DETROIT — Residents are concerned about the negative environmental impacts from the proposed construction of a second span adjacent to the Ambassador Bridge. 

The city-owned Riverside Park, a piece of land needed to build the second span, was reported by billionaire Manuel “Matty” Moroun, owner of the Ambassador bridge, as being contaminated. In an attempt to reopen the park, DTE began a clean-up and evaluation earlier this spring of potential hazardous materials that a historic gas plant had left behind.

The park is part of a land swap proposal involving a nearby piece of land owned by Moroun and another parcel owned by the city. Moroun has long sought to build a second span of the Ambassador Bridge and has unsuccessfully fought to stop construction of a separate bridge further down the river. The Gordie Howe International Bridge is slated to open in 2020.

The hazardous materials at the park were discovered by Moroun’s Detroit International Bridge Company (DIBC) in 2012, which led the private company to fence off part of the city-owned park from the public, according to a Crain’s Detroit Business report. 

Previously, the DIBC illegally fenced off the park for 10 years after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, citing reasons of national security. Fake Homeland Security signs were erected until Detroit residents who were fed up with the illegal closure manually cut the fence.

“We are not aware of the specific details related to any sampling/investigation that the Bridge Company may have completed or discussed with the city of Detroit or the MDEQ (Michigan Department of Environmental Equality),” said Erica Donerson, DTE’s senior media relations specialist. 

According to Alicia Bradford, director of the Detroit Recreational Department, assessment of the contamination is taking place and the goal is to reopen the main recreational area and boat launch late this summer. 

The contamination consists of hydrocarbons, nickel, chrome and lead and is buried eight feet below ground level, according to a report from MDEQ.

The gas plant formerly located on the park grounds manufactured heating and cooking gas from 1867 to 1954. MichCon (now DTE), which owned the plant, even had to undertake a “soil and hydrogeological” remediation project on part of the property in 1986.

Mike Jacobs, a landscape architect for the city, said he had no idea the park was contaminated. He also said that ever since the park had been fenced off, funding for it has significantly decreased due to budget cuts and other parks needing upkeep. 

Last year, a proposed $200,000 budget for hazardous waste cleanup was not granted, according to the MDEQ.

Neither Jacobs nor Donerson could explain how the privately-owned DIBC was authorized to perform any environmental testing on the public property. Jacob’s response to inquiries about the testing was that because the topic was controversial, he could not speak to this reporter, stating that employees were not authorized to give reporters such information.

Community outreach activist and Riverside Park supporter Joe Rashid said that to his knowledge, the environmental assessment that details the contamination has not been made public.

Local residents and officials, like former state representative Rashida Tlaib, are trying to fight for a complete environmental impact study. Tlaib said that since a second span would have significant impact on the surrounding environment, a full environmental impact study is needed, instead of a simple “lower tier” environmental assessment. 

Tlaib said that the bridge and recent construction negatively affects Detroit’s property values, public health and traffic flow and leads to big trucks driving through neighborhoods.

Another concern about the opening of the twin span bridge is added pollution from the trucks. Southwest Detroit resident Alex Garza spoke against construction of the twin span in a U.S Coast Guard environmental assessment testimony hearing.

“I have been a Southwest Detroit resident for 15 years and I have been diagnosed with asthma last year and asthma does not run in my family,” said Garza. “I am very upset that I have asthma, because my community air quality cannot be trusted. It’s not safe for our environment to suffer for a bridge to nowhere.”

Many people, including Tlaib, are skeptical that Moroun will tear down the original Ambassador Bridge, which opened in 1929, adding to the environmental concerns. 

The environmental assessment states that Riverside Park will not be affected by the addition of the twin span, as construction of a pier will “avoid the areas of the park that is (sic) accessible to the public.”

A report from DTE states that clean-up of the contamination is underway, with the hope that Riverside Park will reopen next month.

“Regardless of the city’s decision on opening the park, DTE expects to be completing additional work at the site over the next few years as needed,” said DTE’s Brennan.