About the work outside ex-Quality Cleaners at California/Admiral

(WSB photo)

We’ve received several questions about the crews working outside the former Quality Cleaners building on the southwest corner of California/Admiral. City files show a permit was granted to a private engineering firm for soil boring in the public right-of-way. This morning we talked to the crew on site and they confirm that’s what they’re doing; right now the work has multiple eastbound lanes blocked off, and the crew tells us they’re planning to be there through Friday. Quality Cleaners closed two and a half years ago, and the building was subsequently put up for sale. The signs are down and there’s no longer a publicly visible listing for the building, but there’s no sale on record so far – we have inquiries out.

ADDED 11:23 AM: Amanda Hahnemann of Lee & Associates, the listing firm, tells WSB, “The property has not traded. We have taken it off the market through the holidays and until we have results of the further environmental work that is being done.”

hydrogeologist January 18, 2023 (1:23 pm)

Environmental due diligence investigations are required by potential lenders for purchasing when historic building uses/operations could cause environmental contamination. Sometimes these are done in advance of listing the property to demonstrate that there are not any issues. However, in my 20 years as an environmental consultant, any dry cleaners with onsite operations will almost always have resulted in a release of solvents (tetrachloroethylene, or PCE and its daughter products) to soil and groundwater beneath the site. I have a genuine and valid concern that there is a daycare immediately adjacent to this former cleaners on the ground floor. Vapor intrusion and adverse impacts to indoor air within the building is a real issue if PCE is present in the soils beneath the building. I would watch this very closely, and if I were a parent with a kid at that daycare or the daycare operator, I would consult with an environmental attorney.

Pdavis January 20, 2023 (9:41 am)

Thank you for writing a truly interesting and educational response. I enjoyed reading it and appreciate the time you took. Thank you.!

ReiRei January 18, 2023 (1:44 pm)

Did they mention whether or not they’re boring to check for soil contamination which could affect future buyers, etc., or they’re checking the subsurface for construction-related purposes?

Al King January 18, 2023 (1:56 pm)

Any speculation on why the building has been up for sale for such a long time?

hydrogeologist January 18, 2023 (3:30 pm)

See my comment above, I guarantee it is due to the potential environmental liability associated with the site.

Another hydrogeologist January 18, 2023 (3:26 pm)

Hydrogeologist is correct. The site has confirmed detections of chlorinated solvents in soil and indoor air. The purpose of the current drilling is likely to investigate deeper, as previous drilling was limited in depth to the top 10′ or so, likely to include groundwater monitoring, which in this area is upwards of 60′ below ground. Hence the sonic drill rig. I would also be concerned if I worked there, had kids in the daycare, or lived in the apartments.

Admiral Mom January 18, 2023 (4:40 pm)

The whole building and adjacent units have been empty for almost two years

wscommuter January 18, 2023 (4:12 pm)

Echoing what’s been said above – the soils investigation is part of what is known as a Phase II investigation. Nothing can be done with the site until the existence/extent of subsurface contamination is determined. Assuming contaminants exist (as they almost always do below dry cleaners), then any new construction would first require full removal/remediation of the site. That’s what makes re-purposing that great corner location so difficult. Inevitably, there will be a very expensive remediation required which will add significantly to the cost of redeveloping that site.

GeoGuy January 19, 2023 (8:02 am)

Just thought I should clarify for readers that the contamination doesn’t need to be fully cleaned up before the property could be redeveloped.Cleanup of contamination frequently occurs during property redevelopment. Additionally, remediation during redevelopment sometimes only achieves partial cleanup of the “site”, which is even allowed as an interim remedial action under Washington’s environmental cleanup law.
GeoGuy January 19, 2023 (8:03 am)

Just thought I should clarify for readers that the contamination doesn’t need to be fully cleaned up before the property could be redeveloped. Cleanup of contamination frequently occurs during property redevelopment. Additionally, remediation during redevelopment sometimes only achieves partial cleanup of the “site”, which is even allowed as an interim remedial action under Washington’s environmental cleanup law.

Al King January 18, 2023 (4:26 pm)

If any lawyers get involved lookout taxpayer!!!

Alkistu January 19, 2023 (1:02 pm)

Taxpayers have nothing to do with private property. ?????

K January 18, 2023 (4:33 pm)

I’d love to hear suggestions on dry cleaner alternatives. I’m always hesitant to use one for my wool blankets.

hydrogeologist January 19, 2023 (2:10 pm)

I’ve had good experience with CO2-based clean methods for delicate materials like wool.

CAM January 19, 2023 (12:00 am)

So, and feel free to shoot the messenger, but all of a sudden West Seattle is concerned about the impacts of contaminants left behind by dry cleaners? IIRC, there was an awful lot of poo pooing of any dangers that could potentially exist from spending time on unremediated lots. Maybe the government wasn’t out to get us after all?

hydrogeologist January 19, 2023 (2:08 pm)

Fair point. Perhaps myself and those above need to speak up on these things more often. The reality is we could spend 30 minutes looking at West Seattle on Google Maps and point out a dozen or more locations in our neighborhood where these issues likely exist, but have yet to be discovered. On a different note, I’m a bit disappointed that some armchair environmental consultant hasn’t challenge us. Perhaps that kind of thing is reserved for bridge and road engineering!
- my two cents January 19, 2023 (2:52 pm)
  
  seems to be an underlying current of armchair lawyers for what it’s worth

Alkistu January 19, 2023 (1:00 pm)

When did the Quality Cleaners open? It must have been in the 40’s? When I moved the bike shop up from Alki, (1991) Bob Kleins father was still running the business.