Project of the Month: Stalingrad Ventures renovates former Hygrade Polishing and Plating Company facility brownfield site

Basement: Before redevelopment.

Before: 22-07 41st Avenue - Long Island City, NY

After: 22-07 41st Avenue - Long Island City, NY

Before: Fourth floor

Long Island City, NY Stalingrad Ventures, LLC, a company active in the redevelopment of environmentally-distressed properties in NYC, is engaged in the renovation, remediation and redevelopment at the former Hygrade Polishing and Plating Co. facility, a four-story commercial property located at 22-07 41^st Ave. This 12,500 s/f building is currently being renovated through the NYS Brownfield Cleanup Program for use as professional office space.  Since this structure was built in the 1920s, Stalingrad Ventures opted to perform a gut rehabilitation of this property using JM2 Architecture, PC. A vintage-style clock was added to the façade of the building by adding a 20 ft. art deco, parapet wall to the exterior. The interior units were refurbished in an early 1900s motif, while at the same time, adding 9 ft. by 15 ft. windows to provide skyline panoramic views of the city. These added design elements, fabricated and constructed by Joe and Dominic Caputo of Caputo Contracting, Inc. helped to create a modern contemporary feel while retaining the site’s industrial past. Caputo  said, “In regards to the basement, we removed 600 yards using only hand tools and a conveyor belt. It was quite the task! In regards to the facade, there were parts of the exterior which were deteriorated due to age which made getting the exterior brick veneer straight and flush a challenge.”

Hygrade and other earlier businesses operated a metal polishing and electroplating facility at this property from 1932 to 2012.  Upon Hygrade’s departure of the space, Stalingrad worked with the NYCDEP to properly decommission this former blighted property within the neighborhood. Utilizing the services of John Dull and Innovative Recycling Technologies, Inc., liquids from scores of process tanks were transferred to DOT-approved containers and then properly shipped to permitted facilities for final disposal. Where necessary, contaminated building materials were removed, containerized, and properly disposed at secure and permitted waste disposal facilities. Innovative Recycling Technologies, Inc (IRT) was on-site for five straight weeks to sample, analyze, package and remove the toxic and hazardous liquids found onsite when Stalingrad Ventures purchased the site. IRT removed over 277  55-gallon drums and an assortment of process tanks. Upon removal of the process waste, it took 6-8 weeks to jack hammer two floors of concrete and to remediate 8 ft. of soil in the basement. All of the work that was performed was done under the auspices of the NYCDEP and with further oversight by the NYSDEC.

Upon completion of the NYCDEP decommissioning process, Stalingrad Ventures, represented by Periconi, LLC and the Law Office of Ira Levine, Esq., entered into the NYSDEC Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP) as a volunteer.  A remedial investigation work plan was prepared, submitted to the NYSDEC, noticed in a mandatory public comment period, and approved.

Amec Foster Wheeler, an internationally-known engineering and construction company, was retained by Stalingrad Ventures to implement the remedial investigation work plan.  Project manager Eric Weinstock supervised a subsurface investigation that included the collection and analysis of soil, soil vapor and groundwater samples. Based on the results of the investigation, Amec Foster Wheeler envisions completing this Brownfield remediation by applying zero valent iron and anaerobic bioremediation product injections into the groundwater underlying the property and installing a sub-slab depressurization (SSD) system below the floor of the basement.  Total redevelopment costs are estimated at around $1.5 million.

The cleanup and redevelopment of the former Hygrade Polishing and Plating Site represented a challenge that was achieved by a cooperative working relationship between government and the private sector. Through the development and implementation of work plans and agreements, and with the productive oversight of the NYCDEP and the NYSDEC, this neglected and environmentally-impacted site is being repositioned into a commercial property that is a welcome addition to the business district.

Stalingrad Ventures would like to thank to the following individuals: Vera Spinelli, for her patience, intellect and input throughout this project; Ralph and Joe Desantis of Craft-Tech Mfg. for their manufacturing excellence; Joe Hopkins for his helpful cooperation among the various contractors; Pete Spinelli for always being available when needed; Mcglynn Hayes Elevator for their professionalism and cooperation; Frank Milicia of Milicia Electric; John Paganas of Island Energy; Rick Smilove of RS Paint; Nick Romano of Metro Realty; Marvin Raidman and Warren Baymond of DY Realty; and Paul Perez of Impact Media Productions.

22-07 41^st Avenue Project Team