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This page describes the City of Cambridge' retail interior accessibility grant program.

The City of Cambridge Community Development Department (CDD) established the Retail Interior Accessibility Program to provide financial assistance to independent business tenants seeking to renovate or improve the interior of their commercial buildings to make their businesses more accessible to those who are physically disabled.

During 2013 Homeowners Rehab Inc. purchased the Putnam Square Apartments at 2 Mt Auburn Street, preserving 94 units of affordable housing for seniors and disabled individuals.

Cambridge, in partnership with Watertown, was awarded a community grant from the Barr Foundation to work with the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) to pilot bus priority improvements for routes 71 and 73 along Mt. Auburn Street west of Fresh Pond Parkway. The demonstration project includes the first dedicated bus lanes in Cambridge and new bike lanes, as well as transit signal priority. It uses temporary materials like paint and signs, which will remain in place during the evaluation, and is the first step towards implementing a long-term plan for the Mt. Auburn corridor.

In 2023, structural deficiencies were identified in the nine-story building at 221 Mount Auburn Street, the Riverview Condominiums. During exploratory work for roof and drainage repairs, engineers discovered that the building was not built as originally designed. To reduce the weight in the building, all residents moved out by the end of 2024. After evaluating various repair options, the Condo Association has concluded that fixing the building is not feasible, and it will need to be taken down. The City is working closely with the Condo Association on reviewing the situation and planning for demolition of the nine-story building.

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.

Gibson Street to Fresh Pond Parkway

Cambridge is making changes to Mt. Auburn Street near the intersection with Aberdeen Avenue to improve safety and mobility for everyone on the street.

Mt. Auburn Street from JFK Street to Holyoke Street

A virtual public meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 22 to discuss demolition updates about 221 Mount Auburn Street, Riverview Condominiums, and answer questions.