Washtenaw Sets Brownfield Plan Hearings

By

At its Nov. 16, 2011 meeting, the Washtenaw County board of commissioners set two public hearings regarding brownfield plans for projects in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti Township. Because Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti Township are members of the Washtenaw County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, the brownfield plans require approval by the county board.

A public hearing for a brownfield redevelopment at Ford Motor Co’s Rawsonville plant was set for Wednesday, Dec. 7 during the county board meeting, which begins at 6:45 p.m. in the administration building at 220 N. Main St., Ann Arbor. The brownfield plan would allow Ford to apply for $625,000 in Michigan Business Tax credits. According to a staff memo, the plan – with the potential tax credits – would allow the company to retain 260 jobs by bringing back work that’s currently done in China and Mexico. Investment in 2012 would be about $20 million, with total jobs stabilized at about 700 workers.

Another public hearing was scheduled regarding the brownfield plan for the Arbor Hills Crossing redevelopment project at 3000-3120 Washtenaw Ave. in Ann Arbor. The hearing will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012 during the county board meeting, which begins at 6:45 p.m. in the administration building at 220 N. Main St., Ann Arbor.

The site plan for the $25 million project – a proposed retail and office complex at Platt and Washtenaw – was approved by the Ann Arbor planning commission at its Oct. 18, 2011 meeting. The Ann Arbor city council will need to vote on both the site plan and the brownfield plan – that might happen as soon as the council’s Nov. 21 meeting.

The Arbor Hills Crossing brownfield plan involves cleaning up three areas of contaminated soil on the site. The developer intends to remove some soils and to cover others with clean fill, or with a vapor barrier within the building.

This brief was filed from the boardroom of the county administration building at 220 N. Main St. in Ann Arbor, where the board of commissioners holds its meetings. A more detailed report will follow: [link]