Client: United Neighborhood Organization (UNO) Charter School | Location: Chicago, IL
Work included the evaluation of a past Phase I ESA, soil and groundwater assessment, “hot spot” delineation work, development of a remediation budget, and implementation of a Remedial Action Plan for the commercial redevelopment of a 2-acre former scrap metal yard in connection with the acquisition by the client. Pioneer’s assessment work identified the presence of approximately 500 tons of TCLP-lead hazardous remediation wastes requiring off-site treatment and disposal, 1,500 tons of PCB-impacted soils requiring disposal at a RCRA/TSCA-permitted landfill, and up to 6,500 tons of PCB-impacted soil that would require proper off-site disposal as a Non-TSCA “special waste”, in order to meet the USEPA’s established remediation objectives. The 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 securing additional TIF money for financing the redevelopment.
Pioneer later prepared a “Notification of PCB Cleanup Activities & Interim Remedial Action Plan” for submittal and approval by U.S. EPA’s Region 5 Office of Pollution Prevention & Toxics, PCB Office to conduct self-implementing cleanup of PCB-impacted soils, in accordance with 40 CFR Part 761.61. Pioneer also prepared a Comprehensive Site Investigation Report, Remediation Objectives Report, and Remedial Action Plan to pursue formal site closure for other contaminants through the IEPA’s Site Remediation Program.
Remediation was subsequently completed and the approach to closure allowed the majority of impacted soils to remain on-site using engineered barriers and institutional controls following remediation of the PCB and TCLP-lead hot spots. Soil management zones were designated throughout the site in an effort to eliminate the need for future off-site disposal of contaminated construction spoils during redevelopment. Pioneer also evaluated proposed redevelopment plans relative to contaminant issues to determine development costs, prepared cut/fill analyses for site balancing, coordinated with subcontractors, and provided demolition/remediation oversight. The site was developed with two Charter School Buildings and related recreational areas.
