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| Brownfield Transaction Forum to Attract Thousands |
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In May of 2008, Detroit will be hosting the U.S. EPA Brownfield Conference, which will draw thousands looking for a better understanding of programs and incentives that affect brownfield redevelopment within their respective communities. One highlight of this national conference includes the Brownfields Transaction Forum, which will bring together property owners, developers, investors and financiers to talk about sites available for purchase or lease. The first Brownfields Transaction Forum was held in St. Louis in 2004, and drew 200 buyers and sellers. The 2006 version of this forum in Boston drew over 500 participants. The EPA is expecting its largest Brownfield Transaction Forum to date here in Detroit this coming May, and should draw investors and developers from around the country.
To learn more about this exciting element of the upcoming conference, please visit the U.S. EPA Brownfield Conference web site and register today! |
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 Conceptual rendering of Piquette Square |
Notable brownfield projects within the City of Detroit and Wayne County include the Book Cadillac restoration and the Pinnacle Aeropark mixed-use business park under development in Romulus and Huron Township, but under the radar are several community-based projects being developed by very sophisticated non-profit developers. One such project is Piquette Square being developed by Southwest Housing, one of the leading developers of affordable housing, not only within the City of Detroit, but around the country.
Piquette Square, near the corner of Piquette and Brush, close to the New Center area, will offer affordable housing and specialized services for homeless veterans living within the City of Detroit. Funding was provided from the DWCPA Brownfield Assessment Grant Program, with additional support from the City of Detroit and Wayne County’s Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, which contributed significant financial support for remediation. The Michigan State Housing Development Authority, through their low-interest loan program, will be supporting construction efforts of Southwest Housing, who has partnered locally with the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center. This $17 million project will not only provide much needed shelter, but the necessary medical support services, as well.
For more information visit the web site of Southwest Housing: http://www.southwesthousing.com/
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| Port of Detroit – 2007 Summary |
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Unloading steel coils at the Port of Detroit |
Despite a challeng-ing economy, the Port of Detroit Marine Terminals, both in Ecorse and Detroit, saw a slight increase in international steel cargoes during the shipping season of 2007. In total, over 698,000 tons of steel crossed across our docks from almost 70 international vessels from a dozen different countries from around the world. Our first ship of the season, the Sandviken, from Belgium, entered the Port of Detroit on April 10, 2007 carrying close to 10,000 tons of various steel products. The final ship of 2007, the Keizersborg, importing steel products from Sweden, left Ecorse on December 14th. Increased tonnage was attributed, in part, by the anticipated capital improvements taking place at Severstal North America’s Rouge Facility, increasing their inventories in other locations, namely the Port of Detroit.
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Message from the
Executive DirectorAs we wrap up 2007, I’m happy to report that despite constraints to our economy, the Port of Detroit saw an increase in overall tonnage from our steel cargoes by over 10%. In large part, this is due to upcoming capital improvements for Severstal NA at the Ford Rouge plant, but nonetheless, the positive economic impact we receive from our general cargo imports continues for our region. For every one ton of steel we import, over $250 is generated in economic impact via jobs, personal income and business revenues locally. In 2007, we imported approximately 700,000 tons of international steel making us a contender for our second straight St. Lawrence Seaway Pacesetter Award, given to ports who show an increase in international traffic.
Inland, our Brownfield Assessment program continues to contribute toward redevelop projects all throughout the City of Detroit and Wayne County. We chose to highlight one project in particular this month, since it should remind all of us not to forget about those less fortunate this holiday season. Southwest Housing, a local non-profit affordable housing development corporation, will soon start construction on Piquette Square, just south of the New Center area downtown. This mixed-use commercial / residential project will provide housing and select service to some of the 15,000-30,000 homeless veterans in downtown Detroit. We highlight this project, list some key organizations making a difference, and encourage you to support our veterans this holiday season.
From all of us at the DWCPA, have a safe and healthy holiday!
Curtis A. Hertel, Sr. |
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