UPDATE: OKEMOS - The Douglas J redevelopment in Downtown Okemos may cost Douglas J a little less if the township board approves a Brownfield Plan on one of the parcels.

One of the sites the salon is looking to redevelop used to be a gas station. There is still a gas tank underneath the ground and some environmental damage.

Sandy Gower, Economic Development Coordinator for Ingham County, presented the Brownfield Plan to the township board Tuesday Night.

“A Brownfield Authority can do through a Brownfield Plan is reimburse them for the costs of the environmental cleanup,” Gower explained. “Which, in this case, is the removal of the tank, if there’s any soils that need to be removed, and it also pays for the costs of determining what was there.”

The money to reimburse Douglas J would come in the form of tax breaks. If the township board approved the Brownfield Plan, Douglas J will pay taxes for the next four to five years based on what the property was worth before redevelopment.

In 2012, the property had a taxable value of $390,000. After the Douglas J redevelopment, it’s estimated to have a taxable value of $3.7 million.

The township board did not decide whether to accept or reject the Brownfield Plan on Tuesday. They hope to make a decision at the next township board meeting.

If the Brownfield Plan is approved, Douglas J plans to begin demolition in May.


ORIGINAL STORY: OKEMOS - Douglas J may receive reimbursement for some of the costs associated with redevelopment in Downtown Okemos.