Lee’s Summit

February 3, 2025

Boy Scouts help clean antique bottles found at Green Street.

 

SCS’s Green Street Blog Series: Part IV

In our Green Street blog series, SCS helps identify and avoid potential environmental issues and sometimes surprises on redevelopment or voluntary remediation sites. In Part IV, we uncovered another buried surprise, a hidden treasure for the community, historical artifacts.

During the Green Street property clean-up, SCS discovered antique bottles, sparking even more excitement in the community. Unearthing these hidden treasures shed light on the area’s history and ignited a sense of curiosity and wonder among residents and historians alike.

A fascinating glimpse into the past.

The antique bottles, discovered while managing the impacted soils, were collected and cleaned with the help of two local Boy Scouts, and we hope future SCS professionals. SCS Senior Project Manager Mike Dustman says, “With the help of my two boys, who received scouting service hour credit for their efforts, we cleaned over 300 antique bottles. The boys diligently worked alongside me, carefully cleaning each bottle to reveal its unique history and beauty.”

The sheer quantity of bottles and the boys’ dedication impressed the Lee’s Summit team, who asked for a photo of the boys cleaning bottles and in their scouting uniforms to showcase their amazing discovery.

Interestingly, these historical artifacts are not native to the site, suggesting they arrived possibly in fill from a previous period, adding another layer of mystery to the discovery. Uncovering these antiques provides a fascinating glimpse into the past and brings the community together in shared discovery and appreciation for local history.

Historical artifacts span the centuries.

The artifacts, spanning various periods, served multiple purposes. Among the finds were ketchup, beer, wine, soda, and whiskey bottles; apothecary and cosmetic bottles; ink wells; and insecticide jugs. Each one tells a story, reflecting the daily lives and practices of those who used them. These containers offer a glimpse into the past, revealing everyday items’ diverse uses, from the mundane to the medicinal.

Phase I of Green Street in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, is scheduled for completion in June, adding a vibrant addition to the community, including a farmers market, event space, outdoor performance area, a beautifully landscaped pavilion, and now a peek into our local history.

Additional Resources:

Michael DustmanAbout the Author: Michael (Mike) Dustman is an environmental project manager with remedial design activities, building inspection, site assessments, and field training. He possesses an in-depth knowledge of relevant and applicable Federal, State, and local environmental laws and protocols. Mike has served numerous local agencies and private clients, including the USEPA Region 4 Superfund Technical Assessment and Response Team. Mike is a certified asbestos project designer, management planner, and building inspector, a certified air sample professional, and a certified lead-based paint inspector and lead risk assessor.

 

Posted by Diane Samuels at 6:00 am

January 29, 2025

storage tank removal
Removing an underground storage tank – first the contents, then the tank.

 

SCS’s Green Street Blog Series: Part III

In our Green Street blog series, as we step through a successful redevelopment project called Green Street, we help identify and avoid potential environmental issues and sometimes surprises such as underground storage tanks.

As Green Street will breathe new life into the cultural arts scene, creating a vibrant community hub for all to enjoy, there can be a surprise during excavation, even with well-planned and implemented due diligence.

Despite conducting an onsite assessment, historical use assessment, and research before excavation begins, there still can be a deeply buried surprise. In the case of Green Street, an old tank under the former icehouse was discovered beneath 6″ of concrete. Unfortunately, it was not in any historical records since the tank was unregistered. Fortunately, it did not stop the excavation work for long.

Pausing work in the tank’s vicinity enabled SCS to inspect the tank and collect samples of the tank’s contents while continuing work in all other site areas. Based on the analytical results of the sampling and examination, SCS determined that it was an old oil-heating tank likely used to heat the icehouse. Following safety protocols, removing the tank contents comes first, followed by the tank.

Although heating oil tanks are unregulated by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources Underground Storage Tanks Section, SCS completed a tank closure soil sampling under the Missouri Risk-Based Corrective Action requirements for unregistered underground petroleum storage tanks. Then, soil excavation removes minimally impacted soil directly under the tank, which testing confirms there is no possibility of petroleum-impacted soil remaining.

One of the key aspects of remediation project support is having access to as-needed assistance. Brownfield and any remediation project will have some risks, but quickly minimizing and addressing challenges is critical. Look for full-service environmental engineers and consultants with construction experience. These firms take a holistic approach to projects and have a deep bench of professionals to call upon if and when needed.

Because these firms understand project needs throughout the life cycle. They can help clients make better decisions along the journey to completion and minimize timing risks related to environmental conditions and risks around zoning for intended future use, permitting, and environmental insurance and funding.

We reveal another discovery onsite in Part IV of the Green Street series on February 3rd – this one is wonderful!

Additional Resources:

Michael DustmanAbout the Author: Michael (Mike) Dustman is experienced in environmental project management, remedial design activities, building inspection, site assessments, and field training. He possesses an in-depth knowledge of relevant and applicable Federal, State, and local environmental laws and protocols. Mike has served numerous local agencies and private clients, including the USEPA Region 4 Superfund Technical Assessment and Response Team. Mike is a certified asbestos project designer, management planner, and building inspector, a certified air sample professional, and a certified lead-based paint inspector and lead risk assessor.

