Safety fears will delay Deutsch Bank razing

Real Estate Weekly, Feb 9, 2005 by Barbara Nelson

The EPA said the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation's plan for decontaminating the former Deutsch Bank building at 130 Liberty Street needs revamping before the skyscraper can be safely razed.

In comments from several federal and state regulatory agencies this week, the EPA said the LMDC's plan for the buidling needs more safety measures.

The EPA's comments address implementation of best management practices for all areas of the work during deconstruction, expansion of containment measures to control potential releases of contaminants, and development of a comprehensive air monitoring program to intercept and address releases.

"It is evident that there is significant potential for releases of contamination during both the Phase 1A and the Phase 1B deconstruction if appropriate safeguards are not implemented," said Pat Evangelista, EPA Region 2 in her comment letter to the LMDC.

"The draft deconstruction specifications set forth "site-specific" protocols by LMDC's contractor for the removal of 'contaminated dust, debris and materials.' In EPA's judgment, the December 10, 2004 specifications or 'protocols' for the work, while adequate in some areas, need to be materially strengthened in several principal respects, as set forth in the enclosed comments." LMDC officials say they won't move forward without a plan taking into consideration all comments from governmental regulatory agencies and the public.

"The commencement of the deconstruction will begin shortly after we have an approved plan," said Joanna Rose, a spokesperson for LMDC.

"We are awaiting comments from the regulators. Once received, we will incorporate their comments/guidance and the public's comments into a draft final plan that we will again submit for regulator approval. We cannot begin the deconstruction without an approved plan."

After incorporating changes to the proposed specifications based on the regulatory comments, the updated and revised Phase 1 deconstruction plan will be resubmitted to EPA and the other regulatory agencies for final review as to their acceptability prior to the start of deconstruction work.