Demolition of Cambridge condo requires Memorial Dr. lane closure
Concern about the structural stability of a troubled Cambridge condominium building will force an indefinite lane closure along part of Memorial Drive, adding to other traffic reconfigurations previously announced for the neighborhood. Starting on Saturday, the right westbound lane of Memorial Drive will be closed between Hawthorn Street and Gerrys Landing Road, citing structural concerns about the Riverview Condominium Building at 221 Mount Auburn St., the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation announced. The announcement follows news that Cambridge officials will also be closing parts of Mount Auburn Street and Sparks Street because of their proximity to 221 Mount Auburn St. 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. Materials presented at a meeting hosted by the city last week 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.
Concern about the structural stability of a troubled Cambridge condominium building will force an indefinite lane closure along part of Memorial Drive, adding to other traffic reconfigurations previously announced for the neighborhood.
Starting on Saturday, the right westbound lane of Memorial Drive will be closed between Hawthorn Street and Gerrys Landing Road, citing structural concerns about the Riverview Condominium Building at 221 Mount Auburn St., the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation announced.
The announcement follows news that Cambridge officials will also be closing parts of Mount Auburn Street and Sparks Street because of their proximity to 221 Mount Auburn St. 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.
Materials presented at a meeting hosted by the city last week 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.
link
