SAULT STE. MARIE, MI-- The Sault Ste. Marie Brownfield Redevelopment Authority has received $1.5 million in grant and loan funds from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy to reuse the former Union Carbide manufacturing site.
Lake Superior State University is building its new Center for Freshwater Research and Education on the site. The $13.2 million redevelopment will create a state-of-the-art research facility where students and scientists will study freshwater ecological systems such as fisheries, invasive species and water quality.
Soil and groundwater at the site were contaminated by metals from industrial use. The brownfield grant and loan will be used to address environmental contamination so the property can be safely reused, and for demolition of a parking lot to make space for the new research building.
The center is expected to open in 2020.
