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Cambridge council approves $20 million appropriation to demolish 221 Mount Auburn St.
Summary
At a July 23 special meeting the Cambridge City Council approved a $20 million appropriation to fund demolition of 221 Mount Auburn Street after engineers and city inspectors concluded the building posed an imminent public-safety risk; councilors and city staff discussed funding mechanics, recovery of costs and neighborhood impacts.
The Cambridge City Council on July 23 approved a $20,000,000 appropriation to fund the demolition of 221 Mount Auburn Street after engineers and city inspectors concluded the 9‑story, 65‑unit building posed an imminent risk to public health and safety.
City officials said the funds will come temporarily from the general fund employee benefits salary and wages account and will be replenished with a future free‑cash appropriation once the state certifies Cambridge’s FY2025 free cash. City Solicitor Megan Bear said the city will use authority in Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 143 to abate the dangerous building and may recover demolition costs by recording a lien on the property if owners do not pay.
The appropriation is intended to let the city hire contractors and consultants to carry out a complex demolition that city staff say cannot follow a standard demolition sequence because of structural failures and widespread asbestos. Deputy City Manager Kathy Watkins described a multi‑departmental effort and said contractors must treat removed material “as hazardous material and disposed of such,” which staff said could raise disposal costs…
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