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Client:
City of Seattle |
Background
This project targeted 12 industrial properties for redevelopment. Prior
to selling the properties, the City of Seattle needed to fully understand
any environmental problems related to contaminated soil and groundwater.
PGG served as the City’s regulatory and remediation strategist for
assessing environmental conditions, estimating costs for possible remedial
alternatives, and negotiating with the buyers’ environmental and
legal team.
Challenges
This high-profile project involved numerous stakeholders, including attorneys
and development experts. A range of environmental conditions affected
the soil and groundwater underlying the properties. These conditions were
associated with historical fill materials, naturally elevated arsenic
and lead concentrations (in groundwater), and a large gasoline release
that significantly impacted two parcels for several decades. Distinguishing
between local and regional environmental concerns would be key to the
transfer process.
Approach
We began by revisiting earlier Phase I and Phase II work, environmental
site assessments, and other studies. This information helped us lead the
legal and seller team in framing environmental concerns under the current
MTCA setting. It also provided a foundation for assessing the costs and
risks associated with cleanup options in light of future redevelopment
plans.
Outcome
Our final reports and presentations described the site’s environmental
issues and outlined various cleanup alternatives, providing a valuable
tool for the transfer process. We participated in negotiations and recommended
strategies for addressing questions that would likely arise during purchase
negotiations.