Challenge
GZA assisted the City of New York as it prepared for the demolition of the historic Yankee Stadium, re-use of the site as Heritage Field, and development of associated recreational park land along the nearby Bronx River waterfront.
Solution
GZA completed a Hazardous Materials Investigation (HMI) for the stadium, constructed in 1923. The HMI located and quantified environmental parameters—including asbestos-containing materials (ACM), lead paint, solid and hazardous waste, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and universal waste (UW)—that required consideration during the structure’s demolition. GZA completed a visual inspection of the building’s structural components; utility systems (electrical, mechanical, and plumbing); interior spaces; building contents; and building exterior. GZA also collected samples of suspect materials, some of which were documented previously by others. GZA then estimated the costs to remediate identified materials prior to building demolition. During demolition, GZA provided air monitoring for asbestos abatement activities.
GZA also performed environmental testing on the old stadium’s concrete, determining that it could serve as fill material for Heritage Field, saving disposal and fill costs. Heritage Field is a new public recreation area located at the former stadium site. GZA’s geotechnical services for the Heritage Field development, which required the placement of up to 17 feet of fill to bring the former playing field up to grade level, supported the construction of a pile-supported comfort station and a retaining wall. Additional geotechnical engineering was required for the associated sewer relocation project which comprised approximately 1000 linear feet, with the sewer located to a depth of approximately 20 feet. GZA conducted a soils investigation, including soil borings, design and implementation of lateral earth support systems, as well as other contractor support services.
This project also included the redevelopment of a nearby historic but degraded industrial waterfront into park land with recreational facilities and open space—the Bronx Terminal Market Waterfront Park. GZA, with Stantec, prepared environmental permit applications to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and US Army Corps of Engineers. GZA closely coordinated with both agencies, determining wetland boundaries, characterizing the marine habitat features, specifying native/non-invasive plantings, and developing the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). Relative to the site’s environmental constraints and agency comments, GZA then coordinated with Stantec to modify the final design of the conceptual waterfront plans.
Benefit
GZA’s multidisciplinary services supported the revitalization of this iconic venue and surrounding facilities.
