Kleinfelder - The Grove at Farmer's Market

Projects / Environmental / The Grove at Farmer's Market

The Grove at Farmer's Market

Caruso Affiliated Holdings
Los Angeles, California

Project Description:

Kleinfelder supplied a multidisciplinary range of environmental, geotechnical and materials engineering and testing services for a 20-acre regional entertainment/retail facility. The site is a historical landmark that is undergoing remodeling and planned construction of new entertainment and retail services adjacent to the historic structures. The site is located in an area where natural oilfield methane can collect beneath buildings. Part of the property was used for oil production activities between 1910 and 1940. Former surface impoundments containing crude oil and partially refined petroleum products have been identified at the site. In addition, Kleinfelder also provided geotechnical design services for an eight-level parking structure. Kleinfleder provided engineering oversight of the geotechnical field and laboratory programs and conducted analyses to develop design and construction recommendations for the parking structure. The eight-level parking structure will have a footprint area of approximately 28,000 square feet and will be supported on deep foundations.

Kleinfelder has been tasked with the following services for the proposed development:

Methane Investigation: Kleinfelder performed soil gas testing to verify the presence and concentration of methane gas in site soils.
Methane Control System: Engineering/Construction Specifications. City of Los Angeles guidelines require installation of a methane control system at the proposed development. In coordination with site development plans and based on City of Los Angeles guidelines, Kleinfelder prepared engineering designs for the methane control. The system includes installation of a gas-impermeable barrier and passive gas collection piping beneath enclosed structures, methane gas monitoring and alarm systems, and design of forced air ventilation in the event that methane approaches action levels inside of site structures. Kleinfelder provided system installation inspection services and engineering support. In addition, Kleinfelder provided engineering design and testing services for the methane gas detection system in the tenant spaces. Kleinfelder is currently providing quarterly gas detection system operation and monitoring compliance services
Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA): Kleinfelder prepared a Phase I ESA documenting past site uses and areas of potential environmental concern.
Asbestos and Lead-based Paint Survey/Demolition Specifications: Kleinfelder performed a demolition-level survey of asbestos-containing building materials, lead-based paints, and PCB-containing lighting ballasts in site structures scheduled for demolition. In addition, Kleinfelder prepared bid specifications for distribution to prospective demolition contractors.
Phase II ESA: Based on the Phase I ESA findings, Kleinfelder drilled 21 investigative soil borings to assess the lateral and vertical extent of petroleum-affected soils at the project site, and installed and sampled 6 groundwater monitoring wells.
Geotechnical Engineering Assessment: Kleinfelder drilled 55 soil borings to investigate subsurface soils and provide recommendations for the design and construction of building foundations and related site improvements. Environmental soil samples were also collected from 21 of the geotechnical borings.
Human Health Risk Assessment/Corrective Action Plan: Based on the results of the Phase II ESA, Kleinfelder performed a human health risk assessment to estimate appropriate cleanup levels for the site. Potential site remediation technologies were assessed with respect to cost, feasibility, coordination with the site development plans, and overall effectiveness.
Regulatory Agency Negotiation: Kleinfelder negotiated and obtain a no-further-action letter from the Los Angeles Regional California Regional Water Quality Control Board.
Construction Oversight: Kleinfelder provided testing and inspection during site grading and special inspection services (i.e., concrete, masonry, welding, etc.) during construction of site structures. Kleinfelder also observed installation of the methane control system, and implementation.

Kleinfelder provided regulatory assistance for The Grove at Farmers Market to facilitate regulatory review of the Phase II Environmental Site Assessment Report and the Health Risk Assessment Report. Kleinfelder contacted the Los Angeles Business Revitalization Center (BRC). The BRC provides assistance for businesses to help streamline the permitting and review process that enable a faster response from key State and Local agencies. For the Grove at Farmers Market, the BRC provided assistance to prioritize project reviews within the Los Angeles Regional Water Control Board and the Cal EPA Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA). During the review process, Kleinfelder coordinated with the agencies and provided quick responses to questions and requested revisions. The outcome of Kleinfelder's regulatory assistance was a much faster review of the complex site documents and a favorable regulatory action level for petroleum affected soils. Kleinfelder's management of the regulatory review process resulted in saving the Client several million dollars in potential remediation costs.