The Bookstore, El Cappuccino and other spaces in the Bookstore Building will remain closed into December for air quality cleaning, over a month after two fires broke out in October.
On Sunday, Oct. 5, an arson attack took place on the outside of the loading dock outside the Bookstore in addition to the Chemistry Building hours later.
Over three weeks later, on Monday, Oct. 29, a backpack burst into flames at El Cappuccino.
After the Oct. 5 arson attack, El Camino College hired ServPro to conduct cleaning and restoration work. As part of the clean up effort, ServPro hired TRUST Environmental Solutions to run an air quality test, which looks for combustion byproducts such as soot, ash and char.
“We got a call on Oct. 24 saying the test was lost in transit by TRUST Environmental, so another test had to be done,” Interim Vice President of Administrative Services Loïc Audusseau said.
According to Board Docs on Monday, Oct. 27, the Board of Trustees reviewed a $1.6 million emergency contract for ServPro’s cleaning services.
The findings from the tests confirmed limited surface residues above the firm’s three percent “action” threshold, which it is not clear whether it is safe to go inside the building as it is now a safety issue and an indicator for cleaning and remediation.
The college wants to make sure the building is clean before people can go inside.
Since Oct. 5, the Bookstore and El Cappuccino remained open until an email was sent out to the campus community Sunday, Nov. 19, stated that they will be closing for two weeks.
An additional email sent on Tuesday, Nov. 25 later extended the closure through December.
The faculty who work in the Bookstore and in the offices on the second floor, including the Cashier’s Office, have been relocated across campus.
According to an email sent out by ECC on Tuesday, Nov. 25, the Cashier’s Office was moved to the second floor of the Student Services Building.
“It’s not a small campus, so finding space for the employees was not the biggest challenge,” Audusseau said.
The student store, which will be open from Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., was moved to Room 205 in the Communications Building to assist students with online order pickups and purchases of Metro U-passes, nursing graduation supplies, online orders and student exam essentials such as Scantrons and Blue Books.
Student workers employed at the Bookstore were moved to different areas on campus and will continue to be paid until the Bookstore is reopened.
Events booked in the East Dining Room have been relocated through the end of January.
Digital Media and Communications Coordinator Paul Rosales said he’s moved around four times since his office, which is located on the second floor above the Bookstore, closed.
“I have a bunch of equipment; I’ve been in the Administration Building, the Foundation Office, the library basement, and the Facility Rental Office,” Rosales said.
The Union attempted to reach Director of Facility Rentals Bridget Delahunt, who has an office in the Bookstore, multiple times for more information about the building’s closure.
Psychology major Jenifer Ramos, 29, said she wasn’t aware of El Cappuccino closing.
“I only found out a few days ago about the cafe being closed, I was bummed because I take my lunch there and it’s easy to access,” Ramos said.
Editor’s Note: Featured photograph was changed on Wednesday, Dec. 3 at 5:11 p.m.
