Brownfields Investigation and Redevelopment
Brownfields are defined as the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of real estate, which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. Cleaning up and reinvestment in these properties takes development pressures off of undeveloped, open land, and both improves and protects the environment.
The Javelin Group’s professional staff is experienced in conducting site investigations and cleanup of potentially contaminated commercial, industrial, multi-family, and office facilities.
We have significant experience with industry protocols, including ASTM, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Standard & Poor, and institutional investors. We understand the nature of real estate transactions and respond quickly and effectively to the due diligence requirements of our clients.
At Javelin, our environmental professionals work collectively to design and implement efficient, cost-effective solutions to fully investigate and remediate contaminated sites. We interact with the appropriate federal, state, and local regulatory agencies to ensure that cost-effective investigation and remediation proceeds to closure, on time and within budget.
Our staff is experienced with investigations ranging from underground storage tank investigations to complex, multiple media contaminated sites such as former circuit board manufacturing, dry-cleaners, and railroad yards.
Soil & Groundwater — Javelin performs soil and groundwater investigations to determine whether contamination is present on a property, and to what extent. Javelin has significant experience conducting soil investigations ranging from underground storage tank assessments to subsurface sampling programs covering large numbers of boreholes placed in strategic locations on a suspect property. Javelin personnel are experienced in all soil sampling protocols, as well as the oversight of all related field equipment and machinery sourced through subcontractors.
Groundwater investigations conducted by Javelin include well installation and development, field sampling & analysis, delineation of capture zones, groundwater flow determination and modeling, and interpretative contaminant hydrogeology. Our remediation projects often require the development and implementation of ongoing groundwater monitoring programs. Javelin personnel have conducted investigations for the complete range of chemical contaminants including: petroleum hydrocarbons, solvents, metals, PCBs, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and other contaminants.
Site Characterization & Investigation:
Vapor Intrusion
Vapor Intrusion — Vapor intrusion has become a significant concern for industrial, commercial and residential buildings. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in soil or groundwater can result in vapors migrating upwards into a building, and may pose health hazards to people living or working in that building. The recognition of this exposure pathway has increased in recent years and many state regulatory agencies have developed vapor intrusion assessment policies and regulatory guidance. Javelin has the full range of technical capabilities and experience necessary to fully investigate and mitigate vapor intrusion issues.
Javelin provides the following services:
Soil Vapor Investigations
Vapor Intrusion Modeling Assessments
Indoor air quality assessments
Vapor barrier design and installation
Subsurface vent system design & installation
Response Action Implementation & Cleanup — The development of Brownfields for residential and commercial uses often require the implementation of various environmental response actions to protect human health and the environment.
Javelin has extensive experience investigating underutilized and blighted properties, and preparing Development Response Action Plans (DRAPs) to address the identified environmental concerns. DRAPs prepared by Javelin are unique to each redevelopment project, and are formulated to provide the most cost-effective solutions for cleanup in accordance with MPCA requirements.
A typical DRAP includes a comprehensive description of the site characteristics (i.e. identified contaminants and unusual conditions), a detailed development plan, proposed corrective actions/remedies and cleanup goals {i.e. established soil reference values (SRVs) and soil leaching values (SLVs)}, environmental contingencies, health and safety procedures, and an implementation schedule.
The response actions implemented through an MPCA approved DRAP can include but are not limited to:
Contamination source removal/disposal (i.e. USTs, sumps, traps etc.)
Hazardous waste characterization, removal and disposal
Contaminated soil excavation, re-use and/or treatment at off-site disposal facilities
Contaminated ground water management, treatment and/or monitoring
Installation of passive or active engineering controls (i.e. soil vapor extraction, ventilation and/or barrier systems)
Subsurface utility inspection and protection
Additional elements of a Javelin DRAP could include Institutional Control Consideration, Work Zone Practices, Soil Management Plans and Sampling and Analysis Plans.
As part of a turnkey cleanup approach, Javelin often coordinates the contractor bidding process and prepares relevant applications to various public-funding sources to streamline the redevelopment process, and ensure that construction progress and financial goals are achieved.
Building Demolition & Hazardous Materials Management
Redevelopment of real estate often includes demolition of existing buildings. Regulatory agencies require identification and removal of asbestos-containing building materials (ACBMs), damaged lead-based paint, mercury-containing devices, PCB-containing fluorescent light ballasts, freon-containing equipment, hydraulic oil filled devices and other hazardous materials.
Javelin has significant experience in conducting pre-demolition building inspections that identify hazardous materials requiring removal and proper disposal prior to demolition, providing cost estimates for removal, and conducting on-site monitoring during abatement activities.
Javelin provides turnkey services for the decommissioning of buildings prior to demolition that includes preparation of project specifications, management of the contractor bidding process, oversight of the environmental contractors, on-site monitoring during hazardous materials abatement, and preparation of building decommissioning closeout reports.
State Environmental Voluntary Cleanup Program Assistance
Numerous states have implemented Voluntary Cleanup Programs (VCPs) intended to relieve developers of uncertain liability risks that link regulatory flexibility and liability relief to various forms of financial support for redevelopment.
Javelin has extensive experience working with state VCPs to obtain liability assurance letters and file closure of contaminated sites for our clients. We can assist with the application process as well as act on your behalf in negotiations with regulatory officials.
Javelin has significant experience conducting site investigations and preparing site investigation reports in accordance with state VCPs.
Public Funding/Grant Application Assistance
To ensure that Brownfield redevelopment is protective of human health and the environment, public financial assistance to property owners and developers is often required. Javelin is experienced in assessing the nature of the environmental measures necessary for redevelopment, and the appropriate funding sources available through local government entities.
Low interest loan, grant and reimbursement assistance for environmental investigation, cleanup and abatement costs are available through the following programs:
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Contamination
Cleanup Grant The Metropolitan Council Tax Base Revitalization Account (TBRA)
Ramsey County ERF Minnesota Department of Commerce Petroleum Tank Release Compensation Fund (Petrofund)
Hennepin County Environmental Response Fund (ERF) and Revolving Loan Program
In preparing an application for public funding assistance, Javelin considers each of the program requirements/policies, along with the nature of the environmental issues and applicable marketplace factors including: Job Creation, Property Valuation, Tax Generation, and Public Community Support/Influences.
Through diligent correspondence and our extensive consulting experience, Javelin strives to facilitate the maximum assistance to our clients to achieve financial success throughout the redevelopment project process.