All Forum Posts by: Bob Solak

Monish, even if you were to take the FE and PE, it wouldn't help you much.  While you technically might be able to stamp drawings, you really shouldn't since it isn't your area of expertise.  I'm a PE (Civil, but not structural), and you wouldn't want me to stamp an electrical design.  ;)

I generally prefer to have architects (rather than engineers) prepare drawings that need to be submitted to building departments because they are more up to date with building codes and other language that usually needs to be on the drawing set. There are some exceptions, of course, like complex structures or buildings over three stories.  But in a project that big, the architect will have an engineer to deal with anything they can't. 

You'll want to contact your bank ASAP.  I've heard a lot of people have enrolled.  A lot of people have been told they're approved.  But the banks haven't disbursed any money yet.  Its possible they haven't received it yet.

But anyway, if you're going to get into the queue, do it right away.  

It isn't ALL forgiveable (there's a formula for how much will be forgiven). But look at it as a very low interest loan, even if it winds up not being fully forgiven. 

It's common, especially if they have been in the business for a long time

Without seeing the actual reports it sounds like what you are telling us is that the indoor air results indicate violation of the indoor criteria.  However, soil and groundwater results are below the cleanup criteria in your State.  

I'd be curious to know if they identified the source (i.e. the original spill(s)) or if that was cleaned up and these are just the residual contaminants.  

Anyway, you MIGHT (or might not) be able to get away with a vapor mitigation system to treat the indoor air issue. To answer that you'll need an engineer to tell you.  Then you'll need to implement the fix.  It's impossible to guesstimate at the cost (or the need) without more info.  But your engineer should be able to come up with an estimate.  

I'm assuming you are looking at keeping the building.  If you are looking to tear down, then your remedial options change.  

You (or better yet, have your environmental engineer friend) review the Phase 1 (and phase 2 if there is one) Environmental Site Assessment of the property.  The phase 1 will identify known and possible environmental concerns given site history, database record searches, site inspection, interviews, etc.  Depending upon the results of the Phase 1 ESA, a Phase 2 may been completed.  A Phase 2 is more targeted and invasive, and includes actual collection and laboratory analysis of soil and/or other potentially contaminated media. 

My experience with foundry sites is that you'll almost certainly have heavy metal impacts and sometimes other contamination associated with heavy industry (cleaner/solvent spills, etc.)  But it is also possible that these issues have already been remediated prior to the new building being constructed.  Thus your engineer suggested that you seek out a copy of the No Further Action required paperwork.  Always keep in mind, of course, that such a letter applies only to what contamination was known about.  There can always be areas of other contamination lurking somewhere on site.  

Also check to see if there are any deed/property restrictions associated with the site.  Sometimes you are allowed to leave contamination in place if its reasonable that it won't be disturbed - but they put deed restrictions in place to ensure that it does in fact remain undisturbed.