Location: Franklin Township, MI |  Client: Client |  Project Date: October 2008 – July 2013

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Quincy Smelting Works Reuse Concept Plan

Project Description

Situation

The century-old Quincy Smelter is a National Historic Landmark and the only copper smelter still standing in the Great Lakes region. The site is also part of the Torch Lake Superfund site due to stamp sands deposited on site during copper mining industry operations. Due to the site’s Superfund status and uncertainty regarding future ownership and operations, local stakeholders were at an impasse regarding cleanup and redevelopment of this waterfront property.

Solution

Funded by the EPA Region 5 Superfund Redevelopment Initiative, Skeo conducted a two-phase reuse planning process. The first phase, conducted during 2008, developed a working group of the partner agencies to clarify liability concerns, document site features, and identify future land use goals for the Quincy Smelter site. The outcomes from this collaborative working group set the foundation for a two-day community workshop held in July 2009. The community workshop resulted in a reuse framework and the formation of an executive steering committee to guide cleanup and redevelopment of the site.

Outcome

During the workshop process, stakeholders agreed upon a set of remedial design considerations to better align cleanup with the anticipated future uses. Partnerships were formed between EPA Region 5, the National Park Service, local government entities and the community to work in concert toward a common vision for the site. The workshop led by Skeo generated significant momentum and the formation of a steering committee to guide the site’s cleanup and reuse. Workshop participants and U.S. Senator Carl Levin’s office applauded EPA, partner agencies and Skeo for the collaborative efforts and clear progress toward the site’s reuse. In October 2011, the Steering Committee endorsed a Reuse Concept Plan for consideration by the National Park Service to relocate the Isle Royale welcome center to the Smelter site to initiate the revitalization process. As a result of this process, the site was delisted in 2013 and the Keweenaw National Historical Parks Commission has an option to purchase the site and plans to assume ownership this summer to move forward with the cultural heritage plan.