PHASE 1 ENVIRONMENTAL

REPORT: FORMER UNIROYAL

FACTORY
Group 3: Hotel

Harry Vaslo
ft9873@wayne.edu
CE 4995: Senior Design
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Contents
Executive Summary....................................................................................................................................... 3
Limitations and Exceptions ........................................................................................................................... 3
1.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 4
1.1 Purpose ............................................................................................................................................... 4
1.2 Phase 1 ESA Scope of Work ................................................................................................................ 4
1.3 Phase 1 ESA Significant Assumptions.................................................................................................. 4
1.4 Phase 1 ESA Staff................................................................................................................................. 4
2.0 Physical Setting ....................................................................................................................................... 4
2.1 Site Location ........................................................................................................................................ 4
2.2 Topography ......................................................................................................................................... 5
2.3 Geology ............................................................................................................................................... 5
2.4 Drainage Patterns ............................................................................................................................... 5
2.5 Groundwater Flow .............................................................................................................................. 5
3.0 Site Reconnaissance ................................................................................................................................ 5
3.1 Methodology and Limiting Conditions................................................................................................ 5
3.2 General Site Information .................................................................................................................... 5
3.3 Site Building(s) .................................................................................................................................... 6
3.4 Outdoor Observations ........................................................................................................................ 6
3.5 Chemical Use and Storage .................................................................................................................. 6
3.6 Raw Materials ..................................................................................................................................... 6
3.7 Solid Waste Disposal ........................................................................................................................... 6
3.8 Storage Tank Systems ......................................................................................................................... 6
3.9 Pits, Ponds, and Lagoons..................................................................................................................... 6
3.10 Vegetation ......................................................................................................................................... 6
3.11 Utilities, Wells, and Septic Systems .................................................................................................. 6
3.12 Oil and Gas Wells or Pipelines........................................................................................................... 6
3.13 Area Reconnaissance ........................................................................................................................ 7
4.0 User-Provided Information ..................................................................................................................... 7
4.1 Environmental Liens or Activity and Use Limitations ......................................................................... 7
4.2 User-Specialized Knowledge ............................................................................................................... 7
4.3 Commonly Known or Reasonably Ascertainable Information ............................................................ 7
4.4 Valuation Reduction for Environmental Issues ................................................................................... 7
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4.5 Reason for Performing Phase 1 ESA.................................................................................................... 7

5.0 Historical Site Use Review ....................................................................................................................... 8
5.1 Legal Description ................................................................................................................................. 8
5.2 Municipal Records............................................................................................................................... 8
5.3 County Information ............................................................................................................................. 8
5.4 State Information ................................................................................................................................ 8
5.5 Recorded Land Title Records .............................................................................................................. 8
5.6 Aerial Photographs.............................................................................................................................. 8
5.7 Historical Topographic Maps .............................................................................................................. 9
5.8 Sanborn/Fire Insurance Maps ........................................................................................................... 10
5.9 City Directories .................................................................................................................................. 10
5.10 Owner/Occupant Interviews........................................................................................................... 10
5.11 Previous Environmental Investigations........................................................................................... 10
5.12 Historical Use Summary .................................................................................................................. 11
6.0 Environmental Regulatory Records Search........................................................................................... 11
7.0 Non-Scope Services ............................................................................................................................... 12
8.0 Data Gaps and Deviations ..................................................................................................................... 12
9.0 Evaluation ............................................................................................................................................. 12
10.0 References .......................................................................................................................................... 13
11.0 Signatures of Environmental Professionals ........................................................................................ 13
12.0 Appendices.......................................................................................................................................... 14
Appendix A: Images of Physical Site ....................................................................................................... 14
Appendix B: Site Photographs................................................................................................................. 16
Appendix C: Legal Description ................................................................................................................ 28
Appendix D: FOIA Request Forms and Example Documents .................................................................. 29
Appendix E: Aerial Photographs ............................................................................................................. 39
Appendix F: Historical Topographic Maps .............................................................................................. 49
Appendix G: Sanborn Insurance Maps.................................................................................................... 55
Appendix H: NETR Summary and Maps .................................................................................................. 59
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Executive Summary
A Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) was requested by John Gruber and created by Harry
Vaslo of Senior Design Group 3 (SDG3). Its purpose is to determine the environmental quality of 6800
East Jefferson Avenue, Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan, a 41.98-acre property that SDG3 is planning to
construct a hotel on. The Phase 1 ESA was written in accordance with ASTM International Designation
E1527-13.

