MONROE – State Representative Kate Ebli (D-Monroe) today praised the city of Monroe for being awarded with a $1 million loan from the state Department of Environmental Quality that will help develop the 30-acre Monroe River Raisin Battlefield into a national historic site.
"MonroeCounty will benefit tremendously from the development of the River Raisin Battlefield into a national historic site," said Ebli, who is Chair of the Tourism Promotion Subcommittee, a new bipartisan state panel aimed at boosting tourism in Monroe and across Michigan. "Cleaning up this property and turning it into a tourist destination will draw tens of thousands of visitors every year and create jobs for our residents."
The River Raisin Battlefield was the site of one of the largest engagements of the War of 1812. Of the more than 900 Americans who fought at the battlefield on Jan. 22, 1813, only 33 were not captured or killed – the most causalities of any battle during the war.
Development of this site – bounded by East Elm Avenue, Detroit Avenue, North Dixie Highway and Norfolk Southern Railroad – has the potential of annually drawing 20,000 visitors, who will potentially spend $2.2 million, according to a study conducted by Zachary and Associates, Inc. Between 55 and 110 jobs could be created as a result.
"Developing the River Raisin Battlefield will ensure that this site, which played such an important role in the War of 1812, will be preserved for generations to come," Ebli said. "I applaud all the hard work that city and county officials have put into securing this loan so that the project can move forward."
The city will work with the Monroe County Historical Society to turn the property into a national historic site. The city's Department of Community Development and Planning will direct the project development, and the city will partner with Eastern Michigan University's Historic Preservation Program and Heidelberg College's Center for Military Archaeology.
Funds from this Clean Michigan Initiative Brownfield Redevelopment loan will be used for a host of goals, including removing hazardous materials and monitoring wells.
This loan will complement the $1 million Clean Michigan Initiative Brownfield Redevelopment grant that Monroe received in 2004.