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Site Report: ADOT&PF Former Holiday House Apartments

Site Name: ADOT&PF Former Holiday House Apartments
Address: 655 University Avenue, Fairbanks, AK 99709
File Number: 100.38.269
Hazard ID: 26489
Status: Active
Staff: Janice Wiegers, 9074512127 janice.wiegers@alaska.gov
Latitude: 64.847281
Longitude: -147.809848
Horizontal Datum:WGS84

We make every effort to ensure the data presented here is accurate based on the best available information currently on file with DEC. It is therefore subject to change as new information becomes available. We recommend contacting the assigned project staff prior to making decisions based on this information.

Problems/Comments

Between October 2015 and June 2015 site assessment activities were performed in conjunction with the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT&PF) University Avenue Rehabilitation & Widening Environmental project. One of the two parcels assessed during this project was the location of the former Holiday House Apartments at 655 University Avenue (aka Parcel L). Contaminated soil was encountered at the following locations during the site assessment. • 1700-gallon underground storage tank (UST) decommissioning and excavation N of the NE end of the former A & B Building; • East/West transformer pad excavation; and • South parking area excavation. A total of 224.75 tons of contaminated soil were removed from the site and transported to the OIT Inc. Moose Creek facility for disposal and treatment by thermal remediation. Analytical data indicate that contaminated soil remains in place at the top of the groundwater smear zone in the north and west side walls (10.75’ below ground surface(bgs)) and the south side and the middle (11.25’bgs) of the 1700-gallon UST excavation. Analytical results confirm that contaminant concentrations in the smear zone soil are above ADEC soil cleanup levels for benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes, gasoline range organics (GRO), diesel range organics (DRO), 1-methylnapthalene and 2-methylnapthalene. Additional excavation into the groundwater and smear zone was not undertaken due to the potential for collapsing the sidewalls of the excavation. The horizontal and vertical extents of contamination in the smear zone were not delineated. Data indicate that all analytical sample results from soil remaining in place at the East Transformer Pad, West Transformer Pad, and South Parking Lot Excavation contaminated area site were below ADEC soil cleanup levels for all tested analytes. All structures had been razed from the site in preparation for future road realignment activities.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
1/11/2016 Site Added to Database A new site has been added to the database Mitzi Read
1/11/2016 Spill Transferred from Prevention Preparedness and Response Program Spill transferred by PPR staff Patrik Sartz. Spill no. 15309911901; spill date = 4/29/15; substance = petroleum and transformer oil; quantity = unknown; PPR file no. 102.02.001. Mitzi Read
1/11/2016 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking Initial ranking with ETM completed for source area id: 79853 name: 1,700-Gallon UST Mitzi Read
2/2/2016 Update or Other Action DEC staff spoke to Sarah Schacher in DOT Design about the need to characterization of the remaining contamination. Ms. Schacher indicated DOT had purchased the property and identified herself at the best contact for now. Janice Wiegers
2/2/2016 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC reviewed Environmental Site Assessment Report prepared by ARES for R&E Environmental Inc., and dated September 1, 2015. Soil samples collected for DRO, GRO, and RRO should be flagged due to data quality issues with duplicate results - RPD's too high for some duplicates. ARES recommended groundwater characterization to delineate extent of contamination associated with the 1,700 gallon UST. Janice Wiegers
3/9/2016 Update or Other Action ADEC sends letter to DOT requiring additional site characterization to include groundwater delineation. Janice Wiegers
4/26/2017 Update or Other Action DEC emailed DOT contact to find out plans regarding additional characterization. Janice Wiegers
5/8/2017 Update or Other Action Contacted by DOT (Sarah Schacher and Lauren Little) regarding plans for work this summer. DOT anticipates hiring a QEP to continue site investigation. Janice Wiegers
10/13/2017 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Reviewed and approved work plan for additional soil and groundwater sampling. Work plan dated 10/6/17. Janice Wiegers
4/11/2019 Update or Other Action Contacted Nortech Engineering about field work from last summer. The work was completed and the report is pending. Janice Wiegers
6/12/2020 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other ADEC reviewed Nortech's Heating Oil Tank Site Assessment report, dated 4/30/2020. In October 2017, Nortech installed a temporary sampling point (TSP) in the location of the former heating oil tank. The report confirmed that petroleum contamination remains in the smear zone soil (around 10 to 12.5 feet below ground surface), but was observed at lower concentrations than in the previous sampling events. A groundwater sample was also collected from the TSP. DRO was present at 13.4 mg/L. Naphthalene and 1-methylnaphthalene also exceeded cleanup levels in the groundwater. Nortech recommended additional groundwater delineation and monitoring. Janice Wiegers
4/2/2021 Update or Other Action Received workplan for additional investigation. Janice Wiegers
4/27/2021 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC approved the workplan for additional soil and groundwater investigation. Approval email noted that vapor intrusion may be a future exposure pathway that will need to be considered. DEC is also aware of some dewatering activity occurring at the end of Halverson Road for road upgrades along University Avenue. Janice Wiegers
5/3/2021 Potentially Responsible Party/State Interest Letter PRP letter sent to Lauren Little at DOT. Janice Wiegers
11/26/2021 Exposure Tracking Model Ranking A new updated ranking with ETM has been completed for source area 79853 1,700-Gallon UST. Janice Wiegers
12/2/2021 Offsite Soil or Groundwater Disposal Approved DEC approved transport of 1.33 cubic feet of contaminated soil from ADOT&PF Former Holiday House Apartments and ADOT&PF Former 4-Plex - 895 University Avenue for thermal treatment at the US Ecololgy Moose Creek facility. Janice Wiegers
3/8/2025 Offsite Soil or Groundwater Disposal Approved Groundwater deliniation report submitted. Janice Wiegers
5/9/2025 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Groundwater delineation report dated 12/19/2024 was submitted. In September 2021, a temporary well point was placed in the former tank excavation. Soil contamination at 14 ft, including DRO, naphthalene, 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene, 1-methylnaphthalene, and 2-methynaphthalene. Groundwater was contaminated with DRO, benzene, ethylbenzene, and naphthalene. Three monitoring wells were then installed around the former excavation and sampled in October 2021 and June 2022. MW-L1 was contaminated with DRO and naphthalene. The other two, MW-L2 and MW-L3, were not contaminated. MW-L1 is located east of the former tank, about 60 ft from Noyes Slough. Janice Wiegers
5/9/2025 Update or Other Action DEC sent a letter approving the 12/19/2024 report and concurred with Nortech's recommendations for additional delineation toward Noyes Slough. DEC recommended that additional delineation include seasonal (high and low groundwater events) for a year of sampling. Janice Wiegers

Contaminant Information

Name Level Description Media Comments

Control Type

Type Details
No ICs Required

Requirements

Description Details
Advance approval required to transport soil or groundwater off-site.
Movement or use of contaminated material (including on site) in a manner that results in a violation of the water quality standards is prohibited (18 AAC 70)

No associated sites were found.

Missing Location Data

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State of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation

P.O. Box 111800
Juneau, AK 99811-1800
Phone: 907-465-5066
Fax: 907-465-5245
TDD: 800-770-8973
Physical Location: 410 Willoughby