A long vacant former chemical plant was redeveloped as a vibrant new, high-end shopping center in El Segundo, as a result of BEC’s innovative, remedial program involving risk analysis, “Hot Spot” removals, capping of residual impacts and deed restrictions. The development would not have been possible under a traditional approach which would have resulted in over $10 million in additional costs.
To support the development of The Point shopping plaza in South Bay, BEC was retained by Federal Realty Investment Trust (FRIT) to complete site assessments, develop remedial plan, negotiate with the oversight agency (Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board), implement remedial program and obtain closure in association with the develop-ment of a high-end retail center in El Segundo, California.
The 12.5-acre redevelopment had unique and challenging environmental issues. Part of the property (4.7-acreas) were part of a former Honeywell facility that is undergoing remediation (by Honeywell) in association with the release of chlorinated hydrocarbons. The remainder of the property was a former General Chemical facility. The property was im-pacted with high levels of pesticides (DDT), PCBs and metals (soluble lead). Parts of the property, which were former unlined natural depres-sions (UNDs), contained very high levels of pesticides to depth of approximately 20 feet which had been filled in over the years by General Chemical. Excavation and removal of these materials would have cost approximately $100 million dollars due the volume and nature of the RCRA waste present.
BEC conceived and successfully negotiated for the approval of an innovative approach that balanced the develop needs with the agency’s requirements and comfort zone. The approach involved: 1) Remediating the cleaner portions of the property to commercial/industrial standards to allow for the construction of new buildings; 2) Removal of the highest concentration material (carcinogenic risks of greater than 1 x 10-4) within the most contaminated portions of the property; 3) Capping of the highly contaminated parcel and the development of a surface parking lot; and 4) Well installation and sampling to demonstrate that chemicals of concern at the Site were not significantly impacting groundwater.
Several phase of work were conducted in 2009 through 2013. These phases included the cleanup of the less-contaminated portions of the property and the installation and monitoring of the groundwater monitoring well network. The agency approved the final Remedial Action Plan for the most-highly impacted portion of the property in March 2013. The removal actions and capping of this portion of the Site were con-ducted between March 2013 and August, 2014. The RWQCB issued the final No Further Action (NFA) letter for shallow soil in October 2014.
The Point opened in the second quarter of 2015. BEC continues to serve FRIT on this project in on-going monitoring of the groundwater wells, cap inspections and reporting and in monitoring of Honeywell’s on-going cleanup operations.
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