2006 Demonstration Project
Tinkham Garage:
Londonderry, New Hampshire
THE SITE: The 375-acre Tinkham Garage site is a former waste disposal
site where liquids and sludge from septic tank truck washings were
deposited on the ground surface directly behind the Garage. In 1978,
nearby residents complained of foam and odors in a small, unnamed brook,
resulting in an investigation by the Londonderry Health Department. In
1983, the drinking water supply well and nearby residential wells were
taken out of service because of the contamination. Cleanup activities at the
site began in 1987 and included excavation of contaminated soils with on-
site treatment, removal of contaminated ground water, and implementation
of institutional controls to restrict the present and future use of the aquifer.
Remedy construction was completed in 1995. Ground water monitoring
continues to ensure that any lingering contaminants do not pose a threat
to human health and the environment. Recent ground water data indicate
that cleanup of the ground water is progressing as anticipated.
THE OPPORTUNITY: Much of the site remained vacant and
underutilized after the cleanup, aside from pre-existing residential
properties on the site. The site is located in the town of Londonderry,
on the border with the town of Deny. Community stakeholders were
determined to make redevelopment of the Tinkham Garage site a reality.
THE BARRIER: Reuse discussions began during the early stages of
the site's remediation, but potential site users had misconceptions and
questions about reuse possibilities at the site. Stakeholders and potential
site users needed clear information about the site in order to make informed
decisions. As early as the remedial design stage, it had become apparent
that the site would not be usable without water and sewer infrastructure.
The lack of concrete information available about the site made it even
more difficult for any project to move forward.
THE SOLUTION: Key stakeholders refused to allow the site to
languish as a vacant, fenced property. EPA responded by providing easily
understandable information about the site that would help the interested
parties determine what they needed to do to safely reuse the site. Armed
with this information, stakeholders demonstrated extraordinary dedication
to the revitalization of Tinkham Garage and served as the primary catalyst
for reuse. The two towns worked together to install a new water and sewer
system, which EPA incorporated as an integral part of the site's cleanup;
the ground water extracted from the site was transported from the site in
Barriers:
Lack of clear site information;
absence of water and sewer access
Solution:
Reuse assessment and site
information sheets; active dialogue
between EPA and stakeholders;
community participation and
perseverance
Before:
Cleaned up waste disposal site
with ongoing ground water
monitoring that posed a difficult
redevelopment challenge to two
adjacent towns
After:
Commercial retail plaza and active
senior housing development
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Environmental Protection
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Superfund Redevelopment Initiative
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updated June 2009
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Londonderry through the new system to Deny's treatment facility. Institutional controls were established to prohibit
ground water use without interfering with reuse activities on the land surface. Stakeholders expressed interest
in site-specific information and clarification of Superfund liability provisions, and EPA responded accordingly
during the sale of portions of the property to The Home Depot in 2001 and Gilcreast Realty Holdings II, LLC
in 2003. In response to general community interest and requests for current information about the site, EPA also
issued a reuse assessment in September 2004. This document provided information about the history, cleanup
activities, liability issues, and environmental status of the site. As part of the agreement with EPA, developers
install precautionary vapor intrusion mitigation systems in all new buildings. Ultimately, it was the initiative and
perseverance of key stakeholders, coupled with EPA's willingness to respond to their requests that made reuse of
the Tinkham Garage site a success.
THE SITE NOW: The community of Londonderry now enjoys a Home Depot, a Staples, a 99 Restaurant, and a
Dunkin' Donuts. New residents have been moving into a 125-unit active senior housing development called The
Nevins (pictured below). Spanning 95 acres on the southern part of the site, The Nevins includes a condominium
complex and single-family homes. The neighborhood is getting more and more established and construction is in
its final phases. Approximately nine acres remain for commercial development immediately behind the Tinkham
Realty Office and adjacent to the Home Depot. The town of Londonderry now has a higher tax revenue and greater
economic activity as a result of reuse at the site, and Deny has improved traffic patterns due to transportation
infrastructure improvements.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Byron Mah, Region 1 Remedial Project Manager, at (617) 918-
1249 or mah.byron@epa.gov or John Podgurksi, Region 1 Superfund Redevelopment Coordinator, at (617) 918-
1296 or podgurski.john@epa.gov.
The new clubhouse at The Nevins senior living center, which was constructed on a portion of the Tinkham Garage site.
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Environmental Protection
Agency
Superfund Redevelopment Initiative
updated June 2009
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