Update on the Giant Development Project and Soil Contamination

Here is an update on the contaminated soil found at the location where Giant will be building a modern supermarket and residential/retail complex.  This update was posted earlier today by ANC Commissioner Nancy MacWood on our companion email list, the Cleveland Park Listserv.  You can read our earlier article about the contaminated soil found at the Wisconsin Avenue and Newark Street site here. 

As many people have heard, Giant has filed an application with the District Dept. of the Environment to participate in its Voluntary Cleanup Program ("VCP"). Why? Boring samples at the site revealed that there are dry cleaning related fluids in the ground on the Newark Street side of north block. This is apparently not unusual but it does require the soil underneath the building to be removed according to prescribed standards. Once the buildings are demolished and excavation begins, there will be trained officials on site to measure the dirt as it is excavated. If the measurements require, the soil will be contained and disposed of according the EPA standards. Any dirt that is placed in open trucks (with covers) will not be contaminated.

There is also some petroleum residue in the north block from an old underground fuel tank that was removed earlier. The process for removing the soil that has this contamination will be similar. It is possible that there could be a discernible gasoline smell for a few days during excavation. I am told that this is not dangerous and that it will be gone within days.

At this point, DDOE has asked Giant to do some more boring sampling. When that is completed, Giant will develop a Clean Up Action Plan that will be reviewed by DDOE. When the clean up is complete, there will be additional sampling to determine that all contaminated soil has been removed. Giant will submit a closure report and if its findings are verified DDOE will issue a Certificate of Completion. At each stage of this process, the receipt of submissions will be noticed in the D.C. Register and to the ANC for comment.

The DC law requiring the clean up has been in effect since 2002. There have been approximately 20 clean ups with the baseball stadium requiring the largest clean up.

The above information is based on a conversation I had with the chief of the Land Remediation and Development Branch of DDOE.

Newark Street Giant Update (Yes, It's Still Happening)

Here is the latest update on the status of the Giant supermarket and residential/retail complex, which will be located at Wisconsin Avenue and Newark Street. To briefly recap, the modernization of the Giant supermarket has been the focus of a decade long battle in the Cleveland Park neighborhood. Now, after numerous hearings, lawsuits and debate, Cleveland Park will be getting a new, modern supermarket. You can read about the history of the battle here.

Without further ado, here is the update from ANC-3C Commissioner Trudy Reeves:

I have received the following information from Giant's representative:

"Giant is in the pre-development stage for its Wisconsin Avenue site, Cathedral Commons, and does not have a construction start date or schedule at this time. The company's consulting engineering team will be conducting a number of borings as part of its pre-construction geo-technical due diligence. To do this, there will be at least one drill rig on site for about one month beginning in March taking samples at both the north and the south parcels."

Their web site, www.WisconsinAveGiant.com, has not yet been updated with construction information, but they have told us that when they have information, they will post it.

Grand Opening of the Newark Street Dog Park on Saturday

Update: the opening time has been moved to11am.

The grand opening of the Newark Street Dog Park at 39th and Newark Streets, NW will take place this Saturday, September 11 at 9:30 AM 11 AM. Mayor Adrian Fenty, officials from DC Parks and Recreation, and other elected and administrative officials are scheduled to be on hand to officially open the park. Everyone --whether you have four legs or two-- is welcome to attend.