What Is a Brownfield

The Small Business Liability Relief and Revitalization Act of 2002 defines a Brownfield site as "Real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant."

The goal of Osceola County's Brownfield Program is to put Brownfield sites back to use.  Ideally this means projects driven by the private sector so that Brownfield sites can get back onto the local tax rolls and serve as locations where jobs can be created; however, when appropriate the Brownfield Authority will assist local governmental entities utilize the Brownfield Program.

Several criteria have been established to measure the success of the Osceola County Brownfield Redevelopment Program.

                                      Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Board

Osceola County's Brownfield Program is operated under the direction of a nine member Brownfield Authority Board appointed by the Osceola County Commissioners.  While the Brownfield Authority Board is responsible for major decisions the day-to-day operations of the program are carried out through Osceola County's, Michigan State University Extension, Community & Economic Development Program.  The Board of Directors normally meets the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 10:00 a.m. in the County Courthouse, 301 West Upton, Reed City.  The public is welcome to attend.

Meeting Minutes

                       United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Grants

The Osceola County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority is in the third year of a three year Brownfield Assessment project.  To assist in implementing the project the Brownfield Authority received two grants from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  One is a $200,000 Hazardous Substance Assessment Grant and the other is a $200,000 Petroleum Substance Assessment Grant.  The Brownfield Redevelopment Authority is currently in the process of implementing each grant. 

EPA Fact Sheet
Osceola County Brownfield Program Flyer

Specific activities under the grant include:

   Community Outreach

Community outreach meetings were held at several different locations around the county.  Additionally, information concerning Osceola County’s Brownfield Program was placed on the Internet.  While the Community Outreach objectives of the grant have been met, the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Board will always continue its outreach efforts.  If you know of a community group or individual that is looking for a speaker please let us know.

   Brownfield Site Inventory

A Brownfield Site Inventory database has been developed.  It includes information on both Hazardous Substance and Petroleum sites.  The database is always considered a work in progress.   

   Phase I and II Environmental Site Assessments

Phase I Environmental Site Assessments include historic record searches, interviews, and a visual inspection of the property.  If the Phase I Environmental Site Assessment indicates a release of contamination may have occurred then a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment is undertaken.  A Phase II Environmental Site Assessment involves the sampling of soil and water suspected of containing contamination.  Environmental Site Assessments are a normal part of most real estate transactions and required by most financial institutions if financing the property.  If you are buying or selling property contact the Osceola County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority.  These environmental assessments can be done at no charge to the buyer or seller. 

   Baseline Environmental Assessments

Baseline Environmental Assessments can be conducted at no cost.  Baseline Environmental Assessments provide liability protection for new owners or operators on a contaminated property.

    Due Care Plans, Brownfield Plans, and Act 381 Work Plans 

Due Care Plans, Brownfield Plans, and Act 381 Work Plans can be developed when needed.  These plans can help the new property owner recover certain eligible costs of property improvements.

Brownfield Properties

Brownfield properties are often attractive because the Brownfield Authority can pay for all of the environmental assessments and the developer may be able to be reimbursed for certain development costs.  The Osceola County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority conducts Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments under one of two situations.  The first is at the request of a seller or buyer as part of a real estate transaction.  The second is at a property identified by the Brownfield Authority or requested by a property owner when a sale is not imminent.  These are speculative in nature and take place at properties with potential for development.  These are referred to as "banked properties".

Assessments conducted, or in progress, to date include:

• Phase I & II at the Tustin Road Commission Garage.  This property was banked and is currently for sale.

• Phase I & II at a downtown commercial property currently being used for storage.  This property was banked and is currently for sale.

• Phase I at a former pallet manufacturing company that reopened.

• Phase I & II at a self-storage unit business that will remain as a self-storage unit business.

• Phase I and II at a vacant gas station and party store that will reopen.

• Phase I at a vacant building to facilitate the relocation of a commercial business in order to make way for the expansion of an adjacent manufacturer.

• Phase I & II at a vacant building.  This property was banked in order to facilitate possible redevelopment of a property.

• Phase I at a vacant commercial property in order to facilitate a sale.

• Phase I at a vacant lot in order to provide parking for an adjacent business.

• Phase I in order to facilitate possible redevelopment at the site of a vacant lot which recently had a business prior to a fire.

• Phase I at property resulting in a possible large retail development.

• Phase I at a school building assisting in the needs of the school system to downsize while helping create space for the public library and County government.

• Phase I at an abandoned historic site resulting in possible retail development.

A listing of banked Brownfield properties along with their property profiles is included in the Available Buildings portion of the Manufacturing section.

Osceola Economic Alliance

301 W. Upton ● Reed City, MI 49677

Phone: (231) 832-7397 ● Fax: (231) 832-3381

Email the OEA

Last Updated: July 28, 2010