Friday 9/19 Update

It's the weekend and we'll be out of your hair - please enjoy the peace and quiet. We've installed the metal flashing on the courtyard side of units HJK so all should be able to get a sense of what the final product will look like. Probably no Pritzker prize coming soon, but it's looking better.

A few have moved some belongings back onto your balconies. We're not done with them and will be returning to clean and/or cover with epoxy, so please do not move any materials that cannot be easily moved back indoors in the coming weeks.

We're almost done removing caulk and are progressing with paint, metal flashing and caulk replacement around the inside of the courtyard. As we complete these steps in the courtyard we will be returning to the streetside to finish paint on the bricks and install flashing and final caulk.

All streetside entrances are open and almost all courtyard sides are open this weekend. We could not open courtyard ABC this weekend as the exposed contaminated materials are still adjacent to those doors, but this should be complete by next weekend.

I apologize for the excessive noise and drilling that has been taking place, but this is required for concrete testing and for installing the metal flashing. It's loud, but in fairly short bursts.

Please email or call with any comments or questions. I'm in the trailer and around, and can meet you after hours or in your offices during the workday if that would be more convenient.

Richard

9/17 Update

Wednesday morning and a lot of action on the site. Crews have completed paint encapsulation on the courtyard side of units FG and are following the caulk removal crews to start painting on courtyard DE.

We've started caulk removal on courtyard ABC and expect these units to be covered and the courtyard inaccessible for the next two weeks, though we will probably be able to grant weekend access to the courtyard doors.

We'd like to be able to provide detailed notices on door closings, but this is tough given the degree of work ongoing. For the most part, we will be working in the courtyard for the next few weeks and everyone should expect most access to be limited on the courtyard side during this period.

The biggest news is that we've started installing the metal flashing on the side of courtyard units HJK. This work is a change from the original workplan and is being completed as an aesthetic component of the final program. Unfortunately, the installation of the flashing requires mechanical attachments that use screws drilled into the brick face. This is very loud and will be noticeable.

I'll be at tomorrow's town hall meeting and available for questions, and as always please feel free to stop by the trailer and to meet at any time.

Richard

Friday 9/5 Update

Caulk removal has started on courtyard FG and paint application is continuing on courtyard HJK.

We've heard from several that the paint fumes in the apartments, while strong during the day, dissipate for the most part in the evening. We're still turning the house fans off during the day and restarting them at night, so hopefully this is helping.

We will be able to open all entrances, other than the courtyard doorways into unit FG, this weekend. Sorry to everyone in FG, but the crews have just started on those units and the loose caulk and other materials will still be too close to the entryways to allow safe passage this weekend.

We appreciate everyone's patience and understanding. I can always be reached at 978-390-6915 or rgang@mit.edu, or at the trailer.

Thanks, and have a great weekend.

9/4 Update

Encapsulation paint has started on the courtyard side of HJK and caulk removal has started on the courtyard side of FG. Crews will be collecting concrete chip samples from the sides courtyard sides of FG Friday, the 5th - this will be noisy, but will only last a short while and will not begin before 10 AM.

Crews will begin covering windows and doors on the courtyard side of F tomorrow, and caulk removal wil continue on FG into early next week.