Bay Area Redevelopment Portfolio

Since 2019, Citadel EHS has supported a private real estate developer with environmental due diligence services for approximately 25 properties across the Bay Area targeted for purchase and redevelopment into commercial and/or residential uses. These services were designed to assess potential environmental risks, facilitate cost modeling, and streamline regulatory compliance before acquisition and redevelopment. The scope has included initial site assessments to evaluate the presence of contaminants in soil, soil vapor, and/or groundwater.

Following the acquisition of select properties, our scope expanded to support the client in addressing environmental Conditions of Approval imposed by city planning and building departments as prerequisites for redevelopment.

Citadel’s environmental support due diligence and development support services included:

• Completion of Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) in accordance with ASTM standards to identify Recognized Environmental Conditions (RECs), followed by targeted Phase II subsurface investigations, where warranted, to evaluate the presence of contaminants in soil, soil vapor, and/or groundwater.
• Transactional due diligence support, including regulatory file reviews and early engagement and coordination with local and state agencies to assess permitting requirements and identify potential compliance risks.
• Soil and groundwater sampling and laboratory analysis for sites with anticipated ground-disturbing activities to support waste profiling, classification, dewatering, and cost estimating for off-site disposal or disposal during construction.
• Vapor Intrusion Evaluations and Mitigation Design, including risk assessments to evaluate potential indoor air exposure to future building occupants and development of mitigation alternatives, when needed.
• Preparation of soil management plans (SMPs) and oversight of excavation and grading activities.
• Coordination with regulatory oversight agencies and documentation to satisfy post-entitlement requirements.

Our proactive involvement throughout the due diligence and development phases has helped the client manage environmental risks, reduce delays and associated costs, and keep projects on track toward construction and redevelopment.

Highlights:

• 25 properties assessed for acquisition and redevelopment
• Supported commercial and residential development projects throughout the Bay Area
• Reduced environmental uncertainty during property transactions
• Eliminated requirement for SFBRWQCB Case Opening Associated with Residual Subsurface Impacts and supplemental Vapor Mitigation Measures
• Supported redevelopment planning and construction readiness
• Helped avoid unnecessary agency case openings at select sites