Detroit’s Aevitas Specialty Services has withdrawn its application to rebuild and reopen its oil recycling facility on the city’s east side. The move comes after years of air quality complaints and a June 2025 fire that damaged the facility.
Background
The facility, located at 663 Lycaste St., had been the subject of numerous air quality complaints and violations since 2012. Despite efforts to rebuild and expand, the company faced opposition from local residents and environmental activists.
Eden Bloom, an environmental activist who lives near the facility, said the withdrawal of the application is a victory for the community. ‘This is an unprecedented win for our neighborhoods and residents who have been impacted by Aevitas’ pollution for over a decade,’ Bloom said.
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) had been reviewing Aevitas’ application to rebuild and expand the facility. However, the company’s withdrawal of the application means that the review process is now canceled.
Community Reaction
Local residents and environmental activists are celebrating the news, saying it’s a win for the community’s health and well-being. Andrew Bashi, an attorney at the Great Lakes Environmental Law Center, said the shutdown shows that environmental justice has real legal teeth.
‘That is worth marking, and worth remembering the next time a fight like this comes to our doorstep,’ Bashi said.
Original reporting: BridgeDetroit — read the source article.
