ASTI HELPS THE SUBURBAN COLLECTION EXPAND
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ASTI HELPS THE SUBURBAN COLLECTION EXPAND
Background
The acquisition of Ed Schmid Ford on Woodward Avenue, now Suburban Ford of Ferndale, was a strategic opportunity for The Suburban Collection to expand their brand in Southeast Michigan by adding a new line directly across the street from their Suburban Buick GMC dealership. This 85,960 square foot, full-service automobile dealership sells new and used cars, as well as offering full service auto service and collision repair.
As part of the due diligence activities, ASTI Environmental (ASTI) was engaged to conduct a Phase I ESA and sampling and, if necessary, evaluate and implement remediation activities. Due diligence activities consisted of subsurface soil and groundwater testing, and the coordination and removal of in-ground hoist systems, underground storage tanks, and associated contamination, as well as assistance with site restoration activities.
During the due diligence activities, ASTI used ground penetrating radar to identify the remnants of a small gas station, including the presence of three underground storage tanks and a hydraulic hoist. The gas station had formally operated on-site during the 1930’s and 1940’s in the northwest corner of the Property.
Challenge
Consistent with the typical operations of an automobile dealership and ASTI’s experience with automotive sales and service facilities, ASTI discovered the presence of subsurface contamination associated with the historical operation of the in-ground hoist systems and underground storage tanks at the Property. Impacted soils were found to contain various petroleum constituents including VOCs, PNAs and metals. Sources of the impacted soils included three USTs and 7 active, 13 inactive and 2 decommissioned in-ground hoists.
Solution
During decommissioning of the existing hoists, ASTI worked closely with Suburban’s general contractor to evaluate the need for soil remediation, design a cost-effective process to meet the state clean-up standards, and facilitate continued progress, such that implementation of the corrective actions did not slow down the on-going renovations.
During this process, ASTI coordinated the removal and replacement of approximately 1,600 yd3 of petroleum impacted material from the interior of the building, and hundreds of additional yd3 outside the structure in the former gas station area. During soil abatement activities, ASTI collected verification samples to document successful remediation of the impacted areas. Upon completion of verification sampling, excavation areas were promptly backfilled with compacted engineered fill to facilitate re-installation of new hoist systems, repavement and continuation of other construction related activities.
During the project, ASTI completed a total of 48 soil borings and selected 84 soil samples for chemical testing to assess the current environmental condition of the Property. In addition, a total of 20 soil
samples were collected following removal of impacted soils in the former gas station area and 70 during the hoist decommissioning activities.
The above work was completed to assist Suburban Ford of Ferndale with remedial obligations needed to satisfy their lender and also assist the general contractor with requisite activities (UST and hoist decommissioning, impacted soil removal and replacement, etc.) to promptly bring the newly renovated dealership back on-line. The remediation successfully reduced on-site impacts to levels acceptable for the intended use, and reduced historical impacts to the environment.
ASTI ALSO PROVIDES THE FOLLOWING SERVICES:
For more information on ASTI’s dealership or remediation services contact Robert Anderson at randerson@asti-env.com or 810-225-2800.
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