Smokestack Demolition – Milwaukee

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. has been retained by a private client to facilitate the asbestos abatement and demolition of a182 foot smokestack in Milwaukee, WI.

Given the placement of a powerhouse which abuts the structure, Champion Environmental Services, Inc. will employ the use of specialized equipment throughout the project.

A crane will hoist a “Brokk” to the top of the stack; this machine will then be securely attached to the side of the tower. The remote controlled robotic Brokk will slowly dismantle the smokestack one section at a time. An operator on the ground will direct the movement of the Brokk from a safe distance.

Care will be taken to scaffold nearby structures as an assurance that no damage occurs during the demolition process.

Few companies can offer this expert service on highly technical projects.

A Google Earth image of the smokestack appears below.

UPR Project

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. is prequalified by Union Pacific Railroad to perform asbestos abatement and demolition services across the United States. Only a handful of contractors can claim such competence – even fewer can boast of such a privileged partnership as we share with UPR.

Mobilization will begin in two weeks to abate a Chicago diesel test facility at North Pulaski and West Kinzie. The project involves the removal transite panels throughout the facility. The challenge for this project will be for our workers to maneuver aerial lifts around existing railroad tracks to gain clean access to the transit.

Emerging Projects and Closeouts

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. is concluding interior demolition and asbestos abatement work at the Passavant Senior Housing complex in Milwaukee, WI.

Work at the US Postal processing building at Ohare is coming to an end. We performed extensive interior and exterior demolition to prep the facility for a new automated sorting system.

Mobilization for the demolition of the former Sheffield School in Sheffield, Illinois should begin next week. We are awaiting final air clearance on the asbestos abatement work.

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. was retained by a private-global client to perform asbestos abatement and building demolition at an international manufacturing plant in Beloit, Wisconsin. The company makes “ . . protein (enzyme) products [for use in] industrial applications . . .ranging from grain processing to cleaning and textiles to biofuels and biosafety”.

Fire Sale 2010 Part II

The insanity continues - bid results just into our office. The scope here is an extensive amount of ACM pipe and associated fittings. While 85% of the abatement is readily exposed, some selective demolition is involved to reach part of the chases. An additional quantity of ACM floor mastic rounds the project.

Despite the public nature of these bid results, I still feel it is of little value to debase a competitor by naming each company here.

$77,550
$71,100
$63,550
$58,850
$43,820
$36,641

The numbers, particularly the low bid at $36,641, reflects troubled insensibility that has polluted our industry.

Champion Awarded FAA Contract

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. has been awarded a project by the Federal Aviation Administration to perform asbestos abatement at two Wisconsin airports.

Champion has extensive experience with governmental entities having executed contracts with the Department of Energy, Veterans Administration, and General Services Administration.

Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. has been awarded the Westlawn hazardous materials abatement and building demolition project in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The extensive project will involve the demolition and asbestos abatement of 149 separate multifamily housing units.

The full extent of the project is best illustrated by the photograph below which outlines the boundaries of the initiative.

Chicago State University

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. will begin mobilizing Friday, August 6, 2010 to begin an emergency asbestos abatement job related to roof damages at the School of Education.

The project will involve full ceiling demolition on the third and fourth floors followed by the removal of asbestos fireproofing on the exposed beams. Approximately 42,000 square feet of ACM will be removed. After the beams are recoated with non-ACM fireproofing, Champion will begin the removal of asbestos 9”X9” floor tile and contaminated black mastic.

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. will facilitate all work at Chicago State University in 20 working days.

Brief Update

It was my intention to update this Blog on a regular basis yet circumstances borne of late have dictated that I focus my energy on a project which will have a significant impact on the greater Milwaukee market in the coming months - more information to follow as prudence allows in the timing of such a news release.

Otherwise, a brief news article from the “The Dispatch and The Rock Island Argus” from our work at the former Trinity Nursing School in Moline, Illinois. Following cleanup, Champion Environmental Services, Inc. will demolish the associated structures.

Debris removal begun at nurses dormitory in Moline

MOLINE-- Contractors from Champion Environmental have begun removing debris piles and two inches of top soil from the former nurses dormitory in One Moline Place.

The dirt and debris has to be removed because it contains asbestos. Moline city administrator Lew Steinbrecher said the next step, before demolition of the building, will be testing the upper floors for residual asbestos.

"Depending on the results, a decision will be made about demolition," he said. "We are approaching the time when hopefully a date will be set relatively soon for demolition of the building."

One Moline Place is a residential development between 4th and 8th streets and 5th and 11th avenues first announced in 2002. While Phase I was partially developed, Phase II-- where the dormitory sits -- and Phase III never were started.

