County Board Approves Brownfield Project

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A Brownfield development plan has been approved by the Berrien County Board of Commissioners for a new Jimmy John’s planned in Benton Township. Community Development Director Dan Fette told the board Thursday the site is at two parcels at 985 Napier Avenue, right across the street from the current Jimmy John’s. It will be moving there to have a drive through option. Fette talked about the property.

“The northern parcel was used for agricultural purposes throughout the 1930s, and it was developed for residential uses in the 1950s,” Fette said. “Eventually, that residence was demolished and it’s remained vacant since then. The southern parcel, the one that actually borders Napier, was used for agricultural purposes, as was most of the land out there in the 1930s and 40s. In the 60s, a gas station and a service station was constructed on the site…That gas station and service station was demolished in the early 90s and the parcel’s been vacant since then.”

Since the plot was once a gas station, there’s some soil contamination. Having Brownfield status will enable the developer to clean it up and recoup some of the cost. Benton Township has signaled its support for the Brownfield project.