Reuse and Benefits to the Community
Wells G&H Site
Executive Summary
This case study documents the evolution of a portion of
the Wells G&H Superfund site from an auto salvage
operation to its current use as an ice arena and hub for
small businesses, and describes the related benefits for
the community.
Woburn, Massachusetts is located 10 miles north of
Boston. In the 19th century and through much of the
20th century, the city was home to numerous tanneries
as well as other heavy industries. In 1979, contamination
was discovered in two of Woburn's municipal drinking
water wells (wells G and H) in a section of the city with a
long industrial history. Because of soil, sediment and
ground water contamination concerns, the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) added these
wells and the surrounding area to its National Priorities
List (NPL) in 1983 as the Wells G&H Superfund site.
Until the early 2000s, one property within the Wells
G&H Superfund site, the former Aberjona Auto Parts
property, was home to an auto dismantling facility
spread across nearly 6.5 acres. Following initial
investigations in the 1990s and early 2000s, EPA
determined that the levels of soil and shallow ground
water contaminants at the former Aberjona Auto Parts
property were below human health risk for skin contact, but the ground water did not meet drinking water
standards. In 2002, a developer purchased the property and proposed plans to transform much of it into an ice
skating arena. Given that the arena would rely on the use of publicly-supplied water, this reuse could occur
despite the presence of contaminated ground water. EPA worked with the new owner and the city to provide
them with the information on the environmental conditions necessary to support the planning and permitting
processes. The new owner has since cleared the junkyard of dismantled/junked cars, and built a new ice skating
arena on the property. Successful reuse and continued use of the former Aberjona Auto Parts property is
providing jobs and enhancing the city's tax base. The new ice arena is also providing enhanced recreational
opportunities for area residents, and helps fulfill a cultural need for a community and region that places a high
value on the sport of ice hockey. In addition, continued leasing of a portion of the property supports important
local and regional needs, such as dog care, bus storage, landscaping and auto repair services.
Positive Impacts
•	Redevelopment of the former Aberjona Auto Parts property has transformed a heavily blighted property in
Woburn into an ice skating arena and small business hub.
•	Six businesses currently using the former Aberjona Auto Parts property employ about 14 people, providing
approximately $575,000 in annual employee income to the community.
•	Estimated property taxes to be levied by the city on the two parcels that together make up the Aberjona
Auto Parts property were reported to be $37,000 in 2010.
Figure 1: Holland Arena opened on the former Aberjona
Auto Parts property in 2008.
Figure 2: An industrial/office building constructed on
the former Aberjona Auto Parts property in 1988,
continues to be used by small businesses.

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Introduction
Superfurid site action results in restored value to site properties and the
surrounding community. Making a property ready for reuse can
revitalize the local economy with jobs, new businesses, tax revenues,	woburn. ma
and local spending, as well as enhance recreational and ecological
opportunities. This case study captures the qualitative and quantitative
impacts that new development and continued use on a portion of a
Superfund site, the former Aberjona Auto Parts property, has had on
Woburn, Massachusetts, a small city located 10 miles north of Boston. Figure 3: Woburn's location in
eastern Massachusetts.
The Wells G&H Superfund site occupies 330 acres in an area just south
and west of the Interstate 95 / 93 interchange. The former Aberjona Auto Parts property is located along the
southern boundary of the site and occupies 6.5 acres in an area that includes a mix of industrial and commercial
businesses, residences, parks and conservation areas. According to 2010 Census data, approximately 14,500
people live in the three Census tracts surrounding the property.
Site History and Cleanup
In 1979, contamination was discovered in
Woburn municipal wells G and H. The site was
proposed to the NPL in December 1982 and
listed in September 1983. In addition to ground
water, contaminated media include sediment,
sludge and soil. Primary contaminants of concern
include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such
as trichloroethylene (in ground water); heavy
metals such as arsenic (in Aberjona River
sediments); and polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, VOCs
and pesticides (in soil). The former Aberjona
Auto Parts property is located in an area of the
site referred to as the "Central Area" or Operable Unit 2 (OU-2).1
Both immediate and long-term cleanup actions at the site have been implemented or planned. Most actions so
far have focused on the source area properties. Millions of gallons of contaminated ground water have been
cleaned up and tons of contaminated soils have been removed from the site for treatment. Treatment of ground
water and low-level soil contamination continues. A remedial design work plan to implement the planned
cleanup for the Aberjona River is being finalized. Efforts to investigate the extent of contamination and possible
cleanup approaches for the Central Area are ongoing. Following initial investigations in the 1990s and early
2000s, EPA determined that the levels of soil and shallow ground water contamination at the former Aberjona
Auto Parts property were below human health risk for skin contact. Further, it was determined that ground
water underneath the former Aberjona Auto Parts property did not meet drinking water standards; however,

Wells G&H Superfund site
Figure 4: Location of Welis G&H Superfund site in Woburn
1 For more information on the site's discovery, listing and remedial actions, please see;
http://www.epa.gov/regionl/superfund/sites/wellsgh/index.html.

