⚡ 9057 S WENTWORTH AVE

1. Site Access & Topography

Road Access & Equipment Delivery: The subject property is located at 9057 S Wentworth Avenue in Chicago, IL, affording it excellent logistical access. Wentworth Avenue is a major, multi-lane, paved urban thoroughfare. It is situated less than half a mile from the Dan Ryan Expressway (I-94), a primary north-south interstate. This proximity ensures a direct and high-capacity route for the delivery of all necessary BESS components, including heavy and oversized loads like transformers, switchgear, and containerized battery systems. Access for construction vehicles and cranes appears to be straightforward from public rights-of-way.

Terrain Characteristics: As is characteristic of the Chicago metropolitan area, the site's topography is presumed to be exceptionally flat. This is a significant advantage, as it will minimize the need for extensive civil work, grading, and site preparation, thereby reducing construction costs and timelines. The flat terrain simplifies the layout of equipment pads, access roads, and cable trenching.

Heavy Equipment Feasibility: Access for heavy equipment is considered highly feasible. The robust road network can support the weight and size of fully loaded tractor-trailers carrying 40-foot battery containers and multi-ton transformers. A preliminary review of aerial imagery does not indicate any immediate overhead line conflicts or restrictive turning radii from Wentworth Avenue onto the property, though a detailed logistics survey is recommended.

Easement Concerns: Given the dense urban setting, there is a high probability of existing subsurface and overhead utility easements crossing the property. A full ALTA survey and title commitment review are critical to identify any easements for sewer, water, gas, telecommunications, or electricity that could encumber the parcel and reduce the net buildable area. While access easements are not a concern due to direct road frontage, internal easements could significantly constrain the BESS array layout. This requires verification.

2. Environmental Constraints

FEMA Flood Zone: The FEMA flood zone designation is currently Unknown. This represents a critical data gap and a potential fatal flaw. A high-priority next step is to review the relevant FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) panel. If the site is located within a Special Flood Hazard Area (e.g., Zone A or AE), development costs would increase substantially due to the need for elevated equipment pads and flood-proofing measures, potentially rendering the project economically unviable.

Wetlands: The presence of jurisdictional wetlands is Unknown. While less likely on a previously developed urban parcel, it cannot be ruled out without a formal desktop screening using the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) database. If the screening indicates potential wetlands, a formal delineation would be required, which could trigger significant setbacks and reduce the buildable acreage.

Critical Habitat / Endangered Species: The initial screening indicates no designated critical habitats or protected areas on or immediately adjacent to the site. The risk of encountering federally listed threatened or endangered species is considered low due to the highly disturbed, urban nature of the environment. A formal review using the USFWS IPaC tool is recommended for confirmation.

Brownfield/Superfund Status: The data indicates 13 brownfield or superfund sites within a two-mile radius. This presents both a risk and a significant opportunity.

• Risk: The subject parcel itself may have historical contamination from prior land uses. A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) is mandatory to assess this risk. If Recognized Environmental Conditions (RECs) are found, a Phase II ESA (involving soil and groundwater sampling) may be required, potentially revealing contamination that requires costly remediation.
• Opportunity: If the Phase I/II ESA confirms the presence of contamination, the site may qualify as a "brownfield site" under IRA guidelines. This would make the project eligible for a 10% ITC adder, a major financial benefit.

Pipeline Proximity: No major gas or hazardous liquid transmission pipelines are identified within a three-mile radius. This is a significant positive, as it eliminates risks and setback requirements associated with pipeline infrastructure.

3. Grid Infrastructure & Interconnection

Nearest Substation & Feeder: Information on the nearest distribution substation (distance, voltage, available capacity) is