NEW CASTLE COUNTY COURTHOUSE AND GARAGE
WILMINGTON, DELAWARE
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Environmental
Duffield Associates was initially retained to provide a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment of this site to evaluate past and present property use and potential areas of environmental concern. In addition to historic research and general site reconnaissance, a magnetometer survey and a subsurface soil evaluation were conducted to search for underground tanks and other buried containers.

A portion of the property was entered into the Voluntary Cleanup Program administrated by the State of Delaware, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control's Site Investigation and Restoration Branch (DNREC-SIRB). Duffield Associates, as a contractor certified by DNREC-SIRB, conducted a fast track environmental evaluation, acted as liaison between the site developers and DNREC-SIRB, developed work plans, assisted with bid specification development, provided health and safety monitoring, and documented the successful completion of environmental tasks.

Geotechnical
During the geotechnical evaluation, test borings revealed highly variable site conditions including a layer of miscellaneous fill and debris overlying interlayered silt, clay, sand soils, and terminating bedrock. After evaluating a number of foundation alternatives, Duffield Associates recommended a deep foundation system bearing on the "Brandywine Blue Granite" bedrock. A concrete filled steel pipe pile system was selected for the project.

Construction
Duffield Associates provided construction review services for all phases of site development for the 5.4 acre parcel and approximately 575,000-sq.ft. 14-story New Castle County Courthouse and 8-story parking garage. Services included review of deep foundation, site regrading, reinforced concrete, structural steel, sprayed fire material, and masonry construction. Duffield Associates also provided ongoing consultation services.