Project Type: Mixed Use Commercial/Retail
Client: Hotel Chain (Confidential)
Assignment: Phase I ESA, Phase II Subsurface Investigation, Industrial Hygiene, Site Mitigation & ALTA
AEI was retained to perform a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment to assist a hotel chain in their development and construction of a new hotel in Philadelphia. AEI also obtained an ALTA survey for the subject property, which currently holds a 4-story parking garage with a basement, three ground floor retail spaces, and an 8-story vacant former parking garage with a basement. Based on AEI’s Environmental Site Assessment, a subsurface investigation within the eight-story garage building was recommended to address observed features, the potential presence of a gasoline UST depicted on Sanborn maps, and historic garage operations including gasoline service. In addition, the age of the subject property buildings raised concerns that there was lead-based
paint (LBP) present which should be investigated further. With the understanding that renovation and/or demolition activities were planned for the near future, AEI recommended that the property owner consult with a certified Lead Risk Assessor to determine options for control of possible LBP hazards. AEI was engaged to continue this work and went on to perform a Phase II Subsurface Investigation, NESHAP Asbestos Survey, Lead-Based Paint Screening, and a Visual Hazardous Materials Assessment.
With what was learned from the Environmental Site Assessment performed, AEI was engaged to carry out a Phase II Subsurface Investigation to assess two subsurface anomalies (suspected abandon USTs) in the basement/lower level garage for evidence of historic releases or contamination. During the Subsurface Investigation, soil samples were collected and analyzed. The results indicated that none of the collected samples contained VOC compounds or lead at concentrations exceeding their respective PADEP Act 2 Direct Contact Residential or Non-residential screening criteria. Based on the analytical results, there was no indication of impact to the soils in proximity to the USTs. Thus, it was recommended that the USTs/anomalies be properly removed and that
post excavation samples collected to confirm the soils below the USTs/anomalies have not been impacted.
AEI also provided a NESHAP Asbestos Survey, LBP screening and hazardous materials assessment. The purpose of the survey was to locate, identify, sample and assess the condition of building materials suspected of containing greater than one percent (1%) asbestos, as well as to perform a lead paint screening and assessment for visual hazardous materials. Based upon the findings for Asbestos Containing Building Materials, AEI recommended that all identified asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) be removed by a state licensed asbestos abatement contractor prior to demolition activities. After giving these recommendations, AEI was then retained to provide asbestos abatement oversight and clearance sampling of the site prior to demolition.
As a result of the good work and guidance provided by AEI, the property owner is having these issues addressed and demolition will be able to move forward safely. Construction of the major chain hotel will begin in the near future.
