BY INDUSTRY

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE CASE STUDY

EMG performed Phase I Environmental Site Assessment and Property Condition Assessment services for a Duke Weeks Portfolio consisting of 128 properties and 26 vacant parcels. JP Morgan, a major investor in this portfolio, engaged EMG to perform the needed services for the purpose of property acquisition.

Technical scope requirements and an accelerated schedule required this project to be completed using a multidisciplinary team. An overall Project Manager coordinated all disciplines, client input, and worked with the client as issues on-site occurred. The work was divided into three distinct phases, each taking approximately two weeks, occurring simultaneously, so that all services would be completed on schedule. The first phase consisted of the review of multiple plans, specifications, maintenance budgets, property condition reports and environmental reports on location at the property management offices. EMG mobilized three teams of reviewers and assigned them to three different regional property management offices for approximately one week.

The second phase involved performance of the Phase I Environmental Assessments and Property Condition Assessments This was accomplished through the participation of over 40 professionals visiting properties in eight states. Information observed on-site was communicated to the client within 24 to 48 hours after the site visit.

The final phase involved follow-on services such as Phase II environmental reviews, historical or database research, and structural engineering assessments of suspect building components. Because of the initial review of documents, EMG was able to identify most of the required Phase II assignments before even visiting the sites, consolidating what typically takes four to six weeks into approximately three weeks.

EMG worked with the client to determine the level of risk and the need for further review, such as Phase II Environmental Investigations or structural investigations based on the data EMG presented. This consultative approach required daily communication between EMG's Project Manager and the client representative.

Draft reports were delivered to multiple parties involved in the transaction four weeks from initial engagement, with final reports delivered five weeks once the multiple parties reviewed the reports.