Despite building collapse, revitalization efforts continue in Cambridge
Despite the collapse of the Hearn Building Wednesday night in Cambridge, revitalization efforts continue. The President of Cambridge Main Street tells 47 ABC that the structure, known to locals as the Hearn building, is 100 years old. It was once the Hearn Hardware building and later became the Art Well furniture store. Following that, we’re told it sat vacant for a number of years, which is why they say it became dilapidated. Town leaders also say a storm that came through about four years ago blew the roof off the structure, accelerating the decay.
A façade and rubble are all that’s left of the building and while the town did suffer a loss, officials say they’re not giving up on it just yet. They say they want to get things up and running as quickly as possible to keep the revitalization efforts moving forward.
Built in 1915, we’re told before it came down it was rundown and on the list to be restored. 47 ABC spoke with State Senator Addie Eckardt and she says, “We want to get things up and running and moving just as quickly as possible.”
Senator Eckardt says the collapse is a minor hindrance to the ongoing revitalization of downtown Cambridge. Senator Eckardt tells 47 ABC, “We’ve been able to open new restaurants during the downturn of the economy and that’s really been exciting.”
Tom Hutchinson is the President of Cambridge Main Street. He says the city has several other buildings to restore and in the meantime, he tells 47 ABC, “Cambridge is open for business its just a temporary set back that the 500 block of race street is closed. I think it will be back to normal very soon they’ll bring the structural engineers in and determine what’s the next phase of it.”
Senator Eckardt tells 47 ABC, “The issue is safety you know what is safe and what is reasonable and how long will it take to either stabilize it or get the wheels moving to be able to get in there and preserve it.”
Hutchinson says the once-thriving business district in Cambridge, is thriving again. What once was a town with two restaurants has turned into a city with fourteen within the main street district.
Hutchinson tells 47 ABC, “This towns got a lot of resilience a lot of great people that’ll make sure that this block will one day be a vital component of downtown Cambridge.”
Senator Eckardt tells us that additional security fencing will be going in on Friday just as a safety precaution. The city and county were also on the grounds Thursday afternoon and engineering assessments are reportedly being done. Senator Eckardt says she’s hoping by Friday, they’ll have more information on what’s next.