Research performed by Harry Vaslo and other environmental engineers included contacting Wayne
County and the State of Michigan for information on the site, visiting the site to find visible recognized
environmental conditions (RECs), and perusing various environmental reports on the site and its
surrounding area. An intensive collection of historical documents, including Sanborn insurance maps,
topographical maps, and aerial photographs, were also collected for analysis.

The result of Harry’s research pointed to the site being heavily contaminated by a wide range of
dangerous chemicals due to decades of industrial work being conducted in the area. Current opinion is
that construction should not commence at the site until the entire area is remediated via excavation and
backfilling, if construction should occur at all.

Limitations and Exceptions

This Phase 1 ESA is intended to provide the client with an understanding of the environmental condition
of the site. This document is forbidden from being used by any other party without the author’s
consent. All information in this report follows guidelines provided by the client to ensure that all issues
with the site are thoroughly documented.

The primary limitation faced during the making of this report involved being unable to access the
physical site; therefore, all observations of the site were taken from outside the site. This limited the
author’s ability to see much of the area, which may mean some RECs were missed during site
reconnaissance.
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1.0 Introduction
A Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) of 6800 East Jefferson Avenue in Detroit, Wayne County,
Michigan, was requested by Professor John Gruber of Wayne State University and completed by Harry
Vaslo of Senior Design Group 3 (SDG3). The Phase 1 ESA was performed in accordance with ASTM
International (ASTM) Designation E1527-13. This report is to be used by Wayne State University.

1.1 Purpose
SDG3 conducted a Phase 1 ESA to determine the if environmental conditions at this site permit the
construction of a hotel, which is also being designed by SDG3. By undertaking this venture SDG3 hopes
to protect the client, John Gruber, from being sued by individuals negatively affected by the
environmental conditions at this site. This Phase 1 ESA will provide a professional opinion on the site by
analyzing previous uses for the site, the current condition of the site, and events that may have resulted
in hazardous materials being introduced to the site.

1.2 Phase 1 ESA Scope of Work

SDG3’s Phase 1 ESA begins with a description of the physical setting of the site. The site’s location,
topography, geology, drainage patterns, and local groundwater flow are discussed. A site
reconnaissance was conducted also by the author and 3 other environmental engineers. Finally, a
thorough review of historical documents and previously-made environmental reports on the site was
completed.

1.3 Phase 1 ESA Significant Assumptions

SDG3 is already familiar with previous uses of the site, specifically its time as a Uniroyal Tire Factory,
which likely means the site will be unable to have any commercial uses without proper remediation. This
Phase 1 ESA will either disprove or confirm those suspicions.

1.4 Phase 1 ESA Staff

Harry Vaslo, Environmental Engineer for SDG3, was responsible for the assembly of this report and
contacting persons in the City of Detroit, in Wayne County, and in the State of Michigan who could
provide us with data pertinent to this report. Jack Kozlowski and Matthew DeSantis were responsible for
combing through the ASTM International Standards and searching for what is required in this report.
Monica Dye was responsible for contacting the owner of the site for interviews and previously-made
reports. Sara Kucharek was responsible for obtaining aerial photographs, fire insurance maps, Sanborn
maps, topographic maps, and environmental radius reports of the site. Bilal Syed was responsible for
acquiring city directories from the City of Detroit. All previously mentioned persons were responsible for
heading to the site and taking pictures. Each person is also employed as an “Environmental 1 Engineer”
by their respective employers, and meet the qualifications required work on a Phase 1 ESA.

2.0 Physical Setting

2.1 Site Location
The site is located on the East Riverfront, south of East Jefferson Avenue, west of East Grand Boulevard,
and east of Meldrum Street and Mt. Elliot Park, within the City of Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan.
Refer to Appendix A for current image of the site.
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2.2 Topography
Based on a Site Topography Map provided by the client, John Gruber, the site slopes downwards
towards the Detroit River, with an elevation of 600 feet at East Jefferson Avenue and 580 feet by the
Detroit River. Refer to Appendix A for current topography of the site.

2.3 Geology
The geological description of the site was provided by Stantec Consulting Corporation and John Gruber.
The area is composed primarily of clay soil, but because of previous buildings that occupied the site, fill
materials including sands, gravel, sandy-silty clays, slag, and building debris can also be found (Stantec,
2009).

