Sigma helps Sheboygan brownfield site
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
The former Optenberg Iron Works parcel was originally developed in the 1890s for steel fabrication activities, including metal cutting, bending, machining, welding, painting, and other fabrication processes that continued through 2003. The property owner retained The Sigma Group in early 2004 to provide a broad range of environmental and civil engineering services to redevelop the brownfield site as a high-end residential condominium complex. Sigma provided many other services for the client, including coordination with geotechnical contractors and the project architect, attendance of City of Sheboygan council meetings for project approvals, and creation of an Environmental Tax Increment Finance (TIF) district through the City of Sheboygan funding environmental cleanup of the site.
Services provided by Sigma include:
Asbestos Management
Sigma asbestos inspections determined that asbestos present in various building components required abatement prior to building demolition. Sigma prepared technical specifications for contractor bidding in August 2005 and performed contractor monitoring and clearance sampling during the abatement work in October 2005. Subsequent site and building demolition activities did not encounter any unidentified asbestos-containing building materials.
Soil and Groundwater Investigation and Remediation
The property owner elected to enter into the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) Voluntary Party Liability Exemption (VPLE) program as an assurance to future condominium owners about future environmental liability for the site. Sigma completed a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment, multiple phases of soil and groundwater investigation activities, and a methane evaluation to satisfy VPLE requirements. A conceptual remedial action plan to cap the site with engineered barriers has been approved by WDNR.
Surveying
Sigma prepared an ALTA survey and Certified Survey Map of the site. During this process, Sigma mediated a “land swap” between the City of Sheboygan and the property owner to make a Lake Michigan beach area public property in exchange for two undeveloped parcels to add to the condominium redevelopment. This process resulted in a nearly four-acre redevelopment project for the property owner and the City secured over one acre of Lake Michigan beach.
Civil Engineering
Sigma prepared site grading plans and specifications for the proposed condominium project, including plans for the use of geofoam for light-weight fill around the condominium buildings. Geofoam is required to minimize long-term settlement of exterior site features relative to the buildings that will be constructed on piles. The site grading design also incorporated a revetment structure along the shoreline to dissipate wave energy from Lake Michigan during storm events.
Stormwater Management / Permitting
Sigma prepared the stormwater management, site erosion control, paving, and utility plans for the project and submitted the required documents to the City of Sheboygan for approval. Notifications to WDNR and Department of Commerce were also submitted for the land disturbing activities during site construction.