Part One: Environmental Tests Set for Hayes Lemmerz Site
Ferndale schools have 90 days to make a decision about purchasing the 34-acre parcel.
Photos
Acquisition of the Hayes Lemmerz property is progressing, but it's far from being done, Ferndale Public Schools Superintendent Gary Meier told the Board of Education's Operations Committee last week.
"We're moving along, but it might not happen for a number of reasons," Meier told the committee.
The biggest question is over any environmental problems the site may have, he said.
On May 9, the board authorized the district to move forward on a purchase agreement for the 34-acre parcel of property at Eight Mile and Pinecrest for $950,000. The property was once home to a division of auto supplier Hayes Lemmerz, a manufacturer of rims and wheels for cars, trains and trucks, and of transportation components and systems such as windshield wipers and defrosting and defogging systems.
Hayes Lemmerz left in 2006. Previously, Ethyl Corp. had occupied the parcel from 1940 to the mid-1980s.
The purchase agreement, signed May 24, gives the district 90 days to decide whether it wants to purchase the property.
When the Hayes Lemmerz property was put on the market, it was listed for $7.9 million. Director of Operations Gary Sophiea said that a few years ago, it was listed at $4 and $3 million. At $950,000, Meier said the price is a good investment.
The district has hired a company to perform environmental tests on the site. "We would not want to put kids on (the property) if it is not suitable for kids," Meier said.
The environmental study will be done in increments. If results show too much contamination at any time, the district can pull out of the agreement. The complete cost of the study is about $125,000, Meier said.
He said that after examining the records of Hayes Lemmerz, the district thinks the property may not be as contaminated as originally thought. "We have reason to believe that it may not be as contaminated as people might think," he said, adding that it's still speculation.
"It would still be premature to speculate it coming out the way we want," he said.
The environmental study is in the beginning stage. "They'll drill down, test the water, test the soil. The whole nine yards," Meier said.
Joe Walczak, an environmental specialist at the Department of Environmental Quality, said environmental tests are standardized, depending on what is being tested.
Meier said that as part of the purchase agreement, a confidentiality clause prohibits the district from sharing the results of the environmental study until the property is purchased. At that time, Meier said, the study will be made public and presented to the board. The board may tour the property before it finalizes any purchase.
"I'll keep you (the Operations Committee) apprised about how the project is continuing," Meier said. "There is still a lot of work to be done."
Greg Pawlica
10:09 am on Tuesday, June 14, 2011
"We have reason to believe that it may not be as contaminated as people might think," --- Really? How much contamination is too much? I'm sure the site isn't 3-Mile Island toxic, but seriously, we are talking about our youth being exposed to toxic chemicals...at ANY level. Perhaps to ensure the public's peace of mind, Mr. Meier's should plan to move his offices into that building.
Terry Parris Jr.
10:16 am on Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Greg: If there is contamination and it can be remediated -- depending on the cost -- the district will remediate the land. The district can also not choose to purchase the land depending on the environmental study. It could be too contaminated and cost too much to remediate. The environmental tests are standardized for specific types of sites, the DEQ told me yesterday. About mid August the 90-day due diligence will be nearing its end and we will all know more about the site.