MGM Mirage, Inc. — an Enviro Matrix Land SEA Corp. client

Phase I and II ESA, BEA and Remediation for 25-acre Permanent Casino Site

Detroit, Michigan

Enviro Matrix Land SEA Corp. (EMLS) was retained to serve as the Environmental Consultant to MGM Mirage, Inc. (MGM) on a highly visible, and very important downtown revitalization project for the City of Detroit. The project involved conducting the due diligence work for the planned site of MGM’s permanent casino and hotel complex. The majority of the site is utilized by Detroit Edison, Inc. (DTE) as corporate parking areas (M-10 to Third and Bagley to I-75). The site included over 50 separate parcels on 25 acres of land. EM’s task was to conduct a Phase I ESA for the entire site and report any Recognized Environmental Concerns (REC). During the course of the investigation, EM discovered that prior to use as parking, most of the subject area was residential in nature. The development of the land dates to the early 1800’s, when the US government formed the Northwest Territory. Most modern development occurred between 1895 and 1950, when a residential neighborhood was developed. Historical REC’s that EM reported include: a number of automobile garages and gas stations; one store where an Underground Storage Tank provided coolant fuel for refrigeration; two factories; and the City of Detroit DPW garage. RECs that are currently noticeable at the site included possible Asbestos Containing Material in the basement of one building still standing on the site. EM completed a Phase I ESA and recommended conducting a Phase II ESA to further investigate all REC’s.

Specific tasks performed by Enviro Matrix included:

Organization of the 25-acre subject property into six "subsections" to create a manageable method for research and findings organization. EM utilized cross-streets within the subject property as boundaries.
Research into the historical use of the property via ASTM 1527E-00 standard sources: Municipal Records, Sanborn Maps dating over 100 years, historic topographic and aerial maps, 56-year review of Bresser’s Cross Directory for Detroit, property records located at DTE’s headquarters and review of local, state and federal environmental records.
Site inspection of each individual parcel on the property with two members of EM’s staff.
Interviews with DTE personnel, as well as, owners small lots that were part of the subject property, but not owned by DTE.
Completed a Phase I ESA Report within MGM’s schedule.
Recommended a Phase II ESA, including soil borings, geophysical survey and test pits, to further investigate RECs. MGM plans to prepare a BEA at a later date. All Phase II ESA work was geared towards use in a BEA.

Client: Ben Mammina, Senior Vice President, MGM Mirage, Inc.
Dickinson-Wright, PLCC, attorney for MGM Mirage, Inc.

Reference: Sharon Newlon, (313) 223-3674