By ZEINAB NAJM
Sunday Times Newspapers
Riverview and Trenton were two Downriver communities that had representatives at a July 13 virtual town hall hosted by U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-12th District) where issues impacting the riverfront area were discussed.
Most of the conversation centered on environmental issues and infrastructure along with the progress made but work that still needs to be done.
Some of the guests were Wayne County Assistant County Executive Khalil Rahal, Trenton Mayor Steve Rzeppa, Riverview City Manager Douglas Drysdale, Nick Zager with the Army Corps of Engineers, Susan White with the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, Robert Burns with Friends of the Detroit River and representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency and the state Department of Environment, Great Lakes & Energy.
Rahal spoke about the continued development of the riverfront and the work Wayne County is doing, including the $339 million of American Rescue Plan funds
He talked of investment at Elizabeth Park in Trenton.
“I would say between this year and next year we are investing over $1 million in the park,” Rahal said. “We’re really very, very proud of that park and we know it’s one of the gems within Wayne County.”
The Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, former McLouth Steel Corp site, Riverview landfill and the DTE Trenton Channel Power Plant were highlighted by officials.
Questions also were answered by leaders, but due to time limitations, remaining questions residents have can be sent to Dingell Field Representative Bryan McMurran at [email protected].
The last two towers at the former McLouth Steel Corp site were demolished last month after beginning the process in 2019.
Future development at the 180-acre site along the Detroit River possibly could happen in the future. Cleanup still need to take place before any proposals are presented, which took years.
Rzeppa said the city is turning a corner in terms of redevelopment for sites like McLouth.
“I don’t remember McLouth as a functioning steel mill,” he said. “It closed almost 25 years ago. To be in a position now where we’re talking about not just the open end of what we are going to do, what’s going to happen — at this point there are more questions than answers. We’re at least in a much better spot than where we were years or decades ago.”
Rzeppa also said environmental and economic sustainability is the path the cart needs to be on in Trenton.
“This is a situation where we need to be cognizant of our need to build our tax base,” he said. “Our budget in Trenton is about the exact same as it was 20 years ago in terms of our revenue, and everyone here knows the cost of doing business, living and of absolutely anything is not the same as 20 years ago.
“We’re doing with almost one-third the employees that we once had, but are still able to provide so many of the services that have drawn families here for generations, and we need to continue to do so.”
In terms of the environment, Rzeppa said Trenton needs to be mindful that they’re on a path forward, and it’s about protecting one of their most valuable assets in the community: the waterfront.
“It’s about our air, the unknown things that will last for generations that we make sure are protected for our kids, grandkids and the people that are here long after the rest of us are gone,” he said.
The Trenton City Council unanimously voted in favor of updating a zoning ordinance focusing on waterfront uses that prioritizes cleaner land and more people-centric activities in December.
Under the zoning ordinance, I-W Industrial Waterfront District was changed to W-R Waterfront Revitalization District to consider the future of the city’s waterfront properties, especially those which have been fundamentally altered by their history of industrial use.
“I think that this zoning ordnance along with the demolition ordinance that we passed last winter are really going to be critical for our community for years to come in terms of redevelopment of these old industrial sites and reducing blight not only now but for generations,” Rzeepa said.
DTE Energy Fossil Generation SVP Ben Felton spoke on the DTE Trenton Channel Power Plant which is set to retire in May 2022. The process began five years ago with meetings with city officials. Felton said the property should be ready for development by 2025 to return it to a brownfield.
For Riverview, Drysdale said the big project the city is working on with the EPA is the cleanup of Arkema Inc. East Plant property, 17168 W. Jefferson.
“We’ve always prided ourselves as working together down here in Downriver,” he said.
To watch the full town hall, click here.
(Zeinab Najm can be reached at [email protected].)