PM Environmental recently prepared successful brownfield plans and tax abatement applications worth $5.44 million across four projects for four different clients in southeast Michigan. 

The money will be used for the cleanup and reuse of brownfield properties, as well as encourage community-wide revitalization. 

The notable projects associated with the applications include the Northwood Center in Royal Oak, Mich. and the Axle Brewing Tap Room in Ferndale, Mich., as well as vacant land in Birmingham, Mich. and 28,600 square foot warehouse in Ferndale, Mich.

The redevelopment of properties and land will have significant social, environmental and economic impacts in their respected communities, and will provide various benefits, such as job creation, increased tax revenue, and removal contamination and/or blighted and vacant properties. 

Northwood Shopping Center

The Northwood Shopping Center project includes a $30 to 40 million redevelopment that entails environmental cleanup and remediation as well as complete demolition and rebuild of an outdated shopping center in Royal Oak. 

The project will be the most significant development outside Royal Oak’s downtown in the city’s history.

“We were able to secure the approval of a brownfield plan to reimburse $3.7 million in demolition, asbestos abatement, due care, and additional response activities,” said Elizabeth Masserang, Brownfield and Economic Consultant at PM Environmental. The project is expected to create approximately 150 full-time jobs, 200 temporary construction jobs, and will contribute to the revitalization of a gateway into the City of Royal Oak. 

Axle Brewing Company

Rendering of the interior of the Axel Brewing Company’s brewery and tasing room, or the  “Livernois Tap & Brewery”

Axle Brewing Company recently purchased a vacant industrial building along the Livernois Corridor in Ferndale. The property is being repurposed as a brewery and tasting room, which is slated to open in early 2017. PM completed the environmental assessment, due diligence and facilitated the approval of a brownfield plan reimbursement for the developer of up to $223,000 for costs associated with environmental assessments, demolition, public infrastructure improvements, and site preparation work. 

Axle intends to make a $2.8 million investment into the project and, upon completion, the property will become the public face of the company. Additionally, the new brewery is anticipated to become a catalyst for further development on Livernois Street in Ferndale.

The Pearl

In Birmingham, PM is in the process of securing approximately $2.6 million through a Brownfield plan for the development of The Pearl, a new  mixed-use development that will feature retail spaces and 26 luxury apartments.  The site has been vacant for at least 30 years due to the environmental and geo-technical challenges, and the project has been approved for $1.4 million for reimbursement of environmental due care activities. The remaining is currently in the process of being reviewed for approval from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ).

Upon completion in 2017, The Pearl will feature an underground parking component, retail/office space on the first floor, and residential apartments on the remaining floors. The developer investment is roughly $14-16 million.

“It is a great feeling to see these projects take shape at these properties through incentive tools available in Michigan and to know that we got to be part of the team that made them happen,” said Masserang. 

Automotive Supply Company

Lastly, PM secured an Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act (OPRA) tax abatement, worth approximately $80,000 in tax savings to the owners over 12 years. The owners are in the process of relocating their expanding automotive supply company into one of Ferndale’s most notable eyesores. The property will provide more space for their growing business.

The OPRA tax abatement will aid the owners in making the necessary upgrades and renovations the industrial building and completion is slated for June 2017. 

“Getting approval for each of these brownfield plans and the tax abatement felt great,” said Masserang. “I think each one of these projects will provide great benefit to their respected neighborhoods.” 

As an industry leader in grant procurement and garnering economic development incentives, PM has secured millions in brownfield funding on behalf of clients and various communities in Michigan and the Mid-South.