Frank Cherena, PG, LEP, WEDG

Mr. Cherena is a registered Professional Geologist in New York and Licensed Environmental Professional (LEP) in Connecticut with twenty years in environmental assessment, remediation, and brownfield redevelopment support, and is currently a Principal Geologist and Roux’s Brownfields/Due Diligence Practice Leader. Mr. Cherena has conducted, managed, or overseen Phase I and Phase II investigations and remediations at many sites located in New York and Connecticut, and specializes in developing innovative cost-saving solutions that focus on integrating remedies into redevelopment scenarios. Mr. Cherena has experience working with multiple agencies including the New York City Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), New York City Office of Environmental Remediation (NYCOER), New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP), and Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP). Additional experience includes negotiation and coordination with lenders, tenants, and community stakeholders to secure funding and approvals. Mr. Cherena has a focus in due diligence and acquisitions and has experience in supporting single asset to equity-level transactions, and is currently a member of the New York City Brownfield Partnership.

• Principal-in-Charge for redevelopment of a 12.5-acre campus under NYCDEP jurisdiction. Services included remedial design and documentation. The project required consistent communication with the NYCDEP, NYSDEC, local development corporation, and concerned citizens regarding sensitive construction issues such as community air monitoring and State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) dewatering discharges. Innovative solutions include supporting a redesign of site grades to accommodate safe and effective onsite reuse for over 50,000 tons of soil intended for offsite disposal. Other services include Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) compliance and underground storage tank (UST) removals.
• Principal-in-Charge for redevelopment of a former powerplant on the Gowanus Canal. Mr. Cherena was integral in receiving a certificate of completion under the NYSDEC Brownfields Cleanup Program (BCP), and continues to work with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) on Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) cleanup of PCB contamination. Challenges at the Site include remediation of below-ground structures, PCB contamination in soils and sediments, and contractor health and safety program management. Mr. Cherena was also instrumental in procuring over 15,000 cubic yards (CY) of clean soil through various permitted sources at zero to low cost for use onsite for various purposes, resulting in a savings of over $500K.
• Principal-in-Charge for development of 13-acre indoor mall in Norwalk, Connecticut. The project included acquisition support and compliance with the transfer act requirements, remedial investigation, and design. Over 70,000 CY of soil was excavated from the Site, which required creative reuse and beneficial use to manage costs and schedule. Other services included contractor oversight to ensure compliance with remedial action plan (RAP) and other CT DEEP regulations.
• Principal-in-Charge for the redevelopment of an existing mall in Staten Island, New York. Services included participation and negotiation with the NYCOER under the New York City Volunteer Cleanup Program (NYCVCP). Contaminants of concern at the site included historic fill, methane, and chlorinated vapors. The project included the permitting, design, and oversight installation of a Sub-Structure Vapor Depressurization (SSDS) to mitigate vapor intrusion. Other complex issues required multiple tenant coordination and negotiation with the OER to obtain OER Notice of Satisfaction (NOS) to allow for Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) to ensure timely building occupancy and owner lease compliance.
• Principal-in-Charge for the redevelopment of a 5-acre live-work-play campus in Hunts Point, Bronx. The residential component of the Project is comprised of 100% affordable housing, and is currently enrolled in the NYSDEC BCP. Mr. Cherena has also negotiated/coordinated with lenders, coordinated with multiple disciplines on the design team to create a RAP to comply with NYCOER air/noise requirements, and assisted in remedial design and estimation.