Broderick Tower evacuated after 5th Floor Water Main Bursts

**Lowell** · January-07-14, 09:29 PM

I'm curious as to whether or not this will actually turn out to be weather-related as it is so high up. No matter what, it has to be a big black eye for the ownership and a huge inconvenience for the tenants.

Residents of the Broderick Tower in Detroit were forced to evacuate the building this morning following a 6:30 a.m. water main break on the fifth floor of the 34-story building at Grand Circus Park and Woodward Avenue.

Mike Higgins, owner representative of the building, said today's below-zero temperatures and wind chill caused the burst pipe, resulting in water entering the building's basement.

Of the 124 units in the building, the "majority" are without power right now, he said. Higgins says the issue should be resolved in a couple of hours. The building is currently running on generator power, and water is being pumped out. Four or five units had water infiltration that was limited to their floors and did not reach the walls.

The People Mover shut down due to the cold to, so no escape there either.

From Crain's Detroit Business

**mtburb** · January-07-14, 10:00 PM

Any way this is connected to this event?

Plus, there were also four water main bursts in Taylor alone yesterday, but they have all been repaired since.

**stinkytofu** · January-07-14, 11:05 PM

Obviously this is weather related, but given the disappointing cheapness of this renovation I'm not surprised. That cheap wall on Woodward, not power washing the south side, no lighting up top, restaurants still in limbo, general tackiness of tiles and such...blah. Appreciate the investment and new residents, just not happy with result.

**Honky Tonk** · January-08-14, 08:26 AM

Originally Posted by stinkytofu

Obviously this is weather related, but given the disappointing cheapness of this renovation I'm not surprised. That cheap wall on Woodward, not power washing the south side, no lighting up top, restaurants still in limbo, general tackiness of tiles and such...blah. Appreciate the investment and new residents, just not happy with result.

All that, and only $1700 a month for a 900 sq. ft. 2 bedroom.

**mikeg19** · January-08-14, 01:22 PM

Originally Posted by mtburb

Any way this is connected to this event?

Plus, there were also four water main bursts in Taylor alone yesterday, but they have all been repaired since.

Considering almost all water pipes are virtually prehistoric in Detroit and were around at the turn of the last century, I'm surprised there aren't 10ft waterspouts shooting out of the ground throughout the city.

One of the biggest infrastructure problems in this country is underground piping. In Detroit alone, we still have combined sewer/water systems & pipes made out of wood and brick. And by no means are we alone on that. Trillions of gallons leak out of the system yearly and force up water rate hikes to consumers. But if you're an elected official, would you dare tell citizens in the area you represent you want a tax hike to spend $800 million bucks on a water system overhaul? You might as well hand over your elected seat on the spot. People want to spend money on things they can see and appreciate, not something underground that may or may not cause them a problem someday. You want $2 Billion for a stadium? Sure! How about $2 Billion for the electrical grid & water pipe upgrade so everything doesn't fall to shit? No Way!!!!

**DetroitPlanner** · January-08-14, 02:58 PM

Originally Posted by mikeg19

In Detroit alone, we still have combined sewer/water systems & pipes made out of wood and brick.

I know what you mean by this, but your phrasing should have been better thought out. We have combined sewers [[sanitary and flood) AND water systems.

When I read this I thought people are going to wonder if they are drinking $h!t in their water!

**5speedz34** · January-08-14, 05:45 PM

Apparently a water main broke in Detroit City Apts[[Trolley Plaza, Washington Square) today. My buddy had to walk up 25 floors.

**Ltdave** · January-08-14, 07:49 PM

Originally Posted by mikeg19

Considering almost all water pipes are virtually prehistoric in Detroit and were around at the turn of the last century, I'm surprised there aren't 10ft waterspouts shooting out of the ground throughout the city.

One of the biggest infrastructure problems in this country is underground piping. In Detroit alone, we still have combined sewer/water systems & pipes made out of wood and brick. And by no means are we alone on that. Trillions of gallons leak out of the system yearly and force up water rate hikes to consumers. But if you're an elected official, would you dare tell citizens in the area you represent you want a tax hike to spend $800 million bucks on a water system overhaul? You might as well hand over your elected seat on the spot. People want to spend money on things they can see and appreciate, not something underground that may or may not cause them a problem someday. You want $2 Billion for a stadium? Sure! How about $2 Billion for the electrical grid & water pipe upgrade so everything doesn't fall to shit? No Way!!!!

Port Huron with a population of about 4% of Detroit's [[32k vs 750k) just finished up a 15yr $190 million state mandated sewer separation project. it was a big big deal and yes, water rates have gone up and will continue to go up...

i agree wholeheartedly that people will lose elected jobs if this comes up in Detroit...

**mikeg19** · January-09-14, 01:01 PM

Originally Posted by DetroitPlanner

I know what you mean by this, but your phrasing should have been better thought out. We have combined sewers [[sanitary and flood) AND water systems.

When I read this I thought people are going to wonder if they are drinking $h!t in their water!

Haha. Good call Planner. I could have phrased that a little bit better so as to not confuse anyone.

**hybridy** · January-09-14, 05:12 PM

the fire suppression valve was the pipe that burst. this is responsible for carrying water up the building for sprinklers. one can imagine the amount of pressure required to keep all the sprinkler pipes "wet" in a residential tower. if you look at the exterior of the building, water has breached the exterior envelope within the commercial spaces and has iced over. this will be expensive to repair in and of itself [[not to mention basement flooding). its likely the commercial spaces were minimally heated leading to the main burst.

i feel for the tenants that were displaced by this.

one could pursue the engineers for damages, though unlikely as property management would be responsible for maintaining building conditions in lease spaces.

**Malcove Magnesia** · January-10-14, 12:56 AM

FYI: Dan G. is putting QuickenLoans & affiliated company employees who live at the Broderick Tower are getting to stay at the Greektown Casino hotel while repairs are being done.