2.4 Drainage Patterns

Based on the Site Topographic Map, surface drainage at the site is towards the Detroit River, bordering
the southern perimeter of the site. It is unknown if the site still houses working stormwater structures,
but the existence of a 36-foot stormwater easement on the western half if the site that spills into the
Detroit River points towards the conclusion that previous site owners directed stormwater in that
direction and into the easement.

2.5 Groundwater Flow

Depth of groundwater near the Detroit River was estimated to be six to eight feet below ground surface
(Stantec, 2009). Groundwater in the site flows site towards the river. The thickness of the water-bearing
zone is small near East Jefferson Avenue and increases the closer it is to the river (Stantec, 2009).

3.0 Site Reconnaissance

Harry Vaslo, Sara Kucharek, Jack Kozlowski, and Bilal Syed conducted a Site Reconnaissance on February
25, 2019. We were unaccompanied during the visit. Weather conditions were windy and cloudy, with an
air temperature of 27 degrees Fahrenheit. See Appendix B for site photographs obtained during the
visit.

3.1 Methodology and Limiting Conditions

The site and nearby properties were observed to establish the current state of the site regarding the
release of hazardous materials on the site. Viewing the site was also meant to get an understanding of
the conditions of nearby properties.

The site was fenced off and crews were working inside, and we did not have permission to enter the
plot; therefore, all observations were made from outside the fenced-off area. Teams were not in contact
with the owners of the site and did not perform any interviews with the crew. See Data Gaps and
Deviations for full details.

3.2 General Site Information

The site covers 41.98 acres. The site is undeveloped except for a concrete parking lot. The construction
crew on site had construction vehicles and items spread throughout the site and were employed by DTE
Energy. The crew appeared to have done some excavation and grading on the site. The only vehicle
entrance to the site was on East Jefferson Avenue. Sidewalks on East Jefferson Avenue and Meldrum
Street were accessible, but not on East Grand Boulevard.
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3.3 Site Building(s)

There were no buildings on site except for a temporary structure used by the construction crew, located
directly in front of the vehicle entrance to the site on East Jefferson Avenue.

3.4 Outdoor Observations

The southern edge of the site bordering the Detroit River was undeveloped, and the Riverwalk was in
disrepair. There was an easement was free of obstructions. Trees and shrubs lined the area between the
Riverwalk and the Detroit River. The border between the site and the river was a straight drop except
for the southeast corner, where the shore was lined with rip rap.

The area between the Riverwalk and East Jefferson Avenue was free of any vegetation or visible
structures. There were no steel sheet pilings along the Detroit River. The only items on site all appeared
to be put in place by the construction crew.

3.5 Chemical Use and Storage

No chemical use or storage was observed on site.

3.6 Raw Materials

Except for construction materials brought by DTE Energy there were no raw materials observed on site.

3.7 Solid Waste Disposal

There were no permanent structures on site that could be producing any waste.

3.8 Storage Tank Systems

There were no indicators of underground storage tanks or aboveground storage tanks on site. Due to
not having access to the site SDG3 could not determine if the construction crew was producing any
waste or had containers to store it in. SDG3 did not see any piles of debris on site.

3.9 Pits, Ponds, and Lagoons

There were no indications of any pits, ponds, or lagoons on site. There were several large puddles visible
throughout the site, specifically in the northern and western halves of the site. However,

3.10 Vegetation
Native vegetation was present on the southern border of the site along the Detroit River, on the eastern
half along East Grand Boulevard, and between the fenced-off site and sidewalk along East Jefferson
Avenue. There was no indication of stained soils or stressed vegetation on site.

3.11 Utilities, Wells, and Septic Systems

Sanitary sewer and drinking water utilities would normally be provided by the City of Detroit, Michigan
on this site; however, due to there being no permanent structure on site to provide these utilities to, it
is unknown if any of these are being provided to the site. Power lines do enter the site and are clearly
visible from the ground. It is also unknown if the temporary structure being used by the construction
crew has access to these utilities.

3.12 Oil and Gas Wells or Pipelines

DTE Energy crew had set up aboveground pipe networks on site, but their purpose is unknown to us.
There was no indication of oil and gas well activity on site.
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3.13 Area Reconnaissance

The group viewed nearby properties of the site. All properties viewed were south of East Jefferson
Avenue. All properties were either commercial use or open to the public. The nearby properties are
listed below:

East of the site: MacArthur Bridge Park and Gabriel Richard Park, both with no addresses. MacArthur
Bridge Park is located west of East Grand Boulevard, and Gabriel Richard Park is located east of East
Grand Boulevard. The MacArthur Bridge begins here, crossing over the Detroit River and entering Belle
Isle Park.

