Ceremony to mark start of construction for Etna Center for Community
A slate of federal, state and local officials is expected to attend a groundbreaking ceremony Friday, July 11, for the Etna Center for Community.
The event commemorating the start of construction is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. Friday at 54 Locust St., which is the rear of the building fronting on Butler Street.
When finished, the Etna Center for Community will house a public library on the ground floor, community spaces, a courtyard and four apartments on two upper floors.
Officials scheduled to attend include U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio, Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, state Sen. Lindsey Williams, state Rep. Lindsay Powell, and representatives from the borough and the Etna Community Organization.
Deluzio had helped to secure $3 million in federal funding for the development.
The community organization in April awarded a $4.2 million contract to Volpatt Construction for the renovation of the historic Ochse Building at 341-343 Butler St.
With selective demolition now finished, work is ready to begin on the renovation and construction phase, the community organization said.
The courtyard will be dedicated to Mayor Tom Rengers and his family. Rengers, a borough councilman for 11 years and mayor for 19 years, was 71 when he died from prostate cancer in December 2023.
The building is expected to be complete by next summer.
Brian C. Rittmeyer, a Pittsburgh native and graduate of Penn State University's Schreyer Honors College, has been with the Trib since December 2000. He can be reached at brittmeyer@triblive.com.
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