Como Student Housing Soil Remediation

Location: 310 15th Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN
Nominated by: Landmark Environmental

Como Student Housing Cooperative (Coop) is a popular housing complex for students with families because of the playgrounds, daycare, low costs and proximity to both St. Paul and Minneapolis campuses. The Coop houses approximately 1,000 residents. The University of Minnesota (University) retains ownership of the buildings and grounds but the cooperative is responsible for the management of the complex. The University discovered contaminated soils in September 2008 during a waterproofing project on buildings located in the northern portion of the Coop.

The primary contaminants detected at concentrations exceeding the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) residential soil reference values (RSRVs) included lead, copper, arsenic, and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Based on the results of these investigations, the University and MPCA VIC Program determined that the area of contamination encompassed approximately 5 acres of the 15 acre property, and included soil beneath playgrounds, ball fields, buildings, as well as green space and parking areas.

A Response Action Plan (RAP) was prepared by the University and approved by the MPCA. The RAP included excavation and off-site disposal of contaminated fill material over approximately 2.5 acres of the total 5 acre contamination area of the Property surrounding 3 of the apartment buildings, two playgrounds and the ball field in the center of the Coop. The excavations were backfilled and the Property was regraded to promote proper drainage. The entire area was landscaped with new sod, plantings and trees. The parking area was replaced with permeable pavement as well as a portion of the Fire Lane to promote drainage and reduce stormwater runoff. The RAs resulted in the excavation and disposal of approximately 16,393 tons of contaminated fill material and disposal in a local nonhazardous waste landfill, SKB Landfill in Rosemount.

Project Financing

$1,191,500 Hennepin County Environmental Response Fund

Project Partners

• Como Student Community Cooperative
• University of Minnesota: Environmental Heath & Safety
• University of Minnesota Capital Planning & Project Management
• University of Minnesota Housing and Residential Life
• Hennepin County Department of Environmental Services
• Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
• Carl Bolander & Sons Company
• Landmark Environmental, LLC
• HR Green, Inc
• Pace Analytical Services, Inc
• SKB