EGLE grants county, city with $425K to redevelop former school property
A grant to convert a former Pontiac school into a community center is higher than expected.
Oakland County applied for a $399,000 state brownfield grant in June with the intention of cleaning up and redeveloping Webster Elementary School, which existed from 1920 through 2006. The property is currently being utilized for community gardens and an athletic field.
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy recently announced that the property received a $425,000 EGLE brownfield redevelopment grant, or $26,000 over the amount initially sought.
In total, EGLE awarded $2.9 million in brownfield grants and loans to five redevelopment projects t of contaminated properties in mid- and southeast Michigan. Overall, EGLE will provide $15.6 million in brownfield funding to 21 projects statewide.
This grant is for two years.
Michelle Bakun, EGLE brownfield coordinator, said Oakland County originally applied for a $1 million grant.
“At the time of the evaluation, we didn’t have sufficient funds to fund the million dollars that they had asked for,” Bakun said. “At the time, what we could give them was $399,000 and they revised the application for what we could give them.”
EGLE was able to find more money from another brownfield project that was under budget, adding $26,000 to the grant.
The Webster Community Center will provide social services and recreational opportunities for Pontiac residents, bringing a capital investment of $17 million and creating 29 jobs.
Contamination on the nearly 5-acre site was caused by petroleum from a heating oil storage tank previously used at the property, Bakun said. The site has remained vacant since its closure.
“It is really focusing on the needs of an underserved population and community,” Bakun added.
Micah 6 Community, a Pontiac-based nonprofit, purchased the 53,000 square-foot building in 2016 on a land contract, with the balance forgiven in December 2018. It will repurpose the school building and property as a community center.
The nonprofit manages 1.2 acres of community gardens on the Webster School Building property, renovated and opened a yearround produce store down the road from the former school and operates popup markets around the city which serve high-risk populations.
Coleman Yoakum, founder of Micah 6, was thrilled that EGLE thought this project was worthwhile and allocated more money than what was proposed.
“This speaks of their confidence in the project, as well as the tenants who are moving in to offer their services,” Yoakum said.
Bakun anticipates work beginning this fall, beginning with EGLE meeting with community members, county officials, the developer and consultant to go over the contract and expectations.
“We’re just excited to participate in this project,” Bakun said. “The city of Pontiac is really striving to improve their neighborhood conditions and economy for their community.”
Yoakum said Aug. 19 that Micah 6 is expected to conduct a public project presentation Sept. 8 in front of the Pontiac Planning Commission.
“We’ll have a good number of our building team, our tenants and community folks there who support the project, and I am sure a number of detractors,” he said.