Updates from the Etna Center for Community
Weeks of September 30 - October 27, 2024

Above. Positive pressure vent hanging out of second floor windows. The tube vent was connected to an air scrubber machine on the interior.
During the exploratory demolition work, we discovered that there were many layers to each of the interior finishes: four (4) layers of flooring, six (6) layers of wall finish, three (3) layers of ceiling finish. While we had tested the exposed layers for hazardous materials like lead and asbestos, the layers beneath and behind were not known or exposed until after the exploratory work.
1. First floor, north, door threshold, exposed finish is not asbestos tile. 2. Asbestos tile below exposed finish.
Asbestos tile can be identified as a 9x9 tile, an oily discoloration, and/or a black mastic or adhesive below. Once an area of potential asbestos tile layer was partially exposed, ECO contacted Jim Davis at CORE Environmental to complete the testing. Areas with the 9x9 asbestos tile were identified in the both retail spaces, one of the rear apartments, and in one of the second floor apartments.

Above. First floor, south, during asbestos abatement. Air scrubber machine and exhaust tube visible.
The state grants we received, GEDTF and LSA, for the demolition phase were not written with the knowledge that there would be an abatement scope, so it could not be included in the work under the grants. ECO utilized on-hand funds from its past fundraisers.
The bidding process included requesting three quotes and receiving two proposals. Triton, a certified and licensed asbestos abatement company, was selected as the lowest, qualified bidder to complete the contract of $19,840 for the interior abatement (including all permitting, work, disposal, and testing).
1. First floor, south, with plastic sheeting. 2. Dumpster with plastic sheeting. 3. Second floor, north, with positive pressure vent.
Danielle, Todd, Bri, and the team at Triton ran an excellent and efficient process for this complex scope of work. Rightfully so, asbestos abatement is highly regulated in Allegheny County, and the Triton team managed every step with timely completion and the complete paper trail necessary for satisfying the requirements. Throughout the project, an independent testing company, Allegheny Global Environmental, was responsible for the Asbestos Air Monitoring as well as the resulting report.

Above. Original wood subfloor visible following asbestos abatement.
From beginning to end, the work was completed within a four-week timeframe with the majority of work taking place over one week. Along with the permitting, Allegheny County Health Department completed a final clearance inspection of the site. All results came back as complete and clear including a site inspection, review of wet cleaning procedures, air sample testing, and residual ACM testing.
Once the tile was removed, the original wood subfloor was revealed. In the construction phase, a new floor finish will be installed that is more durable to withstand the anticipated heavy foot traffic of the library and community center.
1-2. Original wood subfloor visible in both first floor spaces following asbestos abatement.
Future work anticipated:
Begin selective demolition bidding.
Begin selective demolition phase of work.