55 Ontario Street, Kingston, Ontario - Phase Two Environmental Site Assessment (ESA)

In partnership with the City of Kingston, 2502410 Ontario Inc. wants to proceed with a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) at the Kingston Dry Dock located at 55 Ontario, Street in Kingston. This site, which was obtained by 2502410 Ontario Inc. from Public Works Government Services Canada (PWGSC) through a land purchase transaction, is the home of the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes at Kingston. The dry dock is a designated National Historic Site that is recognized for its significance as a remarkable Canadian engineering achievement, and the building housing the museum has been identified as a "Recognized Building" by the Federal Heritage Building Review Office for its architectural and historic significance. The future redevelopment of the site will include the proactive enhancement of the museum, as well as the creation of a bright and rejuvenated urban apartment complex in order to serve the growing population of Kingston. In order to begin redevelopment of the site, it must first be established as environmentally sound. As a result, 2502410 Ontario Inc. retained the services of XCG Consulting Limited, Environmental Engineers & Scientists, to undertake a Phase II ESA to evaluate the extent to which the site is contaminated, meeting the requirements of the amended O. Reg. 153/04. The work will be completed using state-of-the-art equipment and techniques, based on current regulations and appropriate protocols. Groundwater and soil samples from groundwater monitoring wells, test pits and boreholes will be submitted to an accredited laboratory for analyses of metals/inorganics, petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The total area of the site that will be tested consists of approximately 1.66 hectares, and the effect on the environment will be minimal as areas disrupted by the field work will be restored to their previous condition during future construction for the redevelopment of the site. This Phase Two ESA is a preliminary step to characterize the contamination prior to subsequent steps that will be taken to address the contamination. Environmental benefits, including the protection of human health, revitalization of an under-utilized property, reduction of harmful environmental contaminants, will be realized once these subsequent steps are taken. Continued use and enhancement of the site supports a number of goals contained in the Sustainable Kingston plan and the Kingston Culture Plan. (Project description from original funding application)