Ann Arbor Site Remediation Has Begun

Cleanup crews are removing underground gasoline tanks from a former gas station property on North Main Street.

Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Environmental

A rusted metal fuel tank partially unearthed from a deep brown soil trench, highlighting site remediation work. — Environmental remediation efforts began on October 5, 2026, at an industrial site on Ann Arbor’s North Main Street to address legacy gasoline contamination. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should your local government prioritize converting former industrial sites into public green spaces?

Environmental remediation efforts began on October 5, 2026, at 800 N. Main St. in Ann Arbor to address gasoline contamination in the soil. The project involves the removal of six legacy storage tanks from the site.

Why it matters

The cleanup of this contaminated property is a critical step in transforming the former industrial lot into a public green space and a key anchor point for the Treeline pedestrian and cyclist trail.

Crews unearthed four 4,000-gallon tanks and two 1,000-gallon tanks at the site. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy is overseeing the operation, which involves excavating contaminated soil and backfilling the land.

The players

Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy

This state agency is responsible for managing and protecting Michigan's environmental and water resources.

Treeline Conservancy

This organization is dedicated to developing the pedestrian and cyclist trail network throughout Ann Arbor.

The details

Workers are excavating the site to remove the underground infrastructure and contaminated soil to improve local stormwater management. The project is designed to integrate the space into a larger network connecting to the Border-to-Border Trail near Argo Pond.

The original building on the site dates to 1945.
The building on the property became vacant in 1980.
A judge ordered the building demolished in 2015.
The Treeline Conservancy purchased the land in April 2026.
Environmental cleanup work began on October 5, 2026.

The Big Picture

This remediation effort follows the pattern set by the Treeline pedestrian and cyclist trail development project to reclaim urban industrial sites for public use. The conversion of the site marks a significant shift from former industrial use toward sustainable green infrastructure.

Residents can expect improved environmental safety in the North Main Street area once the soil remediation is complete. The future green space will eventually provide new public access points for walking and cycling, connecting the neighborhood to the broader city trail system.

The takeaway

The transformation of this site demonstrates how cities can repurpose abandoned industrial land to serve modern environmental and public health needs. Future development will rely on a 30-month engineering process to ensure the space successfully integrates with the city's trail network.