Parts Of Davis Square Closed Until Further Notice

SOMERVILLE (CBS) -- Parts of Davis Square could be shut down through Friday after a building under construction was deemed unsafe.

City leaders are concerned the construction site at 240 Elm St. could collapse. On Monday night, officials shut down Davis Square from Grove Street to Chester Street along Elm Street.

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Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone said the city filed a criminal complaint against the owners of the building for failing to comply.

"They could go to jail," he said. "There's a serious public safety risk."

The situation caused a traffic headache for many drivers Tuesday morning, and at least 17 businesses also won't be able to open.

"This could put us out of business," the owner of McKinnon's Meat Market told WBZ-TV. "It's devastating for us."

"This is the heart of Somerville right here," resident Larry Cyr told WBZ-TV. "Everybody comes through this whole area, every day."

The city will conduct a review on Wednesday to see whether businesses along Chester St. can reopen.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Karen Twomey reports: 

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• Karen Twomey