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Property Details for Former Polaris Hotel


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Legal Notices

Profile Information

Government
228181
427 First Avenue FAIRBANKS, AK 99701
.31
64.8440968 / -147.717373
1
Goolie, Mary
Goolie.Mary@epa.gov
907-271-3414


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Property Location



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Property Progress


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CAs Associated with this Property

CA NameCA #StateTypeAnnouncement Year
Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation RP00J26108AKSection 128(a) State/Tribal2019
R10 TBA - Alaska (STAG Funded)n/aAKTBA2004


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Assessment Activities at this Property

ActivityEPA FundingStart DateCompletion DateCAAccomplishment Counted?Counted When?
Cleanup Planning$49,828.0012/15/202106/30/2022Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation
Phase II Environmental Assessment$164,160.0010/06/202004/14/2022Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation
Phase II Environmental Assessment$74,452.0012/21/201605/30/2018R10 TBA - Alaska (STAG Funded)YFY18
Supplemental Assessment$33,270.0011/22/202106/30/2022Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation


Is Cleanup Necessary? Yes
EPA Assessment Funding: $321,710.00
Leveraged Funding:
Total Funding: $321,710.00


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Climate Adaption and Mitigation - Planning or Assessment

There is no data for Climate Adaption and Mitigation - Planning or Assessment.


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Contaminants and Media


Asbestos
Other Contaminants
PCBS
NOT Cleaned up
NOT Cleaned up
NOT Cleaned up
Building Materials
NOT Cleaned up


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Cleanup Activities

Start DateEPA FundingCompletion DateCAAccomplishment Counted?Cleanup Documentation
09/07/2022Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation No


Cleanup/Treatment Implemented:
Cleanup/Treatement Categories:
Addl Cleanup/Treatment info:
Address of Data Source:
Total ACRES Cleaned Up: .31
Number of Cleanup Jobs Leveraged: 0
EPA Cleanup Funding:
Leveraged Funding: $10,000,000.00
Cost Share Funding:
Total Funding: $10,000,000.00


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Climate Adaption and Mitigation - Demolition or Cleanup

There is no data for Climate Adaption and Mitigation - Demolition or Cleanup.


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Institutional and Engineering Controls



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Redevelopment and Other Leveraged Accomplishments

There are no current redevelopment activities.


Number of Redevelopment Jobs Leveraged:
Actual Acreage of Greenspace Created:
Leveraged Funding:


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Climate Adaption and Mitigation - Redevelopment

There is no data for Climate Adaption and Mitigation – Redevelopment


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Additional Property Attributes

The site is a former hotel in downtown Fairbanks at 427 First Avenue. The hotel was built in 1952 and had an annex addition in 1973. The building has approximately 98,000 square feet within 10 floors, a basement, and an annex. The property footprint is 13,614 square feet. The hotel has been empty and unused for 15 or more years.

Former Use: The site is a former hotel in downtown Fairbanks at 427 First Avenue. The hotel was built in 1952 and had an annex addition in 1973. The building has approximately 98,000 square feet within 10 floors, a basement, and an annex. The property footprint is 13,614 square feet. The hotel has been empty and unused for 15 or more years and has no available power or water. A cursory asbestos abatement and demolition survey was completed in 2006 by a property owner in support of possible building renovation. All floors were inspected including the roof top mechanical penthouses. Environmental sampling was limited to ACM. Asbestos was found in the ceiling texture throughout the building and also in pipe and tank insulation, floor tiles and mastics, and in the roof paint. Based on the building's age, all painted surfaces were assumed to contain some level of lead. During the survey, the sprinkler piping was found to be broken throughout the building. Standing water was present in the basement and the carpeting was saturated throughout most of the building. There was significant mold growth throughout the building due to the water damage. Survey conclusions included a general determination that the entire building was contaminated with asbestos debris. Further, it was considered likely that mold was growing between the finished walls and the concrete shell. The building still had furniture and bedding within it that had become contaminated with asbestos and mold.

The City of Fairbanks applied for a DEC Brownfield Assessment and Cleanup in 2020 in order to continue their work towards redeveloping the property. Through the end of FY22, DEC provided a number of services to characterize the property and assist the City prepare for the building's remediation and/or demolition and disposal. Activities included, but were not limited to conducting a Hazardous Building Material (HBM) Survey, Health and Safety Evaluation, Data Gap Analysis, and Cleanup Planning.

During the assessment of the building and subsequent Health and Safety Evaluation and corrective action to alleviate immediate threats to human health and the environment, numerous types of universal waste were encountered, along with the discovery of PCB paint inside and outside of the building. DEC provided additional DBAC services to safely dispose of identified universe waste to avoid further human health or ecological risks. Further, DEC conducted additional PCB paint testing and provided a detailed Cleanup Plan for the City to use as they solicit contractor bids for remedial activities on the property.


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Release 3.0.1.2