Quarry Yards Microsoft Campus
United Consulting was retained to develop creative solutions to enable Urban Creek Partners to successfully close on the sale of a 68.5-acre complex property, which was later developed into a Microsoft campus. The site presented multiple environmental challenges and involved several key stakeholders, including Atlanta Beltline, Georgia Power, and the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA). Our experts conducted 24 Standard Penetration Test (SPT) borings in order to provide recommendations regarding the general type and condition of the subsurface soils in relation to potential foundation alternatives, site grading, and pavement design. This included the potential to encounter partially weathered rock (PWR) and rock during excavation and how to incorporate our foundation recommendations into these areas.
Portions of the property previously operated as Bankhead Enterprises, comprising of seven manufacturing buildings that supported a metal foundry, sandblasting, painting, and maintenance/repair operations. Another section functioned as a gasoline fueling station from 1951 to 1971. Additionally, parts of the property were enrolled in the Georgia Brownfield Program under a Prospective Purchaser Corrective Action Plan (PPCAP), which received approval from the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) in 2019.
Our project team conducted extensive Brownfield characterization sampling to evaluate soil and groundwater conditions across the site. Environmental testing included volatile organic compounds (VOCs), semi-VOCs (SVOCs), and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) metals. The analysis identified a large area requiring soil remediation, including excavation and landfill disposal. Located in a topographic low area near Proctor Creek, the site posed challenges related to stormwater management, erosion, and sediment control. A groundwater discharge permit was obtained from the City of Atlanta to facilitate water management during the remediation process.
Soil remediation was driven by SVOCs and RCRA metals. The characteristically hazardous soil was treated with EnviroBlend® to support its disposal at a Subtitle D landfill. Approximately 9,000 tons of impacted soil was excavated and disposed of offsite. United Consulting used ground penetrating radar (GPR) to assess possible underground storage tanks (USTs), identifying four on the former Bankhead Enterprises property. The USTs were characterized, pumped of fluids, and removed in accordance with Brownfield and UST Rules. Asbestos and lead-based paint surveys were also conducted, and several buildings were abated prior to demolition. Following site characterization and remediation activities, United Consulting prepared the final Brownfield document, the Prospective Purchaser Compliance Status Report (PPCSR). Approval of this report was a condition for the pending property transaction. The PPCSR was submitted to the EPD and approved a month after submission.
