EGLE grant will help turn a contaminated site into new housing and jobs in northern Michigan

A Brownfield Redevelopment Grant from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) is going to help turn a contaminated, vacant site into a mixed-use building with new housing and jobs in East Jordan. The 0.45-acre property at 116 Main Street is currently a blighted eyesore in the city’s small downtown area, walking distance from the south arm of Lake Charlevoix. It was first developed in 1901 as the Lake Side Hotel and Livery. It was later a Charlevoix County Road Commission storage area, and then a public community center. It’s been vacant since 2020.

Site investigations paid for with EGLE Brownfield Site Assessment funding in 2025 confirmed the presence of metals and organic compounds in soil. Contamination is believed to have come from fill material brought onto the site over the years. The $805,000 EGLE grant will pay for additional environmental assessments, demolition and asbestos abatement of two buildings, and transportation and disposal of an estimated 4,500 tons contaminated soil.

Redevelopment plans call for a 22,800 square foot building with commercial space and 17 new housing units including for-sale condos and for-rent apartments. Eight units will be reserved for people making 60%-120% of the Area Median Income. The $8.6 million project is expected to create 12 new jobs. It will make the community more walkable, bring more foot traffic to the area, and is expected to be a catalyst for further redevelopment in downtown East Jordan. The new building is expected to be ready for occupancy by early 2028.

More than half of EGLE’s annual budget supports local projects, protects public health and the environment, and helps create economic growth and jobs for Michigan workers. Redevelopment increases the value of brownfield sites and other nearby properties. In 2025, the EGLE Brownfield program provided more than $23 million in brownfield incentives to 76 projects in 52 Michigan communities. These projects are projected to create more than 440 housing units, 600 jobs, and result in more than $675 million in capital investment.

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