Tampa Housing Authority

GLE has served as the environmental consultant and remediation contractor for the THA under an IDIQ contract since 1998. In this capacity, we have completed over 200 projects for THA. Projects have included environmental site assessments and engineering, asbestos and lead based paint consulting and abatement for the demolition of multiple housing projects for reconstruction under the Hope VI Program. GLE has also provided Underground Storage Tank (UST) removal, various Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) and building envelope evaluations.

GLE has performed Phase I ESAs and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Checklists, including completion of United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Form 4128, which included compliance findings for §50.4 Related Laws and Authorities. As part of each investigation, GLE obtained a NEPA database report in order to address items listed in the HUD Form 4128. To supplement the NEPA database, GLE reviewed available maps, submitted Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests to local authorities for information pertaining to state historical preservation, US Fish and Wildlife Service, etc. At the completion of the project, GLE prepared a final report summarizing the investigation, including the completed HUD 4128 form and supporting documentation. GLE also performs Environmental Record Reviews (ERRs) per 24 CFR Part 58. The ERRs are used to decide whether a HUD venture is eligible for funding by addressing a variety of categories that may affect the completed project.

North Boulevard Homes and Community Property
GLE has been conducting environmental assessments at the Property known as the North Boulevard Homes public housing complex, which encompasses 680 housing units on approximately 57 acres along West Main Street in Tampa, Florida, since 2010. This is part of the west river redevelopment project.

In 2010, 2014, and 2017, GLE conducted US Housing and Urban Development (HUD) required Part 50 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) assessments to assist the Housing Authority determine whether planned redevelopment activities to be funded by HUD would result in significant environmental impacts to the Property. No significant impacts were identified.

GLE conducted a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (Phase I ESA) at the North Boulevard Homes property. Research conducted during the Phase I ESA identified on- and off-site Recognized Environmental Conditions, including historical cleaners and automotive repair facilities on the Property, and off-site facilities with documented subsurface contamination with potential to impact the Property. As a result, subsurface assessment was recommended to determine the type and extent of impact, if any, by the prior activities.

GLE conducted a limited Phase II Environmental Site Assessment (Phase II ESA), which consisted of forty-seven soil borings with soil and groundwater sampling. Results of laboratory analysis indicated elevated concentrations of vinyl chloride in four locations, and lead and chromium in two locations. Based on the results of the assessment, GLE recommended installation of permanent monitoring wells in the six locations to facilitate future monitoring. In addition, based on the location and identified groundwater flow direction at the property, GLE concluded that the vinyl chloride contamination was impacting the property from an offsite former chemical company, with an approximate 18-acre plume causing impacts to the North Boulevard Homes property. GLE further concluded that the property would continue to be impacted by the offsite property unless or until groundwater migration could be controlled, or the offsite property underwent active remediation. Additional subsurface testing in 2016 verified continuing impacts from the off-site facility.

The North Boulevard Homes property is currently in the process of redevelopment. In 2017, GLE conducted an additional assessment at the property which included the following:

Direct push technology (DPT) groundwater sampling at 14 locations
Permanent shallow, intermediate and deep monitor well installation totaling 20 wells
Groundwater sampling for chlorinated solvents, and
Determination of the groundwater hydraulic gradient in two separate hydraulic zones.

The assessment determined the following:
The shallow surficial aquifer and the intermediate aquifer were both impacted with vinyl chloride (VC) above groundwater cleanup target levels (GCTLs), while the top of the Floridan Aquifer was not impacted.
Groundwater flow in both the surficial and intermediate aquifers was towards the northeast and the Hillsborough River.
Research indicated that the up-gradient source of the VC was from a known hazardous waste site called Former Industrial Chemical Supply, located approximately 0.25 miles southwest of the property.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) granted the property a No Further Assessment status based on GLE’s findings. GLE is currently working with the client developing a restrictive covenant and brownfields application for the property.

GLE has also conducted projects related to mold assessments in damaged facilities, feasibility assessments for past and present project sites relative to potential environmental contamination, Phase I environmental site assessments, feasibility analyses for the redevelopment of old landfill sites owned by the THA, radon testing, HUD Noise Assessments and other indoor air quality work.

Lead-Based Paint
GLE has conducted lead paint surveys in 15 Tampa Housing Authority residential multi-family properties. The surveys were conducted utilizing XRF technology in a randomly selected number of units for a 95% confidence of the nearly 2,200 units assessed, in accordance with HUD Guidelines. GLE has also conducted follow-up evaluations including paint chip sampling, and abatement project monitoring, to lower the risk posed by lead paint in housing units.

GLE also conducts risk assessments in Tampa Housing Authority properties that are determined to house minors with Elevated Blood Levels (EBL). EBL Assessments are enhanced risk assessments designed to determine whether the lead exposure within the housing unit may be the cause of the elevated blood lead level. The risk assessment includes an occupant interview, and identification and sampling for potential lead hazards, including paint, dust, soil and water samples. GLE has conducted over 30 EBL risk assessments for THA.