A group of people with an interest in developing the former Royal Coach property met Thursday to formally “kick off” a Renew Michigan Grant from the Michigan Brownfield Redevelopment Program for an environmental assessment of the property.
Present at the meeting were:
From Hastings, Community Development Director Dan King and Deputy City Manager Jerry Czarnecki.
Andrea Ryswick, brownfield coordinator and Aaron Assmann, district project manager, both from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE), formerly the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.
Jeff Guenther, vice president of business development at Hastings Manufacturing, owners of the parcel.
Casey Smith, senior project geologist in environmental services at SME.
Larry Baum, who owns the adjacent two acres that are also being marketed for development and his associate Chris Cooley.
Ryswick explained the requirements of a $63,000 grant that will fund the environmental assessment of the 10.7 acre parcel by SME.The grant is reimbursable; the city will pay for the work as it is done and then request payment from EGLE.
Requests for disbursements are considered only after a contract between EGLE and the City of Hastings is signed and a work plan with eligible tasks approved. The city is required to file quarterly reports and submit invoices from subcontractors along with the requests for payment.
EGLE withholds 10 percent of the grant from the final payments until all project expenses have been reviewed and reporting requirements are met. The grant contract is for two years, but could be extended in one year increments.
Ryswick also explained the forms to be filled out and offered to be available to visit or by telephone to help during the project if needed.
King said the property has great potential and the grant will be a plus for interested developers. “That’s a $63,000 cost they won’t have to bear...they will know exactly the condition of the property.”
Smith said he is confident that the assessment by SME can be completed within six months.
The development site at 325 North Hanover was used in manufacturing furniture and automotive parts, but has been vacant for several years.
Based on limited assessments conducted on the site, known environmental contamination includes volatile organic compounds, semi-volatile and metals. Also, there is the potential for PFAS and PCB contamination to be present.
