A vacant building in Holland is set to become a new floral shop after receiving a $200,000 state grant. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) announced the Brownfield Redevelopment Grant on Tuesday. The funding will address environmental contamination from the property's past as a dry cleaner.
From Dry Cleaner to Floral Shop
The building at 148 East 32nd Street operated as Maplewood Dry Cleaners starting in 1948. The business closed in 2021. The site has remained vacant since then. An environmental assessment in 2023 found dry cleaning solvents in the soil. Much of the contamination sits beneath the existing structure. The developer plans to reuse the building.
The EGLE grant will pay for further environmental assessments. It will also fund the design, installation, and commissioning of a vapor mitigation system. This system will prevent harmful vapors from entering the new floral shop or nearby buildings.
Jobs and Revenue for Holland
The total project cost is $375,000. Renovations are expected to finish in the summer of 2027. The project is projected to create two new jobs. City officials say the redevelopment will increase Holland's tax revenue. The project aligns with city goals for reusing contaminated commercial sites and incorporating sustainable development.
"More than half of EGLE’s annual budget supports local projects, protects public health and the environment, and helps create economic growth and jobs for Michigan workers." - Josef Stephens, EGLE Press Release
Statewide Brownfield Impact
The Holland project is one of many supported by the state program. In 2025, the EGLE Brownfield program provided over $23 million in incentives to 76 projects across 52 Michigan communities. These projects are projected to create over 440 housing units and 600 jobs. The total capital investment is expected to exceed $675 million.
The grant transforms a blighted property into a productive business. It removes environmental hazards while adding to the local economy.