ECC Construction Update 8.31.2025

Updates from the Etna Center for Community

Weeks of August 1 - August 31, 2025

Above. Third Floor interior masonry with approximately 50% of the brick replaced.

A major focus of work in August 2025 was the continued restoration of the interior brick masonry. Marsa’s masons systematically identified areas of brick that were in poor condition. Over the building’s approximately 130-year history, prolonged exposure to water and moisture had significantly deteriorated the brick, causing loss of structural integrity and increased brittleness. Deteriorated “patches” of masonry were selectively removed and infilled using recycled and salvaged brick.

Above. Marsa's interior lift used to transport materials through the building.

Two primary factors influenced the irregular size and coloration of the brick infill. First, the original brick predates modern size standardization. When the original building, Ochse Hall, was constructed in the 1870s, brickmaking involved molding clay bricks, air-drying them, and firing them in kilns—processes similar to those used today. However, brick dimensions were not yet standardized, making it challenging for modern masons to match the size of bricks used in buildings constructed prior to the 1920s and 1930s.

Second, because the interior face of the masonry will not be exposed in the final condition, the masons were permitted to use brick of varying colors. This approach resulted in the wall’s “zebra-like” appearance.

Photo series. Marsa at work repairing Third Floor interior walls. Photos by Robert Tuñón and Ken Betts.

Concurrent with the interior masonry work, the rear addition began to take form with work on its foundation. Portions of the original two-story addition’s foundation remained as part of the final construction, as they continued to retain earth between the adjacent properties throughout all phases of construction. In July, the original foundation was prepared to receive a new foundation on top of it, and that concrete was poured in August.

Photo series. New concrete footer for rear addition. Photos by Robert Tuñón and Ken Betts.

Following the placement of the new foundation, remaining demolition debris was removed and a new gravel base was installed. Given the constrained 40-foot-wide site, various small-scale equipment was utilized to efficiently place and compact the fill material.

Above. Infill operations at the rear addition. Photos by Robert Tuñón and Ken Betts.

As the site fill progressed through multiple compaction phases, Veterans Plumbing began underground work to connect the building’s drainage system to the street.

Above. New building drainage routed underground. Photos by Ken Betts.

With fill placement advancing, additional concrete footings were installed in areas where no previous foundation existed. New formwork and reinforcing steel were set in preparation for concrete placement.

Photo series. Formwork and rebar installation. Photos by Robert Tuñón and Ken Betts.

At the front exterior, masonry restoration was set to begin with the removal of multiple layers of paint. Several chemical paint removal methods were tested on the brick and were able to remove the majority of the paint, but not the final layer. The remaining layer was then tested for lead and was found to contain 33% lead by weight, meaning that no further treatments—such as more abrasive removal techniques—could be performed.

Above. Condition of front facade masonry.

The ECO team, in coordination with Volpatt, Marsa, GBBN, Triton, and CORE Environmental, evaluated several remediation options. The team determined that the safest long-term solution was to remove the entire front wythe of brick, eliminating the presence of lead on site and preventing future exposure risks.

This approach also addressed multiple structural deficiencies identified at the façade, including bowing masonry, missing mortar, mismatched infill, and sagging wood headers, allowing both hazardous material mitigation and structural repairs to be addressed concurrently.

Photo series. Basement work in progress.

At the close of the month, Application for Payment No. 5 was executed in the amount of $278,896.50. Change Order No. 3, valued at $224,957.00, was approved to incorporate additional structural and masonry repair scopes. As of August 31, 2025, 21% of the work had been completed and stored to date, representing a total value of $944,176.00, with a remaining contract balance of $3,448,572.00.

Near-term work anticipated:

• Commencement of interior steel installation.

• Commencement of Interior framing.

• Completion of interior air and weather barrier.

• Continued advancement of the rear addition's foundation.

Photo credits: Robert Tuñón unless otherwise noted.