Former Sinclair Hotel Site Brownfield Cleanup, Bethlehem, New Hampshire

BRI Development, LLC’s Brownfield cleanup of the former Sinclair Hotel site in Bethlehem, New Hampshire, stands out for its transformation of a long-blighted downtown property that had remained contaminated and unusable for over forty years. The site’s history of fire damage and subsequent environmental hazards—including elevated levels of lead, PAHs, and asbestos—posed significant risks to public health and hindered community redevelopment. Sanborn, Head & Associates, Inc. along with key subcontractors Brighter Horizons Environmental and Eurofins addressed these challenges with a comprehensive remedial strategy, including targeted soil excavation, chemical stabilization, and the installation of a clean soil cap. These actions not only mitigated health hazards but also aligned with the community’s vision for a vibrant, mixed-use downtown, supporting local economic growth and revitalization.

This project is noteworthy for its collaborative and innovative approach, which brought together project sponsor BRI Development, LLC, regulatory agencies, technical experts, and the local community. The team’s methodical planning and stakeholder engagement maintained regulatory compliance, sustainability, and long-term site safety. By converting a hazardous, underutilized parcel into a model for sustainable redevelopment, the project exemplifies how engineering solutions can drive economic and community renewal, meeting and exceeding the standards set by ACEC-NH for innovation, impact, and stakeholder involvement.