Return to Use Initiative
2006 Demonstration Project
Tinkham Garage: Londonderry, NH
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.
THEOPPORTUNITY: Much ofthe site remained vacantand 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 Derry. 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
Superfund Redevelopment Initiative
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Barriers:
Lack of clear site information; ab-
sence of water and sewer access
Solution:
Reuse assessment and site infor-
mation 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 ac-
tive senior housing development

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the site was transported from the site in Londonderry through the new system to Derry'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. Recently, developers installed a precautionary vapor intrusion mitigation system in The Nevins
housing development, with EPA on hand for support. 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 are preparing to move into a 125-unit active senior housing development
called The Nevins (construction pictured below).Spanning 95 acres on the southern part of the site,The Nevins
includes a condominium complex and single-family homes. 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 Derry has improved traffic patterns due to transportation infrastructure improvements. Property values
around the site in both towns have also risen, to the satisfaction of surrounding residents.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: John Podgurksi, Region 1 Superfund Redevelopment Coordinator, at
617.918.1296 or podaurski.iohn@epa.gov.
Superfund Redevelopment Initiative
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