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because ground water underneath the property was not being used, it was not considered to be a potential
human health threat.
Property Evolution and Transformation
Aberjona Auto Parts began operations on the
property in the mid-1950s for the sale and
reconditioning of used and wrecked
automobiles. Most of the property was a fenced
auto salvage yard, but it also contained a
gasoline service station. The property also
included three buildings: an industrial/office
building that housed an auto parts store and
offices, a house (residence) and a detached
garage. These buildings remain on the property
today.
Figure 5: Former Aberjona Auto Parts property prior to
construction of ice arena.
Initially the owner wanted to build an ice arena that
would attach to and utilize the large industrial/office
building remaining on site. The owner revised his plan
after a dispute with a nearby property owner and
successfully built an ice arena a short distance from
the industrial/office building. EPA worked with the
new owner and the city to provide them with the
information on the environmental conditions
necessary to support the planning and permitting
processes. The owner has continued to lease other
portions of his property to small businesses. One auto
supplier service has been operating from the
industrial/office building for approximately 20 years.
More recently, other businesses have located there as
Figure 6: Aerial image of the former Aberjona Auto Parts
property. Lot no. 380105 shows the building footprint of the
ice arena completed in 2008. Lot number 380106 shows the
building footprint of the former Aberjona Auto Parts building
that is currently being leased for use by small businesses.
2 For more information on the former Aberjona Auto Parts property and the initial redevelopment plan, please see the
following two reports: 1) Baseline Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment Report for Wells G&H Superfund Site,
Southwest Properties, OU-2, February 2006. http://www.epa.gov/ne/superfund/sites/wellsgh/70383.pdf (large file, 297 pg,
23.8M). 2) Appendix 6N in the Draft Final Multiple Site Groundwater Response Plan Remedial Investigation Report, Industri-
plex Superfund Site, Operable Unit 2, Woburn, MA, March 2005.
http://www.epa.gov/ne/superfund/sites/industriplex/213091 lndustri-Plex%20Draft%20MSGRP%20Rl.pdf
In early 2002 a local auto recycler and former ice hockey coach purchased the Aberjona Auto Parts property. At
the time, broken down automobiles remained scattered across the property even though the auto recycling
operation had ceased. An auto service business continued to operate in the industrial/office building remaining
on site. Although the owner could have sought to have the auto recycling license for the property reinstated, he
chose instead to clear the junkyard of dismantled/junked cars, hoping to redevelop the site for a different use.
As justification for his proposal to construct an ice
arena, the owner noted that hockey leagues in the
area needed more opportunities to practice. He
characterized his proposal as both a civic contribution
and business venture.1

