Community Hub Timeline & Updates
Wondering what’s happening at the corner? This is the place for the latest updates on the Community Hub Project at 101 W Huron Ave. in Bad Axe!
Learning about the Community Hub Project for the first time? Start here!
As the project continues to progress, we will provide updates and milestones right here. Our goal is to make it as easy as possible for interested community members to find accurate information about the activities happening at the site. New updates will be right at the top, underneath this message. Previous activities and updates can be found further down the page. Start at the bottom and scroll up for a full timeline recap of the project so far!
Next Project Milestone
The current footprint of 101 W Huron Ave will remain and be renovated. In early 2025, HCCF will begin the bid process for portions of the Community Hub Project.
December 17, 2024
Environmental remediation of the site is complete! Contaminated soil that could safely be removed was removed and replaced with clean Class II sand. Assuming this property is always used as commercial/office/residential, there will not need to be brownfield remediation done on this site again. Thank you to the Huron County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, Michigan EGLE, SME Environmental, and Adamo Group for their efforts in swiftly and safely cleaning up this site for future use.
December 9, 2024
Demolition and clean up of a portion of 101 W Huron Ave is complete. This morning marked the beginning of the ground remediation efforts. This portion of the environmental remediation process involves digging up portions of the soil around the property (not including the basements that have already been filled with clean Class II sand) to remove as much contaminated soil as possible.
December 2, 2024
The remediation contracts began demolition of a portion of 101 W. Huron Ave. This demolition will prepare the site for further ground remediation to take place. This phase of the project is managed by the Huron County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority and is funded by a grant from Michigan Environmental Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE).
November 22, 2024
The remediation contractors began work at the Community Hub site. Their work will include demolition of the eastern portion of the 101 W Huron Ave building and ground remediation. Because the site was formerly a gas station, the soil is contaminated meaning any owner that planned to “disturb the ground” in any way would be required to remediate the site first. To make the site safe for development, contaminated soil must be removed and replaced with clean material. This work will take 60 days or less and will leave the site ready for construction and redevelopment! This phase of the project is managed by the Huron County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority and is funded by a grant from Michigan Environmental Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE).
October 20, 2024
Contract to complete work at 101 W Huron Ave. was presented by the Huron County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority to the remediation contractor for signatures. This work includes demolition and ground remediation at the site to ensure a clean, safe site for future development.
October 1, 2024
Huron County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Board accepts a bid for a remediation contractor to complete necessary remediation efforts at 101 W Huron Ave to prepare the site for redevelopment.
September 5, 2024
A pre-bid meeting was held on site at 101 W Huron Ave for environmental remediation contractors. Because the site was formerly a gas station, the soil is contaminated meaning any owner that planned to “disturb the ground” in any way would be required to remediate the site first. Representatives from the Huron County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, Michigan Environmental Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE), and SME Environmental were present to discuss the project with potential contractors. This marks the official kickoff of the bid process for the Huron County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority. The Huron County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority received grant dollars from EGLE to fund the remediation efforts and prepare the site for redevelopment
July 15, 2024
The much anticipated demolition of 101 N. Port Crescent commenced. The demolition activities included removing the structure to ground level, so as to not disturb contaminated soil that will be remediated after demolition. See photos here.
June 19, 2024
A mandatory pre-bid meeting is hosted at 101 N. Port Crescent for companies seeking to bid on the demolition of the structure. This pre-bid meeting is the official kickoff to the bid process for the demolition project.
March/April 2024
DTE Energy and Consumers Energy made multiple trips to both 101 N Port Crescent and 101 W Huron Ave. to assess the properties current utility connection. By mid-April, utilities were disconnected at both sites, preparing the properties for demolition.
October 5, 2023
The Huron County Community Foundation is awarded $500,000 to support the Community Hub Project from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP) 2.0 grant program. Learn more about the grant from the MEDC announcement.
March 27, 2023
Contractors completed the removal of asbestos from 101 W Huron Ave and 101 N Port Crescent. Abatement of asbestos is a critical step in preparing buildings for demolition. A full explanation of the work completed and photos of the buildings after asbestos removal can be found here.
February 27, 2023
Asbestos remediation activities began at the Community Hub site. Asbestos abatement and removal is necessary prior to any demolition activities. Our partners at the Huron County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority contracted with a certified abatement company to ensure safe and swift removal of the asbestos.
December 27, 2022
The Huron County Community Foundation was awarded a $783,000 Rural Facilities Grant through the United States Department of Agriculture. Through a competitive process, and support from Senator Stabenow and her team, HCCF navigated the process for receiving federal funding for the Community Hub project. Demonstrating local support to help leverage federal dollars for Huron County resources is a point of pride for HCCF and our volunteers. Thank you to Senator Stabenow and her team for assisting in this process and bringing additional resources to Huron County!
September 22, 2022
Environmental testing is complete! Since August 2021, testing has been ongoing at the Community Hub site. On September 22, 2022 Maurer Electric gave a lift to the environmental team so they could procure their last sample from the roofs of the buildings. Testing included vapor monitoring (capturing gasses that come up from the ground), interior and exterior materials testing, and soil testing. Soil testing was completed from the surface up to 30ft into the ground in some places on the property. A map of where soil testing was completed and more details about the many tests completed on the site can be found here.
August 2, 2021
The Huron County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority received a $600,000 Brownfield Redevelopment Grant from Michigan Great Lakes Environmental and Energy (EGLE) to help support the clean up of the site during redevelopment. Early in the process of purchasing the buildings, HCCF involved the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, as we knew the site was a former gas station and would require environmental remediation prior to development. The dollars provided by EGLE will assist with the removal of contaminants from the soil and structures to ensure the property is safe for future use. Read the press release and additional information about the EGLE grant here.
December 2020
Preliminary environmental baseline study was completed. Because the site was previously used as a gas station, a new owner must conduct a baseline environmental investigation. This due diligence measure monitors to the level of contamination at the site upon purchase so that the new purchaser has proof they did not cause the contamination and therefore have legal protections.
September 17, 2020
The Huron County Community Foundation officially announced the Community Hub Project at their Annual Celebration. The Community Hub Project is a strategic development that will provide additional resources to the community, add life to vacant properties, and create a permanent home for HCCF. Each facet of the project support the strategic priorities outlined by the community. In addition to HCCF office space, the design includes:
Community board room
Co-working office space
Residential units
Outdoor green space
September 16, 2020
HCCF signs officially purchases 101 N. Port Crescent.
June 25, 2020
HCCF under contract to purchase 101 W Huron Ave.
2019
HCCF was on a mission to find a place to bring their vision to life. The organization wanted to create a clear brand identity, invest in the community, and support the strategic priorities outlined by the community. After no rental properties matched HCCF’s vision, a purchase opportunity presented an exciting possibility. A promising two-story building adjacent to the main downtown intersection - 101 W. Huron Ave - was available and met the committee’s criteria. It was also decided to purchase the adjacent property, 101 N Port Crescent. With one building vacant and the other in disrepair, HCCF saw the opportunity to add vibrancy to the downtown while creating resources.
2018
HCCF conducts 8 month strategic priority process to determine how the community wants to see HCCF invest in the future. The process included focus groups, interviews, and a broad community survey. The three priority areas determined by the community were:
Retaining and attracting a talented, trained workforce
Creating vibrant and dynamic communitities
Cultivating an environment for business development
In addition to the strategic priorities, HCCF noticed a brand identity issue. Because HCCF had always shared office space, there was some confusion about HCCF’s role in the community. Conversations began about finding a permanent home for HCCF.