If toxic areas around Lake Erie were cleaned up, and sewers that empty into it rebuilt, and more fish populated Lake Erie, the researchers say nearby property values could soar.
John Austin directs the Great Lakes Economic Initiative at the Brookings Institution. He says a clean-up could help the Cleveland area see $2-4 billion in development
AUSTIN: In the short term, in engineering, on construction crews, but the real benefit, the long term economic impact is property is just a lot more valuable and is developed then along waterfronts if they're not toxic, and you have the opportunity to develop marinas, offices, residential complexes.
Austin acknowledges that these numbers are just estimates, though he says they are conservative.
He says pending legislation to further clean up the Great Lakes has stalled in congress. He hopes this report will spur movement there, especially before the next census, when Great Lakes states could lose some representation.