Detroit Contractors in the city s demolition program put untested dirt from a Metro Detroit freeway project into the ground at residential demolition sites, a city watchdog agency contends.
The Office of Inspector General on Tuesday released findings from an August 2018 probe that concludes four contractors used dirt from Interstate 94 at five different demolition sites in Detroit under both federal and city-funded efforts.
Under Detroit s demolition rules, dirt from commercial, road or construction sites must be tested to ensure there is no contamination prior to being used. But Inspector General Ellen Ha said there is no evidence that was done for the dirt used at the five sites.
Contractor penalized in Detroit demolition program under new scrutiny
Correction: This story has been updated to reflect revised figures provided by the Detroit Land Bank Authority.
Detroit A contractor penalized for violating rules in Detroit s federally funded demolition effort is under new scrutiny and preventing the city from closing out its participation in the federal Hardest Hit Fund program.
The Detroit Land Bank Authority on Thursday sent a corrective action plan to Chicago-based McDonagh Demolition, ordering the firm to replace soil at 16 demolition sites after testing revealed dirt used to fill holes where homes once stood exceeded acceptable levels of mercury, chromium and lead.