The property is owned by Mike Shamsie, but through an agreement with Northwest Bank and Trust and the city, he will give Moline the Phase II and III land after demolition is complete. A new developer plans to take over Phase I and complete the development.

Mr. Steinbrecher said an environmental consultant is coordinating the clean-up with Champion Environmental, Mr. Shamsie and the Illinois EPA.

By Dawn Neuses, dneuses@qconline.com

School of Human Ecology

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. is getting ready to submit notification for work at the University of Wisconsin School of Human Ecology.

The scope of work involves multifaceted tasks including building demolition, asbestos abatement, selective/interior demolition, and historic salvage.

A small two story brick building approximately 4,264 square feet will be demolished. An additional three story brick building measuring 24,000 square feet will also be wrecked; various historic portions of this structure will be dismantled and preserved.

The School of Human Ecology is a five story building encompassing 76,000 square feet. All five floors will be gutted from floor to ceiling. We will also be responsible for removing/recycling the hydraulic oils from the elevators prior to demolition of the elevator.

This project should begin in the week of March 15, 2010.

Becher Court Apartment Milwaukee, WI

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. has been retained by the Milwaukee Housing Authority to facilitate the environmental remediation and demolition of the multistory Becher Court Apartments located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The project will be broken into two distinct phases.

In the first stage, all asbestos containing material will be properly removed. Additionally, CESI will facilitate the removal of all PCB ballast and mercury. After the environmental abatement, Champion Environmental Services, Inc. will defer final sampling/air clearances to the environmental consultant; the consultant acts as a third party quality control monitor – they confirm that we addressed all environmental issues pursuant to DNR, EPA, and OHSA guidelines.

Another environmental challenge also exists in contaminated soil that has been identified on the site. Approximately sixty tons of petroleum dirt will need to be excavated and properly disposed.

The building demolition poses some unique challenges given the height of the structure in relation to nearby – occupied structures. Champion Environmental Services, Inc. has developed a strategic approach which will ensure the safety of our workers and those in proximity of the site. Our unique approach to demolition will allow us to achieve a nearly 90% recycling rate on this project.

Below is a picture of the Becher Court Apartments

Palatine, Illinois Asbestos Project

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. is preparing to mobilize in Palatine, Illinois for an asbestos abatement project at several shuttered commercial properties. Through a process known as Polarized Light Microscopy, lab tests revealed a variety of building materials that needed to be removed. The abatement and proper disposal will include floor tile, mastics, mirror glue, column fire proofing, and boiler stack insulation. The project is scheduled for completion by March of 2010.

Strong First Quarter for Environmental Work

Champion was recently awarded several environmental projects in Illinois and Wisconsin. A shuttered hospital in DeKalb, Illinois will be given a clean bill of health after we remove extensive quantities of asbestos containing material. The parcel, developed in the late 60’s, reflects typical building practices which were considered prudent: The hallways and patient rooms contain contaminated floor tile and mastic throughout; carpeted office areas are held down by ACM mastic; patches of ductwork insulation throughout the second floor is “hot” and will need to be properly abated. Nearly 200,000 square feet of hospital will soon be under containment in preparation of this project.

On behalf of the Milwaukee Housing Authority, Champion Environmental Services, Inc. will be providing asbestos abatement and hazardous material removal services at an 11 story residence tower in preparation of demolition activities. ACM materials is just a portion of this contract as we are also responsible for removal of asbestos PCB bulbs/ballasts as well as mercury switches.

As part of a Job Order Contract agreement with nationwide retail chain JC Penney, Champion Environmental Services, Inc. will be abating ACM floor tile and mastic from a store in Peoria, Illinois.

Gateway Community Hospital Asbestos Abatement

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. is set to begin asbestos abatement at the abandoned Gateway Community Hospital in East St. Louis. The St. Clair County Board officially approved the contracts in a meeting Monday, October 26, 2009.

The following article concerning the job was published in the “Belleville News-Democrat”. The article was written by MIKE FITZGERALD.

Long tagged as an eyesore, abandoned hospital to be torn down
BY MIKE FITZGERALD - News-Democrat

BELLEVILLE -- The abandoned Gateway Community Hospital, long tagged as one of the worst eyesores in East St. Louis, is set to come down soon and possibly be replaced with a park, thanks to a vote Monday night by the St. Clair County Board.

The County Board approved two contracts worth nearly $623,000 with contractors to tear out and dispose of asbestos from the condemned building at 1509 Martin Luther King Drive and then demolish it and cart away the rubble.

"It'll be a great improvement for the city of East St. Louis," St. Clair County Board Chairman Mark Kern said.