West of the site: Le Petit Dejeuner is a restaurant on the corner of East Jefferson Avenue and Meldrum
Street at 6470 East Jefferson Avenue. Mt. Elliot Park borders the southwest corner of the site and
borders the Detroit River. Between Le Petit Dejeuner and Mt. Elliot Park is the Detroit Threat
Management Center, a self-defense business at 6440 Wight Street.

South of the site: The Detroit River borders the southern part of the site.

North of the site: There are no businesses directly north of the site, along East Jefferson Avenue. On the
other side of East Jefferson Avenue are three restaurants and a apartment complex.

MacArthur Bridge Park appeared to be gated off along with the rest of the site. The sidewalk on the
west side of East Grand Boulevard was shut down as well. None of the observed properties appeared to
be storing hazardous materials on site.

4.0 User-Provided Information

The user of this Phase 1 ESA, John Gruber of Wayne State University, provided SDG3 with the following
information for use in this report:

4.1 Environmental Liens or Activity and Use Limitations

Professor Gruber informed SDG3 that, of the 41.98 acres of the site, 15.33 acres were unusable due to
contamination. These 15.33 acres are on the western half of the site.

4.2 User-Specialized Knowledge

Professor Gruber had no specialized knowledge of environmental conditions on site.

4.3 Commonly Known or Reasonably Ascertainable Information

Professor Gruber informed SDG3 that the site’s most prominent use was a Uniroyal Tire Factory, and
that the site was likely heavily contaminated.

4.4 Valuation Reduction for Environmental Issues

Professor Gruber did not provide SDG3 with information regarding the valuation of the site.

4.5 Reason for Performing Phase 1 ESA

Professor Gruber instructed that a Phase 1 ESA be made to determine if possible contamination was on
site, and to make appropriate recommendations to remediate the issue.
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5.0 Historical Site Use Review

Data regarding historical usage of the site is necessary to determine if there would be any RECs from
past usages of the site. Historical data for this site comes in the form of municipal records, county
information, state information, recorded land title records, aerial photographs, topographic maps,
Sanborn insurance maps, city directories, interviews with relevant people, and previous site
assessments.

5.1 Legal Description

Refer to Appendix C for full legal description of site.

5.2 Municipal Records

SDG3 was informed by Professor Gruber that contacting departments within the City of Detroit was
unnecessary. See Data Gaps and Deviations for full details.

5.3 County Information

Did not receive any information on the site from Wayne County after inquires. See Data Gaps and
Deviations for full details.

5.4 State Information

SDG3 obtained information on 6300 East Jefferson Avenue through the State of Michigan by filing a
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
(MDEQ). See Appendix D for the FOIA request form and example documents. The following incidences
were found to have occurred at this address:

8/11/1999: Gasoline was released by Riverfront Food and Fuel into surrounding soil. Cause for leakage
was a broken flex connector. Leakage was discovered due to odors in alley in area of catch basins.
Incident was out of compliance with Part 213, Leaking Underground Storage Tanks (LUST) if the Natural
Resources and Protection Act, 1994 PA 451.

12/3/2010: Suspected release of gasoline by A & B Fuels into surrounding soil. Cause for leakage was a
broken flex connector. Leakage was discovered due to vapors in alley behind station building. Repairs to
connector was made on 12/6/2010.

5.5 Recorded Land Title Records

SDG3 did not review land title records for this Phase 1 ESA due to other historical references and reports
on the site providing ample information on the previous uses of the site. See Data Gaps and Deviations
for full details.

5.6 Aerial Photographs

SDG3 reviewed aerial photographs of the site from the years 1949, 1952, 1967, 1981, 1999, 2001, 2005,
2007, 2010, and 2017, and were accessed through Google Maps and Wayne State University Libraries.
The photographs indicated the following:

1949: Large-scale industrial and manufacturing work is occurring across the entire site. Large
warehouses and factory buildings make up most of the area apart from the northwest corner, which is
occupied by large silos.
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1952: There are no significant changes from the 1949 photograph.

1967: The eastern half of the site has been cleared of buildings and is occupied by vegetation except for
the northern half of the lot, which contains a parking lot. Large industrial buildings still occupy the
western half of the lot. The silos located in the northwest corner have been cleared and replaced by a
parking lot and two smaller buildings.

