Pioneer performed the preparation of multiple Phase I ESAs, geotechnical assessments, multiple phases of UST identification, a ground penetrating radar survey, soil and groundwater assessments, “hot spot” delineation work, development of a remediation budget, and implementation of a remedial action plan for the redevelopment of a 50-acre former steel manufacturing plant. Work by other firms prior to our involvement identified relatively marginal impacts, and the potential of up to three USTs on site. Pioneer’s more thorough investigative efforts identified the presence of approximately 14,000 tons of TCLP-lead hazardous remediation wastes and up to 32 USTs which were discovered before the property was purchased by our client. The new information was used to develop a remediation budget for purposes of negotiating the sale price of the property under the purchaser’s due diligence and resulted in a significant savings to the client. Pioneer later prepared a Comprehensive Site Investigation Report, RCRA Remedial Action Plan Permit, and Remedial Action Plan to pursue formal closure through the Illinois EPA’s voluntary Site Remediation Program (SRP). Remediation included the removal of all USTs and soil impacted with petroleum free product, and the on-site stabilization of characteristically hazardous lead-impacted soils and their subsequent off-site disposal as a non-hazardous special waste. The on-site treatment of hazardous wastes reduced projected disposal costs by approximately 300%, and the approach to closure devised by Pioneer allowed the majority of remaining impacted soils to remain on-site using engineered barriers and institutional controls. Soil management zones were employed throughout the site in an effort to eliminate the need for any off-site disposal of spoils generated during construction. Pioneer also negotiated with SRP to use alternative groundwater modeling procedures that eliminated unnecessary and unrealistic notification requirements, and obtained a variance to allow the use of a 1-foot thick engineered barrier across the majority of the site, instead of the default 3-foot “clean soil” barrier (through a detailed Tier 3 risk assessment). Upon completion of active site remediation, Pioneer submitted Interim Remedial Action Completion Reports for the site to obtain multiple draft NFR letters to provide to prospective tenants. Pioneer also evaluated proposed redevelopment plans relative to contaminant issues to determine development costs, prepared cut/fill analyses for site balancing, negotiated with insurance providers to secure environmental coverage for the project, coordinated with subcontractors, and provided demolition/remediation oversight. In the end, eight different Final NFR letters were obtained for the site as redevelopment of individual sections of the overall site were completed.
Case Studies
Site Assessment
- Brownfields Redevelopment – Closed Municipal Landfill
- Brownfields Redevelopment – Former Petroleum Distributor & Chemical Facility
- Brownfields Redevelopment – UIC South Campus Redevelopment Project
- PCA – 100 year old 12-Story Building
- PCA – Commercial Office Building
- PCA – Hotel
- PCA – Industrial Facility
- Phase I ESA – Active Steel/Forging Plant – Louisville, KY
- Phase I ESA – Historical Landfill Site – Upstate New York
- Phase I ESA – Internet Campus Redevelopment
Remediation
- Brownfields Redevelopment – Former Petroleum Distributor & Chemical Facility
- In-Situ Chemical Oxidation – Chlorinated Solvents at a Commercial Dry Cleaner
- In-Situ Chemical Oxidation – Heating Oil Release
- PCB Remediation Project – Chicago
- Regulatory Closure – Former Retail Gasoline Stations
- Remediation – CTA Bus Garage Redevelopment Project
- Remediation – Former Chemical Storage Drum Reconditioning Plant
- Remediation – Former Industrial Facility
- Remediation – Former Steel Manufacturing Plant
- Remediation – Historical Scrap Metal Facility
Geotech+Construction
- Brownfields Redevelopment – Former Petroleum Distributor & Chemical Facility
- Geotechnical Investigation – Former CHA Redevelopment
- Geotechnical Investigation – Proposed 5-story Building, Chicago
- Geotechnical Investigation – Proposed High-Rise Building, Chicago, IL
- Geotechnical Investigation – Warehouse Facility, Chicago, IL
- Phase I ESA – Dam Inspection & Evaluation for Dam Safety Permit, Cortland, IL