PHILOSOPHY
We strive to be a true partner with our clients, not simply a consultant providing a product. At Griffin Environmental, we constantly identify opportunities where we can provide our clients with information and expert advice so they can make the best business decisions possible.
PROJECT COLLABORATION | COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS | ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS
PROJECTS
Do you have a potential project or environmental hurdle that you would like to explore? Are you still in the speculative phase of a project and want to know what your environmental liabilities, needs, and costs may be?
Griffin Environmental would be more than happy to discuss your project with you so that you can be armed with the best information possible, allowing you to make the best business decisions for your business and project. Recent featured projects are showcased below detailing how Griffin Environmental assisted our clients with overcoming their environmental hurdles and delivering a successful project, on budget and on time.
FEATURED PROJECT:
EXPEDITED, SELL-SIDE, MULTI-STATE DUE DILIGENCE PROJECT FOR
INTERNATIONAL CLIENT
CLIENT: Webasto Roof Systems, Inc., a tier one global supplier of roof systems to automotive OEMs in the field of mobility.
DESCRIPTION: Client required expedited turnaround of seller-side environmental due diligence (Phase I ESAs) on four industrial properties located in Michigan and Kentucky in order to facilitate a corporate sell and lease back strategy. Coordinated with C-suite personnel, corporate legal counsel, local plant management, and real estate team at Plante Moran to meet project deadline.
CHALLENGES: The challenges of this project included meeting the 15-day expedited turnaround time in order to maintain the existing real estate sale timeline and marketing plan and managing coordination between all stakeholders to facilitate site visits and report delivery.
​​​SOLUTIONS: Upon project authorization, immediately coordinated with C-suite personnel, corporate legal counsel, real estate team members at Plante Moran, and local plant management at the four sites in Michigan and Kentucky to establish site reconnaissance dates. Maintained daily contact with all stakeholders to keep everyone apprised of project progress and to maintain timeline integrity.
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RESULTS: Met the 15-day project deadline that allowed for the seamless initiation of the real estate sales and marketing plan and sharing of Phase I ESA reports with prospective buyers. Sale of three of the four properties completed shortly after completion of the seller-side due diligence project by Griffin.
RECENT PROJECT:
EXPEDITED INDUSTRIAL SITE INVESTIGATION AND EGLE SITE-SPECIFIC TARGET LEVEL REQUEST
CLIENT: Global automotive industry leader specializing in the production of body-in-white closures, exhaust systems, and closure manufacturing equipment.
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DESCRIPTION: Client needed an expedited environmental due diligence investigation completed in order to receive liability protection and meet due care obligations, while preventing disruption of their $26,000,000 expansion project.
CHALLENGES: Challenges for this project included an expedited due diligence period due to a previous consultant not having availability to meet the client's timeline after starting the project, as well as meeting due care obligations for a contaminated site.
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SOLUTIONS: Assumed control of the project and expedited the investigation in order to meet the Baseline Environmental Assessment (BEA) 45-day window with only 17 calendar days remaining in order to secure environmental liability protection for the client as part of their multi-million dollar investment and expansion. Provided significant project coordination with with team including attorneys, real estate company personnel, and client leadership. After determination and analysis of site contamination and due care hurdles, Griffin prepared an EGLE site-specific target level (SSTL) request to solve a potential vapor intrusion due care issue. Application of the SSTL eliminated the potential vapor intrusion issue, solving the client's due care issue without the need for additional expensive site investigation, as well as safeguarding the client's employees working within the site building.
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RESULTS: Secured environmental liability protection (BEA) for the client within a 17-day window. Identified and solved potential vapor intrusion due care issue through the application of EGLE SSTL. Protected client's workers and met due care obligations.
RECENT PROJECT:
DUE DILIGENCE AND DUE CARE INVESTIGATION FOR CLIENT PURCHASE OF MULTI-PARCEL, MULTI-RELEASE LUST SITE
CLIENT: New York based developer and gas station operator, expanding into Michigan market.
