New York Cleaners Brownfield Redevelopment

WHEM has been supporting a developer on a complex Brownfield redevelopment project in Colchester, Vermont since 2019. The 1.53-acre property was formerly home to a dry cleaner (New York Cleaners) operating from 1976 to 2014. Historical use of tetrachloroethene (PCE) for dry cleaning operations led to substantial subsurface contamination, initially discovered in groundwater in 2003. After a long pause in activity, the developer brought WHEM in to resume environmental work.

Following a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) and Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP), WHEM completed a Phase II ESA. Investigations revealed elevated PCE concentrations in soil vapor beneath the concrete slab, extending 50+ feet onto neighboring properties. The presence of a failing septic system and abandoned fuel oil underground storage tank (UST) complicated contaminant distribution. Additional work was also required to characterize the presence of asbestos-containing building materials.

In 2022, WHEM oversaw asbestos abatement, followed by demolition and removal of the building, slab, septic system, and UST. Following this, approximately 75 cubic yards (CY) of PCE-impacted soil were excavated and partially disposed of offsite, removing an estimated 35.3 kilograms (kg) of PCE mass. Site redevelopment advanced rapidly through fall 2022 and winter 2023, with installation of stormwater infrastructure, fencing, landscaping, and construction of new storage unit buildings.

A major component of the site cleanup and risk mitigation strategy has been the design and installation of a Soil Vapor Extraction (SVE) system, completed by WHEM in spring and early summer 2023. The system became operational on June 23, 2023. Since then, an estimated 8 gallons of PCE and other chlorocarbons have been removed from the subsurface. Ongoing monitoring has shown decreasing trends in PCE concentrations in both sub-slab and indoor air, confirming the effectiveness of the system in reducing vapor intrusion risk.

Quarterly groundwater monitoring began in September 2023, and semi-annual soil vapor monitoring began in February 2024, with ongoing data collection and reporting supporting long-term site management. Based on data evaluation, WHEM may utilize a groundwater injection system that was installed in conjunction with the SVE system to accelerate the process of contaminant destruction.

Concurrently, during redevelopment, a 37.44-kilowatt solar array was installed on one of the new Site buildings, providing power to offset the operation of the SVE remedial system. The solar array will serve as a continued source of clean, renewable energy decades after site closure. Site redevelopment finished in 2023 and this modern self-storage facility has been open since. This successful Brownfield redevelopment transformed this previously abandoned, contaminated property into a thriving local business.