17020_Chronicle Mill_SIR_20221118

DWM Brownfields Inspection Report
Submitted By: jkslaughter_ncdenr
Submitted Time: 11/21/2022 11:56 AM

I. Inspection Information
Date & Time: 11/18/2022 12:09 AM Inspection Type: Meeting

Brownfields Staff:
Kevin Slaughter, Tyler Pearson
Other Personnel:
Aaron Long - Excel Engineering, David Beska
- Construction Superintendent
Location:
Lat: 35.243231377686364, Long: -81.03415160114093

Brownfields Inspection Report: Chronicle Mill, 17020-13-036
11/18/2022 12:09 AM
Page 2 of 7

II. Project Information
Number: 17020-13-036 Name: Chronicle Mill
Address: 96 East Catawba
Street

City: Belmont

County: Gaston

III. Environmental

Current Use of Property: Mixed Use, Residential
Structures on Property: Existing Structures Violation: No

Vapor Mitigation Systems: Observed Vapor Mitigation Violation: Unknown

Use of Surface Water or Groundwater: Not Observed Water Use Violation: No

Summary: During the Site Inspection, the vapor barrier and monitoring points were
visible within the future retail spaces in the former mill building. Smoke testing of the
barriers was being performed during the Site Inspection. During the inspection, it was
observed that non-Raven Industries products had been used to seal the VaporBlock 20
VIMS barrier (Gorilla Tape and Sika construction adhesive). Suction line within northern
retail space currently exits the retail space and enters the former vestibule area, which
will no longer be enclosed. See Inspector Comments section for additional information
on the VIMS.

Summary: N/A

Summary: Renovated former mill building (mixed use retail/apartments), and new
construction apartment building are present on the property. Only the former mill
building was inspected during the site visit (Photos 1 - 7).

Brownfields Inspection Report: Chronicle Mill, 17020-13-036
11/18/2022 12:09 AM
Page 3 of 7

Exposed Soils: Not Observed Exposed Soils Violation: No

Use of Basements: Not Observed Basement Violation: No

Storage of Chemicals: Not Observed Chemical Violation: No

Groundwater Monitoring Wells: Not Observed Monitoring Well Violation: No

Current Exposure to Public/Public Risk:

Summary: N/A

Summary: No basements are present, although an elevator shaft which extends below
grade is present within each building, and there is a soil contact wall on the northern end
of the new construction apartment building.

Summary: N/A

Condition:
Summary: N/A

During the Site Inspection, it was observed that some portions of the new construction
apartment building were currently occupied. Occupancy has not been granted for the
former mill building at this time.
Brownfields Inspection Report: Chronicle Mill, 17020-13-036
11/18/2022 12:09 AM
Page 4 of 7

Inspector Comments

IV. PHOTOGRAPHS

Photo 1: Smoke test staged within northern retail space upon arrival at the property.
The Site Inspection was performed to observe smoke testing within the northern retail pour-back area
(Photos 1-5) and up to three pour-back areas within the eastern retail space (Photo 6). DEQ personnel
arrived on-site prior to the scheduled tests and observed that “Gorilla tape” had been used to seal the
vapor barrier within each of the four pour back areas (Photos 1-3). This product was not specified
within the DEQ approved VIMP, and its compatibility with Raven Industries VaporBlock 20 is unknown.
During the Smoke tests (Photos 4 - 6), numerous leaks were observed, and Gorilla tape was used to seal
them as there was no Raven barrier tape remaining. It was also determined during conversations with
the barrier installers, that Sika construction adhesive had been used to seal the barrier perimeter to the
concrete slab surrounding the pour-back areas in at least some locations.

The northern retail pour-back area, and the two smaller pour-back areas within the eastern retail space
were tested and barrier repairs made while DEQ was on-site. The larger eastern pour-back area was
not tested as the contractor ran out of smoke bombs during testing. It was confirmed during the Site
Inspection that the elevator shaft within the new construction apartment building had not been treated
as outlined in the VIMS, and Aaron, the EOR, stated that it would be treated with Retrocoat as proposed
for the former mill building once approved. While on-site, DEQ personnel noticed considerably more
water within the elevator shaft of the existing mill building than during prior site visits (Photo 7).

Brownfields Inspection Report: Chronicle Mill, 17020-13-036
11/18/2022 12:09 AM
Page 5 of 7

Photo 2: Black tape observed sealing barriers is not a Raven Industries product.

Photo 3: Roll of Gorilla tape that DEQ located on-site appeared to have been used to seam
pieces of VIMS barrier together, repair or seal around penetrations, etc. This was confirmed at
the time the smoke test.
Brownfields Inspection Report: Chronicle Mill, 17020-13-036
11/18/2022 12:09 AM
Page 6 of 7

Photo 4: Igniting smoke bombs within metal Shop-Vac immediately prior to smoke test.

Photo 5: Shop-Vac and exhaust hose used to push smoke below barrier to check for short-
circuiting.
Brownfields Inspection Report: Chronicle Mill, 17020-13-036
11/18/2022 12:09 AM
Page 7 of 7

Photo 6: Smoke observed along perimeter of VIMS barrier in center of photo. This was
observed in numerous locations within pour-back areas and was sealed using Gorilla tape.

Photo 7: Water observed within elevator shaft in former mill building. Black waterproofing
material had been used just below the top of photo to prevent water infiltration. This may
create issues with the proposed use of RetroCoat within the elevator shaft.