EGLE awards $1 million grant for redevelopment of vacant land in Detroit’s Corktown, supporting 60 new affordable housing units through the Preserve on Ash project.

$1 Million Grant Aims to Transform Vacant Corktown Sites

DETROIT, MI – The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) is awarding a $1 million Brownfield Redevelopment Grant to the third phase of the Preserve on Ash project in Detroit’s Corktown neighborhood. The grant will facilitate the construction of 60 affordable housing units across 18 parcels of vacant land on 14th, 15th, and 16th Streets. The sites, previously residential but vacant for more than 30 years, will be rehabilitated to address soil contamination caused by metals and other chemical compounds.

The EGLE grant will cover critical environmental remediation efforts, including further assessments, contaminated soil removal, and a vapor mitigation system to protect residents’ health. This development is part of a broader initiative to revive Corktown, where rising housing costs have prompted targeted efforts to maintain affordability.

Collaborative Efforts Address Environmental Concerns and Affordability

The Preserve on Ash III project will reserve all 60 units for households earning 30% to 80% of the Area Median Income, thanks to support from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) and its Low-Income Housing Tax Credits program. Complementing EGLE’s contribution, the city of Detroit is pledging $6.25 million through various grants, including HOME, Choice Neighborhood, and Community Development Block Grants, as part of the city’s ongoing transformation of Greater Corktown.

The broader Preserve on Ash initiative began with a $750,000 EGLE grant for Phases I and II in 2023. When completed, the project will include 100 additional rental units across six new buildings, providing both rent- and income-restricted housing.

Redevelopment Supports Detroit’s Growth and Economic Health

As Corktown undergoes a renaissance, driven in part by Ford’s redevelopment of the Michigan Central Station, projects like Preserve on Ash ensure that long-time and lower-income residents are not displaced by increasing costs. The EGLE grant exemplifies Michigan’s commitment to leveraging brownfield redevelopment to create safer, healthier neighborhoods while stimulating economic growth and property value increases.

In 2023, EGLE invested $31.3 million across 88 brownfield projects statewide, reflecting the department’s mission to protect public health and support Michigan’s economic development goals. Construction on Preserve on Ash III is expected to be completed in 2027, marking another step in Detroit’s revitalization.

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