Downriver Economic Redevelopment Planning Assistance Project
Project Overview
In 2022, the Downriver Community Conference (DCC) received an Economic Development and Planning Grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA). The purpose of the grant is to create an economic development plan for the Jefferson Avenue Corridor/Detroit Riverfront communities of River Rouge, Ecorse, Wyandotte, Riverview, and Trenton. These communities were chosen because of their location between two recently decommissioned DTE coal-fired power plants. The plan will focus on:
- Identifying and prioritizing underutilized properties
- Reviewing existing community plans and priorities for economic enhancement
- Developing project frameworks for strategic investments
- Identifying target sites for the preparation of site-specific reuse/reinvestment plans
- Preparing implementation plans that include funding and financing strategies
This is a planning project and will not include any physical site work, only assessment and planning activities leading to the creation of an economic development plan.
The expected completion date for the project is December 2024. For more details about the project please click one of the links listed below.
Open House/Project Introduction Boards
Questions and Comments
Please contact John D’Addona at [email protected] or Jazmine Danci at [email protected]
Brownfield Redevelopment
As part of the DCC, The Downriver Area Brownfield Consortium (DABC) was formed and empowered to work together with member communities and other stakeholders to prevent, assess, safely cleanup, and sustainably reuse brownfield sites.
A brownfield site is real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.
Since 1995 there has been bipartisan support by the United States Congress and President to assist communities redevelop and reuse brownfield sites. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has provided financial assistance to eligible applicants through five competitive Brownfield Grant Programs: Assessment, Cleanup, Multi-purpose, Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) and Job Training. The DABC has been a grant recipient of Assessment and RLF grants since 1995 as well as a Job Training Grant. To date, the DABC has received over $9 million from the EPA Brownfield Grant Program which has leveraged over $100,000,000 in combined investment and taxes and provided hundreds of jobs to the region.
The DABC can bring resources to make redevelopment happen in the region. Some of the more notable projects include redevelopment of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge in Trenton (a former chemical manufacturing facility), Ventower Industries in Monroe, the maker of wind turbine towers (formerly a landfill), the Dearborn City Hall Artspace Lofts (formerly old City Hall), and the expansion of the Monroe River Raisin Battlefield which became a National Park following the completion of cleanup activities.
Member cities or interested developers are asked to complete this virtual Property Intake Form to begin the process with our Department.
DABC Member Communities
Allen Park
Brownstown Township
Dearborn
Dearborn Heights
Ecorse
Flat Rock
Gibraltar
Grosse Ile Township
Huron Township
Lincoln Park
Melvindale
Monroe
Port of Monroe
River Rouge
Riverview
Rockwood
Romulus
Southgate
Taylor
Tecumseh
Trenton
Woodhaven
Washtenaw County
Wyandotte
DABC Staff
John D’Addona
Brownfield Program Manager
734-362-3477
Jim Wagner
Chairman
734-552-3026
Jim Perry
Executive Director
734-362-3469
Economic Recovery Strategy for the Downriver Communities
“DCC has partnered with the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber (SWCRC) to support economic development activities in the region, and we continue to review and monitor current area needs and apply for funds for services that benefit the Downriver Communities.”