When Art Meets Engineering
Imagine yourself upon the ridgetop in Garrison, New York, overlooking the mighty Hudson River winding northward past West Point Military Academy on the far bank, Breakneck Ridge to the right and Storm King Mountain to the left. You’re struck with a great appreciation for the beauty and history of this setting.
In 2020, a portion of this private ridgetop was generously given to Hudson Valley Shakespeare (HVS), a non-profit theater company established in 1987. For most of its history, HVS operated from an open-air theater tent at the nearby historic Boscobel Mansion. In 2024 construction began on the new $41M, 451-seat open-air Scripps Theater Center campus, which also aspires to be the first purpose-built LEED Platinum theater in the United States.
GEODesign Environmental Services Assist in Advancing Design
GEODesign has provided environmental services and consultation to help guide the project through the design phase and the comprehensive State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA).
- We investigated environmental conditions through Phase I/II/III Environmental Site Assessments which identified soils impacted by historic pesticide application, buried solid waste, bulk petroleum and chemical storage and impacted soil vapor.
- Remedial criteria were selected using New York guidelines and a soil remediation plan was developed.
- An evaluation of groundwater resources was completed, including a 72-hour pumping test of two site wells with monitoring of numerous neighboring private wells.
- Extensive laboratory testing of water supplies was performed to ensure that groundwater met NYS drinking water criteria.
- We represented the owner at town meetings and responded to questions and concerns from Planning Board Members and the public.
Construction-Phase Services
GEODesign has provided construction support through coordination with the Owner, owner’s representative, and the general contractor.
- We monitored soil excavation and offsite disposal in those areas where conditions exceeded protection criteria. Soil was collected and analyzed to confirm remedial goals.
- We conducted a community air monitoring protocol to ensure that site contaminants did not affect the surrounding residential neighbors.
- Neighboring homeowners were invited to participate in a program designed to monitor groundwater resources and ensure that no impacts were felt in the surrounding community.
GEODesign’s project support services were essential elements of design advancement and ultimately, municipal approval. Our contributions helped protect theater staff, patrons and natural resources.
Author: Paul Woodell, Associate, 203.758.8836 ext.106