Champion Environmental Services Inc., of Gilberts, won a county contract for $317,500 to remove and dump the building's asbestos, the contract shows.

Ahrens Contracting Inc., of St. Louis, won a contract worth $305,335 to raze the building, according to the contract.

Since its closure 20 years ago, the abandoned hospital has stood as one of this city's biggest and worst eyesores -- a magnet for rats, vandals and complaints, especially from parishioners at St. Joseph Catholic Church next door.

In March, the County Board agreed to pay a flat fee of $55,000 to SCI Engineering Inc., of St. Charles, Mo., to oversee the hiring of contractors to search for and remove asbestos from the building, and to tear down the structure.

Since autumn 2000, the old hospital had been condemned after East St. Louis city inspectors designated it unsafe.

Contact reporter Mike Fitzgerald at mfitzgerald@bnd.com or 239-2533.

Demolition Video

Video of our team dropping an elevator shaft on an emergency response job; this initiative is part of an extensive demolition and asbestos abatement project. The work is being facilitated on behalf of a private client and is scheduled to finish late November.

Former Trinity School Nursing Dormitory

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. was awarded the demolition of the former Trinity School Nursing Dormitory located in Moline, Illinois. Phase one of the project, asbestos abatement, is scheduled to start next week and should be completed by late November. Following the proper removal of all ACM, Champion Environmental Services, Inc. will mobilize equipment to begin demolition. Wrecking is scheduled 95 days and will be contingent on favorable/safe conditions during the winter months to complete the project on time.

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. performs demolition year-round and retains extensive experience to navigate challenging conditions. We will be guided by one principle as we facilitate our projects over the winter months which is reflected in our company motto; “The safety of our workers and those around us will drive the decision making process.”

Work At Hide House Ready To Begin

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. is finalizing paper work and utility cuts in preparation for the asbestos abatement and demolition of the Hide House in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The Hide House is a 200,000-square-foot complex that started out as a metal stove and bed factory in 1898; over the years, several additions were added to adapt to the needs of various industrial tenants. The last major construction occurred in the mid-1940s when J. Greenebaum Tanning Co. built the Hide House addition on the north end of the complex.

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. will be responsible for the ACM removal of wrapped pipe insulation and floor tile/mastic. Only a portion of the sprawling complex, some 60,000 square feet of building will be demolished in what will be the first phase in a redevelopment effort of the property.

Our commitment to environmental initiatives will be readily apparent on this project as we are looking to achieve minimum recycling rate of 80%.

Work will begin in two weeks. Check back in for pictures and update on this project.

[Photo credits to Google Earth]

North Riverside Mall Asbestos Abatement

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. is in the process of abating a former Firestone Tire Center at the North Riverside Mall in North Riverside, Illinois. The project involves the removal of asbestos containing material (ACM) located in showroom area in the form of drywall; additional ACM drywall from hallways and offices will also be properly removed.

As this project is a Cook County initiative, Champion Environmental Services,Inc. shall utilize local union laborers with current Illinois accreditation, medical surveillance and training while providing an onsite safety supervisor with necessary training for competent person status as required by OSHA.

Ottawa, Illinois Asbestos Job Finished

Champion Environmental Services, Inc., Project Manager Ralph Nordyke reports that the asbestos abatement of a shuttered bank in Ottawa, Illinois has been successfully closed out on time and without incident.

The project, taking little more than a week, included the removal of contaminated floor tile, mastic underlay, and transite. Champion Environmental Services, Inc., follows all applicable Illinois EPA rules for asbestos abatement delegated through the authority of the USEPA which enforces the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP). NESHAP regulates asbestos during demolition, renovation, and disposal.

The ACM removal was performed in preparation for demolition; the cleared land will be used to build a new Ottawa health care facility.

Arcadia, Wisconsin

Champion Environmental Services, Inc. will be mobilizing in Arcadia, Wisconsin to provide demolition, asbestos abatement, and site/soil remediation services for several buildings located on East Main and South Washington streets.

Additional work scope involves the salvage of antique brick, site clearing and restoration.

Trowbridge Hall – UW La Crosse

In preparation for building demolition at the University of La Crosse, Wisconsin, Champion Environmental Services, Inc. has completed initial interior preparation at Trowbridge Hall.

We are now engaged in intensive asbestos abatement of Trowbridge Hall. The site supervisor during abatement is Ziggy Bryndal; as a seasoned manager, Ziggy will ensure that all work is performed in accordance with the Department of Natural Resources under N.E.S.H.A.P [National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants] standards set by the United States E.P.A. Here is a link to the WDNR website which outlines Wisconsin asbestos regulations: http://dnr.wi.gov/air/compenf/asbestos/asbes3b.htm