The Problem -

Media company Interactive Corporation (IAC) selected a site in West Chelsea for a new world headquarters. The building, a unique Frank Gehry design intended to invoke the sails of a ship, is located across Eleventh Avenue from Chelsea Piers, in an area formerly part of the lower Manhattan waterfront. In more recent history, however, the area was used for a manufactured gas plant (MGP), and remnants of the plant, including hazardous coal tar residue, remained buried beneath the existing structures. The area, part of the Special West Chelsea District of Manhattan, is a resurgent neighborhood of mixed residential and commercial development, and includes numerous art galleries.

Phase I and II investigations indicated the presence of petroleum and extensive coal tar residues in the subsurface of the proposed IAC building site. In addition, large concrete foundations from former dry docks and numerous unknown USTs were present in the same area as the coal tar.  Residential buildings adjacent to the site were in danger of being subjected to fumes from the coal tar if it were to be exposed during excavation. Because of the coal tar, the area had an NYC DEP “E” designation, indicating that it was environmentally contaminated.  Cleaning up and restoring the site so that the “E” designation could be removed under the new NYSDEC Brownfields Cleanup Program was very important to the client. Finally, since the area is constricted with other development and city streets with heavy traffic, so there was little room for stockpiling or treating excavated materials.

Our Solution

As the excavation and remediation of the Site progressed, significant construction delays were experienced due to the finding of unknown USTs and difficulties installing the perimeter containment sheeting system through the subsurface obstructions. Roux Associates worked with the various members of the construction team and the NYSDEC to expedite the approvals for UST closures and an alternate design for the containment method (jet-grouting). These changes allowed the construction team to maintain their efforts and eventually recoup some of the time lost to the unforeseen issues at the Site.

To address the potential for fumes in adjacent properties, Roux Associates acted quickly to assist the construction team to develop and implement modified construction techniques, expanded odor and emission controls, air monitoring both onsite and within the adjacent neighborhood and implementation of a community outreach program. Additionally, Roux Associates functioned as the main point of contact for planning and negotiating with both the NYSDEC and NYSDOH. These efforts provided both the necessary means for continuing construction at the Site and providing the necessary level of safety and confidence to the surrounding community.

The IAC Building project, despite bearing numerous challenges throughout the construction process, proved to be a very successful and noteworthy Brownfield redevelopment story. Not only did the outcome include improving the environmental quality of the Site and providing protection to both the occupants of the Site and the environment, but it also included the development of an architectural marvel that is now the cornerstone of the new West Chelsea District. The IAC Building was one of the first NYSDEC Brownfield’s projects to be completed and has been comfortably occupied by a vibrant and growing company and its numerous employees.