Hillis-Carnes provided Construction Quality Control (CQC) Environmental Management for the General Contractor developing the Exelon Headquarters in Baltimore, MD. The project site was once the former Allied Chemical Plant before being demolished in the 1990s. The site was heavily contaminated with heavy metals, specifically chromium, petroleum, and volatile organic and semi-volatile organic compounds, from previous operations in manufacturing and processing chrome since the 1940s. To contain this contamination from entering the Baltimore Harbor, a portion of this Site, where this processing took place, is capped by a Multi-Media-Cap (MMC) composed of synthetic layers (LLDPE Geo Membrane, Drainage Net, Geotextile, and Geosynthetic Clay Liner). In addition, a slurry wall was also installed on the Dock Street and Wills Street sides during the installation of the Cap. This Cap also has a series of remediation systems involving underground pipes, monitors, and wells connected to a Transfer Station Building housing 10,000 GAL holding tanks to pump out any contact water considered contaminated during the rise of the water table.

Harbor Point is a multi-phased 27-acre mixed-use development that is located on the west waterfront of Fells Point, Baltimore City, with an overall construction budget of $1 Billion. The first Phase involved the construction of an 885,000 SF, 20-story building that will be Exelon’s Constellation Headquarters. This building also includes a 750-car parking garage, which also includes TIF Improvements to Dock Street, Point Street, Wills Street, and a four-lane bridge connecting the site to Central Avenue. This Building is to be built over the existing MMC Cap. The Foundation System for this project involved over 1,000 Driven pipe piles and sheet piles. This System required penetrating through the existing Cap at multiple locations. The Cap also covered buried wharfs/docks built in the late 1800’s, old foundations of the Plant, and rail lines.

Hillis-Carnes had the opportunity to be a part of the first Phase of this development during the construction of the Exelon HQ, in a unique role. Hillis-Carnes was the Full-Time CQC Environmental Manager for Armada Hoffler, the General Contractor, and incorporated into the overall Site Development Construction Quality Control/Quality Assurance Plan with the Owner’s Team. Our role for Armada Hoffler was to observe the work performed by the GC and document the construction quality control testing program, in particular, observing 100% of all MMC Repairs to the liner during the installation of the Foundation System. Our on-site Staff was certified 40-hour OSHA HAZWOPER Trained and also was trained in liner testing and repairs for the MMC. Our role was pivotal in the progress of the project. We had to document and complete numerous reports that required approval all the way up to the MDE/EPA before the GC could pour mudmats and start the construction for the Pile Caps. In addition, we observed over 54,000 SF of Liner Repair involving miles of liner welds tested.