Demolition of Cambridge condo requires lengthy road closures
Demolition of a structurally troubled Cambridge condominium building will require road closures and a reconfiguration of traffic, which will affect the surrounding neighborhoods for months. Residents of the Riverview Condominiums at 221 Mount Auburn St. were forced to evacuate their homes in November after structural problems were discovered.Residents in an adjacent 14-unit building also vacated last month. Materials presented at a meeting hosted by the city Thursday night indicate the problems with the nine-story, 66-unit building were first identified in February 2023. An engineering firm found that concrete construction failed to meet design specifications for reinforcement and strength. It also identified concerns about penetrations and alterations of the concrete slabs. The condo association determined that rehabilitation of the building is not feasible and that the structure must be removed. The Cambridge Inspectional Services Department ordered the demolition on June 27. “The building must be removed,” the presentation said. Video below: Condo evacuated over structural concernsAccording to the presentation, the demolition process is expected to require up to eight weeks for engineering and permitting, then another 12-16 weeks for the demolition work. Starting July 19, city officials announced that parts of Mount Auburn Street and Sparks Street will be closed because of their proximity to the troubled property. During that closure, Channing Street will be converted to one-way southbound traffic, while Lowell and Willard streets will be converted to one-way northbound traffic. The closure will require detours for motorists, cyclists, pedestrians, and MBTA bus routes 71 and 73. According to the presentation, Cambridge officials expect to issue additional health and safety orders.
Demolition of a structurally troubled Cambridge condominium building will require road closures and a reconfiguration of traffic, which will affect the surrounding neighborhoods for months.
Residents of the Riverview Condominiums at 221 Mount Auburn St. were forced to evacuate their homes in November after structural problems were discovered.
Residents in an adjacent 14-unit building also vacated last month.
Materials presented at a meeting hosted by the city Thursday night indicate the problems with the nine-story, 66-unit building were first identified in February 2023. An engineering firm found that concrete construction failed to meet design specifications for reinforcement and strength. It also identified concerns about penetrations and alterations of the concrete slabs.
The condo association determined that rehabilitation of the building is not feasible and that the structure must be removed. The Cambridge Inspectional Services Department ordered the demolition on June 27.
“The building must be removed,” the presentation said.
Video below: Condo evacuated over structural concerns
According to the presentation, the demolition process is expected to require up to eight weeks for engineering and permitting, then another 12-16 weeks for the demolition work.
Starting July 19, city officials announced that parts of Mount Auburn Street and Sparks Street will be closed because of their proximity to the troubled property. During that closure, Channing Street will be converted to one-way southbound traffic, while Lowell and Willard streets will be converted to one-way northbound traffic.
The closure will require detours for motorists, cyclists, pedestrians, and MBTA bus routes 71 and 73.
According to the presentation, Cambridge officials expect to issue additional health and safety orders.
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