August 10, 2020

CTA Construction Marks ‘Topping Off’ With Final Steel Beam on Grafton Public Library Expansion and Renovation Project

Major milestone in construction of $16.6 million project due for completion in 2021

 

Grafton, Mass. (August 10, 2020) – CTA Construction announced today that it marked the ‘topping off’ of the superstructure of the Grafton Public Library expansion and renovation project with placement of the final steel beam on Thursday, July 30.

The $16.6 million project, which is expected to be completed in late spring of 2021, will transform the 1928 building into a modern 26,000 square-foot library that will better meet the needs of the growing community.  

“This is a major milestone in the life of this project, and we’re excited to let the Grafton community know that work has been progressing along schedule,” said Paul DuRoss, a principal at CTA Construction. “The expanded Grafton Public Library will improve access and enable more programming and services to be offered.”

The ‘topping off’ ceremony for a major construction project is a tradition that was established by steelworkers and other construction crews to mark placement of the final steel beam at the top of a building’s superstructure. It has come to be recognized as a significant milestone that is regularly observed along the course of a project’s timeline.

As part of the project, the front section of the library will be preserved with an entrance onto Grafton Common. The upper level will include the historic main reading room, showcasing original windows and woodwork, as well as meeting rooms, collections and services for adults. The lower level will house youth services and collections, including a children’s program room, a teen-tween program and gaming rooms, tutoring rooms, and mechanical and electrical equipment space.

A 117-seat community room will be added for local organizations and groups to utilize, and the renovated library will also allow for more public access to computers.

The Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program (MPLCP), administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, awarded the town of Grafton a $7.4 million grant towards the $16.6 million project.

Waltham-based CTA Construction has completed more than 65 high-quality municipal construction projects in the Commonwealth since it was founded in 2000, making the company one of the most experienced municipal builders in the state.

About CTA Construction Managers
CTA Construction is an award-winning construction management firm with experience in building public and private facilities.  Based in Waltham, Massachusetts, CTA Construction specializes in building construction and its portfolio includes a variety of commercial, residential, academic, civic and retail facilities. As a leader in green building, CTA Construction firm helps clients build sustainably and meet LEED and MA-CHPS standards. For more information, visit www.ctaconstruction.com