DESCRIPTION: Client required environmental due diligence and due care analysis of a multi-parcel/multi-release LUST site. Activities included a two-pronged Phase I ESA, Phase II ESA, and preparation of BEAs and Due Care Plans for multiple entities. Worked hand-in-hand with client's legal counsel from New York and Michigan to address all environmental issues as well as assist with Purchase Agreement negotiations .
CHALLENGES: Challenges for this project included working through incorrect/poorly prepared previous investigation reports in order to properly identify all environmental liabilities for the client, coordination with EGLE Project Manager as to the current status of on-going LUST investigations and remedial activities for two separate parcels with separate histories and releases, identifying all due care hurdles and obligations prior to the client closing on the site, and assist the client's Michigan and New York lawyers with drafting a Purchase Agreement that would protect the client from existing liability, while addressing all applicable due care obligations relative to the purchase price.
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SOLUTIONS: Initial significant file review activities were conducted, coupled with communications with EGLE Project Manager in order to verify the current LUST status for both parcels. Seller/consultant indicated that southern parcel was a Closed LUST site, but Griffin determined that it was in fact an Open LUST site, and conducted a significant investigation in order to update 30 year-old data for that parcel, while verifying data on the northern parcel. Information derived from the multi-faceted Phase II ESA investigation also verified current sub-slab soil vapor conditions that were not properly/completely investigated. Analysis of all results were utilized for both environmental due diligence and due care purposes, prior to completion of a final Purchase Agreement. Constant communication with NY and MI legal counsel maintained throughout the project allowed the client to make a much more informed decision and strategic offer. Baseline Environmental Assessments were prepared for multiple entities (owner and operator) as well as a site Due Care Plan.
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RESULTS: Assisted team with crafting a more strategic Purchase Agreement, client completed their purchase of both parcels, and secured environmental liability protection (BEAs) for the client entities.
RECENT PROJECT:
NINE SITE ENVIRONMENTAL DUE DILIGENCE AND PROPERTY CONDITION ASSESSMENTS
CLIENT: International Fast Food Restaurant Franchisee and Real Estate Company
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DESCRIPTION: Client needed Phase I ESAs and Property Condition Assessments (PCAs) completed for nine sites located across the country within a three-week expedited turnaround timeframe as part of 1031 exchange project totaling approximately $65,000,000.
CHALLENGES: Challenges for this project included extremely short due diligence period, properties located across the country in eight different states, and working with seven different lending institutions. Project management with project team included multiple attorneys, real estate representatives, building managers, and lending representatives.
SOLUTIONS: Created tracking matrix for all phases of site access, environmental due diligence, PCA, project milestones and deadlines, and communications with entire project team. Coordinated all site personnel to conduct Phase I ESAs and PCAs, prepare, review, and delivered all reports to all project team members.
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RESULTS: Completed all nine Phase I ESA and PCAs on-time, and on-budget, which allowed client to make numerous informed business decisions with regards to, building management requirements/costs, environmental and compliance issues that would need to be addressed, and ultimately to purchase each site or look for other opportunities.
RECENT PROJECT:
ASBESTOS ABATEMENT, DEMOLITION, DUE DILGENCE, AND EXCAVATION
CLIENT: Kroger and CEC, Inc.
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DESCRIPTION: Site redevelopment project converting an old K-Mart property into a new Kroger grocery store.
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CHALLENGES: Numerous and incomplete asbestos inspections and due diligence investigations conducted by various previous consultants left the client with an unclear understanding of the environmental issues at the site. Complete all environmental tasks without impacting the redevelopment schedule for the new Kroger store.
SOLUTIONS: Worked with staff from CEC's St. Louis office to identify and investigate all environmental issues. Conducted asbestos abatement inspections to allow for the demolition of the original K-Mart building, Phase I and II ESA activities for env. liability purposes, and soil screening and excavation of contaminated soils from the original auto service center onsite, as well as the original parking lot to allow for the installation of an underground storm water detention system.
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RESULTS: Kroger opened the new grocery store in the Spring of 2021.