The former Atlas Cement plant site on the western edge of Duluth was developed in the early 1900s in conjunction with the nearby Duluth Works steel mill. The cement plant operated until the early 1980s and included cement storage silos, cement kilns, bulk storage areas, and a large network of railroad tracks. The City of Duluth hired Barr to assist with the redevelopment of an 11-acre sub-parcel of the 60-acre site.
Initially, the project focused on developing the southwestern portion of the property for construction of a production facility for IKONICS Corporation. Barr assisted with planning response actions that could be implemented in conjunction with site grading and construction work. We helped the city secure and maximize state-brownfield-grant funding for these cleanup activities.
Since then, Barr has continued to work on the site to support future development, using both federal and state funding. Barr has assisted with the development of sampling and analysis plans and a quality assurance project plan, site grading plans, and material management plans; collaboration with the EPA, the MPCA, and construction and environmental contractors; and report preparation.
Barr has also helped the city address high-pH water at the site by performing water monitoring and water treatment bench and pilot tests; designing and overseeing construction of vegetated stormwater ponds and swales; designing site-wide capping and grading to drain surface water and reduce exposure to cement waste material; and planning and overseeing the removal of a historical conduit associated with high-pH groundwater. Barr is continuing to assist with future development plans for the site.