Michigan Business Beat | Director Phil Roos on Brownfield Redevelopment & Statewide Impact

Michigan Business Network

Originally uploaded July 24th, reloaded August 14th. Jeffrey Mosher welcomes Phil Roos, Director of EGLE, Michigan's Department of Environment, Great Lakes And Energy, Lansing, MI The EGLE team recently visited Kalamazoo to tour brownfield sites. Before we get into the specifics, what is brownfield redevelopment and why does it matter? You toured the Harrison Circle site and River's Edge site. Can you talk about what makes each of these special? EGLE works with more communities than just Kalamazoo on brownfield development. Can you talk about the impact the program is having statewide? Earlier this year, Governor Whitmer released her FY 26 budget recommendations. How do her recommendations support brownfield redevelopment as well as environmental sustainability and economic development? » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Subscribe to MBN’s YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/ State, local leaders visit Kalamazoo to celebrate affordable housing built on former contaminated sites EGLE hosts a roundtable and tour of brownfield redevelopment sites supported by $1.3 million in EGLE remediation grants Today, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) Director Phil Roos toured Harrison Circle and River’s Edge, two brownfield redevelopment sites in downtown Kalamazoo. After the tour, Director Roos led a roundtable discussion with local leaders discussing the impacts of these projects, the importance of state and local partnerships and future opportunities for brownfield redevelopment across Kalamazoo and Southwest Michigan. “Investing in the redevelopment of brownfield sites is not just about cleaning up the past. It is about creating a brighter future for our communities, our economy and the environment,” said EGLE Director Phil Roos. “Projects like Harrison Circle and River’s Edge show how strategic cleanup efforts can turn once-contaminated properties into affordable housing and community assets. We remain committed to continuing this vital work across the state, ensuring every Michigan community with contaminated properties has the opportunity to benefit from these investments.” Once contaminated with metals, solvents and petroleum from a multitude of former uses, including an auto repair and a heat-treating facility, the River’s Edge property along the Kalamazoo River is being transformed into affordable housing. With help from a $1 million grant from EGLE, the $55 million development will feature two four-story apartment buildings, 224 rental units, a community center and a leasing office. Tenants are expected to begin moving in next year. State Representative Julie Rogers, who represents Kalamazoo in the legislature, also attended the roundtable. "As a former member of the Kalamazoo County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Board for over a decade, I’ve witnessed the rehabilitation of many contaminated industrial sites that we have been able to redevelop into prime commercial real estate properties. With the changes in brownfield policy we passed at the state level, I am thrilled we can also turn brownfields in Kalamazoo into vibrant housing solutions for our communities,” Rogers said.