Funding approved to demolish green ooze site in Madison Heights, but fight is far from over

$1 million goes toward effort to take care of environmental hazard

MADISON HEIGHTS, Mich. – Funding has been secured to help pay for the demolition of the Madison Heights building responsible for leaking green ooze onto the highway, but the fight over the future of the property is far from over.

The mayor of Madison Heights has reason to be optimistic about the site because money is making its way to the city to not only clean the property, but eventually tear it down.

Michigan officials pledged $600,000 in the effort to tear down the building, and now Oakland County leaders are stepping up to pledge $400,000 to get the job done.

That means $1 million is going into the effort to take care of the ongoing problem.

Cleanup operations are continuing at the site, and the Environmental Protection Agency could hand the case off to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy later this year.

The battle with property owner Gary Sayers to get the green light to demolish the building continues, but knowing the money is available when the demolition is a go serves as a major relief to people affected by this situation.

You can watch Hank Winchester’s full update in the video posted above.


About the Authors:

Hank Winchester is Local 4’s Consumer Investigative Reporter and the head of WDIV’s “Help Me Hank” Consumer Unit. Hank works to solve consumer complaints, reveal important recalls and track down thieves who have ripped off people in our community.

Derick is the Lead Digital Editor for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports.