Town Hall Project Updates

This page was created on October 10, 2022 and contains occasional updates on the work being conducted for the Corte Madera Town Hall Project provided by the Department of Public Works (DPW). If you have any questions on these occasional updates, please do not hesitate to call the Department of Public Works at 415-927-5057 or by email at pwcounter@tcmmail.org

Update from September 7, 2023

Late August/Early September Progress:

Since our last update in mid-August, Alten Construction continues to make good progress on our Town Hall Facility.  Over the last few weeks, the contracting team has focused significant efforts on the comprehensive roofing structure.  The contracting team is making great progress on the roof system as evidenced by the incorporated photographs of the west wing.  Please take note of the first photograph in this update which was provided by the project architect, Ron Kappe, of Kappe Architecture.  It's a little difficult to see in the photo, but if you look closely, you'll notice the roof pitch design matches the natural flow and shape of Mt. Tamalpais in the back drop! 

(Roof Pitch Matches Flow of Mt. Tamalpais in Backdrop)

Aside from the significant focus on the roof system, our contracting team is making great progress on the HVAC mechanical system, electrical and plumbing rough-in installations.  Additionally, this week the concrete was poured for the Bioswale on the northside of the property.  

Early next week Alten construction will implement a road closure on Willow Avenue at Tamalpais Drive as saw cuts are planned in the roadway in anticipation of installing utilities.  Contemporaneous with this road closure, heavy equipment will be used to cut in a new driveway access point  on Willow Ave.  Excess and contaminated soils will be removed from the site during the next couple weeks.  The temporary road reconfiguration and closure will be in effect for approximately eight weeks.   

More to follow in the upcoming weeks, but in the meantime, enjoy the photos below documenting the current progress and beautiful design.

Update from August 17, 2023

August Progress:

Since our last update in late July, Alten Construction and their associated subcontractors continue to make good progress on our Town Hall Facility.  Over the last few weeks, the contracting team has focused significant efforts on the roofing structure, electrical, plumbing and HVAC rough ins, along with retaining walls and footings on the northwest side of the facility. 

More to follow in the upcoming weeks, but in the meantime, enjoy the photos below documenting the current progress and beautiful design.

Update from July 24, 2023

June/July Progress:

The new Town Hall facility is taking shape. Since our last update, Alten Construction and their associated subcontractors have made good progress with an anticipated completion date of January -2024.  Some of the recent milestones are as follows:

• Interior wood framing- first floor,
• HVAC rough in- first floor,
• Plumbing rough in- first floor,
• Rough in electrical- first floor,
• Exterior wall sheathing,
• Installation of fire sprinkler/suppression lines and risers,
• Crystalline waterproofing in the elevator pit,
• Construction of primary stairwell (in progress)
• Installation of roof trusses in preparation of complete roof,
• Installation of  tree ring on upper level.

During the next few weeks, Alten construction will focus significant efforts on the completion the comprehensive roofing system along with closing in the remaining portions of the structure.  Once the building is closed in, it is anticipated that progress will move forward expeditiously.  

More to follow in the upcoming weeks, but in the meantime, enjoy the photos below documenting the current progress.

Update from May 24, 2023

April/May Progress:

The Town Hall construction project is moving along quite nicely.  Since our last update, Alten Construction and their associated subcontractors have made great progress.  Some of the recent milestones are as follows:

• Stubbed in and installed various utilities at the lower level,
• Completed concrete pour on the lower level,
• Installed engineered backfill throughout the site,
• Installed various moisture barriers.

Now that the concrete pour has been completed, crews are building vertically and are framing on the second level, including the construction of the exterior stairs.  Soon, crews will begin framing the lower- level interior walls.  We are pleased to see the Town Hall Project taking shape.

Looking ahead in the weeks to come construction crews are scheduled to work on the following:

• Install fire sprinkler risers,
• Install elevator hoist beam,
• Continue with backfill on retaining wall,
• Install structural steel for stairs,
• Layout & frame interior walls,
• Install primary underground conduit,
• Install light shaft walls,
• Install tree grate ring,
• Form & pour radius stairs.

More to follow in the upcoming weeks, but in the meantime, enjoy the photos below documenting the current progress.

Update from April 4, 2023

March Progress:

The Corte Madera Town Hall Project made good progress over the last few weeks due to breaks in the storms systems and weather fronts.  In between atmospheric rivers and storms, Alten Construction worked quickly to install French drains behind our retaining walls as well as install adequate drainage for the entire side.  Backfill began earlier this week and will continue over the next week or so.  Other significant site work that has occurred or is ongoing since our last update:  

• Continuing with the installation of waterproofing and vapor barrier measures.
• Continuing to work on structural footings and connections.
• Large concrete pour covering most of the 2^nd floor concrete deck and plaza.
• Ongoing preparation of the lower floor slab with utilities and insulation for a concrete pour to occur in mid- late- April.

More to follow in the upcoming weeks, but in the meantime, enjoy the photos below documenting the current progress.

Update from March 7, 2023

February Progress:

The Town Hall Construction Project is picking up momentum.  If you haven't driven past the Town Hall construction site in a while, you might be pleasantly surprised that project is off the ground and the structure is starting to take form.   See recent photos taken to highlight our progress.  The following tasks are anticipated in the upcoming weeks:

• Alten will be working on preparation (rebar and other structural details) for the second floor deck pour that will occur in late March/early April.
• Retaining wall drainage pipes and soil backfill behind the new retaining wall are expected in the next couple weeks, weather permitting.
• Utilities (sewer, electrical, etc.) are being installed ahead of the first floor slab pour.
• Structural steel connection welds and connections are on-going.

More to following in the coming weeks.  Standby for additional updates but in the meantime, enjoy the photos below. 

Update from January 18, 2023

January Progress:

• Due to an abundance of rain an inclement weather, construction in late December and January has been challenging and limited.
• As conditions allow, Alten has continued to pour the concrete foundations for the new building. 
• After installing reinforcing steel in early January, they placed shotcrete for one of the larger retaining walls on the project during the week of 1/9/23 (see photos).

Look Ahead Schedule (February & March):

• Once the concrete foundations have had a chance to cure, the forms will be stripped and waterproofing and drainage measures will be installed on the back side of each of them. 
• Temporary shoring will also be utilized as a time saving measure to support the new retaining walls as they cure and reach the needed concrete design strength. 
• This will allow for backfill of soil behind them and further erection of the structural framing for the building.
• Steel columns and horizontal beams will start to be erected in early February and will continue through the month of March.
• Also, the utility conduits and plumbing for the first floor slab will be prepped in March in anticipation of the concrete deck pour.

Update from December 1, 2022

• Grade beam and footing work will continue to prepare the perimeter and other critical structural supports for the new foundation. 
  • Rebar is currently being placed for concrete grade beams and footings, with concrete pour expected the week of 12/5.
• Utility coordination, along with rebar and retaining wall form work, is ongoing in preparation for the foundation slab pour. 
• Site preparation to minimize weather impacts is ongoing.
• Structural steel work will begin following all concrete work.

Update from November 3, 2022

• Installation of a total of 40 foundation piers and 12 helical anchors will be completed by 11/4.  
• Footing work will continue to prepare the perimeter and other critical structural supports for the new foundation.
• Retaining wall form work, rebar, and utility trenching will further prepare the site for the foundation pour and shotcrete work.
• Structural steel details have been reviewed and approved for off-site fabrication and will be brought to the site following all concrete work.

Update from October 12, 2022

• A substantial soil off-haul effort took place over the past month with over 60 “super-dump” truck loads, approximately 600 cubic yards leaving the site to make room for the new structure. Some excess soil will remain on site for backfilling the retaining walls. 
• In efforts to preserve the large Oak tree on the corner of Willow and Tamalpais, a temporary retaining wall was installed so the root ball and surrounding soil did not have to be excavated to make room for the new foundation.
• Building pad certification is expected by tomorrow, 10/7, which confirms the grades, soil compaction and location are per the plans and specifications.
• Footing work will begin following pad certification to prepare the perimeter and other critical structural supports for the new foundation.
• Retaining wall form work and utility trenching will further prepare the site for the foundation pour.
• Structural steel details have been reviewed and approved for off-site fabrication and will be brought to the site following all concrete work .