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well. Some of them are also using portions of the area behind the building to support their operations. For
example, one business operates a dog kennel inside
the building and a large dog run directly outside.
Alongside the dog run, a bus fleet operator uses a
portion of the property as a bus yard. A landscaping
business also uses a portion of the property near the
bus yard to support its operations.
Local impacts
The successful redevelopment and continued use of
the former Aberjona Auto Parts property is creating
positive local impacts for the community. New
businesses that have located on the former Aberjona
Auto Parts property include: Holland Arena, Winchester Dog Club,
Oliver Enterprises and Lenny's Auto Repair. Atlantic Express recently
began using a portion of the site for bus fleet storage. In addition,
Callahan's Auto Service, a long-time tenant, continues to operate
from the industrial building. The businesses support about 14 jobs
and contribute approximately $575,000 in annual employee income
to the community.3,4
Tax-related Benefits
Reuse and continued use of the former Aberjona Auto Parts property
is also creating economic impacts through the increased tax revenue
earned on sales taxes resulting from commercial activity. Although
sales taxes are dedicated to the state, state taxes earned on local
sales indirectly result in funding to support services for Woburn
residents. In 2011, total annual sales generated by all businesses
operating on the former Aberjona Auto Parts property was estimated
to be at least $1.1 million, with two businesses not reporting.
Another important way that the redevelopment of property can have
positive local economic impacts is through local tax revenue
generated from property taxes, the primary source of revenue for
most Massachusetts communities/ The estimated land value for the
two parcels comprising the former Aberjona Auto Parts property was
nearly $650,000 for fiscal year (FY) 2010. The estimated improvement
value, which includes buildings, was just above $800,000. Together,
the estimated total (land plus improvement) value for the two parcels
that make up the former Aberjona Auto Parts property for 2010
3	Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2009 Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages State Occupational Employment and Wage
Estimates, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.
4	Two businesses do not report annual employment data. One job was assumed to be associated with each of these
businesses.
5	Data on the most recently assessed property value for the parcels comprising the former Aberjona Auto Parts property
was collected from property records accessible through the City of Woburn Assessors online property records database and
through communications with the City's Treasurer/Collector's Office.
4
Figure 7: Bus yard and dog run located on the former
Aberjona Auto Parts property,
Businesses Located on the
Former Aberjona Auto Parts
Property Provide Jobs and
Income
•	Callahan's Auto Service
employs four and contributes
nearly $160,000 in annual
employee income to the
community.
•	Oliver Enterprises, a
landscaping business, employs
four and contributes over
$157,000 in annual employee
income to the community.
•	Holland Arena employs two
and contributes over $112,000
in annual employee income to
the community.
•	Lenny's Auto Repair employs
two and contributes over
$87,500 in annual employee
income to the community.

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approaches $1.5 million. In FY 2010, estimated property taxes to be levied by the city on these two parcels
combined were reported by the city to be $37,000. The largest share of the total estimated property tax was
attributable to the parcel containing the ice arena. The new ice arena opened for business in late 2008. A year
later, assessed property values for the ice arena property increased by over $300,000. Between the time the
new owner purchased the property in 2002 and 2010,
the assessed value of the ice arena property has
increased by over $700,000.
Improved Aesthetics and Environment
Removal of the junk car dismantling facility has
reduced the chances that potential contaminants from
deteriorating automobiles could contaminate the
environment. The removal of the junkyard and its
replacement with a new building that serves as an ice
arena has also helped enhance the aesthetic
appearance of the area. The removal of the junk cars
has also invited other uses that are more appropriate
on the property. For example, an official with the
Woburn Redevelopment Authority explained that even though a
portion of the property continues to support auto-oriented uses, the
fact that it is now being used as a bus storage facility instead of an
auto recycling facility is very positive. The official added that
maintaining operational buses has considerably less impact on the
environment than auto recycling, which involves cutting up cars and
draining engine oils and coolants.
Enhanced Recreational Opportunities
Most towns in the northeast United States share a passion for ice hockey. Woburn is no different. Before
constructing Holland Arena, the new owner observed that hockey leagues needed more opportunities to
practice. Since its opening in 2008, considerable use of the new skating facility suggests that it is a welcome
addition by Woburn and area residents. In 2009-2010, Holland Arena hosted 25 practices for the Middlesex
Braves, a junior hockey squad. The arena has also recently hosted
instructional programs, including programs focused on skating,
balance and edgework as well as advanced hockey training.
Conclusion
The beneficial continued use and reuse of the former Aberjona
Auto Parts property demonstrate that it is possible to generate
benefits for the broader community on a Superfund site. Because
of an inspired entrepreneur, committed city leaders, and
committed state and federal cleanup officials, one portion of the former Aberjona Auto Parts property continues
to provide space for multiple businesses that offer important services for the community; another portion now
supports a use that provides enhanced recreational opportunities for the community as an ice arena. Moreover,
this use as an ice arena integrates seamlessly with a regional culture that puts a high value on ice hockey. As
explained by an official with the Woburn Redevelopment Authority, "People in Woburn are probably thrilled
about the arena. Woburn residents are rabid about hockey, especially youth hockey."
5
Figure 8: Entrance to Oliver Enterprises on the former
Aberjona Auto Parts property. Callahan's Auto Service is
located on the left. An occupied house that remains on the
property is located on the right.
"The former Aberjona Auto Parts
property was an eyesore. The cleanup
of the property was a night and day
difference."
- Woburn City Engineer, 2010
"The owner deserves a lot of credit
for the redevelopment of the ice
arena. Local governments are no
longer in the business of building ice
rinks. For new ice rinks to be
developed, it will have to be done by
private entrepreneurs, like him."
- Woburn Redevelopment Authority
Official2010

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