Partner Engineering and Science, Inc., was engaged to support the development of a new low-income senior housing and commercial space building in an already dense urban area. Before acquisition, Partner conducted environmental assessments of three adjoining properties, identifying several underground storage tanks, asbestos-containing materials, and legacy contamination from a nearby off-site dry cleaner.

To protect the new owners and future occupants from federal and state remedial liabilities, Partner successfully obtained Downgradient Property Status for all three parcels. Working closely with the design team, Partner integrated remediation strategies into the building plans, focusing on minimizing costs for managing contaminated soil while ensuring compliance with the Massachusetts Contingency Plan.

As construction commenced, thousands of tons of contaminated soil were safely and cost-effectively removed and transported to multiple approved facilities. Partner also designed, specified, and oversaw the installation of critical mitigation systems, including a soil vapor barrier and an active sub-slab depressurization system with carbon treatment.

Throughout the project, Partner collaborated with the owner, lenders, municipal, and state funding agencies, construction teams, and regulatory bodies to provide timely updates, maintain compliance, and ensure the safety of workers and future residents.

Project Highlights

Challenging urban environment for new construction with multiple on- and off-site sources of contamination.