ECC Construction Update 9.30.2025

Updates from the Etna Center for Community

Weeks of September 1 - September 30, 2025

Above. Installation in progress for the new interior steel structure.

The month of September 2025 marked a significant expansion of on-site activity at the Etna Center for Community with sitework, concrete, steel, masonry, and carpentry trades working simultaneously. The installation of the first interior steel columns and beams represented a major milestone in the project.

For the new rear addition, work advanced on the foundation, with concrete footers poured in place and prepared for future concrete masonry unit (CMU) wall installation.

Constructing the new addition's foundation. Photos by Robert Tuñón and Ken Betts.

As the new addition’s concrete footers cured and reinforcing steel was set, the side walls of the addition began to take form. CMUs were delivered to the site, and the below-grade courses were installed.

Underground utilities and addition foundation. Photos by Robert Tuñón and Ken Betts.

1-6. New addition's footers and CMU foundation.

7-8. Electrical conduit.

9-14. New water line and sprinkler line.

15-16. Drainage piping at new footers.

With the footers and initial CMU courses in place, the site received new gravel fill, which was systematically spread, leveled, and compacted using a combination of small equipment and hand tools. Upon completion, the void left by the former addition was fully infilled, and the earthwork was partially prepared to receive a future slab-on-grade. This progress also enabled masons to plan for rear façade masonry restoration, including future scaffold erection.

Leveling the site. Photos by Robert Tuñón and Ken Betts.

Inside the building, significant structural repairs and installations continued. At the Third Floor, temporary shoring supported a careful process to raise an existing sagging wood beam to its proper position for repair. Volpatt assembled a custom screw jack system to lift the wood truss incrementally. To avoid cracking the historic timber, adjustments were limited to quarter turns per day.

Above. Screw jack and temporary shoring at the Third Floor front truss.

In addition to the ongoing interior masonry repairs, the two front corners of the building were rebuilt at the Second and Third Floors. Once complete, the front façade was more securely tied into the load-bearing side walls.

Corner repairs at the Second and Third Floors. Photos by Robert Tuñón and Ken Betts.

As masonry repairs wrapped up at the front, rear, and side walls, a cement parge coat was applied to areas of the original brick. This work prepared the walls for the installation of the air and weather barrier, insulation, new framing, and wallboard.

Masonry repairs also continued at window sills, jambs, and headers, and new window openings were cut into the rear facade.

Photo series. Interior repair work in progress across all three upper levels of the building.

At the First Floor, where the future Library will be located, the first new interior framed walls were constructed. The two bathrooms and breakroom were framed, beginning to define the Library’s layout.

Framing also began at the Second Floor for the demising walls between the apartments and their shared stair.

Above. New wood framing at the First Floor.

With interior repair work progressing at all three upper levels, an orange coating was applied to the interior faces of the masonry. This coating, Prosoco R-Guard Cat-5, creates a seamless, elastomeric, fluid-applied air and water barrier that is particularly beneficial for existing building envelopes. Much like Tyvek is applied to the exterior of residential construction, this interior air and weather barrier offers several advantages: it helps prevent air and water infiltration through masonry walls, allows vapor to escape, and improves overall energy efficiency compared to traditional wrap systems.

Photo series. Air and moisture barrier installed at interior masonry walls.

While the original building relied largely on wood framing and a heavy timber roof, the renovation introduces an extensive steel framing package to meet contemporary building codes and support a more open First Floor Library plan. As part of this process, detailed shop drawings were prepared and approved prior to fabrication.

In early September, steel fabrication was completed and columns, beams, and lintels were delivered to the site.

Above. Steel beams, columns, and lintels staged on site prior to installation.

All steel used for the project was manufactured in the United States, in compliance with the Build America, Buy America Act (BABA) enacted in 2021. This requirement applies to projects funded in whole or in part by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grants.

Most steel connections were designed as bolted connections, allowing for efficient installation. The primary challenge involved maneuvering large steel members through the existing building and around temporary shoring. The first installed column—located at the center of the structure—extends from the Basement to the underside of the Third Floor, enabling a clear span of approximately 40 feet between the two halves of the building.

Photo series. Interior steel installation at the First and Second Floors.

At the Basement Level, new CMU wall construction was completed and wood top plates were installed. With rooms now clearly defined, work is set up for future installation of electrical and water service equipment.

Basement progress through December 2025.

1-2. Electrical panels and meters installation progress.

3. New electrical conduit.

4. Building drain and wastewater system piping.

At the close of the month, Application for Payment No. 6 was executed in the amount of $171,900.00. No new Change Orders were approved in September. As of September 30, 2025, 26% of the work had been completed and stored to date, representing a total value of $1,135,176.00, with a remaining contract balance of $3,257,572.00.

Near-term work anticipated:

• Continuation of interior steel installation.

• Continuation of Interior framing.

• Commencement of rear facade masonry restoration.

Photo credits: Robert Tuñón unless otherwise noted.