ASTI Environmental is proud to be part of the Traverse City Housing Commission’s efforts to expand and renovate Orchardview Apartments. This project will add 33 new housing units and renovate 21 existing units, offering one- to four-bedroom affordable housing options for households earning 40-60% of the area’s median income.

As part of the due diligence process, ASTI recently completed a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA, which included a thorough review of the property’s history, environmental conditions, and potential contamination risks. The site, historically used as an orchard, underwent subsurface investigations in 1991, 2001, and 2012 by other firms. In 2019, a site-specific human health risk assessment was completed and approved. In 2021, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) issued a No Further Action report, confirming that no further environmental remediation was required. The site had previously been featured in local news when arsenic was discovered in the soil, but the EGLE report reassured the community that the site is safe for development.

Alongside the ESA, ASTI conducted a noise assessment to measure current noise levels and determine whether mitigation strategies were necessary to support a comfortable living environment. Our team also reviewed development plans to ensure all noise regulations were satisfied.

ASTI has a longstanding partnership with the Traverse City Housing Commission, having supported projects such as Parkview Apartments and Riverview Terrace Apartments, including assistance in securing Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) funding.

The Orchardview Apartments project was recently awarded $1,360,500 in tax credits through MSHDA’s competitive Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program. This funding reinforces the project’s importance and its impact on affordable housing in Traverse City. ASTI remains committed to working alongside EGLE and MSHDA to ensure the expansion is environmentally safe and compliant with all regulations.