ECC Construction Update 7.31.2025

Updates from the Etna Center for Community

Weeks of July 1 - July 31, 2025

Above. Opening the between First and Second Floors.

Even with the Etna Center for Community Groundbreaking Ceremony taking place, construction activity continued steadily throughout July 2025. In advance of the ceremony, temporary shoring was installed from the Basement through the Third Floor, allowing the original load-bearing, wood framed walls to be safely removed. The work prepared the structure to receive a new interior steel framing structure.

Temporary shoring installed at Basement, First Floor and Second Floor.

1. First Floor with temporary shoring and masonry wall repairs in progress.

2. Megan Tuñón at the First Floor with temporary shoring

3. Second Floor with temporary shoring and masonry wall repairs in progress.

4. Third Floor with masonry wall repairs in progress.

As work progressed and Marsa’s masons mobilized on site, it became clear that the condition of the interior brick masonry was worse than anticipated. Marsa’s team, in coordination with the structural engineering consultant, determined that approximately 50% of the interior wythe of brick required replacement. Because the original brick was non-standard in size, integrating contemporary brick required custom detailing and installation strategies. As these areas will not remain exposed in the final condition, salvaged and recycled brick was used where appropriate to infill sections of the interior walls.

Extensive masonry repairs. Photos by Robert Tuñón and Ken Betts.

1-3. First Floor load-bearing front corner pier repairs.

4-5. First Floor interior wall repairs.

6. Chris, Volpatt carpenter, cutting lumber.

7-8. Second Floor window infill in progress.

9. Floor opening between Second, First, and Basement Levels.

10. Hidden door opening discovered between the two buildings.

11. Chimney infill at Third Floor.

Along Butler Street at the ECC’s front façade, a three-story scaffold was erected and allowed closer inspection of the exterior masonry and wood detailing, including window hoods. The investigation confirmed that both the original brick and wood elements were in very poor condition, requiring extensive future restoration.

Inspection of existing front facade masonry. Photos by Megan and Robert Tuñón.

1-2. Deterioration of the existing front facade masonry and wood trim.

3. Marsa's scaffolding on Butler Street.

At the rear of the building, Volpatt Construction and its subcontractors removed the remaining foundation elements from the former two-story rear structures. Not all elements could be removed, as portions of the existing foundations continue to support walkways serving the adjacent property. Work then began to prepare for the integration of the new foundation system with the existing building foundation.

Basement and Rear Courtyard Work. Photos by Ken Betts and Robert Tuñón.

1. New sump pump pit and cover.

2. New basement footer

3-4. New column footers.

5-6 Excavation and preparation for the new addition's footers.

At the close of the month, we executed Application for Payment No. 4 with a value of $203,302.60. No new change orders were approved this month. As of July 31st, 15% of the work had been completed and stored to date for a total value of $634,291.00 with a remaining $3,533,500.00 balance to finish.

Near-term work anticipated:

• Completion of interior masonry restoration and repairs.

• Commencement of rear addition's new foundation.

• Completion of rear yard fill.

• Advancement of building drainage system.

Photo credits: Robert Tuñón unless otherwise noted.