1981: A parking lot now occupies the entire eastern half of the lot. Another parking lot has also been
implemented in the southwestern corner of the lot. Except for those changes, there were no other
significant changes from the 1967 photograph.

1999: Tracking marks from machinery streak across much of the site. The northwest corner of the site
has some development on, but it is unknown what it could be. The entrance to the site is on its west
side. There Is little vegetation; the site is primarily grass with patches of dirt. The site appears to be
closed to the public, and the parking lot on the site’s east side is inaccessible.

2001: There are no significant changes to the site from the 1999 photograph except for more vegetation
and fewer patches of dirt on the site.

2005: There are no significant changes to the site from the 2001 photograph except for the noticeable
degradation of the parking lot.

2007: There are no significant changes from the 2005 photograph.

2010: There are no significant changes from the 2007 photograph.

2017: Driveway access to the site has moved from the west side of the site to the north side of the site,
along East Jefferson Avenue. The driveway loops in a square shape, which SDG3 interprets as some form
of remediation or construction beginning on the site. Vegetation has been cleared away from the
western half of the site, but more vegetation has sprouted up on the eastern half of the site. The
developments in the northwest corner of the site have also been removed.

There were no indications of hazardous materials being released on site from the aerial photographs.
The photographs did show the continued decline of the site and lack of improvements to the site. Copies
of aerial photographs can be found in Appendix E.

5.7 Historical Topographic Maps

Historic topographic maps of the site were provided by the United State Geologic Survey Historical
Topographic Map Explorer for the years 1905, 1937, 1940, 1952, 1968, and 1989. The following
information was derived from them:

1905: At least three docks are present on the site, which points to ships coming to the site to drop off or
pick up cargo. There is a railroad track that ends between two large structures close to the current
location of the MacArthur Bridge. All the buildings in the site are in very close proximity to each other. It
is due to these patterns that it is likely that the site was used for industrial purposes.

1937: The docks along the southern edge of the site have been removed. The railroad tracks in the site
have gotten more extensive, with more branches leading off the main path. This points to the site still
being used for industrial purposes.
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1940: The railroad tracks have not expanded or shrunk in size. There are fewer buildings than in 1905,
but the new buildings are larger and in closer proximity to each other. There are several round
structures in the eastern half of the site which could be vats for holding chemicals.

1952: Gabriel Richard Park has been established on the eastern half of the site. However, this is the only
significant change from the 1940 topographic map.

1968: The number of buildings on site have shrunk significantly from 1952, primarily in the eastern half
of the site. The circular structure from the 1940 topographic map have also disappeared.

1989: The railroad tracks and buildings have all been dismantled, leaving the site bare. Therefore, the
site is no longer being used for industrial purposes.

Except for the structures from 1940 that were theorized to hold chemicals, no hazardous chemicals
appeared on the topographic maps. Refer to Appendix F for all historical topographic maps.

5.8 Sanborn/Fire Insurance Maps

Sanborn insurance maps were provided by the Library of Congress for the years 1884 and 1922. The
following information was derived from them:

1884: There were several large industrial plants along East Jefferson Avenue and Wight Street: Detroit
Stove Works, Union Ironworks, Peninsular Iron Company, The Mutual Gas Company, Detroit Iron
Furnace Company, Detroit Bolt and Nut Works, and Detroit and Lank Superior Iron Company. Our site
was primarily taken up by Detroit Stove Works. There were several docks along the Detroit River in this
area.

1922: Along Wight Street several new industrial companies sprouted up and replaced the street’s
previous occupants: Michigan Ammonia Works, United States Rubber Company, Detroit City Gas
Company, and American Boiler Works. Michigan Bolt and Nut Works remained.

All these industrial companies would have been dealing with extremely hazardous materials, which
could have entered the surrounding soil and water. Refer to Appendix G for copies of Sanborn insurance
maps.

5.9 City Directories

SDG3 did not obtain any city directories for this Phase 1 ESA. Refer to Data Gaps and Deviations for
more details.

5.10 Owner/Occupant Interviews

There were attempts made to get an interview with a person familiar with this site at DTE Energy, but no
interview ever transpired. See Data Gaps and Deviations for full details.

