Mount Clemens hears Brownfield briefing as developer outlines $60–$70M redevelopment at former Gibraltar Trade Center

Mount Clemens city officials heard a Brownfield presentation and an early project briefing from a steel company proposing to redevelop the former Gibraltar Trade Center.

City Manager Shipman introduced a Brownfield 101 from Samantha, a consultant with Fleece and Vandenbrink, who explained how Brownfield tax increment financing (TIF) works and the local process. "Public Act 381," she said, established Michigan's brownfield law in 1996; a brownfield plan freezes a property's base value at approval and allows increment created by redevelopment to reimburse eligible remediation, infrastructure and other activities.

Samantha described the recent change that allows housing projects to qualify for Brownfield incentives and said the law now targets missing-middle housing roughly in the 80–120% area median income range. She noted state agencies review different components of a plan: EGLE focuses on environmental response and due care, MEDC reviews other eligible components, and MSHDA can support affordability and gap financing on housing elements.

The developer presentation came from John Rumler, who identified himself as representing the steel company. Rumler described the plan for the old Gibraltar Trade Center as "roughly a $60 to $70,000,000 project between real estate and personal property" and said it would initially create about 50 jobs with full employment of "about 100 within several years," with a building footprint of roughly 250,000 square feet and occupancy anticipated in 2026.

Consultants and the developer said an earlier plan prepared mid-2024 estimated about $9,000,000 in eligible activities, with approximately $5,000,000 allocated for helical piers because of unsuitable soils underneath the building footprint. The original plan had contemplated a 15-year reimbursement term; consultants emphasized that reimbursement periods and amounts are negotiable and governed by a reimbursement agreement that requires developers to submit invoices, proof of payment and documentation for BRA certification.

Shipman and the consultants said the city will revise the brownfield plan to incorporate a municipal services agreement — a tool to account for city-provided services (police, fire, etc.) while preserving budget neutrality during the capture period — and will take the revised package to the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (BRA) in the coming weeks. The commission was asked only for initial feedback at the work session, not for a formal vote.

Multiple commissioners said they were generally supportive in principle but requested the concise memo the consultant offered: a two- or three-page summary of the project history, eligible activities, qualifications and the specific "ask" so the commission can evaluate financials and risk before a formal decision. Consultants noted local options such as administrative capture, a Local Brownfield Revolving Fund and pass-through structures can be used to balance developer incentives with community priorities.

No formal action on the brownfield plan was taken at the session; consultants said the next procedural steps are BRA consideration and a public hearing before the city commission if the BRA recommends approval.

The work session concluded with brief other-business items (a follow-up on a River Road property and farmers market discussions, and a request to clarify language for a press release about an animal abuse investigation). The commission adjourned to the regular meeting shortly afterward.