Luther Burbank Park Boiler Building Phase 1
Project Status
To help keep area residents informed of our construction progress, we will post project updates to this site on a regular basis. Click here to see status updates.
Project Details/Neighborhood
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Luther Burbank Boiler Building (2048 84th Ave SE)
Background
This project provides seismic retrofits and a new roof membrane to the Boiler Building, and renovates the restrooms and concession stand in the annex building.
Description
Rehabilitation efforts will stabilize the 1928 building and conserve it for future reuse as a small boating center as envisioned in the 2006 Luther Burbank Park Master Plan. The 2017 Boiler Building Study provides the conceptual plan for these improvements. Water seepage is causing corrosion of internal rebar reinforcement and eventually will weaken the structure. An earthquake event could result in the failure of brick masonry, especially the smokestack and brick facade. This type of damage would be cost-prohibitive to repair and would likely result in the demolition of the building. Building replacement would not be permitted due to shoreline regulations.
The design of this seismic stabilization project is funded partially by the Washington Legislature Local Communities Program. A third of construction costs will be funded by a Heritage Capital Grant from the Washington State Historical Society. The total project budget is $2.01 million.
The city has tentatively planned Phase 2 of the project for 2028. Phase 2 construction includes a new accessible pedestrian connection from the parking lot to the building. The interior remodel of the Boiler Building will also be completed, with a new mezzanine that will feature an office and classroom to support expanded boating programs.
Project Timeline
Planning/Design (Q2 of 2022 – Q4 of 2023)
Under Construction (Q1 of 2024– Q2 of 2024)
Completed (Q3 of 2024)
Estimated Budget
$2.5 million
Contact
Paul West, Sr. CIP Project Manager: 206-275-7833 or paul.west@mercerisland.gov
www.mercerisland.gov/boilerbuilding
Status Updates
April 25, 2024
Photos:
- Boiler Building interior before pouring footings
- Boiler Buildinginterior after pouring footings
- Grade beam with rebar position for tying into chimney base
- Grade beam thrubolting loc opposite side of the chimney
Masonry restoration has continued for a fourth week. The contractor poured concrete footings inside the building and prepared the base for the new concrete floor slab. The base of the chimney was bored through to insert reinforcing steel that will extend into the future-grade beam, which is a large block of concrete that will stabilize the chimney in the event of an earthquake. The new interior footings will support the building’s new steel reinforcement as well as the new mezzanine level. Next week, rebar installation should finally begin inside the chimney after several delays and the grade beam should be poured. Many interior components have been ordered, such as door hardware, restroom fixtures, and metal stairs. The building will require a new electrical service, and the project team is currently working on design revisions and permitting for that.
April 18, 2024
Photo: Masonry repair crew on lift
Masonry restoration continued for a third week. The contractor brought in gravel base for the interior floor slab and is pouring concrete footings inside the building. Technical issues with the structural connection of the chimney base to the foundation have been resolved and that work will proceed next week.
April 11, 2024
Photos:
- Grinding damaged mortar joints
- Grinding mortar joints close
- Joints ready for repointing
Masonry cleaning and restoration continued this week. The brick has been pressure-washed with warm water. Damaged mortar joints are being ground and repointed. Looking ahead, shotcrete installation in the chimney has been delayed. It is now scheduled to begin the week of April 22.
Pouring of the footings and the floor slab inside the building is delayed while the architect revises the structural connection of the chimney to the foundation. That will occur after the chimney work is underway.
April 9, 2024
Photos:
- LBB masonry cleaning compare
- LBB masonry close
- LBB masonry far
Rough-in plumbing work continued this week. Masonry cleaning and restoration began on Wednesday and will continue into next week. Mortar will be repointed where needed and the brick will be cleaned with warm water. Looking ahead, shotcrete installation in the chimney is scheduled to begin the week of April 15.
March 21, 2024
Photos:
- Asbestos containment
- Final slab demo
- Investigating electric supply
- Leveling for new slab
Ferguson Construction’s subcontractor completed their demolition work this week. Crews graded inside the boiler building to prepare for the new floor and began trenching for new plumbing. An abatement crew removed asbestos materials from inside the chimney. The electrician evaluated the current power supply to the building. Next week, subcontractors will start rough-in plumbing and begin installing rebar inside the chimney. Shotcrete installation in the chimney will follow in April.
March 15, 2024
Photos: LB Boiler Building Slab Demolition Work
Ferguson Construction’s subcontractor continued demolition work this week by removing the concrete floor slab inside the building and also removing the fire brick from inside the chimney. This work will continue into next week and will also include removing asbestos materials from inside the chimney. In late March, crews will start excavation for utilities and footings. Steel reinforcement of the building is scheduled to begin in April.
March 7, 2024
Photo:
- Concession stand demo
- Restroom demo
- Chimney demo
Ferguson Construction’s subcontractor performed demolition this week on the restroom interiors, the concession stand area, and the top of the brick chimney. Demolition will continue for the next couple of weeks, as crews still need to remove fire brick from inside the chimney, remove the old roof membrane, and remove the building’s interior concrete floor slab. Then they will start excavation for the new support structure inside the Boiler Building. A very challenging part of the project will be installing the steel rebar and concrete reinforcement inside the chimney. That work should be occurring in late March and early April.
February 29, 2024
Photo 1: Boiler building area closure
Photo 2: Boiler Building construction fencing
Ferguson Construction took control of the site this week. They cleared brush from the backside of the building, put up chain link fence, disconnected the electrical service, and installed project signs. Demolition begins next week. Demolition includes concrete floor slabs, chimney firebrick, restroom fixtures and plumbing. This project is not altering the building envelope.
The first phase of work is blocking access through the waterfront plaza area. Pedestrian routes have been detoured. This restriction will continue for two months. The contractor will reopen access through the waterfront as soon as this restriction is no longer necessary.
February 26, 2024
Contractor crews continue mobilizing to the site this week and construction fencing will be installed around the work area. Construction is expected to take five months. During that time, waterfront access will be partially restricted. There may be intermittent trail closures for special operations. Please observe all signs and any instructions given by construction personnel.
February 16, 2024
City staff had a preconstruction meeting this week with Cardinal Architecture (the design consultant) and Ferguson Construction (contractor). Ferguson will begin mobilizing staff and equipment to the Boiler Building site next week. The main Luther Burbank parking lot will be used for some contractor parking for the next couple of months (until park usage increases in the spring) and trail areas near the Boiler Building will be temporarily closed.
February 9, 2024
Photos:
1. LB Boiler Building chimney
2. LB Boiler Building cleanout
3. LB Boiler Building empty
Construction is starting soon! Lots has been happening behind the scenes over the past few weeks to get to this point: the contract with Ferguson Construction was executed, the grant with Washington State Historical Society is in place, cultural resources issues have been addressed, Notice to Proceed was received from the State Recreation and Conservation Office, and PW crews emptied out the Boiler Building. The contractor expects to mobilize to the site the week of February 26. Construction is expected to continue through July. Pedestrian access through the waterfront plaza area will be maintained to the extent possible, except for limited periods during special operations. This project will install a new steel framework inside the Boiler Building and chimney to prevent damage in the event of an earthquake. In addition, the brick masonry will be pinned to the building and repaired. The roof will be replaced. The restrooms and concession stand will be renovated. In a future renovation phase, a new ADA entry path will connect the waterfront to the main parking lot, and an interior mezzanine level with a classroom and office will be built.
November 2023
Project was advertised for bids on October 20, 2023. Bids are due at 2pm on November 14, 2023. Link to bid page.
Planning/Design Update
Land use and building permit applications have been submitted
PA0124 Project Location (5 MB)