Project Location: Renton, Washington

Client: Zelman Renton, L.L.C.

Construction Cost: $3 million

Wilder’s Role: Prime

Construction Period: 6/98 – 9/99

The Sternoff property is a former automobile recycling facility.  Several waste streams resulted from site operations including lead leaching and PCB contaminated “auto fluff.”  Zelman Renton, L.L.C. purchased this 45-acre property from the Sternoff trust with the inherited responsibility of remediating the site and the intention of implementing further development.  Wilder Construction was contracted to perform the remediation activities and satisfy the Consent Decree.  The project was phased to facilitate the development efforts.  Phases 1 and 2 were completed in 1998 and have received Department of Ecology certification of compliance.  Phase 3 began in late summer of 1999 and is in progress. 

The project initiated with the demolition of 23 site structures including the former auto shredding warehouse, the scale house and a PCB transformer draining building.  Over 7,000 tons of concrete was crushed onsite to a 5/8” minus top course rock and stockpiled for future use.  The entire 45 acres was cleared and grubbed.  Over 10 acres of cottonwood was cleared and sent to pulp mills.  Several thousand tons of debris was collected, sorted, and sent off site for disposal or recycling.  The remediation efforts in 1998 included excavating and handling 2,500 cubic yards of Dangerous Waste; lead contaminated soil; 2,500 cubic yards of “wire fluff;” seven shipments of to be incinerated PCB contaminated soil and debris; and a myriad of isolated pockets of contaminated soil.

The remediation efforts of 1999 will primarily include the excavation, stabilization and backfill of approximately 80,000 cubic yards of auto fluff and wire fluff.  Stabilization will be achieved through the addition of cement.  The placement of the stabilized material is critical and the future development plans determine the working locations.  The material will be placed to accommodate future building footings and utility corridors.  Ultimately, the site will be developed for commercial use.