[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 19 (Friday, January 28, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page ]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-1913]


[Federal Register: January 28, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


Job Corps: Finding of No Significant Impact for the Relocation of 
the Detroit Job Corps Center in Detroit, MI

    Pursuant to the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 
CFR part 1500 to 1508) implementing procedural provisions of the 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Department of Labor, 
Employment and Training Administration, Office of Job Corps, in 
accordance with 29 CFR 11.11(d), gives notice that an Environmental 
Assessment (EA) has been prepared and the proposed plans for the 
relocation of the Detroit Job Corps Center in Detroit, Michigan, will 
have no significant environmental impact.
    The proposed site, located in the area of 1800 Tuxedo Street, 
Detroit, Michigan, is comprised of 13.9 acres, and is made up of three 
parcels, which are designated A, B, and C for reference purposes. 
Parcel A is comprised of 6 vacant lots (totaling 0.87 acre), located on 
Webb Street between 12th Street and Woodrow Wilson Boulevard; Parcel B 
is a 3.2 acre vacant lot located between the John C. Lodge Freeway and 
Woodrow Wilson Boulevard, just south of Elmhurst. Parcel C, comprised 
of 9.83 acres (currently utilized as a community-oriented outpatient 
health-care facility) has several structures: a main building 
constructed in 1935; three additions built between 1960 and 1972, and 
two auxiliary buildings built in 1966. The campus includes paved 
asphalt parking lots, concrete sidewalks, and a well maintained lawn 
with trees and vegetation. A 6-foot chain link fence, topped with 
barbed wire, surrounds the perimeter of Parcel C. Within the buildings 
there are operating and treatment rooms, a dining hall served by 
vending machines, a library, conference rooms, an optical laboratory, 
an emergency room suite, a gift shop, a pharmacy, auxiliary spaces, and 
administrative space converted from patient rooms.
    The purpose of the proposed action is to convert the Metropolitan 
Hospital into the Detroit Job Corps Center for 320 resident and 50 non-
resident students. The original patient hospital is adaptable to 
dormitory accommodations and offers the necessary facilities for the 
Job Corps program to provide basic education, vocational skills 
training, work experience, counseling, health care, and related support 
services.
    This new center will provide dormitories, recreational, medical/
dental, administrative services, educational and vocational training, 
and storage space that is consistent with Job Corps guidelines and 
center needs. Establishing a Job Corps Center at this location will 
require some constructive change to existing buildings. To meet 
recreational needs, based on the Job Corps prototype for recreational 
activities, some construction is needed; e.g., a recreational building, 
a new ball field to be constructed on Parcel B, outdoor basketball 
courts on existing parking areas, and modification of the existing 
fencing to extend completely around all three parcels. The proposed 
project will be constructed in accordance with local fire, building, 
and zoning code requirements and will not adversely impact the City of 
Detroit police, fire or emergency services.
    The site is located in an urban setting and is currently zoned R6 
(high-density multiple-family residential); however, over the years 
residential occupancy has declined substantially. Prior to proceeding 
with the acquisition of the Metropolitan Hospital, the Department of 
Labor secured a letter from the City Planning Office and Community & 
Economic Development Department that states that the proposed Job Corps 
Center is an allowable use under the existing zoning, thus, no zoning 
conflict will result from the proposed change in occupancy and 
rehabilitation of the former Metropolitan Hospital. The site is 
bordered on the east by an expressway. The northern boundary is 
occupied by some multi-dwelling structures, commercial business, and a 
store-front type church facility. The western boundary is comprised of 
a soup kitchen, a bible missionary center, vacant lots, vacant store 
fronts, and a large medical supply company. The southern border 
includes minimal residential dwellings, a nursing home, a foster-care 
center for children, and an apartment building for teenage mothers.
    The portion of the site identified as Parcel B (which is presently 
owned by the State of Michigan but will be transferred to the City of 
Detroit in the first quarter of 1994) is vacant land and is presently 
used for illegal dumping of waste, vehicle tires, roofing and building 
materials, concrete, and miscellaneous rubbish. It is unknown whether 
an abandoned underground storage tank, identified as present on this 
parcel, has been properly closed. In addition, an underground tunnel is 
known to exist at the site but its closure status is not known. Based 
on the Environmental Assessment, it has been determined that neither of 
these site conditions will adversely impact the proposed activities. 
Conversion of this part of the site to the Detroit Job Corps Center 
through environmental restoration would be a positive asset to the area 
and would alleviate the State or City of Detroit of a substantial 
burden and liability.
    The alternatives considered in the preparation of the EA were (1) 
the ``No Purchase'' alternative and (2) to continue as proposed. 
Choosing the ``No Purchase'' alternative would require the continued 
operation of the Detroit Job Corps Center under the present inadequate 
poor conditions. The potential for an enhanced facility and improved 
operational efficiency afforded by the proposed action indicates that 
