For Immediate Release: 7/29/2022 12:59 pm
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 7/29/22
MEDIA CONTACT: Amy Peterson, petersona@worcesterma.gov, 508-799-1175 X31317
Mill Street Apartments Update
Worcester – On Friday, July 15, a 32-unit apartment building at 267 Mill Street in Worcester experienced a partial roof collapse resulting in the emergency evacuation of residents.
An investigation into the incident and cause of the collapse will be conducted by the insurance companies and experts in engineering. The City of Worcester does not employ a structural engineer and as such cannot make a determination as to the cause.
The case is currently in housing court, with the judge and housing specialists working with the tenants and property owners on individual agreements on removal of all furniture and personal contents.
On Monday, July 25, Senior Building Inspector David Carl, Deputy Building Commissioner David Horne, and Commissioner of Inspectional Services Chris Spencer toured and inspected the building with a structural engineer from Veitas & Veitas Engineers, Inc. of Braintree, Massachusetts. Subsequently, they reviewed the report and agreed on the assessment that the structural issues were isolated to 5 separate apartments. A floor plan indicating where the City can reasonably allow residents in to retrieve or examine belongings was established and barriers were installed to ensure that the 5 units in question cannot be accessed. The City may require additional monitoring or safety measures during the move-out process due to the building monitoring systems being inoperable.
Once all tenant belongings have safely been removed, interior gutting will allow for further assessment of the building. All permit applications and plans will be reviewed by the building inspectors in Inspectional Services and the Fire Department as appropriate prior to the issuance of any permits for reconstruction.
City administration is actively working with partner agencies on relief and support for those displaced, among them the Central Mass Housing Alliance and the United Way of Central Massachusetts and their affiliates. As standard practice, the City of Worcester’s Office of Emergency Management activates disaster planning initiatives for acute care anytime an emergency incident occurs. Acute care services and resources include emergency shelter, physical and emotion medical care, food and clothing and other necessary resources such as family reunification. The City then works with partner agencies to ensure residual care, relief and wrap-around services for those effected by the incident, including suitable housing.
“Nothing can prepare one for the unexpected and immeasurable loss of being left unhoused and without their personal and important belongings,” said Eric D. Batista, Acting City Manager. “The City of Worcester offers its support, care and concern for all of the residents of the Pond View Apartment Homes that were impacted by the building’s partial roof collapse on July 15. I am incredibly grateful for the collaboration with and assistance from our partner agencies who were on the ground with us on day one and continue to offer compassionate care and resources for these residents.”
