Mary Holmes College, West Point, Mississippi

PM Environmental, Inc. successfully wrote and managed two EPA grants (assessment and cleanup) as well as performed Due Diligence and hazardous material removal services for this long-term project.

Initially, PM was hired by the City of West Point, Mississippi, to provide consulting and assistance in preparing an EPA Assessment Grant. The grant was awarded, and PM and the City conducted community wide inventory of possible sites.

One of the sites was the Mary Holmes College, originally established for the exclusive education of African American women in 1892, the campus been vacant since 2005. The cultural significance and central location of the college made its restoration a priority for the community. In 2010, Community Counseling Services (CCS), a non-profit organization, had purchased the site and was using a small portion of the property with hopes of expanding.

Activities & Results

During the assessment, PM conducted multiple Phase I & II Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) and asbestos containing materials (ACM) surveys. One of the most prominent and deteriorated buildings on campus was the Administration Building, which was beyond repair and needed to be demolished to move CCS redevelopment project forward.

Demolishing the building become the largest hurdle in redeveloping the campus. The four story, 50,000 sq. ft. building had siding comprised of asbestos containing shingles and an interior containing lead- based paint, asbestos and black mold. Chemicals, such as sulfates, benzenes, acetates, metals, among others, were present.

Due to the level of contamination, PM assisted CCS apply for an EPA Cleanup Grant. The project was  awarded the first EPA cleanup grant in the state of Mississippi since the inception of the program. PMs cleanup plan includes demolition and contaminant removal and disposal. PM is handling the safe removal for disposal of all inventoried chemicals and complete abatement and removal of ACM and lead based paint (LBP), in accordance with regulations.