DETROIT -- Excavation and demolition work at the Environmental Protection Agency Superfund site in Charlevoix, Michigan is underway to deconstruct structures at three sites and remove contaminated soil from 13 areas, under project management by the U.S. Corps of Engineers, Detroit District.
To fully remove contaminated soil at the Charlevoix Municipal Well Superfund Site, the excavation requires the demolition of structures on the site to remove asbestos. An underground storage tank, tree and soil removal will also be conducted before the site is restored and pavement repaired. Cleanup work is expected to conclude in December 2025.
Demolition and excavation will begin at 207 Garfield in June, followed closely by 208 Lincoln and finally 230 Antrim. The demolition and excavation of the source material at these sites is the first step in a larger cleanup effort taking place at the Superfund site.
The EPA’s Superfund program addresses contaminated land and environmental emergencies. In 2020, the agency announced a Record of Determination (ROD) to clean up groundwater and soil contaminated from local industrial facilities and commercial operations. Volatile organic compounds including trichloroethylene, or TCE, and tetrachloroethylene, or PCE, were among the identified pollutants with the ability to move through soil, accumulate under buildings and seep through foundations. More information on the ROD can be found at: https://cumulis.epa.gov/supercpad/cursites/csitinfo.cfm?id=0503013
“The Detroit District is looking forward to partnering on behalf of the EPA on this important effort to address pollution in the City of Charlevoix,” said Brian Kootstra, Corps of Engineers Grand Haven Office resident engineer. “We appreciate the residents’ patience as we perform this environmental remediation for the health of the community.”
The public is asked to avoid all active construction sites, which will include fencing, signage and traffic controls. Closures are for the safety of the public while trucks haul material out from the construction site.
Plexus-Avuda Joint Venture, LLC. is contracted to complete the work, funded through an EPA Superfund award.
For the protection of the public, Grant Street from Newman Street to West Antrim Street will be closed July to September while active work is taking place at 230 W. Antrim Street. Construction will occur between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays. Work will pause during federal holidays – except Juneteenth – as well as the Venetian Festival and the Apple Festival.
The Detroit District, established in 1841, encompasses 3,150 miles of shoreline and 81 harbors and channels joining lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, St. Clair and Erie. In addition, the district boundaries cover projects and regulatory oversight throughout the state of Michigan and portions of Indiana, Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Locations in Charlevoix, Michigan where work will be performed:
The public can submit questions to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District Public Affairs at lrepao@usace.army.mil.