AMERICAN TOBACCO COMPLEX - DURHAM, NC
An Engineering Excellence Award-Winning Project

S&ME’s strong project management, using virtually all its service lines, contributed significantly to the success of Maryland developer SBER in its Brownfields restoration and revitalization at the American Tobacco Historic District in Durham, North Carolina. SBER was preparing to convert 120-year-old tobacco manufacturing buildings into 200,000 square feet of office, retail and residential units.

S&ME found significant subsurface soil and groundwater contamination while extensive rubble rested on the surface from collapsed structures. Other challenges included asbestos and lead contamination, structures long open to weather, and the need to wed 19th century construction with 21st century building technologies. S&ME’s diverse team worked together to address the time-sensitive needs. An early task was consultation to SBER, on unique features of the State’s Brownfields program. Major tax incentives allowed use of high-tech systems to protect human health and the environment.

S&ME assessed soil beneath existing foundations and areas of new construction. Soil and groundwater contaminated from various historical manufacturing activities was identified, and specifications for remediating asbestos and lead contamination were designed. Resulting plans included successful recommendations for working around demolition rubble, meeting accelerated schedules, assessing risks and proceeding in a cost-effective way that greatly aided in turning the dilapidated remains of the long-idle facilities into a revitalization of significant economic and environmental importance.