here at the University of Michigan, within the Detroit River. It is our hope that the technology will prove to be successful in these initial stages, allowing us to demonstrate the pilot. We want the whole world to know that the City of Detroit and DWCPA are good stewards of their natural resources, and are taking an active leadership position toward solving our country’s energy dependence on foreign sources."
"The seed grant is for pre-development and research activities and all parties involved are hopeful that full funding from additional resources will be available as the project continues to move forward," said John Kerr, DWCPA Economic Development Director . "There is initial strong evidence VIVACE can be a great alternative energy solution."
For more information on VIVACE, log on to www.vortexhydroenergy.com.
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Message from the
Executive DirectorWelcome to our second issue of Currents, our new monthly e-newsletter created to inform you about projects and partnerships involving the Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority (DWCPA). We take great pride in establishing and maintaining partnerships to accomplish our projects. The DWCPA, itself, is a special-purpose authority created through partnerships that include the City of Detroit, Wayne County and State of Michigan.
Using these partnerships, with funding provided by the U.S. EPA’s Brownfield Assessment program, we have been able to invest in dozens of projects throughout Metro Detroit. A portion of our services, provided by our technical consultant, AKT Peerless, has included assistance for developers and non-profits in applying for, and submitting, their Brownfield Single Business Tax (SBT) Credit application to the State of Michigan. The Brownfield SBT provides an incentive in the form of a tax credit for eligible redevelopment investments on brownfield property.
Recently, the Governor and Legislature came to terms on the new Michigan Business Tax. In this new program, the Michigan Business Tax credit has replaced the SBT, thereby making this a great time for developers and non-profits to take advantage of these tax credit incentives once again.
Best Wishes,
Curtis A. Hertel, Sr. |
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