The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) is providing a $1 million Brownfield Redevelopment Grant to support the construction of 54 new units of low-income housing in Pontiac. The project, known as Auburn Place, will be developed on a vacant site located at 454 Auburn Avenue.
The site was previously occupied by a home, apartment building, and hotel built in the 1930s. A dry-cleaning facility was later added to the hotel. All structures were demolished by the late 1970s, and the land has remained unused since. Environmental assessments revealed soil and groundwater contamination, including metals and petroleum compounds, likely resulting from the dry-cleaning operation, infill materials after demolition, and nearby automotive and fuel-related businesses.
EGLE’s grant funding will be used for the removal and disposal of contaminated soil and for installing environmental safeguards. These include a vapor mitigation system, stormwater management infrastructure, and barriers to prevent direct contact with polluted areas during landscaping.
The Auburn Place project will feature a five-story building where most units will be available to households earning 30–60% of the Area Median Income. A portion of the housing will be designated for currently homeless individuals. The redevelopment, valued at $30.3 million, is expected to encourage further economic revitalization in the neighborhood, which has experienced long-term decline.
The project is supported through local tax abatements, housing vouchers, and funding from the Oakland County Housing Trust Fund. Additionally, the Michigan State Housing Development Authority is contributing over $14 million. Completion is anticipated by the summer of 2026.
