Robinson Terminal North

In October 2015, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Northern Regional Office Petroleum Program received information indicating subsurface petroleum contamination was identified at the Robinson Terminal North property located at 500 and 501 North Union Street, in the City of Alexandria.

In November 2015, DEQ issued Pollution Complaint Number (PC#) 2016-3090 and requested a Site Characterization Report (SCR) to evaluate the nature and extent of the petroleum contamination and determine if corrective action was necessary to protect to human health and the environment from these contaminants.

Site History

The information provided to the Petroleum Program indicates that the properties located along the waterfront had a long history of industrial and commercial use. From at least the early 1700s through the late 1800s, the site and surrounding area was likely the location of tobacco warehouses and possibly a wharf for loading and unloading ships. By the 1900s, the railway lines were present, as well as a fertilizer and chemical company, and a bulk oil storage depot. These operations continued until the 1960s. The existing warehouses were constructed in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Three diesel underground storage tanks (USTs) were located at the warehouse closest to the Potomac River until their removal in March 2016 (Facility ID#3024337). These USTs were the subject of a previous PC#2006-3131, which was closed in 2006 after completion of a Site Characterization.

Petroleum Contaminants of Concern

The assessment work for PC#2016-3090 revealed that both soil and groundwater beneath the site have been impacted by petroleum from multiple sources, both on- and off-site. The off-site properties are situated hydraulically upgradient. In addition to the petroleum contamination, non-petroleum constituents such as arsenic, lead, mercury, and thallium were also detected. While the petroleum contamination will be addressed through a Corrective Action Plan (CAP) approved by the DEQ Petroleum Program, non-petroleum contaminants will be addressed through the DEQ Voluntary Remediation Program

Current and Future Land Use

In 2019, the DEQ approved a CAP for the site, which included activities such as soil excavation, groundwater management, and the implementation of engineering and institutional controls (such as clean fill and a Site-Specific Health and Safety Plan).

In 2021, due to a site use change, the owner submitted an updated Risk Assessment to account for a delay in redevelopment due to the AlexRenew project. In 2024, the Risk Assessment was again updated to reflect new plans for a mixed-use residential and commercial development. The DEQ Petroleum Program has requested an updated CAP to address these proposed changes to land use. 

Technical Files

To assist those interested in understanding the site history, a selection of technical documents and correspondences related to the two PC#’s and the FAC ID# have been made available for review (see below). To request other documents in the site file, please submit a FOIA through NextRequest and request files for RTN PC#2006-3131, PC#2016-3090, and FACID#3024337.