the proposed purchase and improvement of the center is the preferred 
alternative.
    The proposed use has no significant impact on any natural systems 
or resources. The existing site and buildings at the proposed Job Corps 
Center location are not designated as ``historically significant'' and 
no areas of archaeological significance are present. The activities of 
the proposed Job Corps Center are not of a contaminant generating 
nature. The geologic, water, and climatic characteristics of the 
general vicinity of the site, coupled with the historically known land 
use, minimizes the site's potential to be contaminated from possible 
off-site sources and further minimizes the impact of contamination. The 
migration of any contamination that may have occurred through past 
activities at the site is likewise minimized, due to impervious soils 
and deeply located ground water.
    No significant levels of radon exist on the site. Water samples, 
taken from drinking fountains within the buildings on the site have 
been analyzed for lead content and were found to be well below EPA 
recommended limits. An asbestos assessment was performed on the 
existing facility with subsequent containment and removal of asbestos-
containing materials. Some on-going repairs of past containment efforts 
are required. Analysis of composite paint chip samples made during the 
investigation for the EA indicated the presence of lead at levels that 
would require removal of the lead-based paint, if construction 
activities would disturb this material. This is common for structures 
constructed prior to 1980. Procedures for the containment and removal 
of lead, if deemed necessary, will be prepared by a qualified lead-
abatement contractor and will be properly managed during any future 
construction activities. The abandoned on-site underground storage tank 
and underground tunnel on Parcel B may require additional 
investigation. These items are addressed in the EA.
    Existing environmental concerns (e.g., air quality issues resulting 
from the improperly controlled and monitored medical waste incinerator, 
lens-process waste effluent discharge into sanitary sewer by the 
optical laboratory, management of hazardous materials, etc.) created by 
the operations of the current facilities on parcel C, although not a 
significant impact on the proposed activities, would become moot 
through a change of operations and activities at the proposed Job Corps 
Center.
    Noise levels generated from air conditioning and other equipment at 
the existing facilities are consistent with City of Detroit 
regulations. Short-term impact from additional noise will occur during 
the construction activities; however, construction activities will be 
limited to the hours of 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The use of sound control 
devices and muffled exhausts on all noise-generating construction 
equipment will be required. The use of appropriate techniques to 
minimize construction dust emissions will mitigate construction-related 
air pollution concerns. Any noise generated by the completed facility 
is expected to remain within allowable noise limits and will not 
adversely impact neighboring properties.
    The existing site and security lighting consists of facility-owned 
and maintained building-mounted, photocell-controlled, high-intensity 
discharge (HID) luminaries and utility company-owned and maintained 
pole-mounted, photocell-controlled HID luminaries located along the 
streets and in the parking areas. This proposed project will bring the 
exterior lighting conditions into compliance with City lighting 
ordinances.
    Water is available to the site through municipal lines. Storm water 
run-off and sanitary wastes are accommodated by discharge to municipal 
sewers. Based on the nature of the proposed construction activities at 
the site, storm water quality will not be degraded.
    Detroit has an abundance of water, electrical power, and natural 
gas to easily serve facilities of this size and substantially larger. 
Although the proposed project will cause an increase in traffic in the 
community, the increase in traffic value is not expected to adversely 
affect traffic flow on neighborhood streets. A neighborhood city hall 
and post office are located in close proximity to the site. Several 
emergency response companies service the area. Police and fire stations 
are closely located near the subject property. Several major and world 
known hospitals are within a five-mile radius of the subject site. 
Several bus routes offer readily available transportation to and 
through the subject area at a reasonable cost. Four of Detroit's six 
Interstate Highways are within a five-mile radius of the subject site 
and allow fast and easy access throughout the Detroit area. The 
surrounding community, with its markedly diverse ethnicity, offers 
adequate recreational, educational and cultural opportunities for the 
students. The implementation of the Job Corps on the proposed site will 
provide jobs for vicinity residents and could add stability to the 
area.
    Based on the information gathered during the preparation of the EA 
for the Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, 
the Office of Job Corps finds that the relocation of the Detroit Job 
Corps Center to the 1800 Tuxedo area location in Detroit, will not 
cause any significant impact on the environment and, therefore, 
recommends that the project continue as proposed. This proposed action 
is not considered to be highly controversial. Copies of the EA and 
additional information are available to interested parties by 
contacting Mr. Gordon Carlson, Director, Region V, Office of Job Corps, 
at (312) 353-1311 (this is not a toll free number).

    Dated at Washington, DC, this 24th day of January, 1994.
Peter E. Rell,
Director of Job Corps.
[FR Doc. 94-1913 Filed 1-27-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-30-M