RaDD’s Redevelopment Journey to Excellence
The Industrial Environmental Association’s (IEA) recognition is a testament to IQHQ’s unwavering commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. IQHQ’s journey towards this remarkable achievement began on 15.89 acres of formerly Navy-owned land, historically part of San Diego Bay, that was reclaimed circa 1915 to 1917 during the Panama-California Exposition held in San Diego. As part of the reclamation process, the historic Bayshore that comprises the project area was filled primarily with dredged bay sediments, terrestrial soils, and industrial debris.
IQHQ envisioned a sustainable, life sciences-focused campus requiring the excavation and export of nearly 800,000 cubic yards of soil across six city blocks to support subterranean parking and site reuse.
To responsibly manage legacy environmental concerns, including soil with elevated lead and petroleum hydrocarbon levels, IQHQ collaborated with SCS Engineers to implement a rigorous site assessment and soil management strategy. The strategy included collaboration with regulatory agencies to approve a Soil Management Plan and Community Health & Safety Plan to identify environmental impacts and properly characterize and dispose of the large volume of soil excavated and exported from the property during construction activities. This coordination and communication helped protect public health and the environment throughout excavation activities.
Redeveloping Brownfields Comes with Challenges and Sparks Innovation
A challenge arose when the discovery of large quantities of historically dumped contaminated material, classified as RCRA hazardous waste, needed special oversight. To control environmental impact and manage project costs, SCS Engineers performed on-site treatment under the County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality (DEHQ) and the Department of Toxic Substances Control regulatory oversight using a mobile treatment unit and proprietary admixture administered by SCS’s subcontractor MT2. This cost-saving and protective approach reclassified the material to a less restrictive category for disposal, generated more than $1.1 million in savings, and successfully allowed DEHQ to close the site with full regulatory compliance.
Looking Ahead
The IQHQ RaDD project represents a landmark transformation of San Diego’s waterfront with a world-class life sciences development, delivering environmental innovation, regulatory compliance, and economic revitalization. The RaDD campus delivers 1.7 million square feet of lab, office, and retail space and over five acres of green space, public art, and premium outdoor amenities. It is within walking distance of San Diego’s primary transit hubs, enhancing regional connectivity.
Sustainable features include over 0.5 MW of solar power, over 200 EV charging stations, electrochromic glass, and a 100% carbon-neutral base building design. The project is expected to achieve its LEED, Fitwel, and Smartscore certifications in 2025 and has already achieved WiredScore Platinum.
Gratitude
SCS Engineers thanks IQHQ, IEA, and the San Diego community for their unwavering support and commitment. This award is a collective achievement for the region and an inspiration for creating a sustainable future for future generations. Through bold vision, collaboration, and commitment to sustainability, IQHQ has demonstrated how large-scale redevelopment can overcome complex environmental legacies and contribute meaningfully to the community’s quality of life. The RaDD project is a leading example of how innovative remediation and smart design can unlock economic and environmental benefits for future generations.
Learn more about this award-winning Brownfields redevelopment project here!
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