17020_Chronicle Mill_SIR_20221110

DWM Brownfields Inspection Report
Submitted By: jkslaughter_ncdenr
Submitted Time: 11/10/2022 1:18 PM

I. Inspection Information
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Date & Time: 11/10/2022 11:50 AM Inspection Type: Meeting

Brownfields Staff:
Kevin Slaughter

Other Personnel:
Aaron Long - Excel Engineering, Construction
superintendent – David Beska
Location:
Lat: 35.24313052, Long: -81.03306598

Brownfields Inspection Report: Chronicle Mill, 17020-13-036
11/10/2022 11:50 AM
Page 2 of 8

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
Structures on Property: Existing and new construction Structures Violation: No

Vapor Mitigation Systems: Observed Vapor Mitigation Violation: No

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

Exposed Soils: Not Observed Exposed Soils Violation: No
Summary: Passive VIMS installed within former mill building (Photos 6-8). During site
visit, observed VIMS barrier repairs within retail spaces, and discussed modification to
suction line in northern retail space and smoke testing of retail spaces scheduled for the
week of 11/14/2022. Sub-slab monitoring points remain to be installed, and barrier
repairs were required prior to smoke testing.

Summary: NA

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 - 8).

Summary: Consistent with EMP and site redevelopment activities.

Brownfields Inspection Report: Chronicle Mill, 17020-13-036
11/10/2022 11:50 AM
Page 3 of 8

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: Although there are no basements present within the former mill or new
construction apartment building, there is an elevator shaft which extends below grade is
present within each building. In addition, there is a soil contact wall present on the
northern end of the new apartment building.

Summary: N/A

Condition:
Summary: N/A

Occupancy of the new construction apartment building had not begun, and occupancy of the
former mill building had not been approved at the time of the Site Inspection.

Brownfields Inspection Report: Chronicle Mill, 17020-13-036
11/10/2022 11:50 AM
Page 4 of 8

IV. Inspector Comments

V. PHOTOGRAPHS

Photo 1: Photo of former mill building facing southwest.

The Site Inspection was performed to investigate the construction/condition of the elevator shaft
within the former mill building, discuss VIMS treatment options within this shaft, and to confirm
the formerly proposed stairwell adjacent to the northern retail space is not enclosed. There is a
new CMU wall constructed on the northern side of the elevator shaft, with approximately 1.5’ of
void space between it, and the exterior brick wall inside the formerly proposed stairwell (Photos 4
& 5). This void space can be used as an exhaust gas chase to the roof if the retail space is
converted to a restaurant or similar. According to the job superintendent, this void space is not in
contact with occupied space on the upper levels of the mill building. During the inspection, it was
confirmed that the previously proposed stairwell will remain an open-air space, with no doors or
windows installed in the building openings. Cleaning and repairs to the eastern retail VIMS barriers
were being performed during the Site Inspection. Although the repairs look satisfactory, sub-slab
monitoring point installation, additional repairs, and a smoke test on all the retail pour-back areas
remain to be performed.

Brownfields Inspection Report: Chronicle Mill, 17020-13-036
11/10/2022 11:50 AM
Page 5 of 8

Photo 2: Lower-level walking space between Catawba St. to the right and ground floor
apartments on the left.

Photo 3: Photo of former enclosed first floor stairwell that has been converted to open air
space. No doors or windows to be installed.
Brownfields Inspection Report: Chronicle Mill, 17020-13-036
11/10/2022 11:50 AM
Page 6 of 8

Photo 4: View facing south within proposed stairwell shown in Photo 3, that is now an open-air
space. There is a CMU block wall located approximately 1.5’ on the other side of the brick wall
in the photo that forms the northern wall of the elevator shaft. The void space between the
two walls is to be used as an air duct to the roof for the retail area if it is converted into a
restaurant space. The superintendent indicated the void space was on the outside of the
building, and not in contact with occupied space which was confirmed.
Brownfields Inspection Report: Chronicle Mill, 17020-13-036
11/10/2022 11:50 AM
Page 7 of 8

Photo 5: Photo within elevator shaft showing CMU block wall discussed in Photo 4. The
elevator is currently installed within the elevator shaft.

Photo 6: Exposed VIMS barrier above completed concrete floor in hallway leading to elevator
shaft. Base molding will hide exposed VIMS according to job superintendent.
Brownfields Inspection Report: Chronicle Mill, 17020-13-036
11/10/2022 11:50 AM
Page 8 of 8

Photo 7: Sub-slab suction piping exiting northern retail space and terminating within former
stairwell shown in Photos 3 & 4. This line will be sawn off and PVC end caps installed to
eliminate venting of open-air space according to Mr. Long.

Photo 8: Retail space VIMS barriers being cleaned and taped during Site Inspection (eastern
retail area). Smoke testing of all retail spaces scheduled for the week of 11/14/2022.