With every month, excitement and interest in the Community Hub project grows. HCCF staff and volunteers are being asked a version of “so….what’s happening at the corner?” on a regular basis. Here is an update on the status.

The first step in any clean up process is assessing the level of contamination. Multiple rounds of soil borings, sampling more than 20 feet down into the earth, were conducted on the site to assess the level of ground contamination. Additional testing was done on the buildings slated for demolition to determine if there were contaminants present. Finally, testing was done on the vapors and air coming into the future Community Hub to ensure a high air quality for all who use the space moving forward.

On August 3, the State of Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) announced a $600,000 Brownfield Redevelopment Grant to help support the clean up of the site during redevelopment.

After many tours and discussions, HCCF started acquiring property to bring the Community Hub to life. On September 16, 2020, HCCF closed on 101 N. Port Crescent. The demolition of this existing structure will be instrumental in redeveloping the entire corner. After preliminary environmental testing on the property, the Huron County Community Foundation officially closed on the 101 W. Huron Ave building June 30, 2021