Lowry Assumption, LLC
Denver, CO
Project Details
This project is 1,866 acres of land that served as a United States Air Force Base from 1937 to 1994. That history left behind contamination that kept the property from being redeveloped. Through a unique agreement, responsibility for the cleanup was privatized in a cooperative effort between the U.S. Air Force, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), the Lowry Economic Redevelopment Authority (LERA), and RESIGHT (via Lowry Assumption).
That agreement expedited the remediation work and accelerated development, and the master plan created a mixed-use community. The project officially closed after 20 years, and today the property is Lowry, one of Denver’s newest neighborhoods.
$68 million in funding for expedited remediation, and a groundwater plume reduced by more than 95% over 20 years.
Background
Our Solution
- The groundwater contamination treatment began in 2004 and by 2021 the plume was reduced by greater than 95% (when compared to data collected in 2001). The treatment focused on injections.
- Soil contamination was addressed through a plan that resulted in both a “cap” creation and the shipment of contaminated soil off site to a qualified location for handling.
Challenges
- Groundwater contamination created a plume contaminated by trichlorethylene (TCE).
- Soil contamination was from asbestos and other regulated contaminants.
Impact
- RESIGHT’s remediation efforts saved the U.S. Air Force approximately $13 million dollars in expenses.
- Brought a contaminated property into reuse creating a mixed-use community.
- 76 acres portioned off for an educational campus.
- 800 acres of open space and/or recreational use for the community.
- 32 acres of commercial space made available and developed.
- 960 acres of residential space made available and developed.
- As of 2005, 71% of businesses located in Lowry employ fewer than 50 workers, qualifying as small businesses. In addition, 52% of non-residential space was owner-occupied. These numbers have grown through the years.
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