An old Grand Rapids gas station site is being transformed into residential space. The project is part of a brownfield redevelopment grant from the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE). Once completed, the property will hold four three-story buildings with 41 total apartment units.
The plot of land on 1603 Diamond Avenue NE used to play host to a bustling gas station. It sat on the property from the early 1960s until fueling operations stopped in the late 1990s, and overtime remnants contaminated the land. EGLE said historic use of the gas station resulted in petroleum pollution in soil and groundwater. In 2018, approximately 2,655 tons of contaminated soil was removed. Verification samples collected after the excavation showed that contamination still remained.
The $430,000 brownfield redevelopment grant will be used for building demolition, additional investigation, removal and proper disposal of petroleum contaminated soil, and installation of ventilation systems beneath the future buildings to prevent potential exposure to any residual contamination.
EGLE estimates the overall project will cost $8 million which it expects to get in private investments.
Once completed the development is set to increase the State Equalized Value of the property by about $5,800,000.
