Cambridge to Spend $20M Demolishing Troubled Building

Cambridge City Council Approves $20 Million for Demolition of Troubled Condominium Building

The Cambridge City Council approved a significant allocation of $20 million to demolish the Riverview Condominium Building, located at 221 Mount Auburn Street near the Charles River. This decision came after concerns over the structural integrity of the nine-story building prompted officials to take decisive action.

Residents of the 66 units within the building were evacuated in November due to safety concerns. Initially, there was hope that the structure could be repaired, but it became clear that such efforts would not be feasible. The residents now face the challenge of dealing with the high cost of demolition, which is expected to be a substantial financial burden.

Deputy city manager Kathy Watkins emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, "The $20 million cost, I want to be really clear, is a really significant cost." She added that there are many unknowns associated with the work, and the figure is considered a conservative estimate.

City officials have plans to recover some of the costs by charging condo owners fees on their property tax bills. If necessary, they may also force the owners to sell the land once the building is demolished. By approving the funds now, officials aim to initiate the demolition process before winter, as snow could exacerbate the already precarious condition of the structure.

Road Closures and Traffic Changes

To facilitate the demolition process, several road closures have been implemented around the building. The right westbound lane of Memorial Drive is closed between Hawthorn Street and Gerrys Landing Road, with the closure expected to last through the end of the year. The eastbound lanes will remain open, but drivers should be aware of the changes.

Mount Auburn Street is also closed between Lowell and Willard streets due to its proximity to the affected building. Channing Street will be converted to one-way southbound traffic, while Lowell and Willard streets will become one-way northbound. These changes will require detours for motorists, cyclists, pedestrians, and MBTA bus routes 71 and 73.

Structural Issues Identified

Materials presented during a city-hosted meeting earlier this month revealed that the issues with the Riverview Condominium Building were first identified in February 2023. An engineering firm found that the concrete construction did not meet design specifications for reinforcement and strength. Additionally, concerns were raised about penetrations and alterations of the concrete slabs.

The condo association concluded that rehabilitation was not feasible, leading to the decision to remove the structure entirely. The Cambridge Inspectional Services Department ordered the demolition on June 27, with the presentation stating, "The building must be removed."

Demolition Timeline

According to the presentation, the demolition process is expected to take up to eight weeks for engineering and permitting. Following that, the actual demolition work is projected to take an additional 12 to 16 weeks. This timeline underscores the complexity and scale of the task ahead.

As the city moves forward with the demolition, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of residents and the surrounding community. The decision to allocate the $20 million reflects the urgency of addressing the structural issues and preventing further risks.