Petco Park
and East Village Redevelopment Area

San Diego, CA

This project involved the redevelopment of a 26-block area of downtown San Diego. The East Village Redevelopment Area had been occupied by various commercial and industrial land uses dating back to the late 1800s and by residential land uses going back as far as the mid-1800s.  This area has been successfully redeveloped with numerous hotels, condominiums, restaurants, parking garages, and, of course, Petco Park, the baseball stadium for the San Diego Padres.

SCS Engineers (SCS), provided services for Center City Development Corporation (CCDC) on over 175 parcels owned by over 100 separate property owners. SCS' services have included: conducting Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments; preparing a multi-volume Phase I site assessment of 35 blocks, an area-wide “master” workplan, unique property mitigation plans, health and safety plans, and a community health and safety plan; providing project management; providing oversight of other environmental consultants;  preparation of health risk assessments and site conceptual models; development of risk-based corrective action levels; and remediation of 19 blocks of the project area. SCS also provided assistance in Polanco Act cost recovery efforts, litigation support, and expert witness testimony on behalf of CCDC.

Most of the assessment and nearly all of the remediation activities for the project have been self-performed by SCS through either agreements with the property owners or as a result of legal action taken by CCDC (Polanco Act).  The assessments and remediation have involved geophysical surveys, preparation and implementation of sampling plans,  rapid site assessment with direct-push drill rigs and mobile labs, exploratory trenching, in situ groundwater sampling, soil vapor surveys, installation /development of groundwater monitoring wells, and the innovative use of x-ray fluorescence for the real-time field-screening of soil for lead.

 

STAPLES ARENA PHASE II INVESTIGATION

Los Angeles, California

For the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles (LACRA) and the LA Arena Company, SCS completed numerous Phase II investigations and remediation projects on properties located within an area near the existing Los Angeles Convention Center, which is part of the support area for the new Staples sports arena.

Review of information and available reports by SCS indicated that additional investigations were required at over 30 properties within the area. Past or existing operations on these properties included automobile repair, painting, metal plating, and printing. Several underground storage tanks, hydraulic hoists, clarifiers, sumps, and painting booths were determined to have been present on the properties. A geophysical survey of the properties was conducted to identify possible underground structures and utilities prior to implementing the investigation. Mobile laboratories were used, whenever possible, to expedite sample turn around and assist in directing the investigations in the field.

The investigations identified several properties within the area where remediation was warranted. In addition, several under-ground storage tanks were identified on the property, which required removal in accordance with regulatory requirements.

SCS removed the contaminants and underground tanks with the oversight of various regulatory agencies. At the completion of remedial activities and following removal of underground tanks, soil and groundwater samples were collected for chemical analysis, to comply with regulatory requirements.

WESTPORT OFFICE PARK

Redwood City, California

Westport Office Park is a 20-building, 980,000-sq-ft project in a park-like, campus style setting for R&D, high-technology, computers and biotech industrial tenants. It is located immediately atop an 85-acre municipal waste landfill. SCS designed and oversaw construction of the building gas protection and sensor systems, as well as groundwater contamination barriers.

FORMER KAISER STEEL CORPORATION

Los Angeles, California

Significant remedial action was initiated and completed on a 500-acre Brownsfield site in Fontana, California, under the oversight of the Department of Toxic Substances Control. Fast-track remediation was initiated and completed within a 5-month period due to site development plans, which included construction and completion of the Roger Penske Auto Raceway in early 1997. 

Remedial actions included design and construction of a 14-acre synthetic membrane cap, construction, in-situ soil vapor extraction, excavation, on-site soil treatment, and off-site disposal of over 7,000 cubic yards of impacted soil, and treatment of 21,000 tons of residuals from air pollution control systems. Verification sampling, analysis, and health risk screening were also completed. This rapid remedial action was possible only through close coordination of simultaneous completion of multiple remediation tasks involving continuous communication between the site owner, regulatory agencies, and contractors.

LAKESIDE MARKETPLACE

Acworth, Georgia

Located just outside of Atlanta, this 40-acre closed site was used as an “inert” landfill for disposal of land clearing wastes and rubble.  A portion of the subsurface fill was on fire.  Target Corporation, interested in establishing a SuperTarget in the area, turned to retail developer North American Properties to make the project happen.  North American Properties, in turn, retained SCS to control the subsurface fire and mitigate methane gas.

SCS performed a peer review of conceptual plans for controlling the subsurface fire and mitigating methane gas, and suggested several changes.  SCS then provided engineering, construction, and health & safety monitoring for the fire control and methane mitigation aspects of the project.  Mitigation measures included injecting carbon dioxide to help control combustion, and a passive methane mitigation system for most of the buildings, consisting of a vent layer vented to the roof and a 60 mil Liquid Boot spray-applied barrier membrane.  For one building, SCS designed and installed an active ventilation system, using a 2,300 scfm blower and automated controls mounted on the roof.