5.11 Previous Environmental Investigations

SDG3 browsed two previously made environmental reports to determine recognized environmental
conditions (RECs) at the site. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), cyanide, polychlorinated biphenyls
(PCBs), polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and various metals were found within the soil of the
site (Stantec, 2009). VOCs, PAHs, cyanide, ammonia, various metals, and mercury were found within
groundwater on the site (Stantec, 2009). These contaminants likely came from the Uniroyal Tire Factory,
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Michigan Stove Works, and Michigan Ammonia Works (Stantec, 2009). Pockets of more unique types of
contaminants were found in the site as well, including coal tar, non-aqueous phase liquid, and lime
slurry (Arcadis, 2006). Contamination of some kind was found nearly everywhere in the site (Arcadis,
2006). To remediate this issue, it is recommended to excavate and backfill the whole site (Stantec, 2009;
Arcadis, 2006).

5.12 Historical Use Summary

The history of the site was provided by the Uniroyal/East Jefferson at Belle Isle Site QRT-7 Outline, and
details the following:

Pre-1860s: Residential, wetland/marsh.

1860s-Early 1900s: Heavy industrial, iron works.

1900s-1940s: Heavy industrial, coal gas, ammonia production, iron works, stove works, rubber
manufacturing.

1940s-1960s: Heavy industrial, coal gasification, stove works, tire manufacturing

1970s-1980s: Tire manufacturing

1981-mid 1980s: Site demolition and decommissioning, City of Detroit takes ownership of site

1990s-present: Vacant site, fishing

The site’s primary use was for industrial and manufacturing purposes until the mid-1980s, when the site
was vacated. This indicates that there is some condition with the site that makes development on it
extremely difficult.

6.0 Environmental Regulatory Records Search

SDG3 perused several radius reports to find sources of contamination near the site. The reports
referenced were obtained through the online NETR database. Relevant maps and a summary chart from
the NETR report can be found in Appendix H. Contamination near the site are as follows:

Brownfields: Thomas Tripp Holdings LLC at 2970 East Jefferson Avenue was recorded as being a
brownfield on 1/15/2010, 0.58 miles north of the site.

Baseline environmental assessment (BEAs): A total of 32 BEAs were found in a half mile radius of the
site.

Underground storage: 3 underground storage tanks were found within 0.07 miles north of the site.

Leaking underground storage: 6 leaking underground tanks were found within a half mile of the site and
were spread out around the site.

Contaminated sites: The site itself was the most contaminated one in the area. Pollutants found on site
include carbon disulfide, xylenes, toluene, and benzene.

Active solid waste landfills: There were no active solid waste landfills near the site.

Closed solid waste landfills: There were no closed solid waste landfills near the site.
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These contaminated areas could influence the environmental soundness of the site. Emergency
Response Notification Systems (ERNS), US Toxic Release Inventories, US RCRA Generators (CESQG, SQG,
LQG), US NPDES, and US Air Facilities Systems near the site are included in the NETR report but were not
relevant to the scope of the Phase 1 ESA.

7.0 Non-Scope Services

SDG3 and other Environmental 1 Engineers in CE 4995 performed research and crafted their reports in
accordance with ASTM E1527-13.

8.0 Data Gaps and Deviations

SDG3 were unable to fully complete these sections of the report for these additional reasons:

3.0 Site Reconnaissance: Group was not permitted to enter site by construction crew on site. Could only
search for RECs from behind fences; therefore, some RECs could have been missed.

5.2 Municipal Records: The City of Detroit was not contacted due to lack of time and SDG3 being
unaware of proper channels of communication.

5.3 County Information: SDG3 contacted Wayne County, but was denied access to information on site
from individuals we spoke with. After denial, SDG3 ceased further inquiries.

5.5 Recorded Land Title Records: SDG3 did not seek out land title records due to lack of time and
enough information being provided by other sources.

5.9 City Directories: SDG3 did not seek out city directories due to lack of time and enough information
being provided by other sources.

