The Coalition On Temporary Shelters (COTS) provides a variety of services to disadvantaged Detroit citizens throughout the city. A long-standing jewel of their services is Peterboro Arms, located at 26 Peterboro Street north of downtown and just west of Woodward Avenue. This historic building opened in 1924 as the Hotel Imperial, and featured 250 1-, 2- and 3- room suites. The 9-story building operated as a hotel and featured a variety of amenities, including a large dining area and the Club Imperial that opened in 1938 and operated into the 1960s. In 1984, the building was bought by COTS and began operating as a shelter for many of Detroit’s homeless citizens. Over time COTS’ focus has shifted to partnering with families, providing them with an array of housing (temporary shelter and affordable housing) along with supportive services that create opportunities for them and their children to succeed.

In 2016, ASTI began assisting COTS with their environmental needs associated with the renovation of this historic building. ASTI completed a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment which identified challenges in addressing former dry cleaning operations on and around the property, former automotive repair operations around the property, a gasoline underground storage tank (UST) in a nearby structure, and asbestos-containing materials (ACM) and lead-based paint (LBP) in the structure.

Additional Phase II activities investigated the recognized environmental conditions (RECs) and potential vapor encroachment conditions (pVECs). ASTI’s investigations did not identify any exceedances of regulatory criteria on the property.

An ACM inspection and LBP inspection and risk assessment were completed on the property and identified several ACMs throughout the building and LBP on multiple components. Lead dust hazards were immediately addressed, cleaned, and verified with clearance sampling; however, a larger task around upcoming renovations remained. ASTI assisted general contractors and abatement contractors with coordinating abatement activities and providing clearance testing of areas throughout the building for these materials.

From start to finish, ASTI has assisted with documenting environmental conditions and cleanup activities and providing final documentation to qualify for funding assistance through the Michigan State Housing and Development Authority (MSHDA).Renovation is now complete and the building features 56 apartment units of affordable housing for families.