One advantage Michigan has over our competitors is the number of large, former manufacturing facilities and sites available for lease, sale, or re-development. These sites are typically buildings of 500,000 square feet or more, or land sites of 80 acres or more where a manufacturing facility was previously located.
Speed-to-market is critical in the global market, and these idled facilities offer a unique opportunity for companies to gain an edge by significantly reducing the time required to develop and occupy a facility.
Whether a company is looking for room to grow, consolidate operations, or re-locate, they can get the Michigan Advantage by establishing operations at these sites.
STATUS
The Project Phoenix team is currently working with owners, former owners, communities and other parties and has identified an initial list of properties that are potentially eligible for the program.
In addition to basic building information such as square footage and ceiling heights, the team will work with partners to gather additional information such as environmental studies, electrical capacity, rail capacity and port access. This additional level of information will give companies a more complete picture of the advantages of the building. The team will also be working with communities around the sites to develop strategies to market and redevelop each property.
POTENTIAL SITES FOR PROJECT PHOENIX
| Building Name | City | Square Footage |
| GMPT - Flint North | Flint | 4,500,000 |
| GMPT - Livonia | Livonia | 1,300,000 |
| Tecumseh Bakery Site | Tecumseh | 800,000 |
| GMPT Willow Run (includes Engineering Center) | Ypsilanti | 5,000,000 |
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| Land Site | City | Acreage |
| Flint - Coldwater | Flint | 119 |
| Lansing Township - Plant 2, 3 & 6 | Lansing | 237 |
| Former Delco Chassis Plant | Livonia | 117 |
| Saginaw Malleable Iron | Saginaw | 160 |
| Saginaw Nodular Iron | Saginaw | 280 |
The Revitalizing Auto Communities Environmental Response Trust (RACER Trust) has taken over the “Old GM” properties and has approximately $600 million nationwide for cleanup and redevelopment of the sites, including those in Michigan. In addition to working with MEDC, communities, potential contractors, site developers, and others, may get more information from RACER Trust at racertrust.org.
BENEFITS OF PROJECT PHOENIX SITES
Development-ready, which significantly reduces the time and expense to get an operation running.
- Most sites are already zoned for manufacturing.
- Many sites are located in urban and suburban locations, and offer ready-access to Michigan’s talented and skilled workforce.
- Project Phoenix sites are served by an excellent transportation infrastructure; most are located near interstates and many have rail service.
- Robust, manufacturing-level utility service.
Reduced acquisition/capital, development, and operating costs
- Several Project Phoenix sites are available through RACER Trust, the company charged with selling former GM assets. The timeline for disposition of these assets means that many buildings and/or land are on the market for a fraction of their fair market value.
- Project Phoenix sites are a priority for the State of Michigan and local communities. Numerous incentives are available, which may include Brownfield tax credits, job creation tax credits, state and local tax abatements, and assistance for Phase 1 and Phase 2 environmental studies.
LOOKING FOR SOMETHING SMALLER?
Some Project Phoenix sites may be parceled or combined with other tenants. For example, the former Ford Assembly plant in Wixom, Michigan is now the home to Clairvoyant Energy Solar Panel Manufacturing Inc. and Xtreme Power Inc.
Or check out sites available through
Select Sites or within
Renaissance Zones.
CONTACT US
For more information on how Project Phoenix sites can give your company the Michigan Advantage, contact:
Tom Rico, Managing Director, Economic Gardening Support Services, 517.335.1832
SUCCESS STORIES
| New Use | Previous Use |
Renewable Energy Park
Anchored by Clairvoyant Energy Solar Panel Manufacturing Inc., and Xtreme Power Inc. | Ford Assembly
Wixom, MI |
Midlink Business Park
Multi-tenant facility occupied by companies such as Kaiser Aluminum, Kenco Logistic Services, Erickson’s Flooring and Supply, Macomb Group and International Components Strategies | General Motors stamping plant
Kalamazoo, MI |
| Raleigh Michigan Studios | Former General Motors truck and bus plant - Centerpoint Complex
Pontiac, MI |
Great Lakes Technology Center
New headquarters for Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy | Former General Motors manufacturing facility
Flint, MI |