5.10 Owner/Occupant Interviews: SDG3 did not conduct any interviews due to being denied by all
pertinent individuals.

9.0 Evaluation
The site is heavily contaminated by chemicals that would harm guests at SDG3s proposed hotel. Years of
industrial use has rendered the site’s soil and groundwater unsafe, and chemical leaks at properties in
the site’s surrounding area have rendered the site even more toxic. It is the author’s belief that the
entire site should be excavated and backfilled prior to construction, if construction at this site should be
considered at all.
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10.0 References
American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM). “Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments
Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process,” Astm Designation E 1527 -13 November 1, 2013

“Legal Description.” Detroit Parcel Viewer, cityofdetroit.github.io/parcel-viewer/15000009./., 3/26/19

Uniroyal/East Jefferson at Belle Isle Site QRT-7 Outline. 2009, pp. 1–10, Uniroyal/East Jefferson at Belle
Isle Site QRT-7 Outline. 3/26/19

Environmental Radius Report. NETR, 2019, pp. 1–100, Environmental Radius Report,
www.environmental.netr.online.com. 3/26/19

“Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan.” Library of Congress,
www.loc.gov/collections/sanborn-maps/?fa=location:detroit. 3/26/19, 1884, 1922

“Detroit Topographic Map.” USGS Topoview, ngmdb.usgs.gov/topoview/viewer/#4/40.00/-100.00.

3/26/19, 1905, 1937, 1940, 1952, 1968, 1989

“Overview – Google Earth.” Google Earth, Google, www.google.com/earth/. 1999, 2001, 2007, 2010,
2015, 2017

“Detroit Aerial Photographs.” Wayne State University Libraries.

https://digital.library.wayne.edu/dte_aerial/index.html. 1949, 1952, 1967, 1981

Draft Interim Response Activities Designed to Meet Criteria East Jefferson at Belle Isle Site Detroit, MI.
Arcadis, 2006, pp. 1–182, Draft Interim Response Activities Designed to Meet Criteria East Jefferson at
Belle Isle Site Detroit, MI. 3/26/19

Riverwalk Interim Response Activities Designed To Meet Criteria East Jefferson at Belle Isle Site Detroit,
MI. Stantec Consulting Corporation, 2009, pp. 1–40, Riverwalk Interim Response Activities Designed To
Meet Criteria East Jefferson at Belle Isle Site Detroit, MI. 3/26/19

FOIA Documents Obtained from MDEQ. Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, 2010, FOIA
Documents Obtained from MDEQ. 3/26/19

FOIA Documents Obtained from MDEQ. Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, 1999, FOIA
Documents Obtained from MDEQ. 3/26/19

All FOIA documents were obtained via the Freedom of Information Act and provided by the Michigan
Department of Environmental Quality

11.0 Signatures of Environmental Professionals

For this this course I am considering myself to be a professional environmental engineer qualified to
assess the site in a Phase 1 Environmental Assessment, despite no being a professional environmental
engineer:

______________________________________________ Harry Vaslo

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12.0 Appendices
Appendix A: Images of Physical Site

Figure A1: Current location of site

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Figure A2: Current topography of site

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Appendix B: Site Photographs

Figure B1: View of site from East Grand Boulevard (east of site)
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Figure B2: View of site from East Grand Boulevard (east of site)
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Figure B3: View of site from MacArthur Bridge Park (east of site)
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Figure B4: View of site from MacArthur Bridge (south of site)

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Figure B5: View of site from MacArthur Bridge (south of site)

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Figure B6: View of site from MacArthur Bridge (south of site)

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Figure B7: View of easement from MacArthur Bridge (south of site)

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Figure B8: View of site from Meldrum Street (west of site)

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Figure B9: View of site from Meldrum Street (west of site)

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Figure B10: View of site from Meldrum Street (west of site)

 26

Figure B11: View of site from East Jefferson Avenue (north of site)
 27

Figure B12: View of site from East Jefferson Avenue (north of site)
 28

Appendix C: Legal Description

S E JEFFERSON PT OF P C 18 19 573 & 678 LYING S OF JEFFRESON AVE (120 FT WD) INCL LOTS 1-2-3
EXTENDED TO THE U.S. HARBOR LINE AT THE DETROIT RIVER OF THE PLAT OF BEAUFAIT FARM L.30 P.3
WCR & LOT 6 & PT OF LOTS 4-5 EXTENDED TO U.S. HARBOR LINE AT THE DETROIT RIVER OF PLAT OF
MELDRUM FARM L.4 P.87 WCR & LOTS 4-16 RUSSEL'S SUB OF BLK NO. 4 & 5 OF MELDRUM FARM L.1
P.12 WCR INCL 4 FT ALLEY ADJ TO SD LOTS AND 1 FT STRIP ADJ TO SD ALLEY AND THAT POR OF WIGHT
ST. LYING ADJ TO SD LOT 16 AND LOTS 6-7 OF THE SUB OF A.T MCREYNOLD'S L.44 P.225 WCR INCL LAND
WITHIN THE ENTENSION TO THE U.S. HARBOR LINE AT THE DETROIT RIVER; AS DESC COMM AT SE COR
OF P C 678 TH S 41D 14M 51S W 684.43 FT TO POB;

