Redevelopment of 5 Arthur Street

Since 2009, XCG has been working at 5 Arthur Street in Guelph, ON, assisting in the redevelopment of a long-time industrial property into an up-scale urban development. XCG was retained by Arthur Four EMPC Limited (EMPC) in 2009 to complete due diligence activities at the former industrial property located at 5 Arthur Street in Guelph, Ontario to support the purchase of the site. The site was developed for industrial use in the 1860’s and was occupied by a distillery, mill, and foundry and involved the manufacturing of farm equipment, tools, and freezers.

In late 2010 and early 2011, demolition activities were completed at the site to remove the majority of the site structures, with the exception of several buildings in the north portion of the property, which were deemed to have cultural/historical/architectural significance. Following the completion of demolition activities, XCG conducted additional investigative activities to further evaluate the soil and shallow groundwater quality beneath the site. XCG also developed preliminary screening level property-specific standards (PSS) for soil and groundwater to further refine the proposed remedial action plan to be implemented at the site for future residential/commercial redevelopment.

Following development of the screening level PSS, a Risk Assessment (RA) was completed for the site, based on the results of the previous site investigations. Based on the results of the RA, revised PSS was developed for the site and a remedial action plan (RAP) was implemented to reduce the concentrations of on-site contaminants of concern (COCs) to levels below the RA derived PSS. Activities conducted under the RAP included the excavation and off-site disposal of impacted soils, and in-situ treatment of VOC-impacted saturated soil and groundwater.

Applying the extensive geological and hydrogeological information collected through the various site investigations and assessment work, XCG developed a groundwater flow model using Visual ModFlow numerical modelling software. The groundwater flow model was to developed to assist in the assessment of risk to the local municipal water supply aquifer.

Upon final confirmation that the on- site groundwater met the RA-derived PSS, XCG submitted all of the required documentation to obtain a Record of Site Condition (RSC) for the site, which was part of a proposed agreement of purchase and sale with a local developer. A Certificate of Property Use (CPU) was also issued as part of the regulatory approval of the RA, which provides guidance for the implementation of risk management measures during the future development and occupancy of the site for residential/commercial purposes.

Following successful acknowledgement of the RSC from the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change, the site was sold to a local developer, Fusion Homes, for the redevelopment of the site as a mixed high end commercial residential plaza.

XCG assisted Arthur St. Development Inc. (Development Branch of Fusion Homes) in maintaining compliance with requirements of the CPU, including development and implementation of soil and groundwater management plans for future site redevelopment activities.

In support of construction activities, XCG assisted Fusion Homes with acquiring authorization for on-site construction dewatering through the Environmental Activity and Sector Registry (EASR). XCG undertook the on-line submittal of various information and documentation, including the required Water Taking Report and Discharge Report, and the annual submittal of water taking records.