News

August 27, 2009

DEP wants more tests at dorm

King’s College allows 165 students to move into new W-B building.

By Bill O'Boyle boboyle@timesleader.com
Times Leader Staff Writer
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WILKES-BARRE – The state Department of Environmental Protection Wednesday ordered the drilling of four holes through the foundation slab at the Gateway Corners building – a new King’s College dormitory – so soil and groundwater testing can be conducted.

Until the test results are in next week, DEP spokesman Mark Carmon said, the department stands by its recommendation that the building not be occupied.

That didn’t stop King’s students from continuing to move into the building Wednesday. John McAndrew, a King’s spokesman, said the college has not received any order to stop the move-in of 165 students.

Carmon said DEP had a geologist at the site to evaluate the building, He said the drilling will start immediately and results will be available sometime next week.

“We met with the developer – Dave Yeager of the Radnor Property Group – and he told us that they will be installing a specialized venting system for the entire building,” Carmon said. “It will operate like a home radon system, but much bigger.”

Yeager said the other issue raised by DEP – separation of sewer lines – has already begun and will be completed next week. Sewage had been backing up into neighboring homes on Meyers Court. Yeager said students already in the building are able to use the bathroom facilities without causing any problems.

“We’ve cooperated with DEP right along,” Yeager said. “We have submitted everything they’ve asked of us. I want to say again that the indoor air quality is fine, according to our test results. We will continue to work with DEP until all of their concerns are satisfied.”

Carmon said DEP is “not at a point” to take further action against the developer.

“If the samples indicate problems exist, then we will decide what further action needs to be taken,” Carmon said.

DEP has been concerned about the sewer backups and vapor intrusion for months. The vapors could come from the soil beneath the building, which is built on the site of the former Mary MacIntosh dry cleaning company. Underground storage tanks that held petroleum products and dry cleaning fluids were removed from the site.

On Wednesday, Carmon provided copies of two letters DEP sent to Pennoni Associates, Inc., the environmental engineering company on the project. In the letters – one dated March 13, and the other dated April 21 – DEP expressed concern about potential groundwater and soil pollution.

“Those letters sent months ago list documented soil contamination around the building,” Carmon said. “That’s why we asked that testing be done months ago.”

Until DEP gets its test results, Carmon said the recommendation to not allow occupancy stands, although that alone cannot prevent students from moving in.

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