TH S 59D 44M 37S E 9.44 FT;

TH S 26D 58M 42S E 426.42 FT;

TH S 43D 21M 25S W 1655.06 FT;

TH S 48D 57M 23S W 186.19 FT;

TH N 82D 24M 35S W 135.51 FT;

TH N 27D 22M 06S W 334.23 FT;

TH N58D 58M 42S E 44.75 FT;

TH N 27D 12M 21S W 200FT;

TH N 58D 58M 42S E 34.77 FT;

TH N 27D 12M 21S W 491.45 FT;

TH N 58D 58M 44S E 106.68 FT;

TH N 27D 12M 21S W 170.04 FT;

TH N 58D 58M 44S E 168.30 FT;

TH S 31D 01M 16S E 47 FT;

N 58D 58M 44S E 67.26 FT;

TH ALONG A NON-TANGENT CURVE TO L 47.28 FT RAD 250.64 FT CENTRAL ANGLE 10D 48M 29S AND
CHORD BEARING N 25D 37M 05S W 47.21 FT;

TH N 58D 58M 44S E 872.17 FT;

ALONG A TANGENT CURVE TO R 90.18 FT RAD 335 FT CENTRAL ANGLE 15D 25M 27S CHORD BEARING N
66D 41M 29S E 89.91 FT;

TH N 74D 24M 13S E 166.30 FT;

TH ALONG TANGENT CURVE TO L 27.42 FT RAD 365 FT CENTRAL ANGLE 04D 18M 13S CHORD BEARING
N 72D 15M 07S E 27.41 FT;

TH N 70D 06M 07S E 102.07 FT;

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TH S 59D 44M 37S E 323.48 FT TO POB

41.987 ACRES

Appendix D: FOIA Request Forms and Example Documents

Figure C1: FOIA request form filled out by Harry Vaslo

 30

Figure C2: Email correspondence between Harry Vaslo and FOIA

representative
 31

Figure C3: Example document from FOIA request on 1999 gas

release incident
 32

Figure C4: Example document from FOIA request on 1999 gas

release incident
 33

Figure C5: Example document from FOIA request on 1999 gas

release incident
 34

Figure C6: Example document from FOIA request on 1999 gas

release incident
 35

Figure C6: Example document from FOIA request on 1999 gas

release incident
 36

Figure C7: Example document from FOIA request on 2010 gas

release incident
 37

Figure C8: Example document from FOIA request on 2010 gas

release incident
 38

Figure C9: Example document from FOIA request on 2010 gas

release incident (continuation of Figure C8)
 39

Appendix E: Aerial Photographs

Figure E1: Aerial photograph of site from 1949

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Figure E2: Aerial photograph of site from 1952

 41

Figure E3: Aerial photograph of site from 1967

 42

Figure E4: Aerial photograph of site from 1981

 43

Figure E5: Aerial photograph of site from 1999

 44

Figure E6: Aerial photograph of site from 2001

 45

Figure E7: Aerial photograph of site from 2005

 46

Figure E8: Aerial photograph of site from 2007

 47

Figure E9: Aerial photograph of site from 2010

 48

Figure E10: Aerial photograph of site from 2017

 49

Appendix F: Historical Topographic Maps

Figure F1: Topographic map of site from 1905

 50

Figure F2: Topographic map of site from 1937

 51

Figure F3: Topographic map of site from 1940

 52

Figure F4: Topographic map of site from 1952

 53

Figure F5: Topographic map of site from 1968

 54

Figure F6: Topographic map of site from 1989

 55

Appendix G: Sanborn Insurance Maps

Figure G1: Sanborn insurance map of site from 1884

 56

Figure G2: Sanborn insurance map of site from 1884

 57

Figure G3: Sanborn insurance map of site from 1884

 58

Figure G4: Sanborn insurance map of site from 1922

 59

Appendix H: NETR Summary and Maps

Figure H1: Summary of possible contamination near site,

provided in the NETR report
 60

Figure H2: Map of brownfields near site

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Figure H3: Map of BEAs near site

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Figure H4: Map of underground storage tanks near site

 63

Figure H5: Map of leaking underground storage tanks

near site
 64

Figure H6: Map of contaminated locations near site