External demolition of The Ambassador to begin today in Wheaton

Crews have been demolishing the interior of The Ambassador at 2715 University Boulevard West in Wheaton since September. This morning, lane and sidewalk closures will go into effect alongside the property on University and Veirs Mill Road, as exterior demolition begins. The former Howard Johnson/Best Western hotel structure will take four or five months to bring down, according to the contractors.

Pedestrian detour around the Ambassador-related
closures along University and Veirs Mill

Here's what to watch out for starting today, weather permitting: The sidewalk will be closed around the property on both University and Veirs Mill. The far right lane of westbound University will be closed alongside the building. One potential choke point to prepare for is if you are turning right from Veirs Mill onto University, you're going to have to go one additional lane to the left in a short distance than you regularly would.

There will be signage warning of the sidewalk and lane closures on both roads. All of the closures will continue through the end of the demolition next spring.