Officials have announced that the lane closure on Memorial Drive, which stretches from Hawthorn Street to Gerrys Landing Road, will persist until further evaluations by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and the City of Cambridge ascertain the safety of reopening the roadway.
A section of Mt. Auburn Street, another critical thoroughfare parallel to Memorial Drive, will also see complete closure for a period of at least several months, as communicated by Cambridge city officials.
Residents of a nearby building were evacuated in 2024 after concerns over structural integrity surfaced, indicating a risk of collapse. The issues reportedly date back to the 1960s, during the construction of the building’s concrete slabs.
Based on expert assessments, the condominium board ultimately decided that returning home was unsafe, leading them to conclude that demolition was the only feasible option. Earlier this year, the board requested that the City of Cambridge manage the complex and costly process of dismantling the building.
In June, the city affirmed that the building posed a public safety threat and has committed to using public funds for its demolition, with plans to recover costs through a future property sale.
While the building remains standing, city officials are actively working to mitigate risks by restricting public access, fearing a potential collapse could occur unexpectedly.
The building’s predicament is compounded by the presence of asbestos insulation, which complicates the situation further. Due to the unsafe conditions, removal of the asbestos is not possible, and as such, the entire structure must be handled as hazardous material.
Moreover, the demolition operations are positioned close to Mount Auburn Hospital, a facility that will experience significant roadway disruptions near its entrance. A spokesperson for the hospital indicated that they are collaborating with city authorities to guarantee continuous access to the hospital throughout the duration of the project.
At this point, the timeline for the demolition is still uncertain. City officials will need to subcontract the work and will require approximately six weeks for planning, followed by 12 to 16 weeks for the execution of the demolition.
Residents in the vicinity are bracing themselves for the unpredictable months ahead.
Franziska Amacher, a nearby architect, expressed her concerns regarding the possible impact of the demolition on her home. She emphasized, “It’s worrying. The city’s ‘extreme measures’ to protect public safety have left me feeling anxious about the potential consequences should the building collapse.”
At 79 years old, Amacher stated her decision to forgo travel plans is driven by the need to keep a watchful eye on her residence during the demolition phase, fearing vibrations from the work could affect her foundation. She reflected on the narrow escape the residents had, saying it was “amazing that people were living here until last year” and hoped that the situation would not escalate into a disaster.
Others in the neighborhood share similar apprehensions regarding the impact of road closures on local life. Patricia Sekler, 92, who resides just two blocks away, mentioned that the disruptions could prove burdensome not only for residents but also for visitors to the riverfront.
Sekler, a long-time volunteer with the Riverbend Park Trust, remarked, “Chaos is what it will be,” anticipating challenges for families traveling to the park, especially on busy Sundays when part of Memorial Drive is traditionally closed to vehicles during warmer months.
Her lament for the distance created by the evacuation of Riverview complex residents underscores the emotional toll on the community: “We knew them as good friends. So it’s really very sad for the neighborhood.”
The situation remains fluid, with various stakeholders working to balance public safety, community concerns, and logistical challenges as the city prepares for the impending demolition and related disruptions.
image source from：bostonglobe
