8/29 Update

The crews have made excellent progress this week with the weather we've been having. We're closer to our original schedule, but still a few weeks behind in a few tasks. We are going to return to our original work plan and prevent teams from working on both sides of your individual units at any one time. Sorry for the added stress on HJK while that happened.

We will be able to open almost all entrances this weekend. We've completed the majority of paint application on the streetside of ABC, but the paint is still curing so these entrances (just streetside ABC) will not be opened for the weekend - sorry about that.

Crews are completing caulk removal on courtyard HJK and should be able to start on courtyard FG by next Tuesday, so please be sure to have all materials removed from your balconies by 8 AM Tuesday morning.

We will not be working Monday - enjoy the long weekend and the peace and quiet.

8/26 Update

Work continues on all streetside units and courtyard HJK. We've completed, or nearly completed paint application on DE and will begin spray application on streetside ABC this week.

We are also collecting concrete 'chip' samples from the side of ABC today so it will be a bit noisy for a short period.

We've had a number of concerns about the fumes and exhaust odors in the apartments. We're considering a number of alternatives to minimize this, but as the joints are open during paint application, and are also open while the new caulk is being installed, odors from both products will likely continue to migrate into the units - even though the house fans have been shut down.

If possible, keeping your windows closed will help. The outside temps haven't made this particularly attractive and for those units (HJK) where we are still installing caulk on the opposite side this is almost impossible. We will minimize this approach going forward.

Please feel free to call or email anytime. If you have any suggestions on ways we can make this easier we're open to it.

Thanks.

8/22 Update Progress and Door Access

Crews have removed poly from the streetside of HJK and have started caulk removal on the courtyard. Doors to streetside JK are open now, and we are trying to open the door to streetside H for the weekend. Doors to courtyard side H and J will be open for the weekend, but courtyard K door is restricted due to caulk and equipment concerns (sorry about that K residents).

Most of the poly has been removed from streetside FG and we will be opening those doors this weekend as well. Paint has been started on streetside DE, and we are not able to open those streetside doors this weekend due to equipment concerns.

Streetside ABC will be re-openend and we should be free on that side for a couple of days next week.

As always, thanks for your patience and please let me know if we can do anythng to make this easier on you.

8/20 Work to Begin on Courtyard Units HJK

The streeside caulk replacement on unit HJK is almost done and crews are scheduled to start caulk removal on the courtyard side of units J and K on Wednesday the 20th. A fence will be installed for safety and access to units through the courtyard will be resticted during the work week, though we will try to make sure access is available on weekends as we have on the streetside.

We expect to continue in the courtyard and will probably be fencing units J and FG shortly after - probably some time next week.

Housing will be moving bike racks and you should have been contacted about removing your window AC units by now. If you have any materials that will be left in the fenced 'cages' beneath the balconies on the ground floor please note - these will be inaccessible while the work is ongoing. We will cover these fenced areas with poly sheeting so they will remain clean and free of materials.

If you have any questions or concerns email or call.

Update Friday 8/15

Work is progressing on streetside HJK. Caulk replacement is complete on several units and we are still scheduled to begin prep and plastic install on the courtyard side of HJK on Monday.

Paint on FG is moving forward as well and if we can get the weather to cooperate we might be able to remove plastic from the streetside of FG by the end of next week.

We are going to try and leave a 'window' or opening in the plastic on the large plate glass windows on each unit going forward so that you'll have views and a bit more light. As we bring machines into the courtyard and install fence we will need to block door access as well during the week. We plan on being as flexible as possible but restricted access to these doors during the week is likely.

Remember that we need to have balcony materials (on HJK) removed by Monday morning before the crews start.

Thanks as always.

Concrete and Walk Sampling

Crews are going to begin collecting concrete 'chip' samples from the walkways and door entrances over the next two or three days. They'll be sure to allow everyone to pass and shouldn't take more than a few minutes at each location (will be collecting from streetside and couryard from each building).

They will be using a rotary hammer drill and it will be a bit loud. Work will not start before 9 in the morning.

Work on Courtyard Side to Begin 8/18

Work is scheduled to begin on the courtyard side of building HJK on Monday, the 18th. We will be installing poly sheeting over windows and doors on the balconies on units HJK next week and will need everyone to remove their furniture and other materials by Monday morning at 8 AM.

We will be fencing portions of the courtyard as we remove fence from the streetside of HJK, so access to building entrances will be restricted on the courtyard side (for HJK only) by the middle or end of next week.

Work on units FG courtyard side will probably begin the week after, but this is contingent on completing the paint encapsulation on the streetside according to schedule.

MIT Housing will work with each of you to relocate your AC units and assist with storage as we move forward. The bike racks will be shifted as well and Housing is working out the final location for those affected.

We plan on opening courtyard access to your units on the weekends once the fences are in place, but again, this is contingent on the pace of remediation.

Email or stop by with questions.

Encapsulation paint on streetside HJK is nearly complete. We've had some delays this week due to weather, but expect to begin painting on streetside FG next week. The crews are tentatively scheduled to begin prep and plastic work on the courtyard sides of HJK, though this work is going to move a bit slowly at first.

At some point all balconies will have to be cleared of chairs, planters, toys, etc. so that work can begin. Storage will be available on the ground level cages. You might consider beginning to move these items over the next week or so, but we'll have a better idea as the work progresses.

In general we expect to begin courtyard work on unit K (early next week) and work our way toward unit F.

We are opening the streetside access to units FG, though you'll have to exit and turn to the left as the fence along the Vassar Street construction will remain in place.

I'll post more details on other issues early next week, but if you have any other comments or concerns please write.

Caulk removal on the streetside of buildings ABC and DE is complete as originally scheduled (ahead of revised schedule of a week ago - thanks DecTam). Paint encapsulation on buildings FG and HJK is going slower than expected due to the porous surface of the concrete and the quicker than expected cure time of the paint (clogs sprayer and ruins brushes and rollers).

We will open the streetside entrances to buildings ABC, DE, and HJK over the weekend, but are still leaving FG closed as the exit still empties on to the Vassar Street construction zone. We'll probably leave ABC and DE access open on both sides well into next week, or at least until we are ready to paint on that side, so hopefully that will help with moving and general access.

We're planning on starting prep work on the courtyard side of HJK and FG in the middle or later half of next week, pending the progress of the painting on the streetside. We may proceed on a unit-by-unit basis just to keep the teams moving, but will not allow both sides of your units to be closed or covered at the same time. Housing will work with you to move AC units as necessary.

Thanks again for all of your patience and tolerance with this. I know it isn't easy. As always, please feel free to email or call at 978-390-6915 if you have any questions or concerns.