Giffels was retained to conduct the site remediation, site supervision and closure reporting at the former airforce base, CFB Downsview. The Downsview lands are the single, largest redevelopment site in the City. The project comprised the excavation and disposal of 27,000 tonnes of contaminated soil and the restoration of the existing surface conditions at 22 locations at the base.

The impacted soils include metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, petroleum hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds. The majority of impacted soils were situated between 0 and 4 metres below grade surface.

Four excavation locations were in close proximity to existing buildings that were protected prior to excavation. Pavement, gravel and sodding resurfacing was completed in the Spring of 2003.