LaFontaine Brownfield Plan Approved

At its May 18, 2011 meeting, the Washtenaw County board of commissioners gave initial approval to the brownfield plans for the LaFontaine Chevrolet redevelopment project in Dexter. During a public hearing on the plan, Josh Bloom of Bloom General Contracting spoke in support of the project on behalf of the owner. Thomas Partridge also spoke, saying more information is needed about the project.

The LaFontaine brownfield plan would enable the use of up to $330,330 of tax increment financing (TIF) for 4 years to pay for cleanup work, including asbestos and lead abatement. Of that amount, $25,410 would support the county’s brownfield program management, and $50,820 would be depositing into the county’s Local Site Remediation Revolving Fund. The project is expected to retain 76 jobs and create 50 new ones, and to increase the annual tax revenues to the county from $4,516 to $11,119 after the TIF ends.

Final approval from the county is expected at the board’s June 1 meeting.

This brief was filed from the boardroom of the county administration building at 220 N. Main St. in Ann Arbor. A more detailed report will follow.