Court orders halt to Vail Court demolition, apparently catching officials by surprise
The derelict Vail Court near Central Square has been prepped for demolition Monday, but a court has barred work for now. (Photo: John Hawkinson)
The city has been blocked – at least temporarily – from tearing down Vail Court, two boarded-up, rat-infested buildings empty for more than a decade near Central Square.
A temporary restraining order barring demolition was issued Thursday by Middlesex Superior Court Judge Maynard Kirpalani.
The city acquired Vail Court off Bishop Allen Drive in September through eminent domain, intending to replace it with affordable housing. The current structure, condemned as unsafe and uninhabitable by a city board of survey, was scheduled to be demolished starting Monday. Now that will have to wait.
“After hearing and review, the court orders that the City of Cambridge be temporarily restrained from demolishing any buildings located on the property it acquired from plaintiff located on the property at 139 Bishop Allen Drive,” reads the online docket entry dated Thursday. “It is so ordered.”
The order is in effect until Wednesday, when the judge will hold a hearing for a more permanent “preliminary injunction.” A review of the docket suggests the order was issued without hearing from the city.
It appears the city wasn’t aware of the order until Friday afternoon. At 11:47 a.m., it emailed an announcement that demolition would begin on schedule Monday morning.
City solicitor Nancy Glowa wrote in an email to city officials Friday afternoon that “We will vigorously oppose the motion and ask the court to allow the city to proceed expeditiously with the planned demolition and redevelopment of the property.”
Lisa Peterson, the deputy city manager, forwarded a copy of the court order and summons Friday afternoon, but did not comment on the litigation. The city closes for business at noon Fridays.
The order was requested by Said Abuzahra, who owned the property before the city’s seizure – approved with a $3.7 million payment to the owner for the property being taken. City councillors had sought action on the property for years after Abuzahra family members spent the better part of a decade in court squabbling over ownership and eventual development rights.
Abuzahra referred questions Friday to his attorneys, who could not be reached.
Abuzahra had also asked the court to grant him access to “view, inspect and relocate” property within the building, including furniture, clothing and appliances, all at the city’s expense. The court denied that.
Peace,Security, and Sanity Be Unto You,
Hey, What About Massachusetts and Clinton Street the site of another property Taken by Eminent Domain?
Peace,Security, and Sanity Be Unto You,
What about Massachusetts Avenue at Clinton Street a place where the sidewalk looks as though its falling or sinking, into the subway below. This is a dangerous location for pedestrian traffic. Public Works hasn’t erected barriers blocking off this strip of sidewalk to pedestrians until repairs are made. Something must be done and soon, to protect pedestrians, they walk this dangerous strip of sidewalk all day and night. The city is aware of how dangerous it is, but hasn’t done anything that insures the safety of pedestrians traffic. This site was also the home of the former Cambridge Chamber of Commerce Building, that is currently being renovated to house the Family Homeless Shelter at 3 Bigalow Street. City Councilman Mahar was brought before the State Ethics Commission about this location, they didn’t see how dangerous a condition the sidewalk was in out front. Check it out your self at: https://www.cctvcambridge.org/node/498445.
Yours In Peace,Security, and Sanity.
Mr. Hasson Rashid
Cambridge,MA