What We Cover in This Episode: Phase I ESAs Explained: How historical fire maps, old phone books, and agency databases are used to uncover decades of hidden contamination. The Innocent Landowner Defense: What "All Appropriate Inquiries" under CERCLA actually means, and how to protect buyers and lenders from legacy liability. Triggering a Phase II: How geologists step out laterally and vertically to map soil and groundwater contamination when red flags are found. The Vapor Intrusion Threat: Why chlorinated solvents from dry cleaners are so dangerous, and how vapor extraction systems bring sites back into compliance. Saving the Deal: How brokers and consultants work together to structure remediation escrows, holdbacks, and price re-trades when contamination is found. Flex Space & Owner-Users: The hidden risks of buying subdivided industrial condos that were once part of larger manufacturing plants.
In the world of commercial and industrial real estate, a deal is only as good as the due diligence behind it. Finding a hidden dry cleaner from the 1960s or unearthing a legacy chemical spill can turn a high-performing asset into a capital-intensive nightmare.
In this episode of Adding Value, host Shy Assar sits down with David McAlister, founder and Principal of McAlister GeoScience. With over 25 years of experience as a geologist and environmental consultant, David is the go-to advisor for private investors, developers, and Fortune 100 companies navigating complex environmental liabilities.
David breaks down the critical nuances of environmental reporting that rarely get discussed on camera. Whether you are buying an owner-user flex space, an old gas station, or a massive industrial facility, this episode is a masterclass in protecting your equity and structuring deals around "dirty" property.
David McAlister is a geologist and the founder of McAlister GeoScience, a premier multi-discipline environmental consulting firm based in Southern California. With 25 years of industry experience, David specializes in Phase I/II assessments, risk management, and site remediation for private investors and developers. 🌐 Visit McAlister GeoScience: https://www.dirtyproperty.com/