News Releases from Region 05

EPA Awards $200,000 Brownfield Grant for Redevelopment Plan in River Rouge, Mich.

For Immediate Release: No. 16-OPA054

CHICAGO (Jan. 5, 2017) — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced a $200,000 Brownfield grant to fund a cleanup and redevelopment plan for DTE Energy Rouge River Power Plant in downtown River Rouge. The Wayne County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority will launch a planning initiative to attract developers to invest in high-quality housing located in walkable, transit-oriented, dense neighborhoods with vibrant commercial corridors.

“This brownfields grant will help spur revitalization efforts in downtown River Rouge,” said Region 5 Acting Superfund Director Douglas Ballotti.

Plans call for incorporating the power plant and other sites into the proposed Gordie Howe International Bridge project that will span the Detroit River and connect the Detroit area to Canada. Redevelopment is expected to create jobs and job-training opportunities for local residents and to improve health and environmental conditions in the community.

The Wayne County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority is partnering with the Detroit-Wayne County Port Authority, Sierra Club–Southeast Michigan Group, University of Michigan, Southeast Michigan Community Alliance, Ultimate New Beginnings, city of River Rouge, Detroit City Council, Michigan Economic Development Corp., Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice, and Downriver Community Conference.

More information on the grant recipient: /brownfields/types-brownfields-grant-funding.

More information on the Partnership for Sustainable Communities: https://www.sustainablecommunities.gov/.

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