LAND REVITALIZATION FACT SHEET
IMPROVING DEMOLITION
PRACTICES
Demolition of abandoned and
dilapidated homes is increas-
ing in urban areas across the
country as communities struggle with
an increase in home foreclosures
and abandonment. While necessary
for the revitalization of communi-
ties, demolition of structures, and
in particular, demolition of large
portions of a single neighborhood,
raises multiple safety and environ-
mental concerns related to land,
water, and air pollution and the
safety of workers and members of the
public. In response, many communi-
ties are enacting local ordinances
to ensure that demolition practices
are safer and more environmen-
tally friendly. Such ordinances
may require erosion and sediment
controls, deconstruction and reuse of
materials generated during demoli-
tion, recycling of demolition debris
to reduce landfilling, soil stabilization
through plant covers, dust suppres-
sion, and other measures to reduce
the environmental impact of demoli-
tion. These measures directly benefit
residents of affected neighborhoods.
EPA is taking another step forward
to improve demolition practices by
investigating the impact of demoli-
tion on soil conditions that affect
the potential to sustainably reuse
properties. In cooperation with state,
federal, and local partners, EPA's
Region 5 and the Office of Research
and Development, National Risk
Management Research Laboratory,
are conducting a study in Cleveland,
Ohio, on the effect of demolition
practices on urban soil conditions.
Prior to 1996, Cleveland allowed
contractors to demolish a build-
ing and bulldoze the debris into the
basement of the structure. A thin
layer of, often poor-quality, topsoil
NEW ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS
EPA's land revitalization initiatives are producing significant environmen-
tal benefits and helping to transform communities into more sustainable
and livable places. The strategy of encouraging market-driven redevel-
opment of brownfields and other contaminated sites for economic
reuse is proving to be a successful approach at many sites. However,
challenging real estate markets and economic realities can leave
some formerly contaminated properties unused, possibly for a long
time. New approaches are needed to revitalize these sites and protect
human health and the environment.
EPA's Land Revitalization Team is working with communities, states, other
federal agencies, academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, and
the private sector to develop and test new approaches that recognize
valuable reuse alternatives for formerly contaminated properties. Build-
ing green infrastructure to help manage stormwater runoff and floods,
promoting safe soil management to support urban agriculture, and
siting renewable energy on contaminated sites can bring environmental,
ecological, and social benefits to communities. Unlocking the potential
value of these underused properties often requires creativity and close
collaboration with many public and private partners. These projects can
help stabilize communities and spur economic development.
was then spread over the affected
area, compacted, and an attempt
made to establish a grassy cover.
These sites can be identified by the
characteristic depression of the land
surface in the area where the struc-
ture originally stood. This slumping of
the land surface is due to the settling
of loose debris and soils within what
was once the basement.
In 1996, Cleveland changed
its demolition requirements. The
basement walls and floors now must
be removed, all rubble and debris
hauled away, and a grassy cover
established. The thoroughness of
contractor demolition practices vary
in meeting these new requirements,
however.
EPA researchers conducted explor-
atory field assessments in 2010 at
sites where homes were demol-
ished. Researchers found signifi-
cant amounts of demolition debris
in surface soils, even in post-1996
demolitions. In areas affected by
demolitions, over 70 percent of
-------
attempts to force a rod into the
ground could not penetrate the soil
for more than a few inches. Reuse of
these properties sometimes requires
removing significant amounts of
debris.
In addition, demolition of urban
structures involves the operation of
heavy equipment in a relatively small
area. This activity compacts the soil.
Compacted soils are less able to
absorb stormwater runoff and contain
less oxygen, water, organic materi-
als, and microbiological activity than
natural soils. Researchers found that,
for the most part, lawn areas that
were not compacted or otherwise
disturbed by heavy equipment had
better drainage characteristics and
higher soil fertility due to long-term
yard maintenance.
This study shows that typical demoli-
tion practices do not leave soils in
a condition suitable for sustainable
reuse. Soils are left in a condition
that requires significant additional
work before restoration can begin.
Communities may want to consider
new requirements for removing
and recycling all demolition debris,
minimizing soil compaction, restrict-
ing the types and quality of fill that
can be used, and preparing surface
soils more carefully to establish
vegetation. Environmentally sound
demolition practices should be
a significant part of the planning
process for communities interested
in fostering the long-term productive
reuse of vacant properties.
CLEVELAND GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT
In 2010, the Bellaire Puritas Devel-
opment Corporation constructed
green infrastructure at a vacant
parcel located at West 131 st Street
in Cleveland, Ohio. Green infra-
structure is considered a beneficial
reuse at this location because
retaining and infiltrating stormwater
will reduce the volume of water in
a nearby stream and its associated
adverse water quality impacts. The
home and driveway previously on
this site was demolished. As a result
of the demolition activity, EPA's
Office of Research and Develop-
ment found soils compacted and
poorly suited for infiltrating storm-
water or growing plants.
The planned reuse of this site
required restoring soils to condi-
tions that support healthy plant
growth. Restoration activities
included physically loosening the
soil, removing a large amount
of debris, grading to create a
swale, excavation to create a
rain garden, and amending the
surface soils with a mix of compost,
sand, and topsoil. The rain garden
and swale will retain runoff from the
drainage area and reduce localized
flooding in the area. The soil amend-
ments will allow planting of the
rain garden and swale with native
plants and broadcast seeding of the
remaining portions of the site using
native grasses and flowering plants.
A private contractor did the restora-
tion work at a cost of about $13,500.
Signage was installed with informa-
tion on the history and importance
of the Chevy Branch waterway and
the role of native plants and green
infrastructure in the restoration of
this vacant lot. This formerly vacant
parcel soon will be a productive and
educational green space that helps
to protect the surrounding residential
area from flooding.
Partners in this project are community
members, Neighborhood Progress
Inc. (NPI), ParkWorks, Inc., Cuyahoga
County Soil and Water Conserva-
tion District (SWCD), Ohio State
University, the Northeast Ohio
Regional Sewer District (NEORSD)
and U.S. EPA's Region 5 and
Office of Research and Develop-
ment. Funding for this project was
provided by NEORSD and NPI.
Large amount of demolition
debris removed from soils at this
site highlights the importance of
planning ahead for solid waste
removal and recycling.
MORE INFORMATION:
Visit EPA's Land Revitalization program website at http://www.epa.gov/landrevitalization/
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Solid Waste and
Emergency Response
(5105T)
EPA 560-F-11-005
April 2011
www.epa.gov/brownfields/
------- |