How L.A.’s museum district is rebuilding.

Terra-Petra is proud to be part of the 5411 Wilshire, a planned $400 million apartment and retail complex at 5411 Wilshire Blvd. in the historical Miracle Mile district of Los Angeles, led by Walter N. Marks Inc. (developer) and Keating Architecture.  A recent Los Angeles article covers the exciting and much needed changes along the famous Wilshire Blvd. supporting the immediate community and the 5411 Wilshire project.

L.A.’s museum district is rebuilding. But they’re ignoring pedestrians (again)

However, we are not certain  about how the changes will affect pedestrians in a negative way. In fact the changes we have taken part in will only benefit those who visit or frequent the Miracle Mile!
TERRA-PETRA SPONSORS CLA ENVIRONMENTAL LAW CONFERENCE AT YOSEMITE

Terra-Petra Sponsors 27th Annual Environmental Law Conference at Yosemite®

The Environmental Law Conference at Yosemite® is presented annually by the California Lawyers Association (CLA) and is held at Tenaya Lodge At Yosemite, Thursday-Sunday, October 18-21, 2018.

The Environmental Law Conference at Yosemite® is nationally recognized as the largest and most prestigious gathering in California of leaders in environmental, land use, and natural resources law. Many of the nation’s top environmental officials, lawyers, and other professionals will be at this well attended conference in the spectacular setting of Yosemite.

Read more about schedule, program, etc. here.

Here are some highlights from this year’s conference.

Terra-Petra Sponsors Bar Association of San Francisco Environmental Law Section Event

Terra-Petra was a proud sponsor of The Bar Association of San Francisco Environmental Law Section event, “Meet Your Environmental Regulators” on October 4, 2018.

The Annual Members Reception provided construction industry professionals with the opportunity to meet with representatives of many important environmental regulatory agencies, including:

California Department of Toxic Substances Control
California Coastal Commission
Bay Area Air Quality Management District
San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission
California Attorney General’s Office
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
Bay Area County Local Oversight Programs
U. S. Department of Justice
Regional Water Quality Control Board
Native American Heritage Commission

http://static.ow.ly/docs/G182908-3_7YWy.pdf

 

Terra-Petra leades Underground Storage Tank removal

Terra-Petra leads another successful underground storage tank (UST) removal

Terra-Petra was recently contracted to consult and remove 5 underground storage tanks (UST) and one hydraulic lift on a site in Lynwood, California.  These tanks have been left dormant for many years on an old gas station that is not currently operating.  Each tank contained a limited amount of liquid, which requires special permitting, special pumping treatment, and special handing and distribution.  The tanks are a variety of sizes, ranging from 100 gallons to 500 gallons, and located a depths ranging from 10 feet below surface to 20 feet below surface.

Underground storage tanks (USTs) are considered abandoned when regulated substances are no longer stored within those USTs and/or when monitoring requirements of the Operating Permit, Title 23 of California Code or Regulations, and California Health and Safety Code 25298 are not being implemented. Various risks can arise from abandoned USTs when they are not properly closed in place such as the possibility of leaked hazardous substances and contamination to the environment. Therefore it is important that sites with (possible) presence of abandoned USTs be addressed in order to avoid the consequences.

The permitting process through LAFD went very smoothly and efficiently (Terra-Petra has a great relationship with the agency).  The process, from start to finish, took approximately 5-working days, including the required onsite soil testing as the tanks are physically removed.

Check out the photos taken on the jobsite here:

Terra-Petra makes Top 20 once again in 2018 – on LA Business Journal’s Top Environmental Engineering and Consulting Firms List

Los Angeles Business Journal ranks Terra-Petra as the #18 Environmental Engineering and Consulting Firm in Los Angeles County for 2018.

Terra-Petra, one of the “newer firms” on the LABJ List, has been in the environmental engineering industry for just over 20 years, with many successful projects to lean on. The company started its operations focusing on the Los Angeles market to address the local “methane concerns” that quickly became a big issue. Its in-house experts were a big part of the team that developed the local Los Angeles Methane Code.

Terra-Petra’s expertise has always involved the ability to provide exceptional solutions for methane related issues, including soil gas investigations to determine level of risk. We are adept at recommending the right mitigation strategy and designing the right mitigation system to fit the client’s needs as well as providing the necessary inspections to ensure compliance and system integrity. Over the last ten years in particular, Terra-Petra has become to be recognized as the leading expert in methane and soil gas arena. As methane experts, we’ve also become experts at below grade waterproofing and drainage, having launched our sister-company Building Waterproofing Experts in 2010.

Terra-Petra’s Management Philosophy approach is simple, says President Kevin Buchanan,  “Make every client’s life easier.” The City of Los Angeles has written a very complex Methane Code. We have found that most of our clients, as well as the members of the design and construction teams, have no experience dealing with a property affected by this code–which impacts every aspect of the project. For this reason, we take the position of being a Methane Educator as well as Methane Problem Solver.

Terra-Petra is headquartered in Downtown Los Angeles and operates satelite offices in the cities of San Francisco, Tacoma, Denver, and New York City to serve clients throughout the nation and globally.

Los Angeles Business Journal rankings are based on number of employees in L.A. County among environmental engineering and consulting firms.

Terra-Petra Environmental Engineering John Conaway PE Vietnam Vet

In Honor of our Veterans: Terra-Petra Team Members Who’ve Served

On this Veteran’s Day 2017, Terra-Petra would like to honor our own brave Veterans, John Conaway – U.S. Marine Corps,  Anthony Avina – U.S Marine Corps, 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, H&S company, and Eduardo Rangel – U.S. Army, 2 time Afghanistan Veteran.

We would like to thank John, Anthony and Eduardo along with all of those who have served —and those who continue to serve— for your valiant service to defend this amazing country of ours. We truly appreciate all of your hard work and dedication.

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” –John Fitzgerald Kennedy

John Conaway, PE

Terra-Petra’s Professional Engineer (PE Civil) and Vietnam Veteran, John R. Conaway has over 40 years of experience in project supervision, development, evaluation, training, and safety. His impressive and expansive career track started when John received a draft notice in late 1965, when the military presence started to increase in Vietnam.

On July 28, 1965, during a noontime press conference, President Johnson announced that he would send 44 additional combat battalions to Vietnam increasing the U.S. military presence to 125,000 men. Monthly draft calls were doubled from 17,000 to 35,000. “I have asked the commanding general, General Westmoreland, what more he needs to meet this mounting aggression,” Johnson said. “We will meet his needs. We cannot be defeated by force of arms. We will stand in Vietnam.”  He further commented, “I do not find it easy to send the flower of our youth, our finest young men, into battle. I have spoken to you today of the divisions and the forces and the battalions and the units, but I know them all, every one. I have seen them in a thousand streets, of a hundred towns, in every state in this union-working and laughing and building, and filled with hope and life. I think I know, too, how their mothers weep and how their families sorrow.”

Instead of going into the army, as he had expected, John went into the US Marine Corps, and served from January 1966 to January 1968. He received his training at Camp Pendleton, California, and was later transferred to Camp Lejeune, NC. One of the highlights of his service was being selected to run the supply department on a 3-month “Caribbean cruise.” During the cruise, his ship broke down, allowing him to spend several weeks in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The photo,of John above was taken after during war games in November 1966 on the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico. He achieved the rank of sergeant in 18 months, which was a record time for getting to the rank of E-5.  Although he came close several times, John was able to avoid being sent to fight on the front lines in Vietnam, although he is still considered a Vietnam-era Vet.

John Conaway, PE, Terra-Petra Environmental Enginner

John earned a reputation for his expertise in design and inspection of methane mitigation systems and waterproofing for commercial and residential structures. John has worked with solid waste disposal, environmental engineering, managing road and facility maintenance and construction, permitting, project engineering and design in California, Nevada, and North Carolina.

Read more about John Conaway.

 

 

 

 

 

Anthony Avina, Deputy Methane Inspector

Anthony B. Avina served in the United States Marine Corps for 8 ½ years (2005-2013) with the 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, H&S company. While serving in the Marine Corps, he received training as an Electro-Optical Ordinance Repairman which taught him how to repair and maintain night sights, thermal sights, missile systems, fire control systems and optical sights.

During his service he went on numerous training exercises across the United States from Yakima, WA, Boise, ID and, Fort Knox, Kentucky. He deployed to Helmand Province, Afghanistan in 2009-2010 for a tour of service overseas where he conducted internal/external base security and his job as an Electro-Optical Ordinance Repairman conducting preventive maintenance and repairs on the battalions’ vehicles.

Anthony Avina, Terra-Petra Deputy Methane Inspector

Sergeant Anthony Avina, US Marine Corps

By the end of his service he attained the rank of Sergeant and was running the day-to-day operations for the Instrument and Optics shop, and was responsible for the training and welfare of eight Marines.

Within his term of service, he received the following awards: Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation, Selected Marine Corps Reserve Ribbon 2nd Award, National Defense Ribbon, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terror Ribbon, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal and, NATO ISAF Medal.

Anthony Avina,

 

Eduardo Rangel, Deputy Methane Inspector

In 2007, SPC Eduardo Rangel received a wartime award for valor and heroism from the US Army for “exceptional veterans day spotlight terra-petrameritorious service while deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. SPC Rangel’s personal courage and commitment to mission accomplishment in a combat zone, under the most extreme circumstances, greatly contributed to the success of Operation Enduring Freedom. SPC Rangel’s performance reflects great credit upon him, combined task force fury, combined Joint Task Force-82 and the United States Central Command.”

Eduard’s superiors highlighted the fact that he exhibited “courage under fire” in Shavak Afghanistan, and in the Paktia, Poli-alarm, and Logar provinces of Afghanistan while conducting combat patrols. He laid down heavy suppressive fire for his platoon members engaging the enemy. As the enemy attacked several times via well-organized ambushes, SPC Rangel remained calm while taking commands and calling out enemy distance and description. He participated in over 100 combat mounted and dismounted patrol missions in these Paktia, Poli-alarm, and Logar provinces of Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom VIII. His tireless efforts, knowledge, and willingness to give resulted in accomplishment of all of his assigned missions covering thousands of miles of rugged terrain throughout all three provinces.

The second citation was awarded to Eduardo in 2010 for “meritorious service as a combat engineer while assigned to Eduardo Rangel - Terra-Petra Deputy Methane Barrier InspectorAlpha Company, 508th Special Troops Battalion from 04 March 2006 to 01, November 2010.” The citation goes on to state: “SPC Rangel’s technical and tactical competence, combined with his dedication to duty set the example for others to follow. His attention to detail and selfless service inspired every paratrooper to achieve success.  His performance reflects great credit upon himself, Alpha Company, 508th Special Troops Battalion, The 82nd Airborne Division, and the United States Army.

One of the achievements highlighted in the award document outlines how Specialist Rangel was deployed to West Point NY where he was assisted in the training of over 120 Cadets in Demolitions and Urban Breaching Techniques. He was also a part of two deployments to the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) at Fort Polk, LA. During the JRTC deployment, he was key to his Platoon’s ability to conduct Route Clearance and Sanitation Operations. He mentored and instructed the Platoon on numerous techniques, tactics and procedures–often citing personal experiences.

 

Eduardo Rangel, U.S. Army, 2 time Afghanistan Veteran

vapor intrusion mitigation

Terra-Petra to attend topping off celebration for 2747 Park project in Palo Alto

The Level 10 team is set to celebrate the topping out of the the 2747 Park project on Thursday, October 5th. Designed by  the Jay Paul Company, this development is steps from Caltrain in Palo Alto, California. 2747 Park provides a future-forward workplace designed for Silicon Valley’s innovative workforce. Terra-Petra has been invited to attend the event having designed the vapor intrusion mitigation system for the site. Level 10 will also have the topping out beam available for signatures onsite beginning October 3rd.

Terra-Petra environmental engineering provides consulting to Pico Sullivan Architects on Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy Arts Center

Terra-Petra provides environmental consulting expertise to private school performing arts center

Re-Imagining the Past: The original 1956 Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy Auditorium was a multi-functional Cafa-Gym-atoriumWhile it provided much needed flexibility, hosting untold numbers of disparate functions, it did not adequately accommodate any one activity.  The time had come to recreate the venue to exclusively nurture and showcase the visual and performing arts. Terra-Petra was brought into this project to provide environmental engineering consulting expertise.

Designed by Pica +Sullivan Architects, Ltd., the newly renovated and reconfigured Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy Performing Arts Center and Mozilo Family Theater features an elegant pre-function lobby and art gallery, a proscenium theater with stadium seating, high tech production audio-visual system and theatrical lighting, stagecraft workshop and an art studio.

The extensive renovation entailed structural and seismic retrofit of the Spanish Colonial building, a broadening and lengthening of the stage and incorporation of accessory and support functions to service full scale performances for theater, dance and music.

Terra-Petra Environmental Engineering Recognized in the LA Times as part of Wilshire Grand project - tallest skyscraper in the West.

Terra-Petra Team recognized in the LA Times as part of the Wilshire Grand project – the tallest structure in the west and the Los Angeles skyline.

The Wilshire Grand project grew from a handshake to become the tallest building west of the Mississippi. For three years, Times staff writer Thomas Curwen has chronicled its construction, from the initial planning phase to the topping off and final design touches. One the pages, are his stories of the Wilshire Grand tower.

To express his appreciation to all those who were involved with the Wilshire Grand project, Korean Air & Hanjin Group (property owner) Chairman Yang Ho Cho, placed the multiple-page advertisement in the Los Angeles Times  on June 27, 2017. He wanted to  publish the name of every person who worked on the project.

Working closely with A.C. Martin and Turner Construction on Los Angeles’ newest and tallest skyscraper, the Terra-Petra team is proud to be recognized in this LA Times piece (attached/linked PDF) above. 

The Trojan Marching Band headlined the special Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on the Plaza area to celebrate the Grand Opening of the Wilshire Grand Center (June 23rd). The media covered event was hosted by Korean Air & Hanjin Group. Chairman (and USC alum) Cho and his team also hosted a private party in the building that evening.

Below are a few highlights we grabbed during the grand opening ceremony—along with fresh photos of, what Chairman Cho describes as, “the crown jewel of Figueroa Street.” Again, Terra-Petra is proud to be recognized as part of this outstanding project.

USC Trojan Marching Band headlines Wilshire Grand Center Grand Opening June 23 2017

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