Frequently Asked Questions Document , Updated on November 21, 2025. Now Available Under the documents tab
On Monday, December 1st , the Cambridge Water Department will perform water main work on Mt Auburn St from Sparks St to Willard St between 9am and 5pm. During this time, there will be a temporary water service interruption to facilitate upgrades to the water main on Mt Auburn St. The addresses affected will be notified by the Water Department. We will make every effort to expedite this work to minimize the duration of the water shutdown. Please take appropriate steps to store water for your needs during this period. If you have any specific water needs or concerns, please contact Jack Terrio at 617-349-4787 for assistance.
Please note that this scheduled water shutdown is subject to change due to weather and other variable conditions that may arise. You will be notified as soon as possible if this work is rescheduled or extended.
VIDEO
Notice: 221 Mt Auburn Street Virtual Public Meeting on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at 6p.m.
A virtual public meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 22, from 6-8 p.m., to discuss demolition updates about 221 Mount Auburn Street, Riverview Condominiums, and answer questions.
What: Demolition Public MeetingDate: Wednesday, October 22, 6-8 p.m.Location: Virtual – register here: camb.ma/riverviewoctmeeting
Representatives from the construction team will share the demolition plans, including the anticipated construction schedule, dust management strategies, air quality and vibration monitoring, and other measures protective of public health and safety during the demolition. Residents are encouraged to attend the meeting to hear directly from the team conducting the work. The construction team includes: Consigli (general contractor), NorthStar (demolition contractor), SGH (engineer), and TRC (environmental consultant).
In the coming weeks, you will see work in and around the site to prepare for the demolition. The demolition is scheduled to begin in November. The team continues to meet weekly, refining demolition, mitigation, and monitoring plans to demolish the building and protect public health and safety.camb.ma/riverviewoctmeeting
If you have any questions, please contact Kristen Kelleher: Email | kkelleher@cambridgema.gov | Phone | 617-349-4825
The City is proceeding with the project team that will be responsible for the demolition of 221 Mt Auburn St.: Consigli (general contractor), SGH (engineer), and TRC (environmental consultant). The team is meeting weekly, developing demolition, mitigation, and monitoring plans to demolish the building and protect public health and safety. In early October, we will announce more details about the demolition public meeting, which will be held in October.
At the October meeting, the construction team will share the detailed demolition plans, including the anticipated construction schedule, dust management strategies, air quality and vibration monitoring, and other measures protective of public health and safety during the demolition. The demolition is scheduled to begin in early November.
Other updates:
A court order on August 13th confirmed the City’s authority to conduct the demolition and recover the costs associated with the work. The order was supported by both the City and the Riverview Condominium Trust.
SGH has been on site evaluating locations for vibration monitoring.
To assist with the September uptick in traffic, Police details are in place at Brattle/Lowell, Brattle/Channing, and Mt. Auburn/Hawthorn during peak traffic times. City staff will continue evaluating the traffic and make adjustments, as necessary.
The exterior drone surveys are continuing to be conducted every 2 weeks. All of the drone reports are posted at www.cambridgema.gov/221MtAuburnSt .
If you have any question, please contact Kristen Kelleher, kkelleher@cambridgema.gov /617-349-4825.
Notice: Extended Mt. Auburn Street & Sparks Street Closures/Detours Still in Effect in City of Cambridge Due to Building Structural Issues
View the full notice here!
Notice: DCR Traffic Advisory: Memorial Drive in Cambridge
For more information, visit: DCR Traffic Advisory: Memorial Drive in Cambridge
Recorded Presentation from July 24, 2025 Community Meeting Now Available
VIDEO
Frequently Asked Question Document Now Available Under the Documents Tab
FAQs Last Updated July 17, 2025
Virtual Community Meeting Thursday, July 24, 2025, 6:30-8p.m.
Join this meeting to discuss neighborhood updates about 221 Mount Auburn St., Riverview Condominiums, and share traffic questions. Representatives from the City will be available to share information and answer questions. (This is a follow up meeting to the meeting that occurred 7/10/25.) Zoom Link to Register: https://cambridgema.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_uwf8ZF7CS3epU5hSAvcU6A#/registration Sign up now to receive project updates here . The City will be sending out notices digitally in the coming days. If you have signed up for updates on the website, you will receive these updates.
Community Meeting Thursday, July 10, 2025
Light refreshments provided
View the full flyer here .
View the presentation here .
Sign up to receive updates regarding this work: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/5yxFOet
Extended Mt. Auburn Street and Sparks Street Closures and Detours Starting Saturday, July 19 in City of Cambridge Due to Building Structural Issues
Due to structural concerns at 221 Mount Auburn Street (Riverview Condominium Building), the City of Cambridge will close segments of Mount Auburn Street and Sparks Street starting Saturday, July 19. Multiple detours and traffic changes will be in place to maintain the closure, which may last through the end of 2025.
Find all detours and road closures at this link
The following road segments will be closed to all through traffic:
Sparks Street between Brattle Street and Mt. Auburn Street
Mt. Auburn Street between Lowell Street and Willard Street
Local Access Detours:
Mt. Auburn Street Westbound Detour from Harvard Square towards Belmont/Watertown on Mt. Auburn Street: Vehicles will turn right onto Willard Street, left onto Brattle Street, left onto Channing Street, and right back onto Mt. Auburn Street. Vehicles with a final destination outside the immediate area can continue straight on Brattle Street, past Fresh Pond Parkway to Mt. Auburn Street.
Mt. Auburn Street Eastbound Detour from the west heading towards Harvard Square on Mt. Auburn Street: Vehicles will turn left on Lowell Street, right on Brattle Street, right on Hawthorn Street and then left back onto Mt. Auburn Street.
Sparks Street Southbound Detour: Vehicles heading south on Sparks Street from Huron Avenue will travel to Brattle Street and turn left or right based on their final destination.
MBTA Buses (71 & 73) Detours:
Westbound Detour: Buses heading west on Mt. Auburn from Harvard Square towards Belmont and Watertown will turn right onto Willard Street, left onto Brattle Street, left onto Channing Street, and right back onto Mt. Auburn Street.
Eastbound Detour: Buses heading east on Mt. Auburn Street from Watertown and Belmont will turn left on Lowell Street, right on Brattle Street, right on Hawthorn Street and the left back onto Mt. Auburn Street.
Through Truck Route:
Westbound: From Mass Ave Southbound, turn right onto Garden Street, bear left onto Concord Ave, turn left on Huron Ave, left on Aberdeen Ave and right onto Mt. Auburn.
Eastbound: From Mt. Auburn Street Eastbound, turn left on Aberdeen Ave, right on Huron Ave, right on Concord Ave, bear right on Garden Street, right on Mass Ave, bear right on Brattle Street and left onto Mt. Auburn Street.
Memorial Drive:
The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) will close the right westbound lane between Hawthorn Street and Gerrys Landing Road to traffic starting on Saturday, July 19.
Both eastbound lanes and the left westbound lane of this segment of Memorial Drive will remain open to traffic.
Traffic, cyclist, and pedestrian patterns will be clearly marked. Pedestrians and cyclists are encouraged to use the Paul Dudley White Bike Path to travel in this area and to use the crossings at Hawthorn Street and Gerrys Landing Road.
Background Information In 2023, structural deficiencies were identified in the nine-story building at 221 Mt. Auburn Street, the Riverview Condominiums. During exploratory work for roof and drainage repairs, engineers discovered that the building was not built as originally designed.Abutter Information and Contact Access to homes inside the closure area will be maintained for residents. The City has reached out directly to residents within the closure area and has met with many local residents.