A center for seniors is at risk of closing its doors due to ongoing heating and water issues.
For those who rely on St. Patrick's Senior Center on Parson Street, it's more than a place to play cards or grab a bite to eat. It is a home away from home.
But, the seniors are being frozen out of their beloved center. One visitor told 7 Action News, "It's cold enough to feel like you are sleeping in a fox hole."
Workers and volunteers are doing what they can to keep the place open. They are using ovens and steam kettles to at least heat the downstairs.
According to the executive directors, the issue started a couple of weeks ago when water problems outside, lead to heat issues inside the building.
"The water department says there is a manhole related to Detroit Thermal that needs to get drained and fixed. Detroit Thermal says it's a water leak with the city. Everyone is blaming each other and nothing is getting resolved." said SaTrice Coleman-Betts.
What happened when 7 Action News Reporter Ronnie Dahl got involved? Click on the video player to watch her report.
Have a story for Ronnie? Send her an email at ronnie.dahl@wxyz.com.
A spokesperson for the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department released the following statement:
Steam was turned off in the area of the St. Patrick Senior Citizen Center due to what was initially believed to be a leak in the city water system, causing water to leak onto the steam system and creating the potential for damage to the steam system. The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department and Detroit Thermal are working closely together to determine the source of the water and correct the situation.The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department is testing the water to determine the source.Testing should be complete in 24 hours. The next course of action for Detroit Thermal and the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department will be determined following test results. In the meantime, Detroit Thermal has reactivated the steam system to provide heat to the building and will keep crews onsite to manage water levels until the repairs are completed.