 

Posted by Diane Samuels at 6:00 am

January 27, 2025

Segregation and stockpiling of contaminated soil as part of a soil management plan and due diligence.

 

SCS’s Green Street Blog Series: Part II

In our Green Street blog series, we step you through a successful redevelopment project called Green Street in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. Throughout the blog series, we’ll point out how to identify and avoid potential environmental issues that can slow your redevelopment and remediation projects.

Initially, SCS Engineers completed due diligence to understand the potential environmental concerns about the unique properties acquired. We specifically looked at subsurface soil and groundwater to plan for and mitigate contamination before site excavation begins.

Subsurface soil and groundwater sampling.

Proper soil management protects the environment and the health of the community. A Soil Management Plan outlines the steps to handle disturbed soil, including identifying regulated materials, overseeing construction activities, and managing potentially impacted soil.

As a full-service environmental firm, SCS professionals are onsite during earthwork activities, conducting soil testing and overseeing the proper disposal of materials to meet compliance and clean-up standards.

Asbestos and lead paint abatement.

Upon project completion, SCS sends the city a comprehensive report detailing involvement in the abatement, demolition, and earthwork activities, along with analytical data and photographic documentation to show the site is pristine and ready for safe development.

Due diligence includes assessing the old buildings on site to identify and allow the safe removal of asbestos, lead-based paint, and hazardous materials before contractors proceed with building demolition.

Following due diligence and as part of a holistic plan, SCS environmental professionals collaborate with abatement and building demolition contractors. Communication and tight teamwork help comply with all federal, state, and local environmental regulations, keeping the project on track. By providing oversight throughout the process, including daily field monitoring and sampling, Lee’s Summit is confident work is done safely and to the highest standards.

We begin walking through tank removal and historical discoveries in Part III of the Green Street series on January 29.

Additional Resources:

Michael DustmanAbout the Author: Michael (Mike) Dustman is experienced in environmental project management, remedial design activities, building inspection, site assessments, and field training. He possesses an in-depth knowledge of relevant and applicable federal, state, and local environmental laws and protocols. Mike has served numerous local agencies and private clients, including the USEPA Region 4 Superfund Technical Assessment and Response Team. Mike is a certified asbestos project designer, management planner, and building inspector, a certified air sample professional, and a certified lead-based paint inspector and lead risk assessor.

Posted by Diane Samuels at 6:00 am

January 22, 2025

Green Street is an ambitious mixed-use project in the heart of downtown Lee’s Summit, MO. Plan courtesy of the City of Lee’s Summit.

 

SCS’s Green Street Blog Series: Part I

Land recycling and land remediation make valuable additions to communities. In our Green Street blog series, we step you through a successful redevelopment project called Green Street in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. Throughout the blog series, we’ll point out how to identify and avoid potential environmental issues that can slow your redevelopment and remediation projects.

What’s a Brownfield and Why Are They Attractive for Redevelopment

While Green Street is not a Brownfield project, SCS uses the same advanced technologies and processes for the site. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) describes a brownfield as a property that may have the potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. These are properties where former tenants were industrial or manufacturers, businesses such as dry cleaners or gas stations, landfills, and even golf courses. Often, these properties sit on prime real estate.

The properties are experiencing a resurgence in redevelopment for many reasons, including by reinvesting in these sites, communities are increasing local tax bases, facilitating job growth, utilizing existing infrastructure, taking development pressures off of undeveloped, open land, and improving and protecting the environment.

With environmental remediation technological advances and new processes, there are almost no limits to what Brownfield can house – mixed-use, shopping centers, residential, parks, stadiums, and even ski resorts. There are many grant programs available to help, too.

Journey with us to Green Street

Lee’s Summit is doing just that, with the city’s Green Street project adding a vibrant addition to the community, including a farmers market, event space, outdoor performance area, and a beautifully landscaped pavilion. Green Street will enhance the charm of downtown Lee’s Summit and create new public spaces for citizens, visitors, and businesses.

At SCS Engineers, we are proud to play a crucial role in the environmental remediation of the Lee’s Summit Green Street development process. Our team became involved with the city when this project was in the conceptual stages, and we’ve continued to work alongside them as the project progresses.

We begin walking through due diligence in Part II of the Green Street series on January 27.

Additional Resources:

Michael DustmanAbout the Author: Michael (Mike) Dustman is experienced in environmental project management, remedial design activities, building inspection, site assessments, and field training. He possesses an in-depth knowledge of relevant and applicable Federal, State, and local environmental laws and protocols. Mike has served numerous local agencies and private clients, including the USEPA Region 4 Superfund Technical Assessment and Response Team. Mike is a certified asbestos project designer, management planner, and building inspector, a certified air sample professional, and a certified lead-based paint inspector and lead risk assessor.

 

 

 

Posted by Diane Samuels at 11:35 am