Transforming an underutilized former steel mill into a thriving underground commercial space is a feat of science and vision, and V3’s Environmental team is working to help make it happen. Learn how our environmental engineers are tackling an air quality challenge for The Invert, Chicago’s ambitious answer to industrial decay.
Buried potential
The southeast side of Chicago is ready for its second act. After decades of environmental blight following the decline of the steel industry, the area is entering a new season of opportunity thanks to The Invert: a sprawling, subsurface commercial working environment in the planning stage. This forward-thinking project aims to create 6 million square feet of new business space underground, turning a current brownfield site into a bustling community.
Building down instead of up offers many sustainability benefits to the area. By carving a work environment out of the ground, less building materials and less demand for heating and cooling are needed, resulting in a smaller carbon footprint and energy savings. It also provides space for community benefit on the project surface.
The Invert doesn’t want to simply reduce environmental impacts: they want to provide net environmental improvements with negligible air quality impacts during construction and beyond, which is why they partnered with V3’s environmental experts to develop a plan.
Winds of change
The Invert’s subtropolis will dramatically transform Chicago’s southeast side, requiring significant research, expertise, and passion to ensure the project best serves the community. In 2021, V3 kicked off an extensive air quality impact assessment to determine how to minimize undesirable air emissions during construction. During this process, the City of Chicago introduced new guidance that tightened air quality requirements, prompting our team to dig even deeper to find solutions that meet the strict standards.
With The Invert’s goals as a north star, our environmental scientists and engineers are also working to improve the future conditions through developing air quality advancements. This exciting challenge has allowed our team to explore emerging technologies that have yet to be implemented in the United States, such as outdoor air purifying towers that look like art installations yet actively absorb pollutants. To do this, we build detailed models to understand the efficacy of each possible solution.
In addition to our air modeling and emissions control services, we’ve been involved with community outreach and education to help build confidence and support in this pioneering vision. These efforts have empowered The Invert team to adapt plans that best address residents’ needs, including adding community solar and a new park with recreational and community space at surface level for optimal neighborhood benefit.
V3’s Environmental Services Group Leader Keith Oswald, P.E. is a member of The Invert Environmental Advisory Board and has worked closely with other project consultants such as Sam Schwartz traffic engineering to address this project from all angles.
“I’ve worked on projects in the southeast side of Chicago for over 25 years; I know firsthand how much commitment and perseverance it can take to get big things done there. The most rewarding part of this project for me is being a part of something that is truly transformative, bringing economic development, innovation and community benefit to an overburdened area.”
Keith Oswald
After years of technical work, V3 is excited to see The Invert take the next step in revitalizing Chicago’s southeast side.
Work with V3’s Environmental experts
Our environmental team prides itself on clearly defining and explaining the environmental conditions, remediation solutions, and redevelopment options on each property. Connect with us to learn more.