Lisa Grady of Bridge Housing to RWQCB: "We want protection from liability after we buy Marinwood Plaza"

History of Marinwood Plaza in 2014

Renee Silveira was shocked to learn that Bridge Housing wants a guarantee after purchasing Marinwood Plaza that they will not be liable for the toxic waste.* It seems no one wants to be the responsible party to clean up all of the residual toxins that could find its way to the Silveira Ranch water source, poisoning the dairy herd, the residents and potentially thousands of people that drink milk.  

Supervisor Susan Adams called multiple times and Assemblymen Mark Levine called on behalf of the developers and landowners to vacate the toxic waste clean up order and extend the final clean up date  so they may have additional time to get financing and permits.  

Why didn't they consider the risks to PUBLIC HEALTH first?  

Lisa Grady, Marinwood Village, Former Senior Project Manager

See full Board Packet with the Geologica Report responses from Marinwood Plaza, LLC, Bridge Housing and Silveira Ranches HERE

Email sent to the RWQCB on January 8, 2014.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Lisa Grady
To: Aue, Kent@Waterboards
Cc: Tom Graf (tom@grafcon.us)
Subject: Water Board Order Regarding the Marinwood Plaza site
Date: Wednesday, January 08, 2014 4:47:12 PM

Kent:

As you know, BRIDGE intends to develop the site post-remediation and we have assumed
that vapor mitigation in the form of sub-slab ventilation or ventilated flooring will be
necessary for some period of time in the areas currently showing vapors exceeding
allowable concentrations. We want to make sure this is taken into account with regard to
the order.

Additionally, without understanding the constraints and regulations governing the
Waterboard, it would be ideal if staff were able to modify the order with regard to timing.
While we hope this won’t be the case, the entitlements and environmental approvals may be litigated. We were anticipating that the completion of the soil removal would occur once BRIDGE has secured the necessary financing to begin construction. We anticipate that the entitlement and environmental approvals will be secured in 12 to 18 months from today. Once that occurs, and assuming there is no litigation, we would proceed with the completion of the construction documents, financing and building permitting. Typically, that takes about a year’s time. So, the earliest construction start date isn’t likely to be until June of 2016.

The other item I would like to discuss at some point is the Prospective Purchaser document
we need to protect us from liability once we take title. You indicated that the Water Board
no longer issues these but I’d like to understand how we get to an equivalent level of
protection absent that document.

Please give me a call if you have questions. Thanks and Happy New Year.

Lisa

Lisa Grady | Senior Project Manager
BRIDGE Housing Corporation | 345 Spear Street, Suite 700, San Francisco, Ca., 94105
Direct: 415.321.3534
p. 415.989.1111 ext 7514
f. 415.495.4898

lgrady@bridgehousing.com

Pregnant women and children are particularly vulnerable to toxins in the environment.

*Of course, if anyone were to receive such a guarantee, then the public will never be certain that a full cleanup has taken place.  It simply gives the buyer a permanent "get out of jail card" free.

Postscript:  Lisa Grady left employment with Bridge Housing shortly after this letter was discovered and made public.

Testimony to the Regional Water Quality Control Board about Prosperity Cleaners Toxic Waste Site. Sept 9, 2015

Five concerned citizens from Marinwood ask for immediate remediation measures at Prosperity Cleaners Toxic Waste site.  No remediation has been done since 2011 according to public records.  The Regional Water Quality Control Board has allowed the discharger to test instead of treat the source contamination. Now the toxic plume has extended under the 101 Freeway in Marinwood and extends 4/10 of a mile East.  The toxic problem is huge yet the board executive Bruce Wolff will not order immediate remediation.  There has been no remediation since August 2011

Toxic Waste concentration is 2000 times legal limit at Marinwood Village (01:37)

This brief clip is from the full hearing on the Toxic Waste cleanup for former Prosperity Cleaners site at Marinwood Plaza. It is alleged that Prosperity Cleaners dumped Toxic Waste (PCE)  behind their store in Marinwood Plaza, creating a massive environmental problem.  The PCE has migrated through the soil under the 101 Freeway and is heading straight for the water well located on the Silveira Ranch. The well provides drinking water for the for the residents and the dairy herd.  Potentially thousands of people including pregnant women and children could be affected by the toxic contamination of their milk if the site is not cleaned up immediately.

Supervisor Susan Adams and Assemblymen Mark Levine lobbied the RWQCB to remove the current clean up order and extend the date for compliance so that it will fit their financing and construction schedule.  Supervisor Susan Adams has a PHD in Nursing and we are shocked that she would protect the development interests over the public health.  She ran on "Cows not Condos" to protect Marinwood from over development in her initial campaign for Supervisor. She is running for re-election in 2014.

Read more on PCE environmental cleanup HERE

Time is running out. 

Toxic Waste Cleanup of Marinwood Plaza- Renee Silveira speaks

Renee Silveira describes the shock of discovery that a toxic waste spill had spread perilously close to the Silveira Dairy Ranch well water. She did not receive notification until years after the initial discovery of the problem by Hoytt Enterprises.

Do you live within the Marinwood Village Toxic Waste Zone of Influence?

The toxic waste from Prosperity Cleaners at Marinwood Plaza continues to spread unabated.  Recent testing on Silveira Ranch indicates a much further penetration into our groundwater supply than previously estimated.  

A cancer hot spot of multiple cases is present in Casa Marinwood.  Although it is highly speculative at this point whether there is a causal relationship,  we now know that the toxic waste has definitely spread and threatens the health of our community.  

Supervisor Susan Adams and Marc Levine have personally intervened to stop the mandatory cleanup order for Marinwood Plaza to allow Bridge Housing to secure financing.  We understand they are now out of the bidding and a new buyer has also dropped out.   

It appears that no one is prepared to take on the responsibility for clean up.  Marinwood Plaza, LLC is the legally responsible party but has successfully delayed full clean up since 2007 when first made public.  We understand that Ms Adams has long had the objective of building housing on the site and capitalizing on the funds available from the EPA for clean up of brownfield sites for affordable housing.   This well meaning effort to delay clean up has imperiled hundreds of Marinwood residents as well as the Silveira Ranch dairy operation.   

Sudden staff changes at the Regional Water Quality Control Board appears to be political manuevers to get approvals on this troubled site.  We sincerely hope that the RWQCB does responsible science and order the immediate clean up for the safety of all.

Will the court action be necessary?   

If you are in the "zone of influence" we recommend that you step forward to add your voice of concerned residents at tommorrows  RWQCB meeting in Oakland. For more information contact savemarinwood@gmail.com

Marinwood Village Enviromental CRIME! PCE Risks to You (en espanol )

From the National Library of Medicine

Perchloroethylene (PCE, PERC)

en español

Perchloroethylene is used in dry cleaning. Long-term exposure may affect health.

What is perchloroethylene?

Perchloroethylene is a colorless, nonflammable liquid with a sweet, ether-like odor. It is also called tetrachloroethylene, PCE, or PERC. The chemical formula for perchloroethylene is C₂Cl₄.

Perchloroethylene is a volatile organic compound (VOC). Perchloroethylene is a manufactured chemical that is primarily used for dry cleaning fabrics and degreasing metals. It has also been used to make other chemicals, including chlorofluorocarbons, and rubber coatings; as an insulating fluid and cooling gas in electrical transformers; and as a scouring, sizing, and desizing agent in textiles. It is an ingredient in aerosol products, solvent soaps, printing inks, adhesives, sealants, paint removers, paper coatings, leather treatments, automotive cleaners, polishes, lubricants, and silicones. It is also an ingredient in some consumer products, including typewriter correction fluid, adhesives, spot removers, wood cleaners, and shoe polish.

How might I be exposed to perchloroethylene?

You can be exposed to perchloroethylene if you dry clean your clothes, which will release small amounts of perchloroethylene into the air after they are dry cleaned, or if you use a laundromat that contains dry cleaning machines. You can also be exposed if you use products that contain perchloroethylene, such as fabric finishers, adhesives, spot removers, typewriter correction fluid, shoe polish, and wood cleaners.

Exposure to low levels of perchloroethylene in the air and water can occur because of industrial releases. There is more perchloroethylene in the air in urban and industrial areas than in rural and remote areas. You can be exposed to higher levels if you live or work close to dry cleaning facilities, chemical waste sites, or chemical storage areas where perchloroethylene has been stored.

At work, you can be exposed to perchloroethylene if you work in a dry cleaning, metal degreasing, chemical production, rubber coating, or textile facility.

How can perchloroethylene affect my health?

Short-term exposure to high levels of perchloroethylene can affect the central nervous system and cause unconsciousness and death. 
Perchloroethylene is listed as "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen" in the Thirteenth Report on Carcinogens published by the National Toxicology Program because long-term exposure to perchloroethylene can cause leukemia and cancer of the skin, colon, lung, larynx, bladder, and urogenital tract.

Long-term exposure may also damage the central nervous system, liver, and kidneys; it can also cause respiratory failure, memory loss, confusion, and dry and cracked skin. If you are pregnant, long-term exposure to perchloroethylene may damage a developing fetus.

Short-term exposure to high levels of perchloroethylene can cause buildup of fluid in the lungs, eye and respiratory irritation, severe shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, sleepiness, confusion, difficulty speaking and walking, and lightheadedness.

Short-term exposure to low levels of perchloroethylene can cause dizziness, inebriation, sleepiness, and irritated eyes, nose, mouth, throat, and respiratory tract. Direct contact with perchloroethylene liquid or vapor can irritate and burn the skin, eyes, nose, and throat.

If you have a disease of the heart, liver, kidneys, or lungs, you will be more susceptible to the health effects of perchloroethylene.

If you think your health has been affected by exposure to perchloroethylene, contact your health care professional.

For poisoning emergencies or questions about possible poisons, please contact your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.

This description is based on the information found in the Web links listed with this topic.

More Links
Map of Superfund Hazardous Waste Sites with Perchloroethylene in the United States. TOXMAP (National Library of Medicine) 
Tetrachloroethylene (PERC). ToxFAQs. (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry) 
Tetrachloroethylene. Haz-Map (National Library of Medicine) 
Tetrachloroethylene. Hazardous Substances Data Bank (National Library of Medicine) 
Tetrachloroethylene. Household Products Database (National Library of Medicine) 
What is Perchloroethylene (Tetrachloroethylene or PCE)? (Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center) (PDF — 62 KB)

Supervisor Susan Adams/Assemblymen Mark Levine Lobbies RWQCB to change Toxic Waste Clean up Order (1 minute)

This is just one of the shocking revelations at the February 12, 2014 hearing for the Toxic Waste Clean up at Marinwood Village. Seen here is the attorney for the current owner Marinwood Village, LLC aka Hoytt Enterprises. Also present was project manager, Lisa Grady for Bridge Housing. They are asking for vacating the cleanup order with the date of August 1, 2016 so they may have time to pursue financing and permitting.

 The toxic plume is migrating eastward under the 101 freeway and now is found perilously close to the drinking well on the Silvera Ranch from which dairy cattle and residents derive their water. Supervisor Adams and Assemblymen Mark Levine lobbied AGAINST the speedy cleenup for the benefit of Bridge Housing and Marinwood Village LLC.  The Toxic Plume is expected to contain PCB, the same toxin found at Love Canal, NY  which was proven to cause cancers and birth defects.  There is no known intrusion on the Silvera Ranch at this time but it is urgent that this matter be resolved before traveling further.

 Supervisor Susan Adams holds a doctorate in Nursing and cites her healthcare background as a key asset for serving as a County Supervisor. Check back. The full meeting video will be published shortly.

See the story in the Marin IJ HERE

Full Hearing on the Toxic Waste Cleanup for Marinwood Village

This is a full hearing on the Toxic Waste cleanup for Marinwood Village. Speakers include a team for Marinwood Plaza, LLC aka Hoytt Enterprises consisting of Attorney, Geologica consultants, and Wells Fargo Bank, Asset Manager; An Attorney for Silveira Ranches and Renee Silveira and Marinwood residents. Also present was the Bridge Housing project manager, Lisa Grady who did not speak but submitted comments.

The toxic plume has been known to exist since 2007 but only the minimal remediation efforts have taken place.. Marinwood Village, LLC asked the board to remove the clean up order and date of compliance so that they have more time to gather financing and permitting.  The Silveiras and the community objected citing health concerns. The Silveiras, their dairy cows, employees and the community fortunately prevailed over multiple phone calls from Supervisor Susan Adams and Assemblymen Mark Levine to stop the cleanup order to allow a "more flexible solution".

The board agreed unanimously with the Silveiras and Marinwood community members. Several RWQCB board members also commented that they are willing to consider an accelerated cleanup schedule to July 2015 due to the severity of the health implications.

According to the sworn testimony of the attorney for Marinwood Village, LLC,  Marin County Supervisor, Susan Adam  made several calls to the RWQCB to supporting the relaxed clean up schedule for Marinwood Village, LLC.  Assemblymen Marc Levine called a day prior to the hearing also to express support for the landowners and developers.

This is is a profound MORAL ISSUE.  Our elected representatives, choose to support builders, bankers and landowners over the public health. One would expect Dr. Susan L. Adams, with a PHD in Nursing to favor the public health.  She was defeated by a landslide in June  2014.

Susan Adams ran on the slogan "Cows not Condos" .  Now those same cows are threaten by a toxic plume that could poison them.  She lobbied for the Builders, Banks and Developers against the interests of the Silveiras, the Community and the Cows.   Susan Adams was defeated by a landslide in June 2014.

Important links to find out about the Toxic Waste at Marinwood Plaza.

The State keeps track of all known sites with environmental problems called Geotracker  You'll find out about the Marinwood Village problems:  HERE

Please note that there is a second site on the North Side of the lot (Formerly the Unocal Station) that has been cleaned up to commercial standards (but not for human habitation) at the corner of Marinwood Ave and Miller Creek Avenue.  This is where Bridge is planning to build "market rate housing"  (likely Section 8) and small commercial spaces for retail.

Please note that the initial cleanup order began January 1st, 1990  over 25 YEARS ago and the waste has spread under the highway and into the groundwater.  

A cancer hotspot is said to exist next door in Casa Marinwood.

Our public leaders have failed us.  The environmental damage has been spreading all these years with only minimal remediation.  The county, led by Susan Adams desperately wants low income housing on the site because the location fits the "Smart Growth" ideal of being located next to a freeway and bus stop.  

Unfortunately, families who live here may be exposed to residual effects of hazardous waste currently TWO THOUSAND TIMES and benzene contamination in excess of FOUR TIMES allowable levels. Benzene is a CLASS ONE CARCINOGEN.

None of the politicians, housing activists or industry lobbyists will be living anywhere near this polluted site.  They claim compassion while living tucked away in their McMansions in Southern and West Marin.   Many are hoping to profit from political advancement, government grants, or millions of dollars directly through designing, building or  financing low income homes in Marin.   These developments pay almost NO TAXES forcing the surrounding community to pay for infrastructure, government services and schooling for its residents.

We can build better housing for our needy families in safe areas. This is TRUE compassion.

Marinwood Plaza is up for sale.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Just got this listing for Marinwood Plaza from a friend.  There was an announcement that Marinwood Plaza, LLC (Hoytt Enterprises) put the commercial portion of the property up for sale last month and Bridge made an offer for the whole property.  Now we see that the whole property is being offered to the general public.  Does this mean that the property has fallen out of escrow with Bridge Housing?

I suspect that the issues with the toxic waste cleanup are much more of a problem than previously disclosed. The toxic waste extends under 101 and threatens the Silveira Ranch drinking water supply for the dairy herd.  Geologica has been testing for contamination on the Silveira property for the last few weeks.  

And then there is the issue with the benzene gas contamination from the freeway at 4 times legally allowable limits and the neighboring microwave farm that will be blasting the apartments.  There are major environmental issues that may be difficult to re mediate.  In February 2014 the RWQCB (Regional Water Quality Control Board) issued a mandatory clean up order due to the severity of the toxic waste present.

Of course, the legal challenges to CEQA from our good friends at www.alliancemarin.org  also may be playing a significant role in having Bridge to reconsider developing the site.

Marinwood Plaza should be cleaned up no matter what development happens to it. The public health has been at risk too long.  It could be an expensive,lengthy process,taking years and millions of dollars to bring it into compliance.  

We will see what this all means soon.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

From Loop.net

Marinwood Plaza

121-197 Marinwood Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94903

Price Not Disclosed

33,514 SF | Retail

| Get Financing

• Contact Listing Broker
• Watch Property
• Create Report
• Share
  

  • Share
    • Send to Friend
    • Link to This Listing
    • Embed This on Your Web Site
    • Widgets, Badges and Tools

    Share on social networks

     

    inShare0

    
    

• Print

Retail Property For Sale

Price:

Price Not Disclosed

Gross Leasable Area:

33,514 SF

Property Type:

Retail

Property Sub-type:

Neighborhood Center

Additional Sub-types:

Government Subsidized

Retail (Other)

Specialty Center

Property Use Type:

Investment

Tenancy:

Multiple

Lot Size:

4.99 AC

Listing ID

18909320

Last Updated

24 days ago

Find Out More...

Highlights

• Rare Marin County Mixed-Use Redevelopment Opportunity
• Tremendous Upside Through Redevelopment Of Site
• Extremely Strong Apartment & For Sale Housing Market
• Long-Term Triple Net Lease; Provides Stable Income Stream Through Redevelopment Process
• General Commercial Mixed-Use Marin Countywide Plan Designation
• Outstanding Demographics; Affluent Trade Area

Description

Marcus & Millichap as Exclusive Advisor is pleased to present the rare opportunity to acquire the fee-simple interest in the Marinwood Plaza ( Property ) located in Marin County, California. Marinwood Plaza is situated at the corner of Marinwood Avenue and Miller Creek Road with direct access and visibility to Highway 101.

Marinwood Plaza is comprised of four separate contiguous parcels totaling 4.99-acres (217,573 SF) with a 33,514-square foot existing improvement. The northern most 15,190-square foot portion of the existing improvement is leased to Marinwood Market under a long-term lease.

Marinwood Market is operating under a 15-year triple net lease that commenced on August 1, 2011 and runs through July 31, 2026. The lease incorporates annual consumer price index increases capped at 6.0% per annum throughout the base term and the first 10-year option and second 9-year option periods. Marinwood Market is required to pay as percentage rent 2.0% of gross sales in excess of the minimum monthly base rent.
The Property is zoned CP- Planned Commercial and has a GC- General Commercial/Mixed Use countywide plan designation. In addition, the countywide plan designated the Property as an HOD- Housing Overlay District.
Marinwood Plaza has been the subject of an ongoing redevelopment project ( Marinwood Village ) that incorporates the enclosed guiding principles that were previously approved by the Marin County Board of Supervisors several years ago.

The site boasts outstanding trade area demographics with approximately 5,298 residents with an average household income of $119,609 within a one-mile radius and approximately 116,135 residents with an average household income of $121,549 within a five-mile radius.

Marinwood Village meeting with Water Board to discuss Toxic Waste spill on July 24, 2013