Brownfield Remediation and Redevelopment in Ohio
Redeveloping a contaminated brownfield site in Ohio can feel complicated. But, with the right plan, funding strategy, and field execution, a brownfield site can move from “risky” to “shovel-ready” on a predictable schedule. O’ROURKE combines environmental investigation, remediation, demolition, and site prep under one team. You get clear direction, clean documentation, and a site that supports real construction timelines.
What Is A Brownfield In Ohio
A brownfield is property where the presence or potential presence of hazardous substances or petroleum complicates redevelopment. It is not the same as a Superfund site. In Ohio, many owners and developers address brownfields through the Ohio EPA Voluntary Action Program (VAP). The VAP offers a defined path to investigate risk, clean up to protective standards, and document the result so lenders, buyers, and communities can move forward.
Common examples include former factories, rail yards, dry cleaners, gas stations, foundries, and riverfront parcels with fill. Many locations need tank removals, asbestos abatement, and selective demolition before soil or groundwater remedies begin.
Our Brownfield Services In Ohio
We handle everything from first look to final closeout. Our team aligns investigation, remedy, demolition, and site grading so your schedule stays intact.
- Phase I Environmental Site Assessment using ASTM E1527-21 and All Appropriate Inquiry. File review, interviews, and a site visit to map recognized environmental conditions.
- Phase II ESA following ASTM E1903. Soil, groundwater, and soil gas sampling with a clear data quality plan. Field tools include PID meters, XRF for metals screening, GPS survey, and data logging.
- Remedial Action Plan development. We evaluate alternatives, select a remedy that meets risk targets, and sequence work with demolition and earthwork.
- Soil and groundwater remedies. Excavation and off-haul, in situ stabilization and solidification, air sparging with soil vapor extraction, pump and treat where needed, and bioremediation. We use real-time decision tools to limit rework.
- BUSTR tank services. Locate, clean, and remove USTs and associated piping. Manage corrective action where a release is confirmed.
- Hazardous materials abatement. Asbestos, lead, and PCB management within existing structures. Regulated waste packaging and disposal with full chain of custody.
- Demolition and site prep. Selective or structural demolition, recycling of concrete and steel, backfill, compaction, and rough grading to design subgrades.
- Documentation and closure. Certified Professional coordination, NFA preparation, CNS support, environmental covenants, and operation and maintenance plans when controls remain.
We manage data with secure platforms used across the industry. Examples include EQuIS for environmental data, ESdat for validation and reporting, and ArcGIS for mapping. For scheduling and coordination, we use Primavera P6 and Microsoft Project so your milestones stay visible.
Turnkey Brownfield Delivery With O’ROURKE
Brownfields cross disciplines. Owners lose time when multiple firms hand off tasks and re-mobilize. Our model keeps planning, abatement, demolition, and remediation under one roof. That gives you one point of accountability and a schedule that reflects the whole site, not one slice of it.
Hazardous Materials Abatement
We identify and remove asbestos, lead-based paint, PCB-containing materials, and other regulated components. Our crews follow NESHAP and OSHA standards and prepare disposal documentation that will stand up in audits. Abatement clears the way for safe, efficient demolition.
Structural and Selective Demolition
Demolition methods depend on the structure type and the neighborhood. Hospitals, mills, and warehouses require different sequencing. We stage water trucks and misting systems for dust control. Traffic plans protect neighbors. Materials are sorted for recycling when feasible. Foundation removal and slab breakup proceed once abatement is complete.
Underground Storage Tank Removal and BUSTR Coordination
Petroleum sites require permits, closure plans, and chain-of-custody for soils and water. Our teams remove tanks, manage product and sludge, excavate impacted soils, and collect confirmation samples. We coordinate with BUSTR and align with VAP if the site is heading toward an NFA.
Soil and Groundwater Remediation
Many sites can be addressed with excavation and off-site disposal or treatment. Others need in-situ remedies like chemical oxidation, air sparging, or soil vapor extraction. We select methods that fit your redevelopment schedule and your risk targets. Field teams collect defensible samples. Reports explain what was done, what was found, and what remains monitored.
Waste Profiling and Documentation
Every truckload and roll-off needs a home. We prepare profiles, lab data, manifests, and bills of lading. You receive a complete closeout package with volume totals, disposal certificates, and lab reports. That record supports future loans and sale.
Site Made Shovel-Ready
When remediation is complete, we backfill, compact, and rough grade. If your project includes new utilities, we coordinate with your civil team and the city. The handoff is simple. Your builder walks onto a clear, graded site with known conditions.
Our Process
- Site screening and goals. We discuss ownership status, end use, funding options, and schedule.
- Phase I ESA and data review. We identify data gaps and probable contaminants and create an initial sampling plan.
- Funding strategy. We match the project with Ohio Brownfield Remediation, JobsOhio, and U.S. EPA grant paths. We define the sponsor, timeline, and required attachments.
- Phase II ESA and risk evaluation. We complete borings and wells, sample soil and groundwater, and run a human health risk screen.
- Remedial Action Plan and sequencing. We align remedy, abatement, demolition, and site work so crews move once and work does not conflict.
- Implementation. We run health and safety plans, dust and noise controls, traffic plans, and waste characterization.
- Verification and reporting. We confirm performance with confirmatory sampling and develop the NFA package with the Certified Professional.
- Closure and care. We support Ohio EPA review for the Covenant Not to Sue and set up any long-term monitoring, engineering controls, and operation and maintenance.
Funding and Incentives Guide
Use this summary to line up your path. We can prepare the forms, schedules, cost opinions, and attachments that sponsors require.
| Program | Costs Covered | Who Applies | Match | Typical Uses | How O’ROURKE helps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio Brownfield Remediation Program | Assessment, cleanup, demolition, site infrastructure tied to cleanup | County or local sponsor | Varies by round | Former industrial parcels, corridors, mixed-use | Scope and budget, readiness checklist, letters of commitment, schedule, and narrative |
| JobsOhio Revitalization | Assessment, cleanup, demolition tied to jobs and investment | Private company with JobsOhio partner | Match required | Manufacturing reuse, logistics, large commercial | Remedial design, cost modeling, phasing plan linked to hiring and capital spend |
| U.S. EPA Brownfields | Multipurpose, assessment, cleanup grants for public and nonprofit entities | Local government, tribe, nonprofit | Often no match for assessment | Downtown clusters, corridor plans, pre-development | Site inventories, eligibility support, sampling plans, and shovel-ready remediation scopes |
| Building Demolition and Site Revitalization | Demolition and site stabilization | County | Varies by county | Blighted structures, unsafe buildings | Abatement, demo, recycling plan, backfill, and coordination with remaining cleanup |
If your project needs multiple sources, we map the timeline so applications, award dates, and construction windows fit together.
Project Types We Tackle
- Heavy manufacturing and foundry sites with metals and solvents
- Rail yards and maintenance facilities with petroleum impacts
- Dry cleaners with chlorinated solvents in soil gas
- Retail fueling and terminals with tanks and piping
- Hospitals, schools, and campuses that need phased demolition and abatement
- Riverfront fill areas with heterogeneous materials and debris
- Urban infill parcels that need compact footprints and tight logistics
Compliance, Safety, and Community
Safety sits at the center of our plan. Every project has a site-specific health and safety plan. Crews receive daily briefings and task hazard analyses. We set dust control with water trucks and misting. We use noise monitoring when sensitive neighbors are present. Stormwater controls follow Ohio EPA construction stormwater standards. Waste characterization and profiling match disposal facility acceptance criteria, and manifests document every load.
When the remedy depends on controls, we design institutional and engineering controls that fit the future use. Examples include environmental covenants, vapor mitigation systems for buildings, and caps or pavement sections that prevent exposure. We develop inspection and maintenance plans so owners can manage controls without surprises.
Public communication matters. We coordinate with local governments, economic development teams, and utilities. When needed, we support public meetings with clear graphics, schedules, and construction impacts, and we provide a project contact for questions.
Why O’ROURKE for Ohio Brownfields
- One accountable team for investigation, remediation, abatement, demolition, and site prep.
- Experience across Ohio with VAP closures, BUSTR tank removals, and large demolition programs.
- Strong planning and logistics. Our schedule integrates with your lender, sponsor, and builder milestones.
- Cost control through recycling, right-sized excavation, and direct disposal relationships.
- Documentation that satisfies lenders, buyers, and Ohio EPA reviewers.
- Equipment depth. High-reach excavators, shears, processors, roll-off fleets, and GPS-guided grading.
- A clear point of contact who drives coordination with your engineer, Certified Professional, and local sponsors.
Ohio Markets We Serve
We work across Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, Cleveland, Akron, Toledo, and Youngstown. Our crews also support surrounding counties. If a project sits outside these areas, we will review access, trucking, and disposal options and confirm a plan that meets cost and schedule needs.
Ready To Turn an Ohio Brownfield Into a Buildable Site?
Request a free site review with O’ROURKE. Share your address, any existing reports, and your target timeline. We will outline a plan, a budget range, and a schedule that moves your project forward with confidence.