Stores over the deepest part of the fill (60 feet) were supported on H-piles, as were utilities that would be adversely affected by differential settlement.  Dynamic deep compaction was used to stabilize high traffic areas and building footprints where fill was relatively shallow.  Aggregate piers were used for other buildings at the site.  All stores were protected by an SCS methane management system.

With construction now complete, Lakeside MarketPlace tenants include SuperTarget, Circuit City, Ross, PETCO, Books-A-Million, OfficeMax, and Famous Footwear.  This project serves as a prototype for landfill redevelopment:  a combination of investigation, design, construction oversight, and construction services with an ultimate goal of superior risk management.  SCS expertise in both subsurface fire control and methane management, as well as an understanding of retail construction and development were keys to the project’s success.

PORTCENTRE COMMERCE PARK

Portsmouth, Virginia

Portcentre Commerce Park constitutes more than 22 acres of prime commercial and light industrial real estate in Portsmouth, Virginia.  Portcentre is located near deepwater ports, interstate highways, and railroads.  However, the former Abex Foundry, an NPL Superfund site, borders the Park to the west.

SCS has provided environmental assessments and remedial design services for various agencies of the City of Portsmouth since 1988. Seventeen assignments have been performed to date, including wetland assessments, Phase I Environmental Assessments, and a number of site investigation, evaluation, and remediation assignments. 

Several projects involve sites located within or near the Abex Foundry and other Superfund sites,  and three assignments relate to emergency orders of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In each instance, SCS assisted the City in overcoming stigma and promoting productive use of stigmatized land parcels.

MONTEBELLO TOWN SQUARE

Montebello, California

This 400,000-sq-ft shopping plaza is immediately adjacent the 145-acre Operating Industries Superfund site. SCS designed the gas barriers protecting the buildings, and is currently designing an upgrade to the gas recovery system at the landfill itself (as well as performing groundwater investigations).

CHASE FIELD (formerly Bank One Ballpark)

Phoenix, Arizona

SCS was retained by the Maricopa County Stadium District and Arizona Professional Baseball to provide environmental assessment, investigation, and remediation services for the development of the Bank One Ballpark, now known as Chase Field. 

 Remediation activities included preparation of specifications and oversight of asbestos abatement; removal of USTs, sumps, cisterns, and drywells; and monitoring of mass excavation activities for subsurface features of environmental concern. Remediation of petroleum-containing soil and groundwater characterization was performed to achieve clean closure of two drywells. 

INDUSTRY HILLS CONVENTION CENTER COMPLEX

Industry Hills, California

The Industry Hills Convention Center, including a 400-room Sheraton hotel, is built over and adjacent to a municipal waste landfill. Two championship golf courses, a tennis center, and parking structure were developed on old waste disposal areas. SCS designed and operates gas protection systems for the entire development. Gas from the landfill is used in on-site boilers for space and water heating.

AMPHITHEATER

Mountainview, California

This 8,000-patron capacity amphitheater hosts concerts of nationally known pop and classical artists. It is built atop a section of the Mountainview landfill. SCS was initially involved in extinguishing a subsurface fire within the underlying refuse, and later was contracted for operational support of the gas migration control and leachate removal systems.

DON KOTT FORD

Carson, California

This is a 30,000-sq-ft retail truck and service center constructed immediately over a 13-acre municipal landfill operated in the 1960's. SCS designed the gas recovery system as well as building subfloor gas barriers and sensor systems, and still operates the systems. SCS has also performed groundwater investigations.

GOLDEN EAGLE LANDFILL (CARSON TOWN CENTER)

Carson, California

This development is constructed over a former petroleum refinery and adjacent municipal waste landfill operated in the 1960's. The site currently houses a 150,000-sq-ft department store and parking, with expansion plans in the works. SCS designed and constructed the landfill gas recovery and protection systems, and played a major role in soil and groundwater remediation at the refinery site.

SOUTH BAY SIX DRIVE-IN THEATER

Carson, California

This six-screen drive-in theater, including projection, concession, and fee booth facilities, was constructed atop a 24-acre, 50-ft-deep landfill. This landfill was open from 1964 through 1971, and accepted 680,000 tons of municipal/commercial solid waste. SCS designed the landfill gas control facilities and provided routine operation and maintenance services for the theater owner.

THE MARKETPLACE

Long Beach, California

This commercial (theaters, shops, and restaurants) and office park development partially overlies a 15-acre municipal waste landfill operated in the 1950’s. SCS designed and continues to operate the gas venting and subfloor membrane barrier systems which protect the building and occupants.

LA METRO MALL

Carson, California

This proposed 810,000-sq-ft shopping mall is to be built directly over a 157-acre former municipal and hazardous waste landfill. Over 3,000 structural piles will be driven to support the building. SCS has designed the gas recovery system and building protection and sensor systems, as well as consulting on remedial action planning.