LightBox, a provider of commercial real estate data and technology solutions, announced the launch of City Directories in LightBox Live, a next-generation solution purpose-built to improve the quality, defensibility and efficiency of Phase I Environmental Site Assessments.
Environmental professionals and lenders rely on historical research to assess risk. Yet traditional city directory workflows often depend on manual searches, inconsistent adjoining property definitions and disconnected data sources, leaving room for missed records, incomplete analysis, and unnecessary delays.
LightBox City Directories is the solution fully aligned with ASTM E1527-21 standards for historical research. Using advanced technology, the platform:
- Systematically defines adjoining properties in accordance with ASTM guidance.
- Accurately geocodes and maps historical addresses with rooftop-level precision.
- Automatically identifies historically sensitive uses, such as dry cleaners and gas stations.
- Integrates directories directly with Sanborn maps, historical aerials, tax parcels and other critical datasets.
Rather than relying on manual interpretation or static images, environmental engineers can now conduct a more consistent, comprehensive, and defensible review, focused precisely where risk may exist.
“This is a step change in how historical research should be conducted,”” said Eric Frank, chief executive officer at LightBox. “By aligning directly with ASTM standards and eliminating manual gaps, we are enabling environmental professionals to produce more reliable Phase I assessments with greater confidence.”
For lenders and capital providers, the quality of a Phase I report directly affects risk management and underwriting decisions.
LightBox City Directories enhances report reliability by:
- Improving the completeness of adjoining property coverage.
- Reducing the likelihood of overlooked historical uses.
- Increasing transparency through mapped, visualized analysis.
- Standardizing research workflows across consultants and markets.
The result is clearer insight into environmental risk exposure and greater confidence in lending decisions in much less time.
“The new LightBox City Directory dramatically accelerates historical property research,” said Albert Lojko, president of LightBox. “By replacing manual processes with intelligent technology, we are helping consultants deliver higher-quality reports while improving turnaround times for clients.”
