Redevelopment commission approves Phase I environmental assessment for Singing Sands property near Trail Creek

The Michigan City Redevelopment Commission approved a contract on June 9 with August Mac Environmental to prepare a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) for the Singing Sands / Trail Creek parcels at 1033 East Michigan Boulevard.

Why it matters: The parcels are part of the Trail Creek cleanup project. A Phase I ESA is standard due diligence for prospective purchasers and is required to pursue Brownfields program comfort letters from the Indiana Brownfields Program and to document recognized environmental conditions (RECs) and institutional controls in place.

Scope, timing and cost: Paula Warren of August Mac said the Phase I will assemble historical research and site records, describe remediation that has taken place (including an interceptor trench that collects contaminated groundwater for treatment), and document any remaining controls. Staff recorded the contract amount in the meeting as “not to exceed $3,600” when the motion was made and approved; earlier staff remarks referenced $33,600 in one reading of the packet, creating an inconsistency in the record. The motion carried with the commission approving the Phase I ESA “not to exceed $3,600” and staff said the firm will deliver the Phase I report within 15 business days after notice to proceed.

Next steps: Paula Warren said the Phase I will likely identify recognized environmental conditions (RECs) and that, because the property is already in an IDEM oversight process, a formal Phase II is not anticipated at this time. Staff noted the Phase I report will be owned by the city and can be reused for other developers if this sale does not proceed.

Ending: The commission approved the Phase I ESA and will receive the draft for review prior to the final report. The Phase I will support due diligence for the prospective housing developer interested in purchasing the Trail Creek parcels.