NEWARK RIVERFRONT PARK
LOCATION: NEWARK, NJ
CLIENT: ESSEX COUNTY IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY
MARKET SECTOR: PUBLIC - ENERGY & UTILITY
SIZE: 12 ACRES
THE OPPORTUNITY
Paulus, Sokolowski and Sartor (PS&S) was retained by the Essex County Improvement Authority (ECIA) to assist them in evaluating the potential environmental liability at three parcels that were to be purchased for the creation of an urban waterfront park in Newark, NJ. The initial $50,000 contract was increased to more than $400,000 when the ECIA asked us to address the environmental conditions at each of the three parcels.
THE CHALLENGE
Services included environmental investigation and remediation as well as survey, licensing and permitting services. PS&S coordinated with existing responsible parties to assess existing conditions and to ensure investigation efforts were completed, through the remedial investigation phase, in a timely manner. The impending park will be proposed as the remedial action with institutional controls.
THE PS&S SOLUTION
As part of the environmental activities, PS&S conducted Site Investigation activities, on behalf of the ECIA, at one of the parcels located along Raymond Boulevard. In January 2011, PS&S conducted a soil and groundwater investigation at the parcel to identify potential areas of concern in accordance with the New Jersey Technical Requirements for Site Remediation (N.J.A.C. 7:26E). Sample locations were selected based on information included in historic reports provided by the ECIA. A truck-mounted Geoprobe using hydraulic direct push technology was utilized to install soil borings and temporary well points throughout the property to facilitate the collection of soil and groundwater samples. PS&S used the analytical data to identify areas of historic fill in order to assess the need for institutional and/or engineering controls as part of the park development at the parcels.
Site activities also included coordination of a geophysical investigation consisting of an electromagnetic (EM) metal detection and ground penetrating radar (GPR) to identify potential underground storage tanks (USTs) and/or other buried materials that may impact the property. Based on the geophysical investigation results, PS&S coordinated a test pitting investigation of the identified anomalies during which one underground storage tank (UST) was confirmed. Subsequent to the geophysical and test pitting investigation, PS&S provided oversight and sampling services during the removal of the UST and an AST from the adjacent parcel.
PS&S provided boundary surveys of several parcels encumbered with various easements and tidelands claims.
RELATED PROJECTS
DISCIPLINES INVOLVED
ENVIRONMENTAL INVESTIGATION